Dangerous Substances (NAMOS)
In compliance with the Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990 (NAMOS), any person in control of any site or premises where a total quantity of 25 tonnes or more of dangerous substances are used or stored, or are to become used or stored, must give written notification to both the Fire Service and the Health and Safety Executive. A dangerous substance is any substance which is dangerous for conveyance within the meaning of the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993.
The Health and Safety Executive is the enforcing authority for notification of the storage of dangerous substances. Once notified, the Fire Authority is the enforcing authority for the marking of sites with warning signs. The Fire Authority is also responsible for giving directions as to the quantity, type and location of signs.
To notify Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service about the storage or use of dangerous substances on your premises, please contact us using the address below and include the following details:
You will need to inform us of the following:
- The name and address of the person making the notification
- The full postal address of the site
- A general description of the nature of the business carried on or intended to be carried on at the site
- A list of the classifications of any dangerous substances which are, or are liable to be, present
- The date on which it is anticipated that a total quantity of 25 tonnes or more of dangerous substances will be present, or if they are already present, a statement to that effect
On receipt of notification, a member of our staff will contact you in order to arrange an assessment of your site and signs. If you have previously notified us and there is subsequently a change in conditions or storage of dangerous substances ceases, you should contact us again.
Please send your notification to:
Operational Policy, Southwell House, Hindlip Park, Worcester, WR3 8SP.
Email: opsintel@hwfire.org.uk
Please note this process only informs HWFRS, you must also notify the Health and Safety Executive.
Useful links
NAMOS Site Markings
The chief aim of NAMOS Regulations is to warn firefighters that hazardous substances are present at a site in the event of an emergency.
Access marking
Any sites having present a quantity of 25 tonnes or more of dangerous substances at any one time must display signs bearing the exclamation mark symbol, as defined by BS 5378 (as superseded by BS 5499 Part 5 2002). These must be displayed where they will give adequate warning to firefighters before they enter the site in an emergency.
Location marking
- Location safety signs must be displayed as directed by a member of our staff.
- The officer must be satisfied that only those signs necessary to warn firefighters in an emergency that dangerous substances are present are asked for, and displayed accordingly. The intention of these signs is to give firefighters information of significant hazards within a site.
- When necessary, and where there is only one dangerous substance or there are two or more dangerous substances with the same classification at any one location, a single sign bearing the correct classification symbol will be displayed together with the hazard warning text.
- Where there are two or more dangerous substances with different classifications at any one location, a single sign bearing the exclamation mark symbol will be displayed together with the hazard warning text ‘Dangerous Substance’.
- All location signs must be displayed in places that will give adequate warning to Firefighters before entering any danger area in an emergency.
Maintenance of signs
- The person in control of the site shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that any safety signs displayed at the site are kept clean and free from obstruction.
- Click here to view site marking signs.
