Mastering Fire Safety | The Final 10 Tips To Safeguard Your Scheme
24 November 2023 | Wynand Engelbrecht | Kyle Sorensen
This is the concluding segment of our comprehensive three-part series dedicated to enhancing fire safety within community schemes. Armed with knowledge and a proactive approach, you'll empower your community to safeguard lives and property effectively.
Below, we unveil the last of the 10 indispensable tips, gathered from the expertise of Wynand from Fire Ops SA, to ensure your scheme's resilience against potential fires:
Clean chimneys and vents regularly
Clean the chimneys and vents of your property regularly, especially in the case of wood burning appliances.
Use screens on fireplaces
Using screens will prevent sparks from escaping fireplaces
Store firewood away from the home
Ensure that any firewood is stored or placed in storage beingat least 5 metres away from your unit / house
Ensure a visible house number
Make sure that your house / unit number is clearly visible from the street to help emergency responders locate your home quickly, and that there is access to your scheme or signage explaining the access control procedure.
Register with a reputable fire brigade service
Be sure to register with a company such as Fire Ops SA for 1st response cover, and this way, you will be sure that such a service is aware of your precise address and that response times will be minimised. Check out www.fireopssa.co.za
Communicate with your insurer
Make sure that your insurer is made aware of special risks such as the addition/installation of solar and alternative power supplies.
Monitor solar panels
The actual solar panel can sometimes catch fire, noting that the use of solar panels is increasing due to loadshedding.
Monitor lithium-ion battery packs
Be very aware of the special risks associated with these battery packs, and put an emergency plan in place for them.
Confirm compliance
It is paramount that, as an owner, you are fully aware of the dangers of having sub-standard equipment installed by non-competent installers who issue nonsensical certificates of compliance.Check this issue with your insurer. after all, the insurer will have the last say when a fire claim is filed.
Get advice before covering thatch roofs with commercial steel tile sections
This practice is most dangerous in that methane gas, developed in the deteriorating reeds, is now trapped in a ‘sandwich’. It is best to get the best possible advice before embarking on such a project. Insurers are also becoming aware of the challenges of this practice.
Understanding the important challenges of eliminating all fire risks, we've strived to empower you with knowledge and actionable tips, reflecting on what we have learnt, please let us know what your most useful tip has been in the comments section below.
By incorporating these 30 tips into your safety protocols, you've taken a proactive stance in protecting your community and property. If you are interested in more information on this topic, please contact Wynand Engelbrecht, Fire Chief of Fire Ops SA at wynand@fireopssa.co.za or you can contact TVDM Consultants should you wish to discuss how these tips can be implemented in your scheme's rules.
If you have missed the previous article, please click here to read it and if you have missed the first article, please click here to read it
If you are interested in more information on this topic, please contact Wynand Engelbrecht, Fire Chief of Fire Ops SA at wynand@fireopssa.co.za or you can contact TVDM Consultants should you wish to discuss how these tips can be implemented in your scheme's rules.
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