College response to media reports (11 March 2010)

Louise Foster | Thursday, March 11, 2010

In response to recent media coverage of the fire which took place at the Fire Service College last May, the following statement has been issued:

A Fire Service College spokesperson said:

"Whilst a fire risk assessment for the appliance bay, which was damaged by the fire, had not been carried out under the Fire Safety Order 2005; one had been carried out in 2004 under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations. 

As a result of the fire on 16 May 2009, the Crown Premises Fire Inspector carried out a fire safety audit of the Appliance Bay, as is normal practice following a fire at Crown Premises. 

The fire precautions in place in the bay were considered adequate to mitigate the risk to life. However, the inspector identified a number of measures necessary to deliver compliance with the new Fire Safety Order on which the Fire Service College has taken remedial action. 

No further enforcement action was considered appropriate.

The College has carried out fire risk assessments for all its buildings in accordance with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

ends

Note to Editors:

For further information:

Contact:

Neil Thompson, Communications Officer, Fire Service College
Email:  mailto:nthompson@fireservicecollege.ac.uk

Mob:    0782 540 3492