Such procedures are often derived from outcomes of risk assessments. The general principles to be followed include: • Kept as short and as simple as possible • Easy to read language • Should use visual aids such as photos and charts as appropriate • Be prepared in consultation with all necessary stakeholders, particularly workers and fire specialists as appropriate • Should kept up to date, reviewed regularly and revised as appropriate • Should form the basis of task training
Examples of fire-related safe operating procedures (SOPs) might include SOPs for: • Fire safety housekeeping in a building • The inspection of fire protection systems • Carrying out hot work • Chemical storage in a warehouse
Planned Preventative Maintenance Planned Preventative Maintenance (P.P.M.) describes a systematic approach to the maintenance of property and equipment. It originates from engineering methods of maintaining equipment. P.P.M. has now evolved into even more specialist systems some of which that can be applied directly to fire risk management. It can be used in a singular manner and be solely based on the specific requirement for fire safety or can form part of a more holistic approach to P.P.M. and be integrated into the total P.P.M. scheme. The integrated approach would in most instances be the favoured option for business owners and managers, there can often be a cross over between engineering P.P.M. and 'fire' P.P.M. for example the prevention of a bearing failure would also prevent the bearing from overheating and becoming the potential heat source for an ignition, a more direct aspect of 'fire' P.P.M. would be the scheduled checking of a heating unit or electrical wiring. In its most simple form P.P.M. is a calendar-based system, with dates marked out as to when a piece of equipment needs to be checked or maintained. Depending on further requirements the system grows in sophistication and can start to include information such as the operating life of an article and its intended replacement date. Please consider this aspect when using the terms practicable and reasonably practicable in this aspect of a P.P.M. schedule.
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