Business
Fire Safety

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Fire Safety team offers advice and information aimed at helping you minimise the risk of a fire affecting your life or property. Follow the links below for online versions of our Fire Safety Sheets and leaflets. If you cannot find the information you require contact the Community Fire Safety Team direct by telephone or email using the contacts below:

Call the helpline on (0118) 932 2152

Or send us an email

Use these links to find out more advice in the following areas:

• Arson protection
• Employers guide
• Countryside and Farm fires
• Fire extinguishers
• Skip fires

And these links offer further information on these topics:

• Community Fire Safety

Look out for local CFS events going on in area. If you want to find out where your local fire station is located select this link

The Arson Newsletter is accessed via a document retrieval system - please use this username and password to open it:

Username: public    
Password: access

Arson Newsletters

Each year in the UK on average around 1,600 farm buildings and 85,000 areas of grassland are destroyed by fire. Around 40% of these fires are started deliberately, many as an act of mindless vandalism.

Approximately half of the deliberately set property fires that Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended in West Berkshire during 2006 were on farm premises.

A serious fire on a farm can affect the financial stability of even the most well run business. It is estimated that up to 80% of businesses are seriously affected following a major fire. Assessing the risk by carrying out a quick and simple survey of the farm will identify areas where an arsonist could strike. If there are certain areas you are unsure about, ask your local crime prevention officer or your insurer for advice. Your survey may reveal the need to:

• Provide, repair or replace damaged fencing or gates;
• Install intruder sensors and security lighting;
• Maintain the security of the outbuildings;
• Replace or re-site security and warning notices;
• Ensure firefighting equipment is in good order;
• Prepare a fire routine and action plan that all farm workers know what to do in the event of a fire, including how to use extinguishers.

Following a simple checklist can substantially reduce the risk of an arson attack.

Hay and straw should be removed from the field as soon as possible after harvesting.

Hay and straw should be stored:
• separately from other buildings, particularly those housing fuels, agrochemicals and machinery.
• in stacks of reasonable size.
• separately from livestock housing.

Petrol, diesel and other fuels should be stored in secure areas and storage tank outlets should be padlocked. Fertilisers and pesticides should be kept under lock and key. Refuse should be disposed of safely and on a regular basis. Unoccupied areas should be regularly checked to ensure they are safe and secure and there is no unnecessary accumulation of combustible materials.

Remember:
Report all incidents of anyone acting suspiciously to your
local Police on 08458 505 505 or call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For further information:
Contact the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Arson and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction Assistant on 0118 932 2771.