Reference:
Request detail:
Dear Fire and Rescue Service (FRS),
I am researching the number of fires relating to emollient products.
Therefore, under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like the following information if held:
1) Since 2015, how many fires were responded to by your FRS in which investigators established or believe that an emollient product was either a primary or contributory factor in the fire? Please break this down year by year.
An emollient is a moisturising treatment applied to the skin, typically used to manage eczema or psoriasis.
Such products include - but are not limited to - Diprobase, Zerobase, Cetraben, and E45 creams.
2) What is the total number of fatalities recorded by your FRS in the incidents referred to in question 1 since 2015? Please break this down year by year.
I note in asking this question that statistics on the number of fatalities in emollient-related fires may not be held by your FRS in each or all of the years since 2015. However, please provide the fullest data you hold.
3) Since 2015, how many controlled fire tests on emollient products, or the interaction of emollient products with other products, has your FRS carried out?
By “controlled fire test”, I mean any exercise in which your FRS undertook to understand the flammability of emollient products or their interaction with other products.
4) For all of the controlled fire tests referred to in 3), please provide a copy of the report that ensued from each of those tests.
I understand some details of those involved in the tests may need to be redacted under S40 of the act.
Response detail:
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. Please find responses below.
1) Since 2015, how many fires were responded to by your FRS in which investigators established or believe that an emollient product was either a primary or contributory factor in the fire? Please break this down year by year.
An emollient is a moisturising treatment applied to the skin, typically used to manage eczema or psoriasis.
Such products include - but are not limited to - Diprobase, Zerobase, Cetraben, and E45 creams.
A search of our Incident Recording System has revealed there were no instances of emollient products recorded as a primary or contributory factor at any incidents Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to since 2015.
2) What is the total number of fatalities recorded by your FRS in the incidents referred to in question 1 since 2015? Please break this down year by year.
I note in asking this question that statistics on the number of fatalities in emollient-related fires may not be held by your FRS in each or all of the years since 2015. However, please provide the fullest data you hold.
N/A
3) Since 2015, how many controlled fire tests on emollient products, or the interaction of emollient products with other products, has your FRS carried out?
By “controlled fire test”, I mean any exercise in which your FRS undertook to understand the flammability of emollient products or their interaction with other products.
Since 2015, Shropshire Fire and Rescue have not conducted any controlled fire tests on emollient products, or the interaction of emollient products with other products. The organisation, with other fire services nationwide work in collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council to support research commissioned by central government in regard to specific groups of products.
4) For all of the controlled fire tests referred to in 3), please provide a copy of the report that ensued from each of those tests.
Non applicable
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can complain or request an internal review of the decision. This must be done within 40 working days of receiving this response. You can do this by writing to the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, St. Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2HJ or email: enquiries@shropshirefire.gov.uk.
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
