Fire Risk Assessment - Commercial - 2024 - duplicate

• Audit Title

• Client / Site

• Front of Building:

  Media

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

  Scott Walker

  Peter Ennals

  Ross Hunnable
• Location
  Address

• Responsible Person:

• Note:
  "Inspection Score" refers to completion of the service report, not the condition of the site.

• Note: The Regulatory Reform Order 2005 requires the Responsible Person to review and, if necessary, modify their risk assessments, since assessment should not be a once-and-for-all activity. Changes are introduced into the premises which have an effect on the fire risks and precautions, e.g. changes to work processes, furniture layout, plant, machinery, substances, buildings, or the number of people likely to be present in the premises. Any of these changes could lead to new hazards or increased risk necessitating the need to review the assessment. The Fire Audit should be reviewed at least annually.
  Note: Images used are examples only and not to be considered as covering all examples of a particular problem.

• Disclaimer
  This fire risk assessment represents the best judgement of the consultant involved and is based, in part, on information provided by others. Magenta Fire can accept no liability for the accuracy of the information provided. The risk assessment was carried out by an assessor having no control over the premises being assessed. The assessor has no control over the staffing levels or arrangements for the premises assessed within this building.

• Purpose of the assessment: Fire risk assessments are undertaken in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
  This Fire Risk Assessment will:
  • Identify fire hazards and identify people at risk
  • Assess risk associated with fire hazards
  • Make recommendations to remove or reduce fire hazards and risks to people

• What is a Fire Risk Assessment? A fire risk assessment is an organised look at what in your work activities and workplace could harm people, which people could be harmed and the steps taken to reduce the risk to those people.

• Who has to have an assessment? The Regulatory Reform Order 2005 makes fire risk assessments a legal requirement for all places of work (even one person). If there are more than five employees, then the assessment must be in writing.

• Who can carry it out? The fire risk assessment must be carried out by a ‘competent’ person. ‘Competence’ is defined as follows:
  A ‘competent person’ is someone with enough training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to be able to implement these measures properly.
  A common method of ensuring competence is through third party accreditation of the assessor.

• ‘Hazard’ versus ‘risk’.
  A ‘hazard’ is something which has the potential to cause harm.
  A ‘risk’ is the chance or likelihood of that harm occurring.
  The purpose of the assessment is to identify any hazards, assess any associated risks, and then aim to reduce or eliminate those risks.

• Key:
  High Risk – Breaches of legal requirements, which could cause injury and require immediate short term action and matters that can be resolved at minimal cost - for immediate attention
  Moderate Risk – Breaches in legislation that may require medium/long term action to resolve - for attention within one month
  Low Risk - Items of non-urgent priority or for future consideration - for attention within three months

1 The Building

• No of floors:

• Floor area:

• Brief details of construction:

• Occupancy type:

2 The occupants

• Maximum number of staff:

• Maximum number of members of the public at one time:

• Maximum number of occupants at any given time:

3 Occupants at special risk

• Sleeping occupants:

• Disabled occupants:

• Occupants in remote areas:

• Lone workers:

• Other activities:

4 Fire loss experience

• High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

5 Other relevant background

• High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there a Fire Brigade enforcement notice on this property?

  No

  Yes

  N/A

• Details:

6 Electrical sources of ignition

• Are reasonable measures taken to prevent fires of electrical origin?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is the fixed wiring installation periodically tested and inspected?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are portable appliances tested/inspected?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there a suitable policy about the use of personal electrical appliances?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there a suitable limitation on the use of trailing leads and adapters?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

7 Smoking

• Are reasonable measures taken to prevent fires as a result of smoking?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is smoking prohibited in the building?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there suitable arrangements made for those who wish to smoke?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is the appropriate smoking prohibition notice displayed at the building's entrance?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

8 Arson

• Does the basic security against arson appear reasonable?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there sufficient control of unnecessary fire load in close proximity to the building or available for ignition by outsiders?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

9 Portable heaters and heating installation

• Is the use of portable heater avoided as far as reasonably practicable?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• If portable heaters are used, are the more hazardous types (radiant bars and LPG) avoided?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• If portable heaters are used are suitable measures taken to minimise the risk of ignition of combustible materials?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are fixed heating installations subject to regular maintenance?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

10 Cooking

• Are reasonable measures taken to prevent cooking fires?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are filters changed and ductwork cleaned regularly?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are suitable extinguishers available?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

11 Lightning

• Has the building an effective lightning protection system?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

12 Other significant ignition sources that warrant consideration

• Are there electric vehicle charging points and has suitable training been provided to those using it (Please see guide)?

