Norwich Union risk managers are warning UK firms to replace any fire suppression systems which use the extinguishing agent, Halon 1301, by the end of 2003 or potentially face legal action under a new EU regulation.
Norwich Union risk managers are warning UK firms to replace any fire suppression systems which use the extinguishing agent, Halon 1301, by the end of 2003 or potentially face legal action under a new EU regulation.
Evidence gathered by the company’s field consultants suggests that businesses have poor levels of knowledge and understanding of their obligations and the consequences of failure to comply.
The regulation – which implements the Montreal Protocol dealing with ozone depleting substances – requires all Halon systems to be dismantled and the substance removed and safely destroyed at a registered disposal site.
Allister Smith, property risk manager for Norwich Union, says: “Already, it is against environmental legislation to refill or replace any existing systems with Halon. This could leave a business unnecessarily exposed to property risks, business interruption and, in some cases, it could have an effect on the provision or continuity of insurance cover.”
Fire suppression systems have often been installed as part of a risk management programme to protect valuable equipment in critical areas such as data centres, computer suites, telecommunication switch centres and power plant rooms.
Smith continues: “With less than a year to go before the phase-out of Halon, businesses need to allow sufficient time for designers and installers to implement new systems with an alternative fire suppression agent.”
Norwich Union, in conjunction with fire protection experts, Grinnell UK, provides its policyholders with a solution to the Halon phase-out problem using Inergen gas. This is an alternative fire suppressant, which is a blend of naturally occurring gases, including nitrogen and argon. It extinguishes fire by displacing and diluting oxygen in the location of the fire. The agent is also non-harmful to people and meets the environmental requirements of the EU regulation on ozone depletion.
-ends-
For further information, please contact:
Jon Clements at Staniforth Communications on 0161 274 0100 or David Ross at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 65/07786 526350.
Notes to editors
- Norwich Union Insurance is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 16 per cent and is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest rival. It is also the largest personal lines insurer.
- It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies and Norwich Union Direct.
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on the Aviva plc website at www.aviva.com
- A selection of images is available from the Norwich Union Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality broadcasts. Call the press office on 08703 66 68 68.
For all life and pension media enquiries 08703 66 68 73.
For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68.