Firm becomes ‘model of fire safety’ with brigade’s help

When crews were called to Powell Packaging, in Bottesford, Scunthorpe, last October, they found there was no working fire alarm system and one of the fire doors was wedged open.

They also found the majority 
of fire exits in the building, which was like “a tinderbox” due to the amount of waste cardboard left lying around, were blocked.

Although no one was injured and the fire, in a packing machine, was quickly put out, the brigade considered legal action, but were dissuaded because of the impact on the family-run firm, which employs 20 people.

Instead they issued an enforcement notice and have since worked with the company to make changes, including installing a fire alarm, fitting extinguishers and emergency signing and lighting.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service will be in Scunthorpe today and together with the company’s bosses, Neil and Robert Powell, are urging other businesses to learn from their example.

Robert Powell said small companies like theirs feared the “big bureaucratic whip”, but the fire service had taken a different approach.

He said: “With smaller companies there’s that much bureaucracy and red tape, but this was very different.

“This was a working partnership and it worked very well. I think a lot of people could benefit from having them in.

“When you see supposed (fire safety) experts coming and ticking boxes, these guys do it far better and it’s for free.”

The fire service admits that the legislation often seems over-bearing and difficult to understand, but said they were there to help.

Community protection unit manager Paul McCourt said: “As a fire and rescue service we are here to protect our local communities, so to pursue and prosecute a company that was willing to learn and put right their mistakes is counterproductive in the protection of the local economy.

“The directors at Powell Packaging took the fire service’s free advice and acted promptly and have turned their business around into a model of commercial fire safety.

“I urge all businesses in the area to act in a similar manner, review your fire protection arrangements and approach the Fire Service for free advice and guidance before the accident occurs.

“In terms of commercial fire protection, we are here to help and guide your business into obtaining compliance with the law.”