TfL Ref: FOI-2306-1617
Thank you for your email received by us on 21 February 2017 asking for information about the number of fire-related incidents on London Underground (LU). Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
I would like to know how many times fire-related incidents occurred on London Underground, including all aspects of the service, such as on trains, tracks and stations, including engineering works etc., in the calendar year 2016.
The response to this question about ‘fire-related’ incidents also includes activation of fire alarms or smoke due to external causes or defective equipment etc.
| Fire-related incidents - 2016 | |
| Fire alarm-No fire found | Confirmed fire (LU) |
| 399 | 101 |
Would you also provide me with the figures for the number of fires on London Underground for the previous two years as well?
The response to this question is in relation to actual fires, which have been extinguished by LU staff or by the Fire Brigade, on our premises.
| Confirmed fire (LU) | |
| 2014 | 2015 |
| 116 | 113 |
There were no significant injuries or property damage as a result of the incidents.
London Underground has a number of measures in place to reduce the risk from fire on the Underground. This includes automatic fire detection and suppression systems at subsurface stations, our staff competence in fire safety, together with the most stringent engineering standards in the world regarding the fire resistance of materials used on stations and trains. These measures significantly reduce the risk of fire.
These are complemented by our operational standards and procedures that take account of local station knowledge, our approach to supplier working, our emergency plans and liaison with the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Paulina Tuffour
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
