Home Improvement
Arson attacks on domestic property are a common problem in the UK. In domestic premises the number of arson offences recorded by the police between 2006 and 2007 was 43,103 (Crime in England and Wales 2006/2007 Table 2.04). On average domestic arsons result in 400 deaths and 14,000 injuries annually. Police service reports that arson, when accelerants are introduced through letterplates, constitutes 95% of all offences in dwellings. Innocent people including young children have been burned to death. These statistics are shocking.
The letterplate (letter box) is the only part of a property, which is open 24 hours, and it is a security risk. Police service reports that apart from letter box arson other key crime problems associated with letterplates are as following:
· Access through the letterplate to door locks for committing burglary or for theft of high value property (primarily cars). Police estimates that 5% of high-value vehicles in the UK were stolen by stealing car keys through a letterplate.
· Theft of post in order to obtain identification details of occupiers and subsequent identity fraud.
This security drawback is coupled with a significant loss of house energy through the letter box and increased CO2 emissions from the building into the atmosphere. Apart from the draughts when the letterplate is closed, the heat of a room or a house exits into a colder space in moments through the open letterplate, when it is stuck open by the mail items or a newspaper. We see this almost every day.
This drives the heating system to work longer to compensate for the heat loss. Reduction in the amount of time the heating is on would bring money savings and help the environment. Since insulation works to stop heat loss it is considered one of the most cost-effective ways of saving house energy.
It is estimated that up to 35% of the heat from the dwelling can be lost through the walls and up to a further 25% through the roof. In contrast to the solid wall and roof the aperture of the open letterplate creates no such barrier. Imagine how much heat from the dwelling can be lost through the open letterplate!
It is fair to say that the problem of the significant heat loss through the open letterplate affects even buildings with the draught protected letterplate.
What is the point of spending on the expensive energy saving eqUipment and materials, such as Double glazing, a new boiler, cavity wall and loft insulation, when the heat of a house or a room can gush out into a colder space through the open letterplate?
With regard to the fire safety, the Fire Safety Order does not cover domestic premises. However, in domestic premises like flats, each external fire door is there to protect the common areas. If the external door of the flat fails to provide the fire protection to the common areas then it is very likely to be covered by the Fire Safety Order 2005.