IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd Evacuation Strategies a Time to Reflect? 01/05/2015 NAHFO Newcastle 2011 Eur...

IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd

Evacuation Strategies a Time to Reflect?Evacuation Strategies a Time to Reflect?

18/04/23 NAHFO Newcastle 2011

Eur Ing Dr Jim Marsden Director

Ignis Associates Ltd


Introduction Introduction

• Present methodologyPresent methodology• The duties of a responsible personThe duties of a responsible person• Does one size fit all?Does one size fit all?• The importance of passive and active systemsThe importance of passive and active systems• What are the challenges facing fire safety ManagersWhat are the challenges facing fire safety Managers• Building acceptanceBuilding acceptance• Risk assessment Risk assessment • The actions of other services on evacuation.The actions of other services on evacuation.• Outside influences Outside influences • Compressed gasesCompressed gases• ConclusionsConclusions



Present methodology Present methodology

• Approved Document B Approved Document B • 0.23 Health Care Premises diverse variety of patients 0.23 Health Care Premises diverse variety of patients • Fire strategy dependent upon Fire strategy dependent upon

• The way in which the building is designed (MoE etc)The way in which the building is designed (MoE etc)• The way the building is furnished (Fire loading)The way the building is furnished (Fire loading)• The way in which the building is staffed and managedThe way in which the building is staffed and managed

• The principal of total evacuation may not be The principal of total evacuation may not be appropriate.appropriate.

• Designer directed to HTM Firecode Designer directed to HTM Firecode Where Where • An evacuation strategy will be dependent upon theAn evacuation strategy will be dependent upon the type of building, its use, and the occupancy profiletype of building, its use, and the occupancy profile (including staff levels).(including staff levels).



Present methodology Present methodology

Approved Document B Provides advice in respect to Approved Document B Provides advice in respect to residential care. residential care.

• That occupants may require assistance to escape That occupants may require assistance to escape • Building designed for progressive horizontal Building designed for progressive horizontal

evacuation (PHE), but this is dependent upon evacuation (PHE), but this is dependent upon

• The installation of compartment walls The installation of compartment walls • Fire doors Fire doors


IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd

The duties of the responsible person The duties of the responsible person

Article 17 of the FSO 2005 statesArticle 17 of the FSO 2005 states

Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons the responsible person must ensure that the persons the responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises under this Order or, subject to in respect of the premises under this Order or, subject to paragraph (6), under any other enactment, including any paragraph (6), under any other enactment, including any enactment repealed or revoked by this Order, are subject to enactment repealed or revoked by this Order, are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

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Does one size fit all?Does one size fit all?

• Within health care there are wide range persons Within health care there are wide range persons • Awake and aware Awake and aware (staff) (staff) • Unfamiliar with the buildingUnfamiliar with the building (visitors)(visitors)• Alert and unable to move Alert and unable to move (patients)(patients)

• Type of evacuation strategy Type of evacuation strategy • Simultaneous Simultaneous • Phased Phased • Progressive Progressive • Stay put Stay put



Progressive horizontal evacuationProgressive horizontal evacuation

• Persons are evacuated to a relative place of safety Persons are evacuated to a relative place of safety i.e. Adjoining compartment.i.e. Adjoining compartment.

• Reliant upon adequate staff training Reliant upon adequate staff training • Evacuation times can vary greatly dependent upon Evacuation times can vary greatly dependent upon

the condition of the personthe condition of the person



Progressive horizontal evacuationProgressive horizontal evacuation

• But what about the importance of passive and active But what about the importance of passive and active systems.systems.

• Progressive Horizontal Evacuation (PHE) is also Progressive Horizontal Evacuation (PHE) is also heavily reliant upon passive and active systems such heavily reliant upon passive and active systems such as:-as:-

• Compartment walls and floors being imperforateCompartment walls and floors being imperforate• Fire dampers within compartment walls operating Fire dampers within compartment walls operating

satisfactorily.satisfactorily.• Adequate fire stopping where required.Adequate fire stopping where required.• Water suppression systems controlling fire Water suppression systems controlling fire • Within engineered design the satisfactory operation of Within engineered design the satisfactory operation of

smoke control systems smoke control systems



The importance of active and passive The importance of active and passive systems systems



Passive and active systems Passive and active systems

• Basic fire engineering principals dictate that the Basic fire engineering principals dictate that the longer you have to remain in the building the greater longer you have to remain in the building the greater the importance of passive systems in restricting the the importance of passive systems in restricting the spread of fire and smoke from compartment to spread of fire and smoke from compartment to compartmentcompartment



What are the challenges facing fire safety What are the challenges facing fire safety managersmanagers

• Health care design is becoming more complex Health care design is becoming more complex requiring different evacuation strategies for different requiring different evacuation strategies for different uses.uses.

• The greater use of fire engineering systems such as The greater use of fire engineering systems such as smoke control, pressurisation and new technology smoke control, pressurisation and new technology such as water mist is becoming more prevelent in such as water mist is becoming more prevelent in healthcare design.healthcare design.

• Different purpose groups being combined in one Different purpose groups being combined in one design (Healthcare, shop/commercial, office, design (Healthcare, shop/commercial, office, residential etc).residential etc).

• Healthcare sites are becoming larger Healthcare sites are becoming larger



Building acceptance Building acceptance

New Build New Build • Great reliance on the standard of works and the Great reliance on the standard of works and the

attention to detail by the contractor in the construction attention to detail by the contractor in the construction phase.phase.

• Compartment floors and walls Compartment floors and walls • Cavity barriers Cavity barriers

• In the case of active systems such as fire alarms, In the case of active systems such as fire alarms, water suppression systems they are installed and water suppression systems they are installed and certificated to the relevant standard.certificated to the relevant standard.

• Fire Dampers Fire Dampers • Correct fire alarm logic to control other systems such as Correct fire alarm logic to control other systems such as

smoke vents etc smoke vents etc



Build quality Build quality



Building Maintenance Building Maintenance

Older buildingsOlder buildings• Maintaining and understanding the fire safety Maintaining and understanding the fire safety

systems installed (continuity of knowledge).systems installed (continuity of knowledge).• Fire safety Plans Fire safety Plans • Fire Strategy (Fire Engineered solutions)Fire Strategy (Fire Engineered solutions)• Understanding why the system was installed in the first Understanding why the system was installed in the first

place place • Contractors being competent also understanding the Contractors being competent also understanding the

importance of the active and passive systems.importance of the active and passive systems.• Fire stopping openings in compartment wallsFire stopping openings in compartment walls• Smoke control systems Smoke control systems



Testing and maintenance Testing and maintenance

• There is requirement under the fire safety order There is requirement under the fire safety order (Article 17)(Article 17)

• Should be undertaken by a competent person who Should be undertaken by a competent person who fully understands the importance and relevance of fully understands the importance and relevance of fire safety systems) fire safety systems)



Risk assessment Risk assessment

• The Fire Safety Order 2005 now applies to Health The Fire Safety Order 2005 now applies to Health Care PremisesCare Premises

• The risk assessment (RA) should be suitable and The risk assessment (RA) should be suitable and sufficient.sufficient.

• Significant findings should be recorded Significant findings should be recorded • Action plans should be put in place to remedy the Action plans should be put in place to remedy the

findings.findings.• The risk assessment must be undertaken by a The risk assessment must be undertaken by a

competent person competent person



Risk assessment considerations Risk assessment considerations

• The higher the dependancy of the persons (Intensive The higher the dependancy of the persons (Intensive Care and HDU) the greater reliance on effective Care and HDU) the greater reliance on effective compartmentation and fire stopping. The time to compartmentation and fire stopping. The time to evacuate the compartment is much greater.evacuate the compartment is much greater.

• The lower the dependacy of the persons (offices etc) The lower the dependacy of the persons (offices etc) the lower the reliance upon the compartmentation the lower the reliance upon the compartmentation and fire stopping. The time to evacuate the and fire stopping. The time to evacuate the compartment is considerably less that above.compartment is considerably less that above.

• Does the competent Risk assessor actually Does the competent Risk assessor actually understand health care premises and their complex understand health care premises and their complex nature nature



The actions of other services The actions of other services

• Does our responsibilty end when the FRS arrive on Does our responsibilty end when the FRS arrive on the scene.the scene.

