09 Nov 2021
by Martin Franke

TG Domestic Fire Safety reactivated and renamed into TG Domestic Life Safety

The Fire Section reactivated TG Domestic Fire Safety and renamed it into TG Domestic Life Safety

Despite the great advances made in fire safety, around 5,000 people still die every year from domestic fires. The Fire Section recognised this and reactivated the Task Group Domestic Fire Safety. The name was also changed into TG Domestic Life Safety to include other dangers and new technologies.

Background

In addition to the 5,000 deaths per year due to residential fires, more than 2.7 million people attend emergency rooms where fire is the cause. But apart from fires, people are also exposed to other risks in their homes. Carbon monoxide poisoning from malfunctioning burners in boilers is one example. In addition, in recent years homes are increasingly becoming 'intelligent' due to the emergence of new technology. They have become homes in which fires are also spreading ever faster. Research has shown that, three decades ago, residents had 17 minutes to escape their homes in the event of a fire. Because today's homes and the furniture in them burn faster, that escape time is now only a few minutes. The Fire Section is responding by not only putting the topic on the agenda again, but also by changing the name of the task force to reflect the new developments. The safer life is for people in their homes, the longer they can live there independently, even at an advanced age.

Focus activities 

What will the new task force focus on? First on updating the database that was built up in earlier years. It contains several existing national legislation and regulation in Europe on domestic smoke and CO-alarms. In addition, the task force will focus on collecting and recording statistical data on the safety of occupants in residential buildings and causes of death. Finally, the TG will also monitor standardisation in the field of life safety and, where necessary, manage a liaison to standardisation commissions and bodies, such as CLC TC 216 (Gas Detection) and CEN TC 72 WG 14 (smoke alarm devices). Where necessary, this will be done in cooperation with other sections and task forces, such as the CPR task force as well as the Advocacy Committee.

Based on these and other activities, the task force will come up with recommendations to the section. This could be recommendations on new activities to the Fire Section members based on new technologies but it could also be a guidance document for Euralarm members.

 

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