Fire dampers are a means of fire protection used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems which act to prevent the spread of fire through ducting. Where temperatures rise the fire damper closes to limit the spread of fire. Typically these are operated by having a component which melts when a certain temperature is reached, allowing the damper to close. … Read More
Bank Holiday Announced for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral
Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, and last day of the period of national mourning, will be a national bank holiday. This national bank holiday will allow individuals, businesses, and organisations to pay their respect to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign. This bank holiday will operate like other bank holidays, such as … Read More
Telescopic Ladder Failures
Recent research by The Ladder Association has found that up to 80% of telescopic ladders sold failed to meet the minimum safety requirements set out in BS EN 131-6 Ladders – Telescopic Ladders. This is especially concerning considering their rise in popularity alongside the fact that many of the largest and most trusted sellers were involved in selling these ladders. … Read More
Tougher Sentences for Driving Offences
The Highway Code has recently been updated to reflect increases in the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life. Similarly, the maximum sentence for causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs has increased from 14 years to life. The minimum disqualification period for both offences has increased from a … Read More
Advancements in Detecting Tachograph Offences
Recently the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that they have begun trialling a new form of remote tachograph sensing equipment across Britain. This will make it easier for DVSA to find out which drivers are breaking the drivers’ hours rules. Broadly drivers’ hours rules place a limit of 9 hours daily for driving, with the exception that … Read More
Extending Responsibility for Packaging Waste
Currently, organisations that handle 50 or more tonnes of packaging or packaging materials in a calendar year (i.e. January to December) and have an annual turnover of more than £2 million must register as a packaging producer, meet recycling obligations and provide evidence of compliance. The government recently announced that with effect from 1st January 2023 these requirements will be … Read More
FLOOD RESPONSE PLANNING FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY – UNDERSTAND, MINIMISE RISK AND REDUCE DAMAGE
Flooding can have a devastating impact on your business. Since commercial properties are twice as likely to be at risk from flooding compared to the average British property, it is vital you are prepared in the event of a disaster. Flooding is a significant risk to retailers. A relatively small depth of flooding can cause exceptionally high losses, with a … Read More
SAFE STORAGE OF GAS CYLINDERS
Whether used in the home (e.g. medical oxygen) or in a workplace (e.g. welding gasses) where gas cylinders are in use it is often important that spares are readily available and it will often be the case that a number of cylinders will be present in any premises where they are used. There are a number of hazards associated with … Read More
Highway Code Updated for Self-driving Vehicles
While there are currently no self-driving vehicles listed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for use in the UK, vehicle technology is steadily advancing and it is anticipated that these could be on UK roads in the medium term. A number of vehicles do exist that include some driver assistance technology such as cruise control and lane assistance … Read More
NEW FIRE SAFETY GUIDANCE
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) have recently published a number of new guidance documents. The first of these is a Guide on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (ATEX). This gives background information on the use of electrical equipment in areas where there is a risk of explosion and also gives information on the concepts available for protecting equipment used … Read More