Business fire claims continue to rise

Mike,

Your point is quite valid. I would ask? If you took out all of those scenarios out, would you see that in fact arson (or deliberate fire setting) statistics where no different from before? I don't know the answer, just an observation

Having said that, I don't see what businesses can do over and above a 'token gesture'.

During unoccupied hours you secure your premises and you manage any rubbish 'combustibles' near your premise to prevent fire spread.

What can you do during the day? Stop people coming into your premise?
Arsonists 'or deliberate fire setters' will do what they can when they can, unless you have a specific risk how do you plan for that in your fire safety arrangements and your Fire Risk Assessment?

My comments obviously do not have any reference to any high risk premise.

When times become difficult and businesses suffer an economic downturn, for some, it appears an easy option to lose the whole of their enterprise to fire, thereby accumulating some monetary recompense through their insurances to offset the financial losses of the failing business.

That is the way of the world

Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com

Terry,

Thanks for your reply and comments. As you have quite rightly pointed out the risk of arson and geographic location CAN be linked; however, these geographics can be isolated to “hot spot areas” in an otherwise relatively non offending area.

The “threat” of arson is not always directly proportional to function as you say but is ONE factor amongst many; there are many other factors such as turn over of staff, internal/external employee relationships, recruitment profile, construction of premises, level of security, level of fire protection e.g. sprinkler etc.

It might help you to read the article written in Workplace Law “Recession to blame for increase in fire damage” (19053) on 10th March 09. In it Nick Starling’s et al (ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health) discussed the correlation between an economic downturn and increase in arson and fraud as contributing factors. This was also mentioned in the “Loss Reporting” article in Fire Risk Management Journal (Dec 2008) written by the Fire Protection Association.

Of course everything you assess and then act on should be proportionate with a cost benefit analysis; a fundamental of Health & Safety legislation requirement would you not agree?

Also be sure of your definitions as you maybe aware there is a clear difference between arson and deliberate fire setting.

Hope this helps you.

Andy

sorry, i disagree. the risk of arson is directly proportionate to the functions carried out within the premise. and also the geographical location of the premise.

your observations are misleading in that you relate the fact that fire lossess have increase as a direct result of arson.

the advancement of fire investigation helps in the statistics of confirming the cause of fire. that does not necessarily prove that arson fires are on the increase.

the proactive approach you refer to should be proportionate to the type of premise and the functions it carries out.

so, if your joe bloggs co. where's the extra risk?

As the article indicates arson and deliberate fire setting is still a major issue and the single biggest cause of fire in the workplace in the UK today.

Having audited many Risk Assessments and significant findings we are still finding that arson reduction measures are at best token gestures added on without a full understanding of what can be done and what should be assessed. There is a wide range of measures available to combat arson and is even more critical where there has been a previous incident or fire setting behaviour is know in the area. Certain sites and businesses also lend themselves to being more vulnerable and a specific arson fire risk assessment should form part of the overall risk management of the premises and business.

The official industry figures seem to showcase the good; that the number of fires and fatalities are down but as indicated above, the size of fire losses have increased.

It has been recently reported that there is a link between deliberate fire setting and an economic downturn and insurers and enforcing authorities will be looking for a more proactive approach from businesses which could have a critical implication to your insurance cover and business.

Andy