17. Fire Safety Flashcards
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
Key piece of fire legislation as it simplifies previous health and safety laws and sets a standard for fire safety across non-domestic premises.
What are the key points included in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
1) Fire Risk Assessment - Must be completed by a competent person.
2) Fire Prevention and Mitigation Measures - Implementation of appropriate fire prevention and mitigation measures behind findings of FRA.
3) Emergency Planning - Businesses must have adequate emergency plans including evacuation procedures, fire drills, staff training
4) Maintenance of Fire Safety Equipment - Regular maintenance and testing of fire safety equipment, fire alarms, extinguishers etc.
What are the implications of non-compliance under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Legal ramifications - Hefty fines or imprisonment. ‘Responsible person’ can be held personally liable
It can lead to increased risk of fire incidents
It can lead to damage to reputation
What is a ‘responsible person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
A ‘responsible person’ is someone who has control of the premises.
Under the RRO they must:
1) Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, produce a policy, develop procedures, provide staff training and carry out fire drills.
2) They must provide and maintain clear Means of Escape, Signs, Notices, Emergency Lighting, Fire Detection and Alarm and Extinguishers.
3) They must appoint one or more Competent Persons to assist them in undertaking sufficient training, experience and knowledge.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment and what’s included?
A fire risk assessment identifies what needs to be done in a premises to prevent fires and keep people safe.
1) Identify the fire hazards
2) Identify people at risk
3) Evaluate, remove or reduce risks
4) Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training. Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.
5) Considerations will need to be made for emergency routes and exits, fire detection and warning systems, fire fighting equipment, removal or safe storage of dangerous substances, an emergency fire evacuation plan, needs for vulnerable people, staff fire safety training.
How often do fire risk assessments need to be updated/reviewed?
These should be reviewed regularly. If there has been no significant changes to how you conduct work, then it’s standard practice to conduct a fire risk assessment review at least once every 12 months.
What recommendations did your client have in their fire risk assessment?
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021?
Introduced following the Grenfell disaster and makes improvements to the Regulatory Reform Order 2005.
It increases the obligations of a ‘responsible person’
Why is the Fire Safety Act 2021 important?
The Act amends and extends the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 by increasing the obligations to the ‘responsible person’.
What’s included in the Fire Safety Act 2021?
Section 1 - Extends the provisions of the RRO to parts of multi-occupancy domestic property. It includes:
- The buildings structure, external walls and any common parts.
- All doors between domestic premises and common parts.
Section 3 - Introduces a new risk-based guidance
All multi occupancy buildings over 11m must have quaterly fire checks on all doors in common parts.
What happens if the responsible person does not comply?
The amendments allow enforcement action to be taken against the responsible person, just like the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Are you aware of any guidance for Fire Safety when undertaking projects?
Building Bulletin 100 - Design for Fire Safety in Schools
Approved Document B - Fire Safety
Explain the sections of the Approved Document B in more depth?
Approved Document B - Splits Fire Safety into seven sections.
B1 - Means of Warning and Escape
B2 - Internal Fire Spread (linings)
B3 - Internal Fire Spread (structure)
B4 - External Fire Spread
B5 - Access and Facilities for the Fire Service
Regulation 38: Fire Safety Information
