The Fire & Rescue Services attend more than 30,000 fires in the workplace each year. Lives are lost, thousands are injured and the economic costs mean many businesses never re-open.¹

Organisations need to take action - not only to protect their staff but also their business; fire continues to impose significant costs on the economy of England and Wales. In 2003, the total cost is estimated at £7.7 billion and the average cost of a fire in a commercial building at £58,100, comparing these figures to the cost of preparing your organisation demonstrates a new perspective in cost effectiveness².

In the 1993 bomb attack in the underground garage of the World Trade Centre a total blackout descended on the thousands of occupants within. Generators providing power to emergency lighting were also destroyed forcing the occupants to evacuate in complete darkness. To fully evacuate in darkness it took approximately four hours - they were fortunate to have that much time.

Following this attack Photoluminescent paint was applied to the stairwells to provide visual guidance to occupants for evacuation without relying on electricity.

9/11 followed and the Photoluminescent paint system was put to the test - at least one third of the survivors interviewed recalled that the system was useful and reassuring, aiding their evacuation³.

It was the 1993 bomb attack which provided the motivation for management to take action and install the Photoluminescent stairwell system. Had this not have occurred Photoluminescent material may not have been installed to aid the 9/11 evacuation.

The independence of Photoluminescent products from generators and power enables them to be effective in all scenarios. The Photoluminescent properties make them conspicuous in power loss and when smoke would obscure other emergency lighting systems creating a safe efficient escape route for all occupants.

Time and time again we are shown of the need for beyond 'minimum requirements' in fire safety. Removing the 'It will never happen to us' mentality and promoting proactive precautions through business continuity management and correct fire safety measures is simply good business sense.

It is only when we are reminded in the most shocking ways that disaster can happen anytime anywhere and especially to those we expect to be most prepared for it, do we think that perhaps, just perhaps... it can happen to us.

FOOTNOTES

¹ www.fire.gov.uk & Fire Stats 2006: Communities & Local Government also demonstrate this figure

² UK Statistics www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/

³ Construction Innovation Volume 13 Number 1

Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Many of us use tunnels daily to cross the channel, navigate through London via the underground or simply get from one place to another.

Safety within these structures is vital; in an emergency situation total darkness could occur rendering escape routes useless if correct signage is not in place.

These complex structures can take years to create, the Channel Tunnel - one of our most famous transport links was created in 1994 following decades of planning and numerous attempts that ran into difficulties.

Within the Channel Tunnel there are two single track rail tunnels and a third smaller tunnel acting as an emergency exit.

Many aspects must be considered in the case of an emergency within a tunnel, for example, ventilation of smoke in a fire, escape routes to evacuate all within the tunnel, alarms and means to alert individuals of an emergency, maintaining the structure under severe heat or an explosion.

Not only must we consider natural disasters such as severe weather but also terrorist attacks and the most likely to occur - fires.

Within tunnels transporting vehicles, such as cars and Lorries, petrol and dangerous substances being transported could escalate a situation rapidly. If a tunnel became blocked or a fire occurred would those using it know what to do? Panic in an emergency situation is inevitable making direction and safety procedures paramount.

A Photoluminescent material has been developed by a UK manufacturer, Jalite which illuminates safety signs and provides clear direction conforming to International Standards.

The AAA Photoluminescent materials energise at extremely low levels ensuring the product remains completely conspicuous in total darkness.

Safety signs are nothing new, however since the introduction of the new legislation it is a requirement that organisations safety signs comply with British Standards and remain uniform and conspicuous throughout premises.

A new Photoluminescent sign has been developed specifically for use within tunnels; with highest Photoluminescent quality it remains conspicuous in total darkness. With improved material technology to help ageing and weathering performance the signs are available in rigid PVC and Photoluminescent coated aluminium.

The new signs are designed to be placed at regular intervals inside the tunnel ensuring a sign can be seen from any area once within the tunnel. The signs demonstrate the length in metres and direction to the nearest fire exit enabling those within the tunnel to see the signs and understand their requirements to evacuate.

By displaying the distance and direction to the nearest exit in a clear consistent manner confusion is reduced thus defusing panic.

For further information regarding the new escape route tunnel signs please visit www.jalite.com or call +44 (0)1268 242340.