Coventry-based Kraft & Bauer UK (www.kraftandbauer.co.uk), which supplies fire prevention equipment for machine tools, has acquired a long-bed van that doubles as a mobile workshop.

This enables service engineers to carry more stock — plus the tools needed to adapt its fire-extinguishing systems and create a truly bespoke system for any machine tool.

Another service engineer has been taken on, and additional stock has been added to its storage facilities in Coventry and in Cork.

Managing director Louise Boraston said: “Every year, there are around 50 incidents in the UK where our systems have activated to protect machines and operators from serious injury.

“More and more companies are now understanding that many machine tools are classified as a fire risk and that there are large penalties — including unlimited fines and even prison — if those responsible have failed to take adequate action to prevent harm coming to employees.

“Machines that are understood to pose a direct fire risk include any machine that uses oil or any kind of potentially flammable liquid, such as an oil-based coolant.

“Any machine that produces a spark or similar — such as an EDM machine or a laser machine — must also be considered, as must any machine that, although being used without coolant, is machining a self-combustible material such as titanium or magnesium alloys.”

Kraft & Bauer urges engineering companies to understand the need to protect their workers and machines from the risks of fire. It points out that, in the event of a machine being damaged and put out of action, the replacement costs will almost certainly not be covered by any insurance policy unless a fire system has been fitted to it.

Even if end users are eventually successful in making a claim, it can take many months to take delivery of replacement machines and could result in lost business.