• Are there solar panels in place?

• Is there any battery charging units in place (example: Forklift truck charging units)?

• Are any Lithium powered devices being left on prolonged charge?

• List other ignition sources:

• Comments and hazards observed:

13 Housekeeping

• Is the standard of housekeeping adequate?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are combustible materials separated from ignition sources?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is the unnecessary accumulation of combustibles and waste avoided?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there appropriate storage of hazardous materials?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are combustible materials stored appropriately?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

14 Hazards introduced by outside contractors and building works

• Is there sufficient control over works by outside contractors (e.g. Permits to work & hot works permits)?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are fire safety conditions and instructions communicated to contractors?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are in-house maintenance personnel sufficiently controlled? (Site inductions, Recorded appropriate training, PPE, COSHH)

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and hazards observed:

15 Means of escape from fire

• Is the building provided with adequate means of escape in case of fire?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are exits easily and immediately openable where necessary?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Do fire exits open in the direction of travel?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Have sliding or revolving doors been avoided as fire exits?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there adequate means of securing exits?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there reasonable distances of travel where there is a single direction of travel?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there reasonable distances of travel where there are alternative means of escape?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are escape routes adequately protected?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there suitable fire precautions for all inner rooms?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are escape routes unobstructed?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Does the property have any metal fire escape staircases?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there suitable means of escape for disabled occupants?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

16 Measures to limit fire spread and development.

• Is there a sufficient standard of compartmentalisation for breaches?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there a sufficient standard of fire doors in place?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are fire curtains installed where applicable and are they suitable and sufficient?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Has a drawing been provided detailing where the compartment lines are within the building, where applicable?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

17 Escape lighting

• Is an adequate standard of escape lighting provided?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

18 Fire safety signs and notices

• Are fire safety signs and notices suitable and sufficient?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

19 Means of giving warning in the event of fire

• Is a manually operated electrical fire alarm system provided?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is automatic fire detection provided and beacons in toilet areas?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there remote transmission of alarm signals?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is information available on the Cause & Effects of the fire alarm system, such as, but not inclusive of, lift to ground, dampers, gas shut offs?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

20 Manual fire extinguishing appliances

• Is there suitable and sufficient provision of portable fire extinguishers?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are hose reels provided?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

21 Relevant automatic fire extinguishing systems

• Is there a suppression system in place, where applicable?

• Is there a sprinkler system in place, where applicable?

• Any other systems in place?

• Comments and observations:

22 Other relevant fixed systems

• Is there a disabled pull cord in the toilets where applicable?

• Are there fire dampers in place where applicable?

• Are there smoke vents/AOV's in place where applicable?

• Is there extraction units in place on a protected stairwells, where applicable?

• Are there fire shutters in place, where applicable?

• Are there evacuation chairs in place, where applicable?

• Are the refuge points in place, where applicable?

• Are there any other fixed systems in place?

• Comments and observations:

23 Procedures and arrangements

• Person responsible for fire safety:

• Is there a Fire Strategy in place, where applicable?

• Are there competent persons available to assist in implementing fire safety arrangements?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are appropriate fire procedures in place? (including arrangements for calling the fire service)

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there people nominated to respond to fire?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there appropriate liaison with the fire service?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Do routine in-house inspection of fire precautions take place?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Other relevant systems in place?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

24 Training and drills

• Are staff given instruction on induction?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Do staff receive occasional refresher training?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are staff with special responsibilities given appropriate training, such as evacuation chair training?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are fire drills carried out at least once a year?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

25 Testing and maintenance

• Is there six-monthly maintenance checks of the fire detection and alarm system?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual drain down test of the emergency lighting?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual maintenance of fire extinguishing equipment?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there annual inspection and test of the lightning protection system?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there six-monthly maintenance checks of the dry riser?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there regular checks on the fire doors?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual check on the disabled pull cord?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual service on the fire dampers?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual service on the evacuation chairs?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual service on the suppression system?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Is there an annual service on the extraction/AOV's system?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Other relevant inspection and test

• Comments and observations:

26 Records

• Are there records of fire drills?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there records of fire training?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there logbook records for all internal checks that take place, weekly and monthly?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Are there records of maintenance of other fire protection systems, such as, but not inclusive of, extinguishers, fire alarms and emergency lights, by Third Party Accredited companies ?

