As an aid to helping scrap recycling facilities develop strategies for reducing the risks of fire, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) released a new electronic publication, "Creating a Fire Prevention and Management Plan." The book was developed by fire science, insurance and scrap recycling industry professionals. It is meant to be used as a guidance document to help business owners, operators and environment, health and safety professionals better understand and mitigate potential risks before they become bigger problems.

"The 'Creating a Fire Prevention and Management Plan' is a terrific resource for any scrap processing operation seeking guidance on preparing a plan," said Scott Wiggins, vice president of environment, health and safety for ISRI, in a statement. "This guidance document provides information on how to prepare a fire prevention plan, fight incipient stage fires and to be prepared in the event of a crisis management scenario. Even if your facility has an existing plan, this is a valuable tool to help you review your operations and make any necessary improvements."

"Creating a Fire Prevention and Management Plan" serves as a living document, and ISRI plans to review and update it at least once every year. While the document does provide a detailed and scalable overview of developing a plan, each site is different. Plans should be prepared according to the type and size of the facility, and depending on the size, not all suggestions may be appropriate.

The document is available for free to those in the recycling industry. ISRI members may download it by logging into the ISRI website, and non-ISRI members can contact ISRI Safety for more information.