1992 report on fire prevention in UK

https://www.nao.org.uk/pubsarchive/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2018/11/Fire-Prevention-in-England-and-Wales.pdf

36 pages

700 fire deaths in 1992

FIRE PREVENTION IN ENGLAND AND WALES Summary and conclusions

1 In 1990, fire brigades in England and Wales were called to over
400,000 fires, with more than 700 people killed and some 12,000
injured. The main aim of fire prevention is to reduce the incidence of
fire and so protect people and property. This involves complex tasks
and many different organisations.

2 The Home Office role in fire prevention stems from their
responsibilities for aspects of safeguarding life as reflected in a
wide range of legislation, especially the Fire Precautions Act 1971.
They also have overall responsibility within central government for
the Fire Service. However, it is important to recognise that there are
limits on how directly the Home Office can act in areas which are
predominantly the responsibility of fire authorities and brigades. For
example, they cannot direct fire brigades to devote resources to fire
prevention or enforce fire precautions. They therefore have to rely on
persuasion and issue advice and guidance. In meeting their
responsibilities the Home Office co-operate not only with fire
authorities and brigades but also with other government departments
and with private sector bodies such as those representing insurers and
manufacturers of fire prevention equipment.

3 The Home Office themselves spend approximately fl5 million a year on
fire-related matters. But the bulk of fire prevention expenditure is
incurred by the Fire Service on the inspection and certification of
buildings such as hotels, offices, shops and factories. Even so, fire
prevention receives only a small percentage of the El.2 billion spent
annually on the Fire Service.

4 This report examines the incidence and cost of fire and the
arrangements for fire safety and prevention in different types of
building.

The main findings and conclusions are: (a) Fires, fire casualties and
fire losses are increasing. There were 120,000 fires in 1960 compared
to 401,000 in 1990. Over the same period deaths rose from 430 to 740 a
year and injuries from 3,100 to 11,600 a year. Insured losses from
fires were more than .Cl billion in 1991 (paragraphs 2.1 to 2.5 and
2.8).