  High Risk

  Moderate Risk

  Low Risk

  N/A

• Comments and observations:

Signatures

• Is a quote required?

  No

  Yes

  N/A

• Prepared By

  Scott Walker

  Peter Ennals

  Ross Hunnable

• Engineer's Signature

  Sign

• Customer Representative Signature

  Sign

6 Electrical sources of ignition

• Fixed wire testing involves testing and inspecting the electrical systems and installations within a building.

• Following testing, you will be issued an EICR, certifying the condition of the entire electrical system within your premises, including electrical wiring, circuits, accessories and connections.

• Regular testing of a building’s wiring structure and maintenance is mandatory by law under The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008.

• The frequency of testing required for compliance varies between environments, determined by a number of factors such as the use, operation and other external influences affecting the installation.

• The IET Wiring Regs provide guidance on the maximum interval between fixed wire tests, based on the type of premises.

• Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination, but some types of defect can only be found by testing. However, it is essential to understand that visual examination is an essential part of the process because some types of electrical safety defect can't be detected by testing alone.

• In this process employers need to take account of any electrical equipment brought into work by members of their workforce. If it is used, it is work equipment and the employer is responsible for ensuring its safety. More often than not this equipment is brought in by workers for their personal convenience and comfort. It commonly includes kettles, toasters, microwave ovens, portable heaters and fans. They are often appliances that have just been replaced or are unwanted at home, sometimes at the end of their useful life.

• To avoid the risks from this second-hand, untested equipment most employers have an outright ban on their use. If the equipment really is necessary for the welfare and comfort of the workforce it should have been provided by the employer. By providing the equipment the employer retains full control over its use and its maintenance.

• However, if an employer chooses to let employees use their own electrical appliances, they must accept full responsibility for its maintenance and safety. They must include it in their portable appliance testing arrangements. If it is used in the course of your business the enforcing authorities and personal injury lawyers will not accept the excuse “it’s not mine”.

7 Smoking

• Since 1 October 2012, at least 1 legible no-smoking sign must still be displayed but owners and managers are now free to decide the size, design and location of the signs.

• No action is needed for anyone who is already complying with the current regulations. But the new smoke-free signs regulations give owners and managers the freedom to move, change or remove multiple signs.

8 Arson

• Arson remains the largest single cause of fire in England and Wales and research has estimated that the overall annual cost of arson to the economy in this area is around £2.53 billion. The human cost has also been high. In the last decade there have been around 2.3 million deliberate fires resulting in over 25,000 injuries and over 900 deaths.

9 Portable heaters and heating installation

• Individual heating appliances require particular care if they are to be used safely, particularly those which are kept for emergency use during a power cut or as supplementary heating during severe weather. The greatest risks arise from lack of maintenance and staff unfamiliarity with them. Heaters should preferably be secured in position when in use and fitted with a fire guard if appropriate. As a general rule, convector or fan heaters should be preferred to radiant heaters because they present a lower risk of fire and injury.

• The following rules should be observed:

• • All heaters should be kept well clear of combustible materials and where they do not cause an obstruction.

• • Heaters which burn a fuel should be sited away from draughts.

• • Portable fuel burning heaters (including bottled gas (LPG)) should only be used in exceptional circumstances and if shown to be acceptable in your risk assessment.

• All gas heating appliances should be used only in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and should be serviced annually by a competent person.

• In general, staff should be discouraged from bringing in their own portable heaters and other electrical equipment (e.g. kettles) into the premises.

10 Cooking

• Typical installations used in cooking processes include deep fat fryers, ovens, grills, surface cookers, ductwork, flues, filters, hoods, extract and ventilation ducts and dampers. These cooking processes can operate with high temperatures, involving large quantities of oil and combustible food stuffs. Heat sources used for cooking processes include: gas, electric and microwave. The main cause of fire are ignition of cooking oil, combustion of crumbs and sediment deposits, and ductwork fires from a build up of fats and grease.

• The siting of cooking processes close to insulated core panels with combustible insulation (see Section 1.10) can lead to the likely ignition of the panels and consequent rapid fire spread to other parts of the building. This practice should therefore be avoided.

