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A WARM welcome to this, the first edition of Fire Risk Management. As you can see, your journal now has a new name and look. We hope you like it.
The editorial team and board are looking forward to building on the strengths of what was formerly Fire Prevention & Fire Engineers Journal, while at the same time creating a new name and brand in the form of Fire Risk Management.
Ever since the Fire Protection Association and the Institution of Fire Engineers agreed back in 2001 to produce a monthly publication for their memberships, the journal’s board has been looking to introduce a snappier title which accurately describes the aims and content of the journal. We feel that Fire Risk Management achieves this and are sure that it will be well-received by our readership, advertisers and the industry at large.
However, facelift aside, it really is business as usual for the journal – we will continue to provide a comprehensive mix of news, views and authoritative articles on the key issues affecting international fire safety professionals.
Residential safety
One of the key focuses this month is residential safety. And it is clear that, despite the fact that fire deaths and injuries in dwellings and residential accommodation in the UK are falling, there are many controversial issues in this area that fire professionals are facing.
One such issue is whether engineers and statutory authorities should be suggesting the provision of audible fire alarms in common areas of residential apartment buildings. Some argue that this practice is potentially dangerous – for example, if there is smoke in a common corridor, it may be safer for occupants to remain in their own dwellings; and exit and stair widths are not designed to accommodate simultaneous evacuation of entire apartment buildings.
Another issue, again affecting residential accomodation, is whether the enforcement of fire safety could be more streamlined.
These subjects and more are discussed in this edition of the journal – we hope you find it an informative and thought-provoking read.
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