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4. ARE DOMESTIC SPRINKLER INSTALLATIONS, THE WAY AHEAD?
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6. CAN WE IMPROVE FIRE PREVENTION ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT?

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2007 Winning Entry : FIRE - FRIEND OR FOE? By Stuart Greig

Man's association with and the use of fire dates back as far as prehistoric times. How and when this association came about is open to considerable debate - a tree branch ripped from it's trunk, flaming due to a lightning strike or ignited following some volcanic eruption. We understand that the sun radiates heat - could it have been this that first ignited some dry brush or twigs? This is an answer we will never find, but understand that all are plausible. What we do know however is that at some time this 'beast' was tamed (although I think we can say that fire can be controlled but never actually tamed completely) and used to benefit the human race in numerous ways.

It probably all began when somebody brought a lit branch from a 'natural' fire back to the campsite or settlement. Such an acquisition had to be carefully maintained for if it went out there was no known way to start it glowing again. For this reason, hearths were closely watched day and night. It is not implausible to believe that early man carried lit branches with them when they moved from place to place. Such a practice is still followed by some Pygmy groups today. To our ancestors, the discovery of fire was as important as the discovery of electricity or atomic energy has been to us. It was so important that to the primitive mind of early man it seemed holy, a gift from the gods, and became the subject of many myths. Indeed, many modern religious groups and associations use fire today in a vast array of ways during worship and rituals. For example, it is not uncommon for thousands of Britons to carry vast quantities of combustible materials into their gardens and parks every November 5^th only to ignite them and stand back to watch them burn. Indeed, all over the world children are presented with a cake on an annual basis atop of which sit candles that they take great delight in extinguishing in a passed down tradition which has gone on for many years - all be it not religious but still accepted practice.

However it came about, once the discovery had been made, man found that he could warm himself, bring light into dark caves, ward off predators and cook meat and vegetables which they would once have eaten raw. With an ever increasing ability to modify and control their environment, humans found a friend in one of natures most destructive forces. Obviously the same is true today. Fire brings warmth and light to our homes and still makes individuals feel safe and protected (strange comment when we talk of such a destructive force - the same safety a person in possession of a gun feels - great when you are in control, terrifying when you are not).

Over time man found that he could construct large heating structures (furnaces), into which they would put iron or a variety of other substances, mixed with charcoal. Using rudimentary science they discovered that the inclusion of air via a bellows mechanism would intensify the fire causing items to distort and melt, and ultimately they were able to fashion tools for many different purposes. For many centuries man has used fire to help him with the task of everyday life - although complete control was not possible until the invention of fuel ignition systems, without which modern industry could not function. Thanks to fire, man was able to produce tools and weapons. He also went on to discover how to make glass - so the discovery of that first flaming branch was of vital importance in relation to the history of humanity. Modern society would not exist in the way in which it does today if it were not for the manufacture of these first rudimentary tools. And fire is still used today to produce the tools and equipment that we as humans use each and every day of their lives - from the humble blacksmith producing fences and gates to protect your home to massive manufacturing plants producing the vehicles which enable us to travel not only around the country but all over the world.

I would argue that the discovery of this exothermic, self sustaining, oxidising chemical reaction has been a prime factor in our very survival.

Fire may have also played an important role in the early socialization of man. With extra hours of light available to them, it would not be surprising if this time was spent around the fire, planning the next days hunting expedition, telling stories of a good hunt, and preparing tools. It was during this time when the entire group could come together, that the ability to communicate and socialize became important factors in our selection process. Again the same is true today. Hundreds of people spend evenings in front of a fire either at home or in a pub, or huddled around a barbeque waiting for meat to cook socializing and bonding with each other, making plans or just putting the 'world to rights'. Indeed, how many important and life changes in industry would have been made if delegates were not housed in warm, comfortable surroundings? The importance of 'controlled fire' cannot be over emphasised and is indeed something which we have come to take for granted.

Fire has supplied much of the energy which has helped humans since ancient times. Wood was the most common prehistoric fuel. The use of fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas and coal in power plants supplies the vast majority of the world's electricity today. It is estimated that around 80% of the world's power comes from theses sources. The fire in a power station is used to heat water, creating steam which drives turbines which in turn activate an electric generator to produce power. Modern society would crumble without such an energy source, a source which ultimately came from that first burning branch. It is common in a developing country for wood to be the primary energy source as well. For instance, in Africa, 65% of the energy used comes from the burning of biomass. What is less obvious is that wood burning power stations are less environmentally destructive than the fired oil power station in two major respects: first, wood is a renewable resource, especially if trees are grown in a modern, sustainable way; second, the carbon dioxide emissions are negligible because no more carbon dioxide can be produced by burning than would be produced by the natural rotting of wood. Thus, over a 100-year timescale, the effect is carbon-neutral. The UK is soon to build a 44 megawatt wood fired power station in the United Kingdom for these reasons.

