NCJ Number
63853
Journal
CANADIAN BUSINESS Volume: 50 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 64-67
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS CANADIAN ARTICLES EXAMINES THE CAUSES OF INCENDIARISM AND OUTLINES STEPS TOWARDS ITS PREVENTION RECOMMENDED BY FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Abstract
INCENDIARISM IS THE FASTEST GROWING--AND ONE OF THE MOST COSTLY--CRIMES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA REPORT A STAGGERING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FIRES BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DELIBERATELY SET. OF THESE FIRES, 75 PERCENT ORIGINATE IN STORAGE AREAS WHICH ARE EASY AND SAFE TO ENTER AND OFFER LITTLE CHANCE OF DETECTION BY COMPANY EMPLOYEES OR MANAGEMENT. COMPANY STUDIES SHOW, HOWEVER, THAT SPRINKLERS CAN CUT THE AVERAGE DAMAGE PER FIRE BY AT LEAST ONE HALF, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT THE FINAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM SINCE ALMOST HALF OF ALL INCENDIARY FIRES ARE STILL SET WITHIN SPRINKLER-PROTECTED AREAS. TO PREVENT SUCH ARSON, FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING: A TAMPER-PROOF SPRINKLER SYSTEM, WITH ALL PROTECTION-CONTROL VALVES LOCKED OPEN, BACKED BY AN AUTOMATIC ALARM SYSTEM; A WELL-INSTRUCTED PLANT EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION AND GOOD GUARD SERVICE; CONTROL OF ALL NORMAL VALVE OPERATIONS AND REPAIRS; EFFECTIVE LOCKS, HINGES, FRAMES, DOORS AND WINDOWS; LOCKING OF ALL ENTRANCES TO STORAGE AREAS OR WAREHOUSES WHEN NOT IN USE; PROMPT REMOVAL OF GARBAGE, SOILED WORK RAGS, AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE DEBRIS SUCH AS FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS; AND PROPER AISLE SPACING AND RESTRICTED STOCK PILING. PHOTOGRAPHS ACCOMPANY THE ARTICLE. (MJW)