19
PRO INSTALLER DECEMBER 2015
PRO NEWS
@proinstaller1
Students Are Seven Times More Likely To Have A Fire
A fire recently ripped through flats in Bristol where around 120 students lived.
More than 40 firefighters tackled
the blaze as it took hold of the
building and completely destroyed
the roof. No students were harmed
but all had to be rehoused.
The fire is believed to have ignited in the
kitchen from an unattended pan of oil.
Students are a high-risk group when
it comes to fire safety. They are seven
times more likely to have a fire with 81%
undertaking risky activities. The appeal of
late night food is understandably common
in student flats, so these ‘risky activities’
include ‘drinking and frying’ – one in two
do this causing hundreds of fires each
year. Deep fat fryers and chip pans are the
cause of 9% of fires and 58% of incidents
occur from misuse of cooking appliances.
Fire doors are safety devices. When a fire
breaks out, they act as a barrier by holding the fire back so people can escape.
With issues of struggling with the weight
from heavy fire doors, slamming and
injury, it’s clear to see why fire doors get
wedged open. They are seen as more of
a hindrance than a safety device. Despite
this, regulations state that fire doors must
be kept closed.
For many, an open door makes life easier.
It stops the obstruction from heavy fire
doors, reduces injury, inconvenience and
allows freedom of movement.
There are legal ways to keep fire doors
open with hold open devices such as Dorgard. A hold open door retainer, Dorgard
allows the user to hold fire doors open at
any angle. These wire-free devices listen
for the sound of the alarm and once
heard, close the doors. This prevents
the rapid spread of smoke and fire.
David Leefe Kendon