SAF11-P26
19 October 2011
Health, Safety & Environment Committee
Subject: University Fire Officer’s Report October 2011
1. Fire Incidents
There has been one fire incident in the current reporting period:
Localized Fire Incident Chemistry building 10th August 2011
Timeline
14:16 Bold fire alarm signal received in Security control from Chemistry building Rm F0.01,
Security officers dispatched, building fully evacuated.
14:41 Incident stood down, occupants allowed to re-enter the building
In Summary
Failure to follow the local rules and the SOPs on the use of rotary evaporator resulted in a
build-up of flammable solvent in a receiving flask. A plastic basin, used to catch any
accidental spill, was also contaminated with solvent residue. Part of the apparatus to be
drained was frozen and a propane torch was mistakenly used to thaw the frozen
components. The resultant fire involved the solvent residue in the basin. The fire took hold
instantly and was about 1.5 m in height before it was rapidly extinguished with a powder
extinguisher. The alarms activated automatically while the fire was being tackled. It is not
clear if the smoke/fume from the powder extinguisher activated the alarm, or the fire itself.
The time from the start of the fire to the fire being extinguished and the alarm sounding was
less than 10 seconds. The researcher who caused the fire was not injured. The lab/building
was evacuated and two staff (Prof. Thomas and Dr. Kimber) then re-entered, cautiously, to
confirm the fire was out and to place a fire blanket over the seat of the fire.
2.
Controlled Fire Evacuations (conducted Sept-11)
The above exercise was carried out at the following: Holywell Park (Charnwood & Garendon
wings), Holywell Building, Chemtech building, Utilities and SportPark
Overall the annual controlled fire evacuations were very good. All occupants in the buildings
at the time of the test evacuated.
All persons assembled at the designated assembly points were reminded to treat all fire
alarm signals as a genuine fire emergency, evacuate the building immediately and use the
nearest available exit. Staff/Tenants were further reminded of their responsibility for the
safety of their students/employees and visitors.
Fire Marshals that were in the buildings at the time of the controlled evacuation performed
their duties well which incorporated them sweeping their designated areas of the building
reporting to the fire alarm panel where they were asked to identify the location of the fire
activation.
3. Fire Alarm Activations and Fire & Rescue Service call-outs statistics May - August.
In the last 4 month period the Fire & Rescue Service have been called to 1 activation 0 of
which involved an actual fire (see table below)
Number of
Activations
Activations
involving
F&RS
Genuine
Fires
May 11
46
Residential
1 Dining
Halls
11 Academic
None
June 11
35
Residential
1 Dining
Halls
11 Academic
None
July 11
26
Residential
0 Dining
Halls
7 Academic
None
Aug 11
19
Residential
3 Dining
Halls
17 Academic
1 S Building
Total
126
5
46
None
None
None
1 x Chemistry
1
Academic Buildings:
1
1
1
8
2
1
Admin ll
EHB
imago Offices
Rutland Hall (old)
Sir Richard Morris
Stewart Mason
1
1
7
7
1
Brockington
Haslegrave
James France
S Building
SportPark
4
8
1
1
1
Chemistry
Holywell Park
Performance Cent
Sir Frank Gibb Lab
Stewart Miller
Dining Halls:
2 Cayley/R-ford D/Hall
0 Elvyn Richards D/Hall
2 Faraday/Royce D/Hall
0 William Morris D/Hall
1 David Collett D/Hall
Halls of Residence (University Managed)
12 Butler Court
13 Faraday
1 Towers
3 Whitworth
17 Cayley
21 Royce
1 University
Lodge
0 200 Ashby Rd
5 David Collett
8 Rutherford
13 UPP Blocks
11 Falk / Egg
12 Telford
10 Village Court
Halls of Residence (Not managed by the University) Unite:
Harry French
18
William Morris
11
Holt
1
Note
3 activations at Harry French had no visible cause/reason into way they should activate
The Major Causes of Fire Alarm Activations in LU Halls of Residence:



35 Unattended cooking in self catering kitchens
33 Steam from showers in en-suite bedrooms and aerosol sprays
5 Faulty sensors or fire alarm panels
1
 19 Unknown causes

6 Other (water contamination in detector head, lighting strike, power outage etc.)
 11 Malicious call point activations or tampering/removing of detector heads

3 Accidental activation of call point

3 Smoking incident (including Candles & incense sticks)
 11 Contractors (dust or fumes from paint)
Cooking Related Incidents In LU Halls Of Residence:
Butler Court
3
Falkner / Eggington
5
Rutherford
1
UPP
6
Village Court
3
Cayley
3
Faraday
1
Telford
1
Whitworth
2
David Collett
0
Royce
10
Towers
0
University Lodge
0
(All above information gathered from period (1/05/11 –31/8/11) R M Harrison –Health, Safety & Environment Office
Date - October 2011
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