• The following should be considered to reduce the risk from cooking processes:

• • regular cleaning to prevent build-up of crumbs and other combustible material;

• • fire resisting containers for waste products;

• • a fire suppression system capable of controlling an outbreak of fire;

• • monitored heat/oil levels, even after the cooking process is complete and installation of temperature control/cut-off/shut off devices as appropriate;

• • duct, joints and supports able to withstand high cooking temperatures;

• • seperation from wall and ceiling panels (with combustible insulation) e.g. 2.5m for walls, 4m for ceilings;

• • insulation of ducts to prevent heating/ignition of nearby combustible wall and ceiling materials;

• • a regular programme for inspection and cleaning;

• • a programme of electrical and mechanical maintenance; and

• • annual service of all gas heating appliances by a competent person.

11 Lightning

• The core purpose of a lightning protection system is to protect against the unacceptable risk of loss of human life; A commercial premises will often be required to be certificated by the Insurance Company and can be part of a PLI (Public Liability Insurance) policy.

13 Housekeeping

• Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) you must store and handle chemicals and dangerous substances in a way that:

• • minimises the risks

• • limits people's exposure to them.

• You need to assess the risks of storing and handling dangerous substances. This includes the possibility of environmental damage caused by leaks and spills.

• You should then take any actions needed to control risks, including:

• • storing chemicals according to the manufacturer's instructions on the safety data sheet

• • keeping the smallest quantity of hazardous substances necessary

• • storing incompatible substances separately

• • taking steps to prevent release or leakage of dangerous substances

• • keeping a spill kit near to storage areas, and training staff in what to do in the event of a spill

• • cleaning up any leaks or spills that occur

• • using the right safeguards when handling substances - for example, wearing protective clothing or ensuring adequate ventilation

• • training employees who store and handle dangerous substances

• • properly labelling containers used for short-term storage

14 Hazards introduced by outside contractors and building works

• A permit-to-work is a formal recorded process used to control work which is identified as potentially hazardous. The objective is to ensure that proper consideration is given to the risks of a particular job.

• It is also a means of communication between site management / plant supervisors / operators, and those who carry out the hazardous work. The permit is a detailed document which authorises certain people to carry out specific work at a specific site at a certain time. It sets out the main precautions needed to complete the job safely.

• High risk activities which could require a permit-to-work include:

• • ‘Hot works’ (any work generating heat, for example, welding, grinding, using a blow torch).

• • Working in a confined space (a place which is substantially enclosed, such as a storage tank or an enclosed drain, where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby, for example, a lack of oxygen).

• • Working on live electricity or inside a machine.

• The permits are important documents - they need to be issued by a competent and trained person before any hazardous work is commenced. Assessing the risks and following the correct procedures, such as locking off machinery to prevent unauthorised persons switching it on while you are inside, or making sure you have the correct breathing apparatus and a rescue plan for the confined space you are entering, may save a business a significant amount of money, by helping to avoid accidents and injuries.

• When contractors perform services at employer worksites, a detailed contract and contractor safety program protects the health and safety of both employees and contractors. The employer and the contractor share an obligation to communicate planned work activities, the hazards involved, and the contracted tasks, as well as the training, tools, and equipment that all employees will need.

15 Means of escape from fire

• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005, which came into force in October 2006, charges the responsible person(s) in control of non-domestic premises with the safety of everyone, whether employed in or visiting the building. Under Article 14 of the RRFSO, this duty of care includes ensuring that “routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times” (14: 1) and that these “emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a place of safety” (14: 2: a). In other words, the entire escape route up to and including the final exit from a building must remain unobstructed at all times, while the distance people have to go to escape (the travel distance) must be as short as possible.

• In terms of fire safety, the final exits on an escape route in a public building are known as fire exits. They may or may not be located on the usual route of traffic when the premises are operating under normal circumstances. The final exit doors should open easily, immediately and, wherever practicable, “in the direction of escape”, i.e. outwards into a place of safety outside the building. Sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as fire exits. The emergency routes and fire exits must be well lit and indicated by appropriate signs, e.g. ‘Fire Exit – Keep Clear’. In locations that require illumination, emergency lighting of adequate intensity must be provided in case the normal lighting fails, and illuminated signs used. This is because, as noted in the HM Government publication “Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Offices and Shops” (June 2006): “The primary purpose of emergency escape lighting is to illuminate escape routes but it also illuminates other safety equipment”.

• Places of Relative Safety

• It is often necessary to devise a temporary place of safety, such as when evacuating high buildings. This may be defined as a place of comparative safety and includes any place that puts an effective barrier (normally 30 minutes’ fire resistance) between the person escaping and the fire. Examples are as follows:

• 1. A storey exit into a protected stairway or the lobby of a lobby approach stairway;

• 2. A door in a compartment wall or separating wall leading to an alternative exit;

• 3. A door that leads directly to a protected stair or a final exit via a protected corridor.

