Careless commercial and industrial disposal of waste can cost you dearly in terms of the threat and likilihood of
fire. Waste bins and skips are becoming a very popular target for arsonists especially over holiday and
night time periods.
Don’t let your business become another fire statistic and don’t let your property offer a
“soft target” for malicious damage and arson.
By taking some simple precautions, expensive inconvenience can be avoided.
Here are some simple guidelines to assist you:
1. Manage the disposal of waste.
- Do not allow rubbish to build up around your premises.
- Clean up on a regular basis.
- Do not obstruct fire exits with rubbish, it may be YOU who needs to escape via that route.
2. Collection of waste:
Make arrangements with the waste disposal companies to collect and dispose of your waste before the
commencement of holiday periods.
3. Frequency of collection:
- Monitor the frequency of collections.
- Are they sufficient or does waste produced, exceed the capacity of the bins/skips provided?
- If it does, do not order more bins/skips; arrange for more frequent collection.
4. Storage of waste:
- Where possible restrict access to where waste is stored.
- Try not to encourage people to come onto your property.
- Keep temptation out of sight.
- Choose where you locate your bin/skip.
- Use containers made of non-combustible material.
- Ensure the rubbish containers are never overfilled and are securely shut.
- Install security devices such as cameras, lighting or alarms in storage areas.
- DO NOT site them close to your buildings and have a minimum of 3 metres between skips.
- Metal bins don't add to the fire as they don't burn and the rubber lid distorts and sometimes seals the top of the bin thus the fire is starved of oxygen.
- Companies with large volumes of waste paper and cardboard packaging should consider using a compactor instead of a vulnerable open skip.
Why not consider joining with other retailers or occupiers to jointly implement these measures.
5. Act now before it’s too late !
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Further information and safety advice is available from these sources:
The Arson Prevention Bureau
which has been set up by the Home Office and the Association of British Insurers to spearhead a national programme of action
against arson.
Additional help and advice on protection of your premises is available from:
- Your insurer.
- Our Community Fire Safety Department. Our RBFRS Helpline is available on: (0118) 932 2152
- The crime prevention department of Thames Valley Police.
In case of fire... call 999
If you have any information about a suspicious fire call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, your call
is free and completely anonymous. Visit the Crimestoppers website for further information.
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