Arson prevention

U.S. Department of Justice. (1980). Arson Prevention and Control. National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Washington, D.C. 

The preventive strategies for reducing the risk of fire and explosion within the workplace can be equally applied across the majority of industry sectors as illustrated from the preceding section on arson prevention and control. The principal causes of fire generally only vary in very specific detail and more often than not relate to hazardous operations and sites, e.g. COMAH sites, otherwise the causes remain constant, particularly when it revolves around human factor . 

As in the case of all arson prevention arrangements, waste management should take into account the provision of adequate security lighting, CCTV systems, fencing and possibly security guards. 

Prevention of arson Control access at all times Screen employees and casual labour Lock away flammable substances and keep combustibles away from doors, windows, fences Provide regular fire safety patrols, even where automatic systems are provided Secure particularly storage and unmanned areas... 

United States Council on Fire Prevention. Stopping Arson before It Starts. Washington Edmondson, 1992. 

Estimates of direct losses due to arson and incendiary fires in the United States range as high as 1-3 billion each year. The reasons for arson vary from financial problems that might be resolved through an insurance claim, to anger with an employer, school or other person and to vandalism, and other problems. This discussion wUl not cover prevention of incendiary fires. There has been much research and stody of arson cases, and most insurance companies apply specific actions that can reduce arson opportunities and potential losses. Application of fire protection designs and systems wUl help reduce losses for aU fires. 

Arson is a real risk on sites particularly where trespassers can enter the site fairly easily. Measures should be in place to prevent unauthorized access, especially of children. Flammables should be securely stored or if necessary removed from the site. In some particularly vulnerable sites security patrols, flood lighting, liaison with local police or even closed circuit television (CCTV) may be needed. 

From these recommendations, the Arson Early Warning System was formed. This system is nsed to organize and develop information needed to identify specific properties that need to be included in the incendiary fire prevention strategies and programs (Icove, 2002). Essentially, this program was formed in cooperation with the inspection programs. Inspectors would attempt to predict which structures were on the brink of losing their value. These inspectors would then focus more attention and perform more inspections of these properties. 

A number of measures can be taken to prevent arson and these include ... 

Gathering information about pressure groups that may pose a threat and liaising with local police and fire services may assist in managing the threat of arson. Information is often kept by insurance companies, who may also provide guidance with regard to prevention, some of which may be required for insurance to be offered. 

Minimising the availability of combustible materials to the arsonist, managing items such as skips and other refuse containers and securing flammable chemicals that could be used as accelerants are all part of the arson risk reduction measures that a company could adopt to prevent this risk of arson and subsequent losses that would be likely to occur following an attack. 

Clearly insufficient preventive and protective measures were in place, which allowed the arsonist to carry out the attack the post-fire arrangements included a comprehensive arson and fire risk assessment with an action plan to prevent recurrence. 

Identify the preventive measures which can be applied to reduce the possibilities of arson taking place. (8)... 

The role of employers and responsible persons in the workplace is to prevent the opportunities and incentives for arson attacks. Such measures should include ... 

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