Arson prevention advice for business

Responsibility

Firstly, let’s get the heavy handed stuff out of the way. . . In any shop or store, the owner/occupier and manager have a legal responsibility for fire safety.
Fires started inside the premises are often by people who may be mentally ill, by extremists or even by a member of staff who bears a grudge. Ask yourself this - How easily could a fire be started or an incendiary device be concealed?
It is a fact that most of the arson fires affecting shops and stores are lit outside. The culprits are often vandals with little more motive than to cause trouble. They light fires with anything readily to hand - waste, packaging, rubbish in open skips and plastic trays. How easily could it happen?

YOU CAN STOP YOUR BUILDING BECOMING AN ARSON STATISTIC!

Deal with the waste and rubbish threat

No packaging, waste or rubbish should be left to accumulate anywhere on the premises or immediately outside.
Packaging, waste and rubbish should be removed regularly to a safe storage area.
Safe storage means metal bins with closed lids; ideally these bins would be locked away in their own compartment.
Arrange regular/frequent collection of refuse/waste by a local authority or contractor.

Make the premises as arson proof as possible

Have there previously been small fires in the shop or store? Have you heard of fires occurring locally? If so, tell the Police and be particularly vigilant. Small fires sometimes serve as a warning sign of worse to come.

Without blocking fire exits, limit as far as possible the number of entrances in use.
Keep an eye on what is going on. It pays in larger establishments to have a security guard on duty at main entrances. In smaller businesses you and your staff should exercise vigilance.
As part of staff training, remind all employees of the arson threat and advise them to report suspicious behaviour by customers (or staff!).
Ensure that doors and windows are in good repair and that locks are working.
Gaps under doors to the street should be as narrow as possible - this will prevent items such as lighted paper being pushed under them.
If there is a letter-box, it should have a metal container fitted on the inside of the building. (This should contain any fires from lighted rags or paper).
Keep a list of people holding keys to the premises, and chase any that are missing.
Special danger areas are storages and warehousing. There should be a rule that access is only available to authorised members of staff.
Is there a system - or should there be - for leaving lights on at night?

Other Information:

If you would like free advice on the security of your premises, contact your local fire safety office or phone our Fire Safety Advice Line on 01609 788545.

If you have any information about a suspicious fire, call Crime stoppers Arson Alert. The Arson Alert number is 0800 555 111 - calls are free, callers do not have to give their name and callers may receive an award.

Or visit the Arson Control Forum website

http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/toolkits/an020704.htm