Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8.3.2 Arson - Infl uencing factors and
management
➤
Fraudulent arson
➤
Arson associated with economic or political
motivation
There are a number of factors that infl uence the likeli-
hood of an arson attack which also serve to provide
information on how such attacks can be managed.
➤
Arson associated with mental instability.
Arson associated with other criminal acts
This generally takes the form of an act of criminal dam-
age or similar opportunist vandalism. It may also be
associated with an attempt to conceal or destroy evi-
dence of another crime such as a break-in, burglary,
or sabotage of the equipment in the premises or the
premises itself. Young people are very much associated
with this form of fi re setting.
When arson occurs
Arsonists, in common with other criminals, do not like to
be seen. They often attack at night, under the cover of
darkness.
Statistics reveal that:
➤
49% of all fi res occur at night
➤
68% of arson fi res occur during the hours of
darkness
➤
84% of 'major' arson fi res (damage valued at over
£50 000) occur during the hours of darkness.
Arson associated with a grievance
This may result from the fear of unemployment pos-
sibly due to company relocation, lack of advancement
or promotion, salary grievances, or having been humili-
ated in front of co-workers. At a personal level employer/
employee confl icts such as jealousy of a work colleague's
promotion or success or revenge against a superior or
employer are also known to cause arson attacks.
Given the above statistics security lighting is undoubt-
edly a cost-effective way of reducing the incidence of
arson attacks. In many premises such lights may be
operated by passive infrared (PIR) detectors and not
only provide illumination but also produce an element of
surprise. PIR is also seen as being more acceptable in
built-up areas due to the nuisance caused by permanent
illumination.
These lighting systems should also be enhanced
by intruder alarms, which ideally should be supported
by audible alarms which when sounding often put off a
'would-be' arsonist.
Ensuring that the arsonist is visible is also an
important element in other forms of security precautions
as part of an overall strategy. For example, palisade
welded mesh fencing or in the case of construction,
Herras fencing, is preferable to a wall or solid fence, as
intruders inside the grounds or site are rendered visible.
Fraudulent arson
This type of arson may be committed in an attempt
to defraud the insurers by an owner of a business
employee setting fi re to their own premises or prop-
erty. This may be property in the workplace or at home.
Fraudulent fi res in industry and commerce do not always
involve setting fi re to the fi nancial records, they may, for
example, involve an attempt to destroy out-of-date (or
out-of-fashion) stock, with a claim subsequently being
made for more modern items as part of a 'new for old'
policy.
Arson associated with economic or political
motivation
Arson attacks may be associated with industrial action
(strikes), industrial sabotage, campaigns of pressure
groups (e.g. animal rights) and more recently as a result
of terrorist activities.
Arson associated with mental instability
It is true to say that pyromania is rare; however, the feel-
ings associated with hatred and jealousy, the desire to
attract attention, together with frustration and sexual
perversion have all led to fi re raising and arson. The
would-be heroes who light fi res in order to be able to
'discover' them and assist in the rescue of their col-
leagues and involvement in fi re fi ghting operations also
come into this category.
Figure 8.9
Typical security lighting
