Flammable Chemicals, Liquids and Solvents These can be found in cleaning materials, paints, thinners, adhesives, waxes, and polishes and in fuels. If they are not stored and handled properly, they have the potential to ignite rapidly. Sources of oxygen As previously discussed, one of the elements for a fire to proceed is 'Oxygen'. Without this element fire cannot survive. Areas where there are sufficient oxygen levels in the air enable us to breathe and help the fire to survive. Combustion cannot take place if there is not enough oxygen. If the oxygen content in the protected area is reduced, then flammability of the materials in that area is reduced. Where there is insufficient oxygen, fire can neither break out nor sustain itself. Natural ventilation can come in the form of open windows or doors, it uses outdoor air flow caused by pressure differences between the building and its surrounding to provide ventilation. It does not use fans or mechanical aids. Forced ventilation or air-conditioning systems are used to control indoor air quality and are used to enhance natural ventilation. These systems provide a fire with a ready source of oxygen, which will help in the fire growth. Oxidising materials may also be kept within the workplace in small or large quantities. They can supply combustible substances with oxygen and support a fire even when air is not present. Oxidising materials can: • Speed up the development of a fire and make it burn more intensely, • Cause substances to burn rapidly that do not normally burn readily in the air. • Cause combustible materials to burn spontaneously without the presence of an ignition source such as a spark or flame. Factors influencing the severity and likelihood of an arson attack Arson is the single most common cause of fire in business premises. In 2004, 43% of all serious fires were as a result of arson. Much of this is not targeted either, the vast majority of arson attacks are down to opportunist vandalism. The UK National fire Chiefs Council stated that Arson accounted for 50.5% of all fires attended in 2017/18 by Fire & Rescue Services (FRS) in the whole of the United Kingdom (213,782 fires attended, 108,024 deliberate). This is the largest, single cause of fire attended by FRSs. The frequency and the severity of outcome from an arson, or 'deliberately set fire' are down to several factors: • Location • Security • Access Control Location : Many arson attacks are related to general societal problems. Security : Effective ways to deter an arsonist are via security both internal and external, which should encompass the
following: External: • Control of people accessing the building or site
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