Farms and Similar Agricultural Facilities

Transcription

1 Guidance Note Farms and Similar Agricultural Facilities

2 This is information for FIA members and their customers, who have to determine the scale of provision of portable fire extinguishers on farms and similar agricultural facilities. This document offers no other guidance as to the scale of provision of portable fire extinguishers for open air events. SOURCE INFORMATION BS , BS and BS :2004. CLG guide Fire Safety Risk Assessment: animal premises and stables (ISBN: ). DEFRA s guide Farm Fires Protecting farm animal welfare (Product code PB9326). NFU s Fire Safety Advisory Note; and HSE s Agriculture: Workplace safety and welfare: Fire precautions in workplaces. LEGISLATION/REGULATIONS Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ( Fire Safety Order ). The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, and the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; and the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order REQUIREMENTS The above legislation applies to farms and similar agricultural facilities (including buildings and land) and requires that the responsible person ensures that: The relevant premises are equipped with appropriate means for fighting fire (Article 13 of Part 2, paragraph (1)(a) of the Fire Safety Order); and any such equipment is subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair (Article 17 of Part 2, paragraph (1) of the Fire Safety Order). Similar provisions apply under the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations and Northern Ireland regulations. Subject to also fulfilling the requirements of BS and their own fire risk assessments, FIA member customers are advised to meet these requirements by: 2 of 5

3 PRODUCT 1. The following, all commonly present on farms, should all be covered with extinguishers in accordance with the recommendations of BS All buildings. It is noted that: o This will include most barns. However, barns without walls, eg some UK Dutch Barns, may not need to be treated as buildings ; o travel distances will be an important determining factor in the calculation of extinguisher cover due to the layout of some buildings, such as chicken barns; and some buildings will have considerable electrical equipment in need of appropriate extinguisher cover. Diesel or other fuel storage tanks. As with any such storage, it should be subject to careful risk assessment and have suitable protective measures such as bunding as required. Areas where class A fires may be particularly intense (eg hay storage), which should have increased levels of cover. Any class D flammable metal hazards in engineering work areas with (eg filings or swarf of iron, aluminium, copper, or zinc) present. All other fire hazards whether indoors or outdoors (eg other plant), which should have extinguishers located nearby (and within 30m for Classes A and C, 10m for classes B and F and fires involving electrical equipment), eg: o Silos at least one [6/9]kg ABC powder extinguisher. Note: Silos may also present an explosion risk and explosion suppression/inerting systems may be present. 2. Typically, each vehicle should have at least one 2kg powder extinguisher (eg in or near the cab). Where applicable, they should also have any additional (powder) extinguishers required by the ADR. Additionally, it is recognised that equipment and activities related to the vehicle may have a relatively high fire hazard. As such, they should also have any additional fire extinguishers determined by risk assessment. Examples may include: Hay bailers at least one 9L foam extinguisher (mindful of risk of freezing). Combine harvesters at least one 6kg ABC powder or 9l foam extinguisher (mindful of risk of freezing) (which may supplement a fixed system where fitted). 3. ABC powder extinguishers will often be the most suitable choice in outbuildings and outside areas due to a combination of (a) the risk with low temperatures of freezing, and (b) the varied and changeable pattern of use of those areas. However, the following points should be borne in mind: Using powder extinguishers near animals, either inside or outside a building, has the potential to cause respiratory problems. Powder extinguishers can be effective against fires involving hay or straw, but water-based extinguishers are typically more effective. ABC powder is acidic and, as with any other fire extinguishing media, its possible reactions with other chemicals that may be present in the farm should be considered. Some low temperature additives may be hazardous to certain animals. 3 of 5

4 PROCESS AND PEOPLE 4. Extinguishers within farms and on farm equipment may be particularly prone to damage and corrosion (eg from the elements, fertiliser or other corrosive chemicals). Accordingly, particular care should be taken in the selection of fittings and in the inspection of such extinguishers (see points 8 and 9). 5. When considering siting extinguishers in locations where temperatures may approach the limits of their marked temperature range (such as in greenhouses or near heat-generating equipment), consideration will also need to be given to employing alternative extinguishers types or measures to protect them from the temperature. 6. Where foam extinguishers are used and biofuels (mixtures of petrol and alcohol) are present, depending on the percentage of alcohol in the biofuel, the use suitable a polar solvent foam should be considered. 7. Located in cabinets, either the enclosure should be clearly marked to indicate the equipment it contains and/or the door should be fully glazed to facilitate sight of the equipment. 8. Ensuring that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is undertaken and reviewed regularly and as required. Any additional requirements of the fire risk assessment in respect of fire extinguishers should be properly implemented. 9. Ensuring that staff (and any other relevant persons) receive training (including on the use of fire fighting equipment) that is adequate, suitable and sufficient. Such training should be provided when they start, whenever there are new or increased risks, and be repeated periodically, where appropriate. 10. Ensuring extinguishers are easily accessible and, where applicable, easy to release from the stowage. 11. Carrying out a visual inspection, at least weekly, to check: a. Each is correctly located, unobstructed and visible and that tamper indicators are neither missing nor broken. b. The operating instructions are clean, legible and facing outwards. c. Each extinguisher has not been operated, suffered damage or had parts become missing. d. Any pressure gauge readings are within the operational and safety limits for each extinguisher. The results of these checks should be recorded and any necessary corrective action taken. Where necessary, or if in doubt, any such corrective actions should be undertaken by an FIA member. 12. Ensuring extinguishers are subject to a suitable maintenance regime carried out by a competent person in accordance with BS5306-3, under an FIA-Member service contract to ensure continued serviceability. 13. Portable fire extinguishers are of particular use in the early stages of fires and are not typically provided to deal with large fires. As such, it is noted that it may, subject to careful risk assessment, be necessary to supplement portable fire extinguishers with other means of fighting larger fires, such as fixed systems for certain equipment or vehicles and the provision of water bowsers/ tankers for harvest time. The provision of such means is outside the scope of this document. 4 of 5

5 DISCLAIMER The information set out in this document is believed to be correct in the light of information currently available but it is not guaranteed and neither the Fire Industry Association nor its officers can accept any responsibility in respect of the contents or any events arising from use of the information contained within this document. Tudor House, Kingsway Business Park, Oldfield Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 2HD Tel: +44 (0) of 5