Agenda item

Fires in Waste Transfer Sites

To consider report CFO/006/20 of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer concerning current National and Local fires in Waste Sites and the actions being taken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to reduce such incidents and deal with them effectively.

 

A presentation will be provided in support of this report.

Minutes:

Members considered report number CFO/006/20 of the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, concerning current National and Local fires in Waste Sites and the actions being taken by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority to reduce such incidents and deal with them effectively.

 

Group Manager Chris Head provided Members with a presentation on Incidents in Waste Transfer Sites.  The presentation provided a review of the waste transfer sites, which have experienced fires: and explained the approach that has been taken with partners and businesses to reduce incidents, demands and impacts on communities. 

 

Members were informed that there has been a change in language and a push towards recycling, rather than “waste”, particularly as the scope for recycling is increasing all the time. They were also informed that this can also bring with it some challenges, particularly around the recycling of technology equipment and electronics, however it is something that MFRA are very much aware of and have relevant plans in place.

 

Members were advised that we also have a responsibility to work with partners, such as the environment agency, as it was noted that the sites that the environmental agency have issues with, will be the same sites that MFRA will have issues with.

 

With regards to the national picture, Members were informed that the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) figures and trends, have remained consistent. They were advised that the estimated impact of large scale protracted incidents, are estimated to be around £16m per year, which has a significant impact on the Authority. Members were also informed that what we have experienced in Merseyside, is consistent with what is experienced within other authorities.

 

The presentation provided Members with some images from the sites of recent incidents. They were advised that the demands of many of those incidents, are able to be met with current resources. However, we have also seen a number of larger, protracted incidents, which are a huge drain on resources; and therefore far more problematic. 

 

Members were also provided with further details regarding some of the incidents MFRA have attended recently, to highlight some of the complexities and issues that can occur when fighting fires in such premises.

 

The presentation went on to highlight to Members some of the legislative requirements. They were informed that such sites are required to have an Environmental Permit, as well as having emergency plans in place; and a Fire Prevention Plan. Members were informed that the Environment Agency are responsible for enforcing those, however there is a cross-over of legislation, as MFRA are responsible for enforcing the Fire Safety Order. They were advised that where fire safety breaches are identified, preventative action can be taken. Therefore both pieces of legislation can be used, with both agencies working closely together.

 

Members were informed that unfortunately, the same controls and measures will not be in place where there are unlicensed premises. An example of such a premise, was provided to Members, with the risks to MFRA and the local community highlighted.

 

Members were advised that there is an NFCC Waste Fires Group, which share intelligence and best practice; and that a Tactical Advisor role for waste fires, has been created and developed nationally.

 

The importance of joint working and sharing intelligence with the Environment Agency, was further highlighted to Members. They were informed that the information that the Environment Agency are collecting, is the same information that we require as a Fire & Rescue Service. An example was provided to Members from a recent incident, were both agencies worked collaboratively to prevent risk.

 

Members were also informed that MFRA have looked to tackle the issue by entering into Primary Authority Scheme arrangements with large Waste Transfer companies, such as Norton’s who recycle large quantities of metal.

 

Questions were raised by Members regarding the cause of these fires. Members were advised that all such incidents will be fully investigated by the Incident Investigation Team. They were informed that a pattern emerged that many of these fires were occurring on a Friday afternoon; and it was initially thought that this may be due to young people accessing the site over the weekend and deliberately starting the fires. However, following investigation, it was established that what was happening is the material was coming in on a Friday; and rather than being sorted and segregated, as it would be through the week, it was being left. Members were informed that often there would be a “hot load”, with some material already smouldering and when the material is sorted, this is managed. However, when the material is not sorted and is left, that is when fires are developing.

 

Members were also informed that Norton’s have recently started a campaign regarding the proper disposal of high risk materials, such as batteries, which can often still have some charge in them when they are disposed of. The campaign aims to publicise the risk posed, when people do not dispose of materials properly.

 

Further questions were raised by Members with regards to the recycling of batteries; and whether discussion had taken place with the local authorities, around the ability to recycle them as part of the household recycling collections.

Members were advised that all recycling centres/ waste disposal sites, have provision for the disposal of batteries. However, what is often the problem, is items with built in batteries, such as computers, which are contaminating the waste with batteries. It was noted that what is required, is a change in attitude regarding recycling.

 

A question was raised by Members regarding breaches in Fire Protection Plans and what the potential consequences would be. Members were informed that it would be for the Environment Agency to take action in those circumstances, as it would be deemed that the fire had occurred as part of the waste process, rather than a breach in fire safety.

 

Members were also advised that MFRA are working with waste transfer companies to encourage the provision of additional training to staff, so they can have their own trained fire marshals; and frontline equipment, that will enable them to commence firefighting before fire crews arrive, and therefore reduce the risk. However, it was noted that it can sometimes be difficult to track down the rightful owners of sites.

 

Further information was provided to Members regarding the EMR site, in which there have been 2 large scale incidents in recent years. Members were advised that since those incidents, the company have been willing to engage with MFRA and massive improvements have been made both in terms of the site itself; and the professionalism of the company.

 

 

 

Members resolved that: 

 

a.    the current trends with regard to Fires in Waste Transfer Sites, be noted.

 

b.    the responsibilities of other Partners roles with regard to approval and permits, be noted.

 

c.    our current joint working with partner, be noted.

 

 

 

Supporting documents: