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20 Fire Safety > Level 1 > Flashcards

Level 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is Part B of the Building Regulations?

A

Part B of the Building Regulations is concerned with fire safety

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2
Q

What aspects of fire safety does Part B cover?

A

B1. To provide appropriate means of warning and escape.
B2. To adequately resist internal fire spread (linings).
B3. To adequately resist internal fire spread (structure).
B4. To adequately resist external fire spread.
B5. To provide reasonable access and facilities for the fire service.

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3
Q

What is BS9999?

A 
1 General
2 Risk profiles and assessing risk
3 Ensuring effective fire protection
4 Managing fire safety
5 Designing means of escape
6 Access and facilities for fire fighting
7 Designing the building structure: Load bearing and non load bearing elements
8 Special risk protection
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4
Q

What is the difference between ADB, BS999 and FSE?

A

Government guidance= Applicable to the majority of buildings/Prescriptive design guidance

Advanced approach =BS 9999 = is still prescriptive but it is a more flexible approach/ Structured approach to risk based design based on FSE

Fire safety engineering = BS 7974 with supporting Published Documents is a more bespoke approach/ FSE may be the only practical approach for some large and complex buildings, and for buildings containing different uses.

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5
Q

Outline some of the requirements of Part B of the Building Regulations?

A
  • Travel distances need to be less than 18m in one direction or 45m in more than one direction at 45º.
  • Up to 60 people – 1 escape / Up to 600 people – 2 escapes / More than 600 people – 3 escapes.
  • An inner room (Room within a room) should have sufficient fire detection, vision panels, no more than 30 people capacity.
  • All escape routes should have 2m minimum head room. Fire corridors to have 30m fire protection.
  • Fire escape stairs should be between 1000mm and 1800mm depending on the number of floors and occupants.
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6
Q

What factors determine the maximum number of persons that can occupy a floor in a multi storey office building?

A

The use of the building will limit the occupancy levels, Approved Doc B lists the “Floor space factor”, described in terms of m2/person, for fifteen distinct “Type(s) of accommodation.

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7
Q

Can you increase the maximum occupancy of a multi storey building based on design?

A

Improved fire suppression, fire detection and alarm and phased/managed evacuation can increase the maximum occupancy.

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8
Q

What is the floor space factor for people in offices?

A

6.0m2/person, although 10.0m2/person is the norm.

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9
Q

How can you improve the maximum occupancy?

A

Horizontal Escape: Where two escape routes merge elsewhere in the building they only count as one escape route.

Vertical Escape: Capacity of a stair for simultaneous evacuation of the building
At the bottom of the escape stairs the width of the door leading out of the building restricts capacity as detailed above in horizontal escape.

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10
Q

What are some recent changes with regards to fire safety?

A

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 righ building - they now have to be Class A1

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11
Q

what does a fire need to start in a building?

A

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

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12
Q

What are common causes of fires?

A

Cooking equipment
Hot works
Electrical equipment
Intentional (arson)

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13
Q

What is the difference between a passive and active fire system?

A

Active Fire protection takes action in order to put out a fire. (Sprinklers)
Passive Fire Protection will help prevent a fire from spreading or resist the initial ignition.

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14
Q

What is passive fire protection?

A
  • Using the construction of the building to provide fire protection.
  • Using materials and structural layout.
  • Fire dampners and collars
  • Fire resistant walls, floor and doors
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15
Q

what are the different types of fire detection systems?

A

BS 5839- code of practice for design, comissioing and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises.
M1 - manual
L1 - maximum life protection
L2-5 going down in life automated fire alarm system
P1 - maximum property protection
P2 - minimum property protection
The norm for a multi-tenanted is L2

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16
Q

What are types of active systems?

A
  • Sprinklers
  • Fire Extinguisers
  • Fire Blankets
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17
Q

Types of sprinkler?

A
  • Wet - water in them

* Dry - air pressured systems

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18
Q

Distances for sprinklers?

A

Every 12sqm

Every 4m

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19
Q

What is a fire alarm?

A

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

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20
Q

What is fire detection?

A
  • 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.
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21
Q

What is the BS for fire alarm testing?

A

BS 5839

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22
Q

What are the types of fire alarm categories?

A

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

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23
Q

Category P systems?

A

P1 - protects the whole building

P2 - Installed in defined areas

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24
Q

Category L systems?

A

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.

