1
OVERALL COLOUR ACTION CODE RISK
AMBER
STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 2005:1541
REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER 2005
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Address of Premises: Keir Hardie House, Jessmond Road, Grays RM16 2QP
Responsible Person: Thurrock Borough Council
Assessor:
Bob Rose GI Fire E B.R.& Associates Ltd
Date:
12th September 2014
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PURPOSE OF COMPLETING A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
The purpose of completing a Fire Risk Assessment is to assess the hazards in a premises relating to fire precautions, and the likelihood that the hazards will cause harm or injury to persons in the building. The Risk Assessment Form provides a method of evaluating and presenting areas of concern within a building. It should be borne in mind that it is the risk which is being scored and not the presence of a hazard - i.e.: if a building contained explosives (a hazard) but all fire precautions and management systems are in place, then the risk (the likelihood of that hazard causing harm) is acceptable. The overall colour action code provides a guide to the timing of the action required e.g.
RED-Immediate action required AMBER-Within one month GREEN- Satisfactory Any unsatisfactory features will be detailed under action required at the end of the report. This report fulfils the statutory obligation to carry out a written Fire Risk Assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. THIS WRITTEN FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE KEPT ON THE PREMISES FOR INSPECTION BY AUTHORISED OFFICERS OF THE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
Description of Building
A residential block of flats of twelve floors constructed of masonry walls, concrete floors and concrete stairs. There are five flats per floor on all floors above the ground and two flats on the ground floor. The building is provided with a single protected staircase serving as the only means of escape from the building. The building is provided with a fire-fighting shaft as defined by Approved Document ‘B’ of the Building Regulations. There are two lifts provided which are not recommended for use in a fire situation. The lifts are provided with Fire Service controls A secure door entry system is provided for the block. The scope of this Fire Risk assessment is for the common parts of the building only and not the flats themselves apart from the entrance door to the flats.
Persons at Risk
Residents of the flats, visitors and contractors working on the premises.
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1. Fire Hazards Yes
No
N/A
Action/Remarks
Existing Controls in place
Lighting – bulkhead and fluorescent light fittings in corridors, landings in the refuse room areas, supplied by wiring in steel or plastic conduit. Emergency lighting is also provided see section 8 for details. Storage of materials/refuse: Fires in refuse chutes are a common occurrence in high-rise blocks of flats. Refuse is disposed of into refuse chutes provided on each floor. The chute is in a dedicated permanently ventilated lobby enclosed by a nominal 30minute fire-resisting door. A hazard warning notice is in place adjacent to the chute door on all floors. The escape staircase is protected from the chute by a set of fire doors and has permanent ventilation at a high level, thus maintaining a smoke free escape route in the event of a fire in the chute. The chute has metal-hinged doors. The refuse is collected in wheeled bins in a metal roller shutter secure enclosure at ground level. The ground floor collection point for the refuse is contained in a fire-resisting compartment accessible only from the outside via a metal roller shutter door. The room is provided with a water suppression system over the wheeled bins, which is activated by a smoke detector or heat source (fire) within the bins. Smoking: Smoking is unlawful within common areas of the building. No Smoking signs are displayed in strategic locations Decorations: Emulsion based paint only on escape route walls and ceilings and considered class ’0’ construction, which is compliant with part ‘B’ of the Building Regulations. The building is provided with a lightning conductor.
Are potential Ignition sources controlled?
√
Does the building contain piped oxygen or in cylinders?
√
Is smoking controlled? √
Smoking is unlawful within common areas of the building. No Smoking signs are displayed in strategic locations Although no smoking signs in place there is evidence that smoking takes place within the common areas. These areas are monitored by the caretakers on a regular basis.
Does excessive fire loading exist?
√
It is recommended that the policy of removal of unwanted furniture and materials in the drying rooms and storerooms is maintained to keep the fire loading of the building to a minimum.
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Is there an arson or deliberate ignition risk?
√
The building is provided with a door entry system, which reduces this possibility.
Is the storage of flammable liquids controlled?
√
Are electrical fittings in good order and not congested, or buried in storage?
√
Are heat sources controlled? √
None
Are cooking ignition sources controlled?
√
None
Are portable electrical appliances tested?
√
None
Are Waste and Rubbish collected regularly and place in external containers clear of buildings?
√
Contained in secure waste area.
Are surface linings, upholstery and drapery compliant and in good condition?
√
Common areas class ’0’ construction
Is there potential for fire spread from adjacent buildings?
√
Detached building with sufficient fire separation.
2. Fire Fighting Yes No N/A
Are fire hydrants, static water tanks, by-pass valves, sprinkler stop valves, foam inlets, risers, and ventilation controls indicated and accessible?
√
Statutory hydrant in roadway nearby. Dry riser provided for the building secured by FB padlock. An annual inspection of the dry riser by the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service is carried out. Permanent ventilation to the escape stairway, refuse chute and drying rooms on each floor. Water suppression system provided for the refuse bin store at ground floor level. Building provided with fire fighting shaft.
Is access available to emergency vehicles?
√
Compliant with Approved Document ‘B’ of The Building Regulations. Access available to 50% of perimeter of building.
Does a ‘hot work’ permit system for contractors exist?
√
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3. Means of Escape Yes No N/A
Existing controls in Place
Single protected stair with permanent ventilation serving the upper storeys, terminating at ground level with two alternative routes to open air via protected corridors from the lift lobby and electronic sliding opening final exit doors.
Walls, ceilings and floors are in very good condition, without damage or perforation. No trip hazards or uneven surfaces etc. Decoration is in clean and tidy condition and class ‘0’ construction.
Fire protection to the stairs/route is considered satisfactory subject to the comments made regarding fire doors and self-
closing devices in attached fire door schedule. Final exit doors are adequate for the number
of persons likely to use them and of sufficient size for wheelchair/disabled users.
Final exit doors are electronic release and it is presumed they fail safe on loss of electrical supply.
Paved pathways provide a satisfactory route away from the building.
The lifts are subject to routine servicing. Are escape routes clear of combustible storage and obstructions?
√
During the survey it was apparent that the staircase was completely clear of obstructions and combustible storage.
Are there sufficient exit widths and routes for the number of persons present?
√
Are inner rooms controlled?
√
Are all floors, stairways and pathway surfaces in good condition and free from trip and slip hazards?
√
Are exit routes suitable & sufficient for disabled persons?
√
Two exits at ground level are DDA compliant.
Do the escape routes for the premises lead as directly as possible to a place of safety?
√
Single protected escape route with permanent ventilation.
Are all exit doors easily opened with a single device from inside without use of a key, key-pad, code or swipe card?
√
Security exit button, which presumably fails safe on loss of electrical power.
Are final exits separated from each other by fire resisting construction?
√
Do exit doors open outwards where this is necessary?
√
Sliding electronic exit doors considered satisfactory.
Where installed, are external escape staircases and ramps maintained in a safe condition?
√
Both exits are ramped for DDA purposes.
Are the means of escape suitable for disabled people? Refuges etc
√
Protected lift lobby and staircase
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4. Fire Doors & Compartmentation
Yes No N/A
Existing Controls
Walls, floors, ceilings - masonry / concrete / plaster with paint finish to class ‘0’ construction. Other partitions are timber/fire-resisting glazing.
Flat entrance doors are typically substantial timber with aluminium non-sprung letter plate. Except where subject to comment in the fire door schedule.
Doors to the staircase (lobby approach) and lift lobbies are substantial nominal 30-minute fire resisting self-closing with a single pair of hinges.
Are all fire-resisting doors and frames in good condition, fully closing and not wedged open?
The flat entrance doors are lobbied as part of the fire strategy and design of the building; the lobbies should be class ‘0’ construction e.g. sterile areas with no combustible materials contained in them. Flat entrance doors are typically substantial timber with aluminium non-sprung letter plate. Except where subject to comment in the fire door schedule. These doors are not fully inspected at time of survey but are typically 30 minute notional fire resisting doors with one pair of hinges. In some cases are fitted with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals or one inch doorstops. They are fitted with standard or rising butt hinges. Therefore they would not reach the present day standard in most cases. There is a program to replace these doors with FD30(S) doors as standard in the Borough
Are fire doors fitted with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals where necessary and in good condition?
√
See fire Door schedule
Are the self closing devices effective and of approved design?
√
See fire Door schedule
Are hold-open devices of approved design?
√
Are vision panels fire-resisting? √
Are there any breaches in the compartmentation of the premises?
√
See fire Door schedule
Are service openings and ducts in floors and walls ‘stopped’ with fire resisting material?
√
Service risers in common parts of the building appear satisfactory.
Are fire shutters tested and kept clear?
√
Are areas of high fire risk enclosed in fire resisting construction?
√
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5. Travel Distances Yes No N/A
Do the travel distances meet the recommendations for the type of occupancy of the premises?
√
Travel distances meet the recommendations for this type of occupancy. Compliant with the Building Regulations at time of construction.
Do the first stage travel distances meet the recommendations for the type of occupancy of the premises?
√
Do the second stage travel distance meet the recommendations for the type of occupancy?
√
Do the dead end travel distances meet the recommendations for the type of occupancy?
√
Are all dead ends situations made up from fire resisting construction?
√
6. Fire Warning System Yes No N/A
Is the fire alarm in good working order, with a uniform signal, audible throughout the building?
√
The fire doors between the lifts and the flat foyers are held open by magnetic hold back devices with smoke detectors either side of the doors. These are provided to close the door if smoke is present in these areas; they are not designed to raise the alarm to the residents. The ground floor non circulation areas are covered by automatic detection. The flats are provided with mains operated domestic smoke alarms with battery back-up, therefore the residents would be alerted to a fire in their own flat and evacuate. All flats are constructed to be a thirty minute minimum fire compartment.
Is fire alarm tested every week using a different call point in rotation and whilst the building is occupied
√
Is fire alarm serviced quarterly, six monthly and annually by a qualified engineer or as appropriate in accordance with its design specification
√
The common areas fire warning system, bin store and the Caretakers area are tested and maintained by contractors. There does not appear to be a fire safety log book/folder for all the records of testing on site. It is essential that all records of tests and maintenance are available for inspection by the Fire and Rescue Service, in fact it is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and would be considered an offence if these records are not carried out or not available for inspection. Therefore it is recommended that these records should be made available to the Fire & Rescue Service when carrying out an audit on the building.
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Is the automatic fire detection adequate for the occupancy
√
Are fire alarm tests recorded in a fire precautions logbook?
√
Are all fire alarm interfaces compliant with BS 5839-1?
√
Are unwanted fire signal monitored and controlled?
√
Does the alarm system have a legible zone plan?
√
7. Emergency Signage Yes NO N/A
Do exit signs comply with the ‘Signs and Signal Regulations 1999’?
√
There is no exit signage fitted throughout the building. This can be justified for the following reasons:
A building has a single escape route, which is obvious.
It is a residential building and the tenants are familiar with the exit route.
The tenants if required would guide out any visitors to the building.
It is only recommended that the occupants of the flat on fire evacuate unless the heat and smoke spreads to adjacent flats.
The fire should be contained within the flat as it is constructed as a fire-resisting compartment, and therefore should not affect the visibility of the common escape route.
Is the exit signage suitable and sufficient?
√
A sign bearing the wording ‘’DO NOT USE THE LIFTS DURING A FIRE’’ is provided adjacent to the lifts at each floor level
Is exit signage illuminated where required?
√
Are fire action notices displayed adjacent to fire alarm call points?
√
Are fire-resisting doors marked? Fire door keep shut Fire door keep locked shut Automatic fire door-keep clear- close at night
√
All fire resisting doors are permanently marked on each side at eye level with a blue circular notice bearing the words FIRE DOOR - KEEP SHUT in white letters not less than 5 mm in height. All fire doors to storage cupboards or riser cupboards are permanently marked with a blue circular notice bearing the words FIRE DOOR – KEEP LOCKED SHUT in white letters not less than 5 mm in height.
Do extinguishers have information signage?
√
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8. Emergency Lighting Yes No N/A
Existing Controls
Primary lighting is provided throughout.
Non-maintained emergency lighting provided throughout common areas.
Escape routes for residents are simple, straightforward and lead direct to exit doors to
the stairs.
External perimeter lighting provided.
Is the premises provided with emergency lighting system to the escape routes?
