More than 20 Tube stations in London are facing closure as preparations were being made across England to deal with the firefighters' strike.

Management at London Underground decided to shut 22 stations because commuters have to use lifts to get to the platforms.

Elsewhere across England, plans were being drawn up by organisations ranging from schools to massive chemical plants to cope with the stoppage.

On Teesside, chemical companies have banded together to hire private cover during the fire strike.

We have clear, well-practised procedures to deal with fire alerts

Mike Strzelecki, London Underground

And many schools across the country are appointing fire wardens to keep an overnight watch on buildings to guard against arson attacks.

Servicemen and women will be providing fire cover during the 48-hour firefighters' walk-out which begins at 1800 GMT on Wednesday.

Army Green Goddess vehicles will take to the streets with a police escort when called to fires or road accidents.

The dispute, the first national strike since 1977, is expected to cause an earlier rush hour in London because of the decision to close some Tube stations.

London Underground's safety director Mike Strzelecki said: "We have clear, well-practised procedures to deal with fire alerts.

Tunnel changes

"But the critical safety factor is to evacuate potential danger areas quickly and calmly."

Transport for London (TfL) has made plans to change the flow of traffic in the Blackwall Tunnel during the mornings of the strike.

Vehicles travelling in opposite directions will be separated to reduce the risk of head-on collisions.

The crossing under the River Thames in east London carries 50,000 vehicles a day.

Otherwise, TfL say transport services around the city - including the Docklands Light Railway and buses - will run as normal.

Companies across the country are being asked to make sure their employees are aware of fire procedures while householders should make sure their property has a fire escape route.

Headteachers' leaders said no schools should close as a result of the strike.

Road delays

Hospitals have been putting contingency plans in place to deal with the strike.

A spokesman for Southampton General Hospital said they had an agreement with local retained fire stations such as Redbridge.

The spokesman said fire alerts at the hospital would be assessed before fire crews were called to try to eliminate false alarms.

The RAC Foundation warned that without the fire service to clear up the aftermath, any accident could block roads for a much longer time than usual.

Many airports have their own fire service

Drivers are being asked to keep unnecessary journeys to a minimum.

Airports such as Southampton, Bournemouth, Gatwick and Heathrow have their own fire crews and do not expect any disruption.

The Sellafield nuclear processing plant in Cumbria has its own dedicated fire service provided with specialist equipment.

Other large businesses such as the Esso oil refinery in Fawley in Hampshire also have their own firefighters.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "The Fawley site, which has its own dedicated fire service and firefighting equipment, is capable of handling most emergency situations without further assistance."