Fire Safety

More on Fire Safety

• Fire Alarm Systems - Employer Responsibility

  The law applicable to fire safety underwent significant change in October 2006 - as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect at that time. This legislation, commonly known as RR(FS)O - or simply RRO - replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law and it applies to all non-domestic business premises in England and Wales.

  It applies to individuals who are:

  • Responsible for business premises.
  • An employer (or someone self-employed) with business premises.
  • Responsible for a part of a dwelling which is solely used for business.
  • A charity or voluntary organisation.
  • A contractor with a degree of control over any premises.

  Such individuals are deemed the “responsible person” for the premises in question. The responsible person has a legal obligation to carry out a fire safety risk assessment on the premises and implement and maintain a fire management plan for the premises.

  The responsible person may contract out the task of preparing the fire risk assessment, but they still remain responsible for it and also for implementing the actions needed to reduce or manage the risk.

  In general, the fire services no longer issue fire certificates to premises and existing fire certificates cease to have any legal status.

• Fire Risk Assessment

  What are they?

  The fire safety risk assessment is a structured way of identifying the risk and removing - or mitigating - danger to any persons who may be in the premises.

  In general, the fire safety risk assessment should always take account of the means of escape - including emergency lighting, if necessary - and means of giving warning, which may include fire alarms if they're necessary.

  
  What should the FRA cover?
  The recommended structure for a FRA is as follows:
  
  

  Identify the fire hazards

  • Sources of ignition
  • Sources of fuel
  • Sources of oxygen

  Identify people at risk

  • People in and around the building, eg staff, customers, contractors etc.
  • People at special risk, eg disabled persons - including deaf, partially sighted, children, elderly or infirm. 

  Evaluate and protect from risk

  • Evaluate the risk of a fire starting
  • Remove or reduce fire hazards
  • Remove or reduce risks to persons from fire
  • Provide fire precautions to protect persons
     

  Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

  • Record any major findings and actions taken
  • Discuss findings with other responsible people
  • Prepare an emergency plan
  • Inform and instruct relevant people
  • Provide training
     

  Review

  Review the FRA regularly

  • Make changes where necessary
  • Record the changes

  Who should do the FRA?

  The law is clear that the carrying out and recording of an FRA is the responsibility of the “responsible person.” They may contract this out to others, but the responsibility remains with them.

  Also, where a third-party is contracted to undertake the FRA, it is the responsibility of the responsible person to ensure that the FRA is done to a satisfactory standard and by a suitably skilled person.

• Risk Assessment and Alarm system Grading

  The risk assessment is a process undertaken by the installer. It is basically the process by which he/she gathers the information necessary to design a suitable intruder alarm system that corresponds to the risk and which meets the needs of the client, ie the grade of the system.

  The risk assessment comprises of two surveys:

  • Location survey
  • Technical survey

  The location survey is made up of two stages:

  - A risk assessment of the building content – the total value of target items (electrical goods, jewellery and so on) will generally indicate the level of security required.

  - A risk assessment of the building’s fabric and structure – how easy or difficult it might be to enter the building, the level of physical security, location, break-in history and so on.
  
  Meanwhile, the technical survey looks at those factors than might influence the choice and design of system - as well as the final system design proposal. It will look at any aspect that might impact on the performance of the system, such as electrical interference from local plant or machinery.
  
  The grade of intruder alarm system will depend upon the performance required, as determined by the location survey.
  
  Grading of Intruder Alarm Systems
  
  The grade of intruder alarm system may be particularly important if you are depending on the alarm system for insurance cover. Insurers may specify a particular grade of system or aspect of design, depending on the nature of the risk you are aiming to protect.
  
  An overview of the grading system levels detailed in BS EN 50131- 1 is given below:

  Grade 1 – Low risk

  Intruders are expected to have little knowledge of the alarm system and may be restricted to a limited range of easily available tools.

  Grade 2 – Low to medium risk

  Intruders are expected to have a little more knowledge of the alarm system and use a general range of tools and some specialist equipment.

  Grade 3 – Medium to high risk

  Intruders are expected to be conversant with the alarm system and have a comprehensive range of tools and portable electronic equipment.

  Grade 4 – High risk

  To be used when security takes precedence over all other factors. Intruders are expected to have the resources to plan an intrusion in detail and have a full range of equipment, including the means to substitute vial components in the alarm system.

  Most commercial premises will require a Grade 2 or 3 system.