√
The main staircase is provided with emergency lighting.
Does a qualified engineer test the emergency lighting system in accordance with the system design specification?
?
It is unknown if the emergency lighting system is compliant with BS 5266 or if it is effective. There appears no means to carry out the monthly funtion test and no records of the electrical engineers soak test under BS 5266. During the inspection it was noticed that some light fittings had a green indicator, others a flashing green indicator and some no indicator at all ! This is a potentially serious issue as not only is it non-compliant it is unknown if the system is effective as there were no test records available on-site to refer to. Therefore it is recommended that the system is checked by a qualified electrical engineer to determine if it is effective or compliant with the latest standard. A means of being able to carry out the monthly test is recommended as it is clearly a contravention of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 if these tests are not carried out. All test records should be made available when the Fire & Rescue Service carry out an audit on the building.
Is there adequate light outside the workplace that will illuminate the escape routes leading to assembly points?
√
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9. Fire Fighting Equipment Yes No N/A
Having regard to the hazards, Is the correct type of equipment present?
√
First aid fire-fighting equipment is not provided within the common parts of the building. Equipment is required to be provided in a workplace, the common escape route is not considered a workplace, and therefore there is no requirement for fire fighting equipment to be provided. The provision of portable fire-fighting equipment in the flats would be encouraged by the Fire & Rescue Service but is not mandatory. Extinguishers provided in caretaker’s area
Is there sufficient numbers of fire extinguishers and fire blankets present?
√
Is the equipment mounted correctly at locations (wall hooks or floor stands)
√
Is the equipment being serviced annually?
√
Where fire suppression and extinction systems other than fire extinguishers are installed in the building are these systems regularly tested, serviced and maintained?
√
Water suppression system and Dry Riser subject to annual test and maintenance.
10. Fire Training Yes No N/A
Does staff receive annual fire training?
√
The caretakers were provided with fire training to explain the fire defence arrangements in the high-rise blocks and extinguisher training in 2012. A refresher course for the caretakers and new staff is also recommended. The residents of the flats have received fire safety booklets in the past; however with the turnover of residents in the block it is recommended that they should receive written notification of the expected response by residents to a fire either within their flat or in the block. This advice should be the mirror the government advice for fires in high rise blocks of flats
Do staff get initial and refresher instruction?
√
Is separate instruction given to staff with a specialist role within the fire procedure? Key Staff and Fire Wardens?
√
Is the training recorded? √
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11. Emergency Plan Yes No N/A
Type of evacuation plan? Single Stage Progressive Horizontal Evacuation Delayed Evacuation
√
Delayed Evacuation The advice on the evacuation procedures for high-rise flats is a ‘’Stay Put’’ policy except if for the flat which is on fire. Tenants should only evacuate if heat or smoke penetrates their flat.
Are the staff provided with suitable instruction & training on evacuation procedures?
√
Are evacuation drills carried out twice yearly?
√
Is there a mutual aid procedure for the site?
√
Is the assembly point clearly defined and safe?
√
12. Fire Policy & Procedures
Yes No N/A
Is there a clearly defined written fire policy?
√
Is the policy document accessible to staff?
√
Is the policy tested and reviewed? √
Are there written fire procedures accessible to all staff?
√
Are disabled people considered in the fire procedures?
√
Are key personnel roles identified in the procedures? Fire Wardens/Marshals etc
√
13. Arson Prevention Yes No N/A
Is CCTV installed? √
Are security patrols employed?
√
Are combustible materials kept to a minimum in the work area and the remainder stored in a safe place?
√
A series of regular checks is carried out in the common areas to ensure that the fire loading of the common parts is kept to the minimum.
Is access to the building controlled?
√
Door entry system.
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Are intruder alarms fitted?
√
Is the perimeter fencing secure?