• A staircase that is enclosed throughout its height by a fire resisting structure and doors can sometimes be considered a place of comparative safety. In these cases, the staircase can be known as a ‘protected route’. However, the degree of protection that enables staircases to be considered a place of comparative safety varies for differing building types, and is normally defined in the relevant codes of practice.

• Place of Ultimate Safety

• Ideally, this should be in the open air, where unrestricted dispersal away from the building can be achieved. Escape routes should never discharge finally into enclosed areas or yards, unless the dispersal area is large enough to permit all the occupants to proceed to a safe distance. (NB: a safe distance equates to at least the height of the building, measured along the ground.) Total dispersal in the open air therefore constitutes ultimate safety. When inspecting any building, it is important always to follow the escape route to its ultimate place of safety. Plus, the final exits on these escape routes (i.e. fire exits) must have sufficient capacity to ensure the swift and safe evacuation of people from the building in an emergency situation.

• What is the Total Width of Fire Exits Required?

• There are two main sources of guidance that should be consulted when considering the above question for your premises: the Building Regulations and British Standards.

• 1) Building Regulations: the maximum number of persons approach

• Current building regulations contain guidance on the widths of escape routes and exits for new-build, non-domestic properties and the communal areas in purpose built blocks of flats in “The Building Regulations 2010, Fire Safety, Approved Document B, Volume 2 – Buildings Other Than Dwelling houses, 2006 edition, incorporating amendments up to April 2019”.

• Under usual circumstances a building is designed for a particular purpose, and the design and build process is well regulated with the outcome being a structure that remains more or less suitable during its lifetime.

• But sometimes a building’s use may change and we may need to reconsider the suitability of the fire exits.

• Examples of the times when we need to consider the suitability of exits are:

• • An increase in capacity, e.g. a former office becoming used as a conference space, a storage area being converted to a shop;

• • A change of use to a higher fire risk category;

• • Where exits have been permanently obstructed;

• • Temporary building works which might require closure of some routes;

• • When temporary facilities such as marquees are erected;

• • When building alterations or new buildings are proposed.

• What are the considerations? In common with other sources of guidance on the subject, Approved Document B states:
  "The number of escape routes and exits to be provided depends on the number of occupants in the room, tier or storey in question and the limits on travel distance to the nearest exit."

• • There is a core principle that there should normally be at least two escape routes. However, exceptions are allowed where travel distances are short and numbers are low.

• • It wouldn’t be possible in a short article to explain every intricacy but taking an example of a single storey office, it could have a single entrance/exit provided the actual travel distance from the furthest point to the exit was less than 18 metres and there were less than 60 people using the office.

• • The following table gives a general guide to the numbers of exits required by capacity:

  

• Recommended door width:
  Of course, it isn’t simply a matter of any old door does the job no matter what size, so as you’d expect there’s guidance on the design width of exits. Unfortunately, though, the available guidance differs greatly so that Approved Document B, for example, is not the same as BS9999 and is different again from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) guides. Here’s the table from the Approved Document B:

  

• • In the DCLG guidance a 750mm door width in a normal fire risk premises has a capacity of 100 people and a 1050mm door can take 200. How do you decide which to use? Well, the Building Regulations apply to new builds and alterations, and the DCLG guidance applies to existing premises.

• • Where all the various guides are in agreement is that you should discount one exit, i.e. assume that a fire is affecting the largest of the alternative exits, and then make sure that the capacity of the remaining exits is sufficient. (If two exits are close together, you should discount both.)

• • Taking an example of an assembly room with a capacity of 200, you could fulfill the requirement of Approved Document B with two exits of a minimum dimension of 1050mm each or three at least 850mm wide.

• • Caution: Guidance should not be applied rigidly, so, for example, if there is a higher risk of fire or the occupants are at greater risk, then the acceptable travel distances reduce and you may need more exits. The most thorough way to apply these variances is to use BS9999, but it isn’t a document to cherry-pick from — you either apply the whole system to your fire strategy or leave it alone

• You should ensure that your escape routes are:

• • suitable

• • easily, safely and immediately usable at any time

• • adequate for the number of people likely to use them

• • usable without passing through doors requiring a key or code to unlock

• • well lit by normal or emergency escape lighting

• • available for access for emergency services.

• Escape routes that provide escape in a single direction only may need additional fire precautions to be regarded as adequate. Exit doors on escape routes and final exit doors should normally open in the direction of travel, and be quickly and easily openable without the need for a key.