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25
What is fire suppression?
A system used to extinguish a fire in a building
26
How can the layout be changed to prevent fire spread?
A passive protection method. To divide up internal space to prevent the spread of fire.
27
What is compartmentation?
Fire Compartmentation is the division of the building into discrete fire zones thereby limiting fire damage by delaying the spread of fire into neighbouring compartments before the fire brigade arrive.
28
What elements of compartmentation would you expect to see in the design of a building?
Distinct compartments both horizontally and vertically to stop the spread of fires. Rooms providing 30min fire protection to escape corridors, corridors having fire doors every 12m. Lift and staircase lobbys being a separate compartment with 60min fire rated walls and doors. Floors to be fire rated to stop the vertical spread. Fire barriers in ceiling voids every 20m.
29
What would you look for when undertaking site inspections during construction?
I would look to ensure that the fire rated elements had been installed as per the design and that where these elements were penetrated by service routes that they were properly fire stopped.
30
What is a firefighting shaft?
It is a protected shaft that allows the fire and rescue services to access the building safely during a fire.
31
When are they required (Fire fighting shaft)?
Fire fighting shafts are required when the building is tall, has basements and has large floor plates which will restrict access to the fire and rescue services.
32
How can the structure be protected from fire?
Structural steel is covered in film intumescent coatings or boxed with fire resilient slabs.
33
How can you tell a certified fire door?
* Has smoke seals or intumencent strips. * Stamp on top of the door frame.The CF number on the label is the door manufacturers’ certificate number for that particular door design and can be used to check that the door has been specified and installed correctly. By using the unique number on each label, the manufacturer will record where the door has initially been sold to. * TRADA Q marks on inside of the door * FD30 (30 minutes) fire doors are usually 44/45mm thick, as opposed to the standard door thickness of 35/40 mm, FD60 (60 minute) fire doors most commonly used in commercial settings are normally 54mm thick
34
Gaps on fire doors?
2-4mm | up to 8mm at bottom depending on the door
35
What approved document covers fire?
Part B
36
What are the sections of part B?
Volume 1 - Dwellings | Volume 2 - Other than dwellings
37
What are the main requirements of part b?
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
38
What are the travel distances?
* Maximum of 18m for office where travel in one direction. | * Maximum of 45m for office where travel in more than one direction
39
Widths of doors?
1050
40
Fire protection requirements for fire doors?
* 30 min fire rating | * I would advise to install FD60 inline with compartmentation requirements
41
Wall fire resistance for compartment?
It does vary dependant on the use and height of the building. Generally 60 mins
42
When are sprinklers required?
Form may 2020 flat buildings over 11m
43
What are the latest changes to part b?
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.
44
What is the key statutory instruments for fire safety?
``` Part B building regulations Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ```
45
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
* Under H&S at work act * Provide a minimum fire safety standard in all non-domestic premises. * It designates someone a reposnsible 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.
46
What are the responsibilities under the order?
* 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.
47
What is a fire risk assessment survey, when should it be carried out and who is responsible for its production and updating?
A fire risk assessment survey is an assessment of the fire risks within a building this includes the risk of fire occurring, the potential severity based on fire load and building use and the fire safety measures in place such as detection and alarm, compartmentation, fire fighting equipment, fire safety signage etc
48
What are the five stages to a fire risk assessment?
* 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.
49
How often should a FRA be undertaken?
* Reviewed annually | * Updated if there is a big change in the building.
50
What is a fire damper?
* Fire dampers are passive fire protection products used in HVAC systems. * Inside ductwork between walls * Close when there is a fire (electrical or mechanical)
51
What is a fire collar?
* A collar around pipework that expands when in the presence of fire * Seals the pipework
52
What are methods for safe escape?
* Phased evacuation, simultaneous or stay put | * Protected fire escapes
53
Stopping flash overs on external of building?
* Non combustible cladding | * Large gaps between windows
54
What is ACM?
Aluminium Composite Material: A flat panel made from two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a non-aluminium core, between three and seven mm thick. The panels have a painted or metallic finish, for example a copper or zinc effect. ACM cladding is used as panels on the outside of buildings, including residential towers.
55
What is HPL?
High Pressure Laminate (HPL) panels: Manufactured by layering sheets of wood or paper fibre with a resin and bonding them under heat and pressure. They sometimes include additional chemicals to provide fire retardant properties and are available in a wide range of colours and finishes.
56
Fire safety bill?
* 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
57
Building safety bill
* 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
58
What certification is required for buildings over 18?
* EWS 1 form. | * Signed off by competent professional
59
What documentation would you expect to find re fire in a building?
* Fire risk assessment | * Fire strategy
60
When do you need a fire strategy?
* Phased * Simultaneous * Stay put
61
what are the different types of fire detection systems?
BS 5839- code of practice for design, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises. L1 - maximum life protection L2-5 going down in life automated fire alarm system P1 - maximum property protection P2 - minimum property protection The norm for a multi-tenanted is L2
62
What are some recent changes with regards to fire safety?
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 façade of a high righ building - they now have to be Class A1
63
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021
Introduced March 2020- unclear who was responsible for fire safety compliance (structure/external walls/cladding) 1) Legal obligations of organization's responsible persons. 2) Update to Fire Safety Order 2005. 3) Applied to the structure/external walls and anything attached- windows/cladding. Force Owners/Landlords/Managing Agents of multi-occupied resi buildings to take precaustions to identify cladding and remediate dangerous materials whilst introducing interim measures to ensure building can be occupied safely.
64
EWS1 forms – what is it for?
External Wall System Fire Review Certificate for lending purposes, lets lenders lend against residential flats. Not a building safety certificate. A way for mortgage lenders to assess safety of external wall systems over 18m.
65
Under 18m do you need one?
if there are any specific safety concerns such as presence of ACM or HPL cladding
66
Hot works permit – what does that include?
nature of the works, person is compented to use them, observation period after works finished.
67
What RICS guidance has been published in light of the Grenfell disaster?
Cladding for Surveyors, 1st Edition March 2021 (multi storey and multi occupancy residential buildings).
68
When was the UK ban on combustible materials on high rise homes?
2018
69
What does the ban mean?
Combustible materials on new buildings over 18m is not permitted. LA's must undertake remediation works to replace dangerous cladding.

20 Fire Safety (1 decks)

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