Fire Safety

Question 1

What does a fire need to start in a building?

Answer 1

Oxygen, heat and a fuel source are needed to start a fire.

Question 2

What are common causes of fires?

Answer 2

Cooking equipment
Electrical equipment
Intentional (arson)

Question 3

What is passive fire protection?

Answer 3

• Using the construction of the building to provide fire protection.
• Using materials and structural layout.

Question 4

What are types of active systems?

Answer 4

• Sprinklers

Question 5

Types of sprinkler?

Answer 5

• Wet - water in them

* Dry - air pressured systems

Question 6

Distances for sprinklers?

Answer 6

Every 12sqm

Every 4m

Question 7

What is a fire alarm?

Answer 7

Combination of components for giving an audible and/or other perceptible warning of fire to occupants

Question 8

What is fire detection?

Answer 8

• The term ‘fire detection system’ describes any type of automatic sensor network and associated control and indicating equipment.
• Sensors may be sensitive to smoke, heat, gaseous combustion products or radiation.

Question 9

What is the BS for fire alarm testing?

Answer 9

BS 5839

Question 10

What are the types of fire alarm categories?

Answer 10

Category P - purely for the protection of property
Category L - For life protection
Category M - Manually operated system

Question 11

Category P systems?

Answer 11

P1 - protects the whole building

P2 - Installed in defined areas

Question 12

Category L systems?

Answer 12

L1 provides for Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) to be installed into all areas of a building.
L2 provides Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) as defined in L3 as well as high risk or hazardous areas.
L3 Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) with smoke detection should be installed on escape routes with detection in rooms opening onto escape routes.
L4 provides Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) within escape routes only.
L5 is installed in building with a specific risk that has been identified.

Question 13

What is fire suppression?

Answer 13

A system used to extinguish a fire in a building

Question 14

How can the layout be changed to prevent fire spread?

Answer 14

A passive protection method. To divide up internal space to prevent the spread of fire.

Question 15

How is compartmentation achieved?

Answer 15

Between compartments, walls, doors partitions all need to provide a fire resistance, usually 60 minutes.

Question 16

How can the structure be protected from fire?

Answer 16

Structural steel is covered in film intumescent coatings or boxed with fire resistant slabs or plasterboard.

Question 17

How can you tell a certified fire door?

Answer 17

• Has smoke seals or intumescent strips.
• Stamp on top of the door frame.
• TRADA Q marks on inside of the door
• Thicker

Question 18

Gaps on fire doors?

Answer 18

2-4mm

up to 8mm at bottom depending on the door

Question 19

What approved document covers fire?

Answer 19

Part B

Question 20

What are the sections of part B?

Answer 20

Part B1: Means of Warning and Escape
Part B2: Internal Fire Spread (Linings)
Part B3: Internal Fire Spread (Structure)
Part B4: External Fire Spread
Part B5: Access and Facilities for the Fire Service

Question 21

What are the travel distances?

Answer 21

• Maximum of 18m for office where travel in one direction.

* Maximum of 45m for office where travel in more than one direction

Question 22

Widths of doors?

Answer 22

1050

Question 23

Fire protection requirements for fire doors?

Answer 23

• 30 min fire rating

* I would advise to install FD60 inline with compartmentation requirements

Question 24

Wall fire resistance for compartmentation?

Answer 24

It does vary dependent on the use and height of the building. Generally 60 mins

Question 25

When are sprinklers required?

Answer 25

Form may 2020 flat buildings over 11m

Question 26

What are the latest changes to part b?

Answer 26

MAY 2020: Blocks of flats with a top storey more than 11m above ground level (see Diagram D6) should be fitted with a sprinkler system throughout the building Signage for firefighters on flats over 11m NOVEMBER 2018 - reduction in materials that could be used for external cladding on buildings over 18m. They had to be in line with the BS 8414 test and be of limited or no combustibility.

Question 27

What are the key statutory instruments for fire safety?

Answer 27

``` Part B building regulations Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ```

Question 28

What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

Answer 28

* Under H&S at work act * Provide a minimum fire safety standard in all non-domestic premises. * It designates someone a responsible person, these are generally those who have some control over th property, this could be the landlord, tenant. Those persons are required to carry out certain fire safety duties which include ensuring the general fire precautions are satisfactory and conducting a fire risk assessment.

Question 29

What are the responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

Answer 29

* Consider who may be at risk. * Eliminate or reduce the risk of fire as far as is reasonably practical. * Undertake a fire risk assessment * Provide general fire precautions to deal with any risk. * Take additional measures to ensure fire safety where flammable or explosive materials are used or stored. * Create a plan to deal with any emergency and where necessary record any findings. * Maintain general fire precautions, and facilities provided for use by firefighters. * Keep any findings of the risk assessment under review.

Question 30

What are the five stages to a fire risk assessment?

Answer 30

* Identify the fire hazards. * Identify people at risk. * Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks. * Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training. * Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.

Question 31

How often should a FRA be undertaken?

Answer 31

* Reviewed annually | * Updated if there is a big change in the building.

Question 32

What is a fire dampner?

Answer 32

* Fire dampers are passive fire protection products used in HVAC systems. * Inside ductwork between walls * Close when there is a fire (electrical or mechanical)

Question 33

What is a fire collar?

Answer 33

* A collar around pipework that expands when in the presence of fire * Seals the pipework

Question 34

Stopping flash overs on external of building?

Answer 34

* Non combustible cladding | * Large gaps between windows

Question 35

What is ACM cladding?

Answer 35

* Aluminum composite material | * Two sheets of Al with an insulation material between (PIR, foam, mineral wool)

Question 36

Fire safety bill?

Answer 36

* A Bill to amend the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 * Provide greater clarity to who is responsible in building with more than one domestic property * Extends the fire risk assessment to the external area

Question 37

Building safety bill?

Answer 37

* Amends the Building Act 1984 * Extends Section 36 notice from 1 year to 10 years * An accountable person is identified who is charge of the building

Question 38

What certification is required for buildings over 18m?

Answer 38

* EWS 1 form. | * Signed off by competent professional

Question 39

When do you need a fire strategy?

Answer 39

Under the reform fire safety order

Question 40

Types of fire strategy?

Answer 40

* Phased * Simultaneous * Stay put

Question 41

What are some recent changes with regards to fire safety?

Answer 41

Following Grenfell there have been some updates within Part B of the Approved Documents. This includes making it mandatory to include sprinklers to buildings over 11m rather than 18m. They have also banned the used of combustible materials on the external facade of a high rish building - they now have to be Class A1