• The maximum travel distance in a single direction should not exceed 25m, however, where escape is possible in more than one direction, the maximum travel distance to the closest exit should not exceed 45m.

• You should avoid situations where the only escape route for people in an inner room is through one other room (the access room). The exception to this is where the people in the inner room can be quickly made aware of a fire in the outer one and this is not an area of high fire risk.

• BS 8219:2012 British Standard Guide to Building Maintenance Management:

• This recommends that general, visual inspections of the main elements of a building are carried out annually and full inspections are carried out at intervals of no more than five years. Reports should highlight the degree of urgency needed to carry out repairs, and ensure that postponing apparently non-urgent work doesn’t result in a major defect or failure over the longer term.

• In the UK, it is a legal requirement for a business or workplace to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of the risks of fire to their employees, and others, who may be affected by their work or business. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that employers or organisations take responsibility for safely evacuating people from a building or premises, including disabled people.

• If you don’t consider the safe evacuation of disabled people from your premises, then it may be viewed as discrimination.

• Your emergency procedures should be planned in advance and should take into account the needs of all occupants and users of the premises. Disabled people need to be considered as part of those emergency procedures and arrangements made for their safe evacuation in the event of a fire.

• Legal overview summary

• o The Fire and Rescue Service’s role in fire evacuation is that of ensuring that the means of escape in case of fire and associated fire safety measures provided for all people who may be in a building are both adequate and reasonable, taking into account the circumstances of each particular case.

• o Under current fire safety legislation, it is the responsibility of the person(s) having responsibility for the building to provide a fire safety risk assessment that includes an emergency evacuation plan for all people likely to be in the premises, including disabled people, and how that plan will be implemented.

• o Such an evacuation plan should not rely upon the intervention of the Fire and Rescue Service to make it work. In the case of multi-occupancy buildings, responsibility may rest with a number of persons for each occupying organisation and with the owners of the building. It is important that they co-operate and co-ordinate evacuation plans with each other. This could present a particular problem in multi-occupancy buildings when the different escape plans and strategies need to be co-ordinated from a central point.

• o The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) does not make any change to these requirements: it underpins the current fire safety legislation in England and Wales, by requiring that employers or organisations providing services to the public take responsibility for ensuring that all people, including disabled people, can leave the building they control safely in the event of a fire.

• o Where an employer or a service provider does not make provision for the safe evacuation of disabled people from its premises, this may be viewed as discrimination. It may also constitute a failure to comply with the requirements of the fire safety legislation mentioned above.

• o Public bodies have an additional duty, called the Disability Equality Duty (DED), which from December 2006 requires them to proactively promote the equality of disabled people. This will require them to do even more to ensure that disabled people do not face discrimination by not being provided with a safe evacuation plan from a building

16 Measures to limit fire spread and development.

• “Fire compartmentation is an important requirement of Building Regulations’ Approved Document B with the aim of reducing the spread of fire within a building.

• Buildings are required to be sub-divided into a number of discreet compartments, using construction materials that will prevent the passage of fire from one cell to another for a given period of time.

• Compartmentation is based on the premise that large fires are more dangerous to occupants, fire and rescue services and people located nearby. Compartmentation has also been found to limit damage to a building and its contents. However, one of the main benefits of compartmentalisation is that it protects ‘means of escape’ routes from the building. This feature is particularly important where there is minimal fire separation, other than the means of escape.

• Rules for Compartment walls and floors are set out in Appendix A of Approved document B2 for non-domestic buildings. Fire resistance is expressed in terms of the number of minutes of resistance that must be provided by different parts of a building. In the same way, doors within compartmentalised walls, and other openings, need to have a similar fire resistance to the walls or floors they inhabit.

• Spaces that connect fire compartments, such as stairways and service shafts, are described as ‘protected shafts’. These need to be protected to restrict fire spread between the compartments.

• To further enhance safety, parts of a building that are occupied for different purposes should be separated from one another by compartment walls and compartment floors.

17 Escape lighting

• Adequate artificial lighting should be provided in all escape routes and should be of a sufficient standard to enable persons to escape. In addition to the system of artificial lighting, escape lighting should be provided within.

18 Fire safety signs and notices

• The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 covers the provision of fire safety signs that are required in the workplace. These Regulations bring into force the EC Safety Signs Directive 92/58/EEC on the provision and use of safety signs at work.