√
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KEIR HARDIE HOUSE FIRE DOOR SCHEDULE The fire doors provided in the building are nominal 30-minute fire resisting self-closing, with a vision panel, which is, fire-resistant Georgian wired glass. The doors are fitted with cold smoke seals and intumescent strips which are showing signs of wear and tear and have been over painted with wood stain in most cases which makes the smoke seals less effective as they loose their flexibility. Fire doors should be provided with one and a half pair of hinges; in most cases the doors are only fitted with one pair of hinges. The design of the building incorporates nominal 30-minute fire resisting entrance doors to flats, each flat is a fire-resisting compartment and the door is integral to that. The containment of a fire to the flat of origin forms part of the fire strategy of the building. In some cases the tenants have changed the front entrance doors to a non-standard door and in most cases they would not perform to the same standard as the original door fitted, which could compromise the means of escape of the building. Fire resistance maybe compromised by the provision of a single or un-sprung letter plate. It is generally accepted that to maintain the 30-minute fire resisting integrity of a fire door, two (an internal and external) metal sprung letter plates should be fitted. Therefore the following recommendations are made: Flat 46 – Has letter-plate missing and holes in door Flat 41 – Appears to have a non-standard front door (not fire resistant) Flat 33 – Has letter-plate missing Flat 26 - Has letter-plate missing Flat 24 – Has damage to front door Flat 21- Has letter-plate missing and excessive flammable in lobby Flat 11- Has excessive flammable storage in lobby Flat 7- Appears to have a non-standard front door (not fire resistant)
Floor No 11
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory.
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory
Floor No 10
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
Floor No 9
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
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Floor No 8
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory.
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
Floor No 7
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory..
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
Floor No 6
FD1 (staircase) Excessive gap at top of door.
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Defective hold-back device
Floor No 5
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory.
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
Floor No 4
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory.
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory
Floor No 3
FD1 (staircase) Not closing fully onto stops
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Hold back device defective
Floor No 2
FD1 (staircase) Satisfactory.
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
Floor No 1
FD1 (staircase) Door slamming
FD2 (single flat lobby) Satisfactory.
FD3 (flat lobby adj to lift) Satisfactory.
FD4 (lobby to flats) Satisfactory.
Ground Floor
Double door adjacent to staircase
Leading edges of the doors damaged therefore would not perform correctly in a fire.
Double doors Satisfactory
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Conclusion and Comment
It is considered that the most likely place/origin of a fire in the building is within a residential flat. The smoke alarms provided in each flat will alert the residents within one to two minutes and enable them to evacuate safely during the early stages of the fire. The entrance door to each flat is provided to contain and restrict a fire to within the flat for a nominal 30 minutes, preserving the lift lobby and single protected staircase available for the residents of other flats, visitors & contractors etc. to escape via one of the ground floor exit doors. The flat entrance doors are lobbied as part of the fire strategy and design of the building; the lobbies should be class ‘0’ construction e.g. sterile areas with no combustible materials contained in them. It is likely that some other residents may be alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm operating within a flat. National fire safety advice available to residents of high rise flats recommends that residents are safe & should remain in their flats (unless they have a fire) which pre-supposes that the construction and compartmentation supports the ‘stay put’ principle until the fire is extinguished or rescue occurs A fire, which originates in a service riser, will be contained and its growth restricted by the walls and fire resisting locked door for a nominal 30 minutes. Service risers do not normally contain likely sources of ignition and therefore the risk of a fire occurring within these areas is consequently low. However, as there is no automatic detection in common areas the likelihood of discovery at an early stage is reduced. Earlier discovery is more likely to occur during the day when residents and are awake within a service riser there is a likelihood that the fire will spread through the entire shaft as there is no fire separation at each floor level. A fire occurring in a refuse chute is not likely to adversely affect the flats or common staircase, but could affect the staircase lobby which forms part of the escape route from the building; therefore it is essential that the ventilation in the lift lobby is not obstructed. A fire occurring in the ground floor refuse store is protected by an automatic water suppression system, which should contain the fire until the Fire & Rescue Service deal with the situation. Access to the bin store is available for the Fire Service. A fire occurring on the ground floor caretaker’s area is likely to have a more serious affect on the structure and safety of other residents/occupiers than a fire at a higher floor level as this forms the means of escape routes for all persons in the building. As there are no likely ignition sources from plant or services in common areas, smoking materials or deliberate ignition would seem the most likely potential cause of a fire in these areas. An uncontrolled fire within a common area and consequential temporary loss of the means of escape staircase is potentially the most serious scenario both for residents/occupiers and for the Fire and Rescue Service. Therefore these areas should and are be maintained to the highest standard.
