This was the message from the Wood Recyclers Association (WRA) last week, which argued moves to restrict wood storage at sites could ‘threaten’ some parts of the industry, including biomass supply.
The changes proposed in the Environment Agency’s third version of its Fire Prevention Plan for waste operators are due to be published at the end of July 2016.
Guidance
They includes reduction in the height of stack sizes for combustible material to four metres, half the limit proposed in the original Technical Guidance Note. It also allows a maximum storage time of six months for all materials.
Andy Hill, chair of the WRA which has been campaigning for more flexibility within the guidance, suggested the renewed document could ‘damage’ the biomass sector, which he argues requires large quantities of materials to be stored to allow power plants to function.
He said: “We understand and agree with the need to reduce the number of waste fires and their impact. However we believe the new FPP is still going to be too prescriptive and not take into account the needs of larger businesses, many of which having put strategies and tools in place to offer bespoke fire safety measures as part of a bespoke permit.”
Response
WRA has also called into question the Agency’s estimated cost savings to the fire and rescue service under the Fire Prevention Plan.
The fire service is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he added. “So it is not credible to count these hours as a direct cost saving. It is purely playing with numbers.”
The Association’s warning follows a recent survey which concluded its members had invested £10 million over three years to improve safety at sites.
According to the WRA, these include the installation of water systems, concrete blocks, increased storage space, heat detection systems and fire prevention equipment.
Companies who completed the survey include Suez, Timberpak, Hadfield Wood Recyclers and Plevin and Countrystyle Recycling.
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