So, along with all the positives there has to be a negative? - obviously yes, you can't have black without white, you can't have light without dark and this negative aspect is dealt with in more detail further on in this essay. However, we are all generally aware of the dangers associated with fire (or are we - complacency and ignorance does result in numerous fire related deaths each year).

Those images of vast acres of woodland being devastated by raging infernos for example - but is even that really as bad as it is perceived it to be?

Do fires truly "destroy" or "devastate" wildlife habitat as is often reported in the media? Clearly, fire can have negative consequences when it occurs in the wrong place at the wrong time, but these consequences are generally related to humans and are measured in terms of commercial value of forest products or the destruction of personal property. From an ecological perspective, fire generally has positive effects on wildlife habitat and wildlife populations. The positive aspects of fire may be at odds with images of Smokey Bear and blackened forests. The effects of fire, however, are temporary. Although uncontrolled fires can have extreme effects on wildlife habitats, even these are temporary. In contrast to uncontrolled fires, controlled or prescribed fire is a useful and important tool for land management in many parts of the world.

Nonetheless, a history of powerful images and messages regarding fire as a destructive element are difficult to ignore and have caused many people to question the wisdom of intentionally using fire as a management tool. The rapid recovery of vegetation, the apparent ability for most species of wildlife to use recently burned areas, and the high-quality habitat provided during post-fire recovery suggests that fire enhances habitat for most plants and animals. When considering the effects of land management practices, we should ask whether our actions help maintain healthy plant and wildlife populations and conserve the diversity and abundance of the world's native species over the long term.

The information available from research indicates that periodic fires benefit and are indeed vital to wildlife populations in fire-adapted habitats, therefore, represents not devastation, but renewal of wildlife habitats. In many ways fire in has an effect similar to the coming of spring, both events represent a new beginning for plant communities and for the wildlife that depend upon them. So therefore fire can also be used as a cleanser? - It would appear so yes.

So fire is our friend. We could not function in the way we have or indeed function at all if its power had not been initially harnessed millions of years ago

Could we continue to live a modern lifestyle without fire? - We would obviously adapt - but then if we had never had it we would have nothing to adapt to surely.

Are we better off for it? - Undoubtedly, although..........

The issue with all of the above is that it is just taken for granted. You turn it on, you turn it off. You light it, you extinguish it - simple. But unfortunately not. Acceptance breeds complacency, complacency leads to neglect and in relation to fire this neglect leads you to a place where none of us wish to be.

On average;

- There are around 500,000 fires each year - 26,000 per week (this figure peaked in 2003 with around 600,000)
- Fires are responsible for around 500 deaths each year - around 9 per week
- Fires are responsible for around 15,000 non fatal casualties each year - around 288 per week
- Financial loses are massive (consider that arson alone costs insurers around £1million per day with uninsured losses increasing this figure to around £500 million annually)

And why are so many individuals oblivious to these figures? - I would suggest complacency - after all, its not going to happen to them is it? I imagine that if the Beckham's cat or Kate Moss's underwear were involved in a fire that we would all be made aware of it.

We all to some extent take fire for granted and it only really becomes an issue when it breaks free then the friend becomes a very formidable foe.

There have been numerous fires which have resulted in changes in Legislation but many have viewed such changes as a little like 'shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted'. Some of the more well known incidents include;

- In 1956, a fire killing 8 people in Keighley Mills brought about changes to the Factories Act 1961.
- In 1960, at Hendersons Store in Liverpool, tragically 11 people died in a fire which helped produce the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act 1963.
- In 1961, 19 deaths in a Bolton Night-club brought about the 1964 Licensing Act.
- In 1969, 11 deaths resulting from a fire at the Saffron Walden Hotel again brought further pressures for change.

All of this focused onto a clear need to produce a legislative regime which was capable of coping with, and adjusting to, the ever changing kaleidoscope of work places and places to which the public have access. Following very detailed considerations, the Fire Precautions Act 1971 came into the statute books. It is worth mentioning here that, around about this time, when thought was being given to the best mechanism for enforcing fire precaution in the work place, thoughts were also focused by the Robens committee on how to provide for safety at work, which eventually produced the Health and Safety at Work Act. This ratified the principles in the Fire Precautions Act.

However, to return to our theme,

- In 1974 there was the dreadful fire at the Isle of Man Leisure Centre, Summerland, which resulted in 50 deaths, and brought about changes to the Building Regulations.
- In 1974, a fire at the Flixbrough Chemical Works resulted in 28 deaths and produced the Special Premises Regulations.
- Moving on again in 1974, two fires occurred resulting in 36 deaths, and in 1977 a fire in an old persons' home in Hessel resulted in 11 deaths, which together brought into place the Residential Care Regulations.
- In 1980, 10 deaths brought about regulations for Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Also in 1980, a Soho Drinking Club fire claimed 37 lives and a fire in the Starlight Disco in Dublin brought about 48 deaths. These together produced pressure to change the Licensing Acts, and the Local Government Provisions Act of 1982 was brought in.
- Moving on, at Bradford City Football Stadium in 1985, a fire started during a match which resulted in 56 deaths, and produced the Safety at Sports Ground Act and the Kings Cross Underground fire in 1987, caused 31 deaths and brought with it the 'Sub-Surface Railway Regulations 1989'.