19 Means of giving warning in the event of fire

• Government Mandatory Instructions are: You must have a fire detection and warning system. You may need different types of detectors, depending on the type of building and the work carried out in it.

• Remote Monitoring of Fire Alarm Systems In order to achieve maximum benefit from a fire detection system in the event of genuine fire activation, the fire services need to attend as quickly as possible.

20 Manual fire extinguishing appliances

• In the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (fire safety legislation) it states that the premises must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment where appropriate. With this, the person appointed responsible for fire safety must ensure that peoples training and equipment available to them are adequate.

• In BS 5306-8 (Clause 4.5) it states The competent person should bring to the attention of the responsible person the legal requirement for training. Every opportunity should be taken to instruct personnel in the use of extinguishers, and to demonstrate their performance.

• Extinguishers for different fire classifications will have different training requirements.

• Make sure your nominated staff are trained and confident to use this equipment in the event of a fire (if safe to do so).

• Fire Classifications

• Fires have different classifications as different extinguishing medium (water, carbon dioxide etc) react differently to types of fire and only the appropriate extinguisher should be used to attempt to extinguish a fire.

• • Class A - Freely burning materials (paper, wood etc)

• • Class B - Flammable liquids

• • Class C - Flammable gases

• • Class D - Flammable metals

• • Electrical* - Electrical equipment**

• • Class F - Cooking oils and fats

• *BS5306-8 (Clause 7.1) states that for fires involving electrical equipment there is no recognized classification for this additional type of fire. Electricity in itself does not burn but can cause fires in class A, B, C, D and F materials.

• **BS5306-8 (Clause 9.1) states for fires involving electrical equipment (see also 5.4.2), it is expected that the first action will be to cut off the source of power to the electrical equipment, if this can be done in safety. It is unlikely that the electrical equipment itself will provide the major fuel source. The provision of extinguishers should therefore be decided on the basis of the other fire hazards in the area.

• Clause 9.3 Distribution of extinguishers for fires involving live electrical equipment

• Extinguishers of a type marked as suitable for use on fires in live electrical equipment should be sited near any electrical equipment (see also 5.4.2) [up to but not exceeding 10m travel distance – Clause 9.4].

• Clause 5.4.2 Conductivity

• Only non-conductive extinguishing media, such as carbon dioxide, powder or other clean agent, should be specified for use on electrical equipment.

23 Procedures and arrangements

• If you are an employer or business owner, you are most likely the person responsible for fire safety in your place of work. You must give serious consideration to your fire emergency planning before it is too late.

• “… in a workplace the employer is the responsible person if the workplace is under the employer’s control.”

• HSE guidance

• Where the premises are not under the employer’s control, then the “responsible person” is most likely the owner or landlord.

• The person responsible for fire safety will need to properly manage the following:

• • A fire risk assessment of the premises which must be reviewed regularly

• • Telling staff or their representatives about any risks you’ve identified

• • Putting in place, and maintaining, appropriate fire safety measures

• • Planning for an emergency/evacuation

• • Staff information, fire safety instruction, induction and training

• The Competent Person

• The competent person or fire risk assessor need not possess any specific academic qualifications but should:

• • Understand the relevant fire safety legislation and the associated guidance documents

• • Have appropriate education knowledge and experience in the principles of fire safety;

• • Have an understanding of fire development and the behaviour of people in fire; understand the fire, fire risks and relevant factors associated with occupants at special risk within buildings of the type in question; and

• • Have appropriate training and/or experience in carrying out fire risk assessments.

• They must show a competency in all areas equal to (or greater than) the complexity of problems to be tackled. The competent person must display an ability to identify a problem when seen and suitably asses its relative importance in relation to the safety systems in place.

24 Training and drills

• All employers have a responsibility and legal requirements to their staff to ensure that their business appoints a sufficient number of “responsible persons”. These staff members will be trained as fire marshals to assist in an emergency fire situation or evacuation within the workplace.

• All employees will require some level of fire-related competency and therefore some form of fire safety induction training. To meet legal requirements, the provision of information, instruction and training will often be undertaken within the same induction training programme for all employees.

• All members of staff should receive basic fire safety induction training and attend refresher sessions at pre-determined intervals. The training should take account of the findings of the fire risk assessment and be easily understood by all those attending.

• Everyone who works for you needs to know how to work safely and without risks to health. You must provide clear instructions and information, and adequate training, for your employees.

• Consider how much training is necessary. A proportionate approach is needed, for example a low-risk business would not need lengthy technical training. Providing simple information or instructions is likely to be sufficient.