• Do they understand the importance and special Do they understand the importance and special nature of healthcare premises.nature of healthcare premises.



The actions of other services The actions of other services

• Will have an impact upon the evacuation strategy Will have an impact upon the evacuation strategy • Fire fighting hoses may breach lobbies therefore Fire fighting hoses may breach lobbies therefore

allowing smoke to enter staircases resulting in spread allowing smoke to enter staircases resulting in spread to other areas.to other areas.

• The flow of contaminated water (not confined to fire The flow of contaminated water (not confined to fire fighting debris but possible body fluids) flowing from fighting debris but possible body fluids) flowing from the affected compartment to other areas. the affected compartment to other areas.



The affect of other influences The affect of other influences

• What about incidents in adjoining buildings?What about incidents in adjoining buildings?• Surely that cannot affect an evacuation strategy?Surely that cannot affect an evacuation strategy?• Do we risk assess the impact of contractors and Do we risk assess the impact of contractors and

building works?building works?• Incidents such as the recent fire underneath the M1 Incidents such as the recent fire underneath the M1

caused considerable disruption to the countries caused considerable disruption to the countries infrstructure.infrstructure.

18/04/23 NAHFO Wrightington 2010


Compressed Gases Compressed Gases

• Current fire fighting tactics include Current fire fighting tactics include • The establishment of an exclusion zone up to 200mtrs The establishment of an exclusion zone up to 200mtrs • Cooling with water for 24hrs Cooling with water for 24hrs • Incident only closes when cylinder is removed from site Incident only closes when cylinder is removed from site



Compressed Gases Compressed Gases

• About 170 people have been evacuated from their About 170 people have been evacuated from their homes in Manchester after a fire involving an acetylene homes in Manchester after a fire involving an acetylene cylinder.cylinder.

• Firefighters were called to a premises behind Booze Firefighters were called to a premises behind Booze Busters, in Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, on Saturday Busters, in Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, on Saturday morning. morning.

• A 200m cordon was set up and Furness Road, Cawdor A 200m cordon was set up and Furness Road, Cawdor Road and Landcross Road were closed. Residents have Road and Landcross Road were closed. Residents have been moved to nearby Owens Park. been moved to nearby Owens Park.

• No-one was injured in the fire and investigations have No-one was injured in the fire and investigations have begun into how the blaze began. begun into how the blaze began.

• The cordon is likely to be in place for the next 24 hours The cordon is likely to be in place for the next 24 hours while firefighters make the area safe.while firefighters make the area safe.



But what about the future? But what about the future?

• Our understanding of fire and smoke behaviour is Our understanding of fire and smoke behaviour is advancing at a pace.advancing at a pace.

• There have been may lessons learned from previous There have been may lessons learned from previous fires.fires.

• Royal Marsden 2008, Complete Evac.Royal Marsden 2008, Complete Evac.• University College Hospital 2008, Partial Evac.University College Hospital 2008, Partial Evac.• Northwick Park Hospital 2009, Partial Evac.Northwick Park Hospital 2009, Partial Evac.

• Building standards are improving with design Building standards are improving with design • But do we need to have a radical change? But do we need to have a radical change?



What about the future? What about the future?

• Evacuation planning strategy developed at the design Evacuation planning strategy developed at the design stage.stage.

• Closer attention to commissioning and testing of Closer attention to commissioning and testing of active and passive systems.active and passive systems.

• Building bespoke evacuation systems i.e. Lifts and Building bespoke evacuation systems i.e. Lifts and enhanced compartmentation.enhanced compartmentation.

• Liasion with emergency services so they understand Liasion with emergency services so they understand the impacts of their actions upon an evacuation the impacts of their actions upon an evacuation strategy.strategy.

• The impact of outside influencesThe impact of outside influences• The use of compentent Risk Assessors and The use of compentent Risk Assessors and

competent service engineers competent service engineers


IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd IGNIS ASSOCIATES Ltd 18/04/23 NAHFO Newcastle 2011

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Ignis Associates Ltd Manchester

07879 667435

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