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Recommended review date: September 2015
Action Required Date Action Taken &
Signature
Fire Hazards Although no smoking signs in place there is evidence that smoking takes place within the common areas. These areas are monitored by the caretakers on a regular basis It is recommended that the policy of removal of unwanted furniture and materials in the drying rooms and storerooms is maintained to keep the fire loading of the building to a minimum. Fire Doors and Compartmentation The flat entrance doors are lobbied as part of the fire strategy and design of the building; the lobbies should be class ‘0’ construction e.g. sterile areas with no combustible materials contained in them. Flat entrance doors are typically substantial timber with aluminium non-sprung letter plate. Except where subject to comment in the fire door schedule. These doors are not fully inspected at time of survey but are typically 30 minute notional fire resisting doors with one pair of hinges. In some cases are fitted with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals or one inch doorstops. They are fitted with standard or rising butt hinges. Therefore they would not reach the present day standard in most cases. There is a program to replace these doors with FD30(S) doors as standard in the Borough Front doors: Flat 46 – Has letter-plate missing and holes in door Flat 41 – Appears to have a non-standard front door (not fire resistant) Flat 33 – Has letter-plate missing Flat 26 - Has letter-plate missing Flat 24 – Has damage to front door Flat 21- Has letter-plate missing and excessive flammable in lobby Flat 11- Has excessive flammable storage in lobby Flat 7- Appears to have a non-standard front door (not fire resistant) See also fire door schedule Fire Warning System The common areas fire warning system, bin store and the Caretakers area are tested and maintained by contractors. There does not appear to be a fire safety log book/folder for all the records of testing on site. It is essential that all records of tests and maintenance are available for inspection by the Fire and Rescue Service, in fact it is a requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and would be considered an offence if these records are not carried out or not available for inspection. Therefore it is recommended that these records should be made available to the Fire & Rescue Service when carrying out an audit on the building.
Completed – Estate Services Responsibility- Carry out daily and weekly check. Works planned under Transforming home team which include Front Doors. COMPLETED – Fire Log book on Site with all up-to-date Reports
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Emergency Lighting It is unknown if the emergency lighting system is compliant with BS 5266 or if it is effective. There appears no means to carry out the monthly funtion test and no records of the electrical engineers soak test under BS 5266. During the inspection it was noticed that some light fittings had a green indicator, others a flashing green indicator and some no indicator at all ! This is a potentially serious issue as not only is it non-compliant it is unknown if the system is effective as there were no test records available on-site to refer to. Therefore it is recommended that the system is checked by a qualified electrical engineer to determine if it is effective or compliant with the latest standard. A means of being able to carry out the monthly test is recommended as it is clearly a contravention of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 if these tests are not carried out. All test records should be made available when the Fire & Rescue Service carry out an audit on the building. Fire Training The caretakers were provided with fire training to explain the fire defence arrangements in the high-rise blocks and extinguisher training in 2012. A refresher course for the caretakers and new staff is recommended. The residents of the flats have received fire safety booklets in the past; however with the turnover of residents in the block it is recommended that they should receive written notification of the expected response by residents to a fire either within their flat or in the block. This advice should be the mirror the government advice for fires in high rise blocks of flats Management It is recommended that to avoid any un-necessary non-compliant issues arising during Fire authority audits a fire safety logbook is maintained in each block. The Logbook/folder should contain the following records;
1. Fire Risk assessment 2. Fire policy/procedures 3. Building electrical safety test record 4. Fire alarm test records 5. Sprinkler test records 6. Emergency lighting test records 7. Fire Training records 8. Extinguisher test records 9. Dry Riser test records 10. Fire door check records 11. PAT testing records
The inspection of these records forms part of the audit process and it is a requirement to keep these available for inspection at the time of the audit. Bob Rose G I Fire E - Fire Safety Advisor
COMPLETED – Fire Log book on Site with all up-to-date Reports – Weekly Visual Check for EL by Estate Service Team & Quarterly Monitored by Maintenance Contractor COMPLETED – Training Record available on site in Fire Log book. COMPLETED – Fire Log book on Site with all up-to-date Reports
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