Should We Concern?

[Dan Cattermole]

Incredible.....
I took my children to a soft play centre with a hundred other parents and their offspring present to find that this was their method of heating....
Yes, that IS cardboard 'insulating'
Yes, that IS their fire exit.
And Yes, that IS a heavy duty gas powered blower with tremendous amount of heat emitting/glowing from it.....



I know we live in a day where H&S has been (excuse the pun) blown out of proportion and we do live in a society where egg sucking is the norm for the interest of financial protection, blame claim and all that.... Etc.

I've graduated IOSH Safety Management course and have a good understanding more through experience about H&S. (Some may beg to differ) however, accountability is certainly the part that is the most intriguing. My own actions with my camera subjects accountability upon myself only...... And I fully accepted that IF I hurt myself (or non intentionally others) through my actions I have myself to blame......FACT!
But this?!?! Should I, a devoted farther of three and a tax paying member of public with a clean record be concerned about this?! Is this a ticking time bomb that could potentially turn into disaster effecting the lives of young people having fun?
OR, has my mind been programmed the 'Risk Assess' matters more professionally and making a mole hill over nothing?

I know that this is not really a discussion of photography matters, although a photo on the iPhone was taken (not quite the pro abstract @Paul Lange 'frame and window' saga).

What are you thoughts on this, and what do you think that I should do?

Thanks for reading :/

 

[Dan Cattermole]

By the way.... I could not get to close as it was pretty darn hot... Is hate to imagine how toasty those fire extinguishers are. :/

Kev?! Fill us in pal!

 

[Brian Moore]

Well,...at least they put the fire extinguishers where they'd be needed most!

Begs the question,...what other shortcuts are these people taking (that you don't see)? What other compromises to public safety are they taking (that you don't see)?

I'm not sure what a "soft play center" is, but I'm guessing its full of rubbery, plasticky, flammable things for kids to play on. This is a danger to the public in general and to children specifically. I think it should be reported, Dan.

 

[Glenn Clabo]

Holy crap. That's pretty horrendous. They even put the fire extinguishes in a place that's too hot to handle!

 

[Hamish Gill]

I'm not sure why they don't have it on top of the toilet block or kitchen/cafe bit ... I guess it is an exhaust thing? I have worked in environments heated by these things, and I don't remember them having an exhaust as such though? I thought similar when I was there, but the "cheeky burger" they do is lovely, and Connie bloody adores the place, so I don't hold it against them ... :/

 

[Kev Pugh]

@Dan Cattermole Looks like a need for a call to the local Fire Safety dept,
For information and safety advice for your business please contact the
Technical Fire Safety Department on 0800 032 1155
e-mail TFSinfo@hwfire.org.uk

I would not be happy thinking that my kids/family were exposed to this sort of irresponsible action, it is in my opinion a contravention of their legal responsibilities under fire safety legislation. things may have changed since I left the job but I have threatened the issue of a section 10 order for blocked Fire Exits in my day (Section 10 was a prohibition of use order, preventing that part of the building to be used by employees/public)

In this day and age this is madness, I wont ask where it is but I wouldn't be happy

 

[Dave Green]

I think I would phoned the Fire Brigade there and then! Has all the hallmarks of a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Paul Lange]

I think you should send this photo to the local Fire Safety Dept, as Kev suggested and not feel bad about it for one moment. Whoever done this along with their colleagues who allowed it to happen will probably continue to do such thoughtless and irresponsible things until somebody pulls them up on it. The more of a big deal and the greater the embarrassment causes the better the lesson learned before someone gets killed. If you are on Facebook I would consider posting it on there and naming the place as well. This is Darwin Award territory.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Did you talk to them there Dan?

 

[Pete Askew]

I'm with Kev. Something needs to be done.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

The staff are fine and my little ones love the place. And I don't think its intentional, I just don't think they have the knowledge to anticipate the consequences by heating up the place in this way........ This is just thoughtless, and simply baffling how nobody has pointed this out to them before...

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Did you talk to them there Dan?

To be honest with you, no I didn't. And I'm kicking myself for it as I feel I have failed in my duty of care as a civil human being. I can't wait until the next time I go there (could be weeks) to say something. It could all go tits up in a very wrong way in the meantime and the thought of knowing a prevention for this potential disaster through stupidity was possible......
And especially when children are involved, that'd be very sad.
Thanks for the info Kev.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Ring them first! Talk to them about it, they all seem very nice people ... That guy, I think the owner, is always walking around chatting to people, checking things etc ... He obviously just doesn't realise! Something should definitely be done, and if after ringing them they tell you to but out or whatever, then ring the fire people ... They might realise the error after you talk to them!?

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Yeah, the owner is a friendly chap. And I do think its a matter of not realising rather than intentional harm.
Your right though. They may need just a little realisation chat first.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Okay, I spoke to the receptionist/front desk and the manager was not there..... You would NOT like to here the response I received...... :/

 

[Dan Cattermole]

I have had feedback from the officer who inspected the location. They are currently fixing the main heater and this was a temporary method.
Nothing drastic, just a few recommendations and advice, larger fire exit signs, remove the combustable cardboard, and gaurd the blower (if used). He did however mention that the fire exit in question was reinstated and blower removed whilst in attendance.......
A new defective part for the main heater is being obtained...... business continues.

Thank you for the advice all.

 

[Kev Pugh]

Good call Dan

 

[Hamish Gill]

Okay, I spoke to the receptionist/front desk and the manager was not there..... You would NOT like to here the response I received...... :/

Go on!

 

[Dave Green]

 

[Dan Cattermole]

As you have kindly asked ..... Cutting to the chase...... "It's either that, or it's freezing in here".....
I promptly ended the conversation in frustration leaving me no choice to take the next step