As you can see, existing Legislation has developed in piecemeal fashion, often in response to particularly tragic fires in which large number of lives were lost.

As a result, fire safety provision was scattered amongst many different pieces of legislation. Obviously, today we are governed by the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, but I digress. The only 'bright side' to these fires (and I apologise for the term as there is obviously never a bright side when talking about fire related deaths) is that the lives of the few have had the overall effect of saving the lives of many.

Children are naturally very curious about fire; they are spontaneously driven by the desire to explore their environment. With its colours, movement, heat and all the effects it produces, a fire is particularly attractive for a child; when they see it, they feel the urge to touch it, blow it out, look at it and play with it. For a young child, a fire is also a symbol of joy. From the candle on a birthday cake to the marshmallows golden browned over the embers of a campfire, a child has many occasions to discover all the joys a fire can bring. Few children can imagine all the damages a fire can actually cause.

Children do not tend to be cautious with fire. As is all too common, naively, they may believe they can safely play with matches or lighters. This belief is often confirmed by the fact that they have already seen adults or older children manipulate these items without any problems.

It is only when they manipulate these items that they become aware of their lack of dexterity (e.g., children will burn their fingers while trying to light a match) and of the fire's unpredictability (e.g., children are often surprised by the extent of the flames when paper or matches are lit).

Too young to figure out which behaviours should be adopted in such situations, children get helpless and often behave in a way that will only make things worse (e.g., try to blow out the fire, hide themselves thinking this will protect them from the flames, stay put thinking the fire will go away, etc.). Children may also be confronted to fires caused by adults (e.g., when they smoke in bed, when they forget something on the stove or fail to pay enough attention to the fire in the fireplace).

And what of the arsonist? Although the difference there is that, that which we consider a foe, he would consider a friend. And as we are aware, arson is a major problem which is commonly overlooked, despite the fact that many Local Fire Authorities have set up tasks force to deal with the problem in their local communities. Or rather try to deal with it;

- 100 individuals die and over 300 are injured every year resulting from arson attacks,
- There are over 30,000 attacks on industrial premises and over 42,000 attacks on vehicles every year,
- Alarmingly, there are only ever around 3000 prosecutions relating to arson carried out each year - that means that there are a small number of individuals setting a large number of fires or that there are a massive number of individuals getting away with it, and I think we all realise that the latter is true.
- As previously indicated, arson costs insurers around £1million per day with uninsured losses increasing this to over £500 million annually.

The criminal, the adolescent, neighbours, ex-staff, other businesses, the mentally ill even existing staff have all considered fire a friend at one point or another - cover-up, boredom, jealousy, ignorance, aggression etc have all resulted in fire setting at some stage.

Fire can have a devastating effect which is not only limited to the loss of life. Around one in five companies fail and subsequently go out of business following a major fire, with many organisations not giving the necessary consideration to fire thereby exposing the business, staff and shareholders to unnecessary risks.

As stated, many businesses who suffer a large fire will cease to trade within one year. A loss of premise means a loss of workplace. This leads to a loss of staff. A loss of staff leads to a loss in production, a loss in production results in a failure to deliver to clients. Clients will source alternative suppliers and so it goes on.

And the biggest culprit?

As previously stated - I would suggest the answer is human beings coupled with complacency and neglect. Our overall acceptance of such a powerful force of nature has in many cases caused an individuals demise.

The statement "It will never happen to me" can quite easily become "I didn't think it could happen to me" or "Why has this happened to me". Hindsight is a wonderful thing but just like legislation, these statements have been made after the event and will not stop it from happening.

Candles next to curtains, overloaded plug sockets, faulty electrical equipment, un-guarded fire, cooking equipment and heating appliances, naked flames, lighters and matches - the list just goes on and on, and strangely most people are aware of the dangers associated with certain acts or omissions yet they will still continue to do them because, as we have said before, "it won't happen to me".

Control is key, awareness is key, understanding is key - a basic understanding of the fire triangle would enable most people from preventing a fire from starting in the first place. So what's the problem? - In my experience, money and a general lack of interest. Public information films cost, printing of leaflets costs, sending your staff on training courses costs. The truth of the matter is that the loss of a home costs, the loss of a business costs and who can put a price on a human life? I concur that, if well insured, a premise can be rebuilt and re commissioned for use ? a family member or loved one however cannot. And interest ? this goes back to my original observation. Many will consider the fact that they have never suffered a fire in the past means that they won?t suffer one in the future. The only time they will be truly convinced is when they are standing on the other side of the road watching their house turning into dust and ash - "if only I had".........................

You can poke a lion through the bars of his cage each and every day knowing that he cannot retaliate. One day, you forget to lock the cage door after feeding time - the lion notices and you don't.............

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