• Don’t forget contractors and self-employed people who may be working for you and make sure everyone has the right level of information on:

• • hazards and risks they may face, if any

• • measures in place to deal with those hazards and risks, if necessary

• • how to follow any emergency procedures

• Some employees may have particular training needs, for example:

• • new recruits need basic induction training in how to work safely, including arrangements for first aid, fire and evacuation

• • people changing jobs or taking on extra responsibilities need to know about any new health and safety implications

• • young employees are particularly vulnerable to accidents and you need to pay particular attention to their needs, so their training should be a priority. It is also important that new, inexperienced or young employees are adequately supervised

• • employee representatives or safety representatives will require training that reflects their responsibilities

• • some people’s skills may need updating by refresher training

• Your risk assessment should identify any further training needs associated with specific risks. If you have identified danger areas in your workplace, you must ensure that your employees receive adequate instruction and training on precautions they must take before entering them.

• You need to think about any legal requirements for specific job training, eg for operating forklift trucks. Remember that if you introduce new equipment, technology or changes to working practices/systems, your employees will need to know about any new health and safety implications.

• Employees also have responsibilities under health and safety law to:

• • take care of their own health and safety and that of others

• • co-operate with you to help you comply with health and safety legislation

• • follow any instructions or health and safety training you provide

• • tell you about any work situations that present a serious and imminent risk

• • let you know about any other failings they identify in your health and safety arrangements

• How people behave in high-pressure situations, such as fires, can vary but this factor can be hugely important when it comes to effective evacuation. Fire drills allow staff to practice evacuation procedures in a simulated situation to ensure they are fully aware of how to safely exit the building.

• The more familiar staff are with fire drill procedures, the higher the chance that staff remain safe and well during an emergency. Regular fire drills will help to underpin the correct procedures, removing panic and uncertainty for all concerned.

• Fire drills are also an important opportunity to analyse how effective the evacuation procedure is and how effective the exit routes were, so that changes can be made to improve the strategy in the future.

• But perhaps the most important thing to remember is that fire drills are a legal requirement for all businesses.

• As an employer, you are legally obliged to carry out fire drills at least once a year, though it’s advisable to carry them out more regularly, particularly if your workplace has many risk factors.

25 Testing and maintenance

• Most businesses understand they have a duty of care when it comes to protecting their premises and the people who use it. Putting in the right procedures, however, can often be confusing when it comes to fire safety, particularly the installation and ongoing maintenance of fire alarms.

• Fire alarms should be installed in compliance with BS 5839. Carrying out regular services is a part of your obligation as a business or organisation under the Health and Safety Regulations.

• According to the fire safety regulations, you should make every effort to ensure your system is adequately maintained. Some businesses take this to mean inspections once every year.

• BS 5839, however, suggests that your fire alarm system should be inspected at least every 6 months. If you have larger premises, where there may be more alarms and more complex systems, the recommendation is for quarterly inspections to be carried out.

• The reasons for having alarms serviced is to ensure that a) they work, and b) you don’t suffer from problems such as false alarms. The latter is likely to cause greater cost because the fire service gets called out (which can result in a cost being passed onto your business in the event of a false alarm) but it also desensitizes employees to the alarm which could be potentially dangerous.

• While annual, biannual or quarterly inspections of your fire detection and alarm service by a professional may be pertinent, you also need to carry out regular tests on site.

• The annual test should be a full rated duration test to ensure that the emergency lights are still working and producing the acceptable level of light at the end of the test. So for example if a luminaire is rated for a 3 hour duration, then after 3 hours in an emergency situation the light should still be lit.

• Regular fire extinguisher maintenance is a legal requirement under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It ensures they're in good working order so they're capable of saving lives and property.

• Annual Inspection, Testing and Certification Your system will last for many years if it is properly installed and maintained. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that Lightning Protection systems are inspected, tested and certified in accordance with either BS6651 or BS EN 62305 depending on the system.

26 Records

• Under the regulatory reform (fire safety) order, it is a legal requirement for managers and building owners to take responsibility for the fire safety within their property, this means that a designated ‘responsible person’ is charged with keeping an accurate record of all details pertaining to fire safety on the premises.

• As an employer, you are legally obliged to carry out fire drills at least once a year, though it’s advisable to carry them out more regularly, particularly if your workplace has many risk factors.

• As part of your fire log bok check, you must check that fire doors are not wedged open and are fit for purpose to make sure they protect the compartment lines and escape routes. This is carried out by a competent person.