Managing fire safety

Good management of fire safety in your premiseswill help to ensure that any fire safety mattersthat arise are always effectively addressed. In small factories and warehouses this can beachieved by the manager or owner maintainingand planning fire safety in conjunction withgeneral health and safety.

In larger premises it is good practice for a senior manager to have overall responsibilityfor fire safety. It may be appropriate for thisresponsibility to be placed with the managerdesignated with overall responsibility for healthand safety.

An organisation’s fire safety policy should beflexible enough to allow modification. This isparticularly important when local managershave to function daily with other businesses in the same building. It should be recognisedthat fire safety operates at all levels within an organisation and therefore local managersshould be able to develop, where necessary, a local action plan for their premises.

The company policy should be set out inwriting and may cover such things as:

• who will hold the responsibility for firesafety at board level;

• who will be the responsible person foreach of their premises (this will be theperson who has overall control, usually the manager);

• the arrangement whereby managers will,where necessary, nominate in writing specificpeople to carry out particular tasks if thereis a fire; and

• the arrangement whereby regional or area managers should monitor and checkthat individual managers are meeting therequirements of the fire safety law.

You should have a plan of action to bringtogether all the features you have evaluatedand noted from your fire risk assessment sothat you can logically plan what needs to be done. It should not be confused with theemergency plan, which is a statement of whatyou will do if there is a fire.

The plan of action should include what youintend to do to reduce the hazards and risksyou have identified and to implement thenecessary protection measures.

You will need to prioritise these actions to ensurethat any findings which identify people inimmediate danger are dealt with straight away,e.g. unlocking fire exits. In other cases wherepeople are not in immediate danger but actionis still necessary, it may be acceptable toplan this over a period of time. Detailedrecommendations are given in BS 5588-12.52

The guidance in Part 2 provides additionalinformation to:

• ensure good fire safety management byhelping you establish your fire preventionmeasures, fire precautions and fire safetyprocedures (systems equipment andplans); and

• assist you to carry out your fire safety riskassessment and identify any issues thatneed attention.

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Part 2 Further guidance on fire riskassessment and fire precautions

This section provides further information onevaluating the risk of a fire and its preventionin your premises. You should spend timedeveloping long-term workable and effectivestrategies to reduce hazards and the risk of afire starting. At its simplest this means separatingflammable materials from ignition sources.

You should consider:

• housekeeping;

• storage (including high fire loads and highrack storage);

• dangerous substances: storage, display and use;

• equipment and machinery;

• electrical safety;

• smoking;

• managing building work and alterations;

• existing layout and construction;

• particular hazards in corridors andstairways used as escape routes;

• insulated core panels;

• restricting the spread of fire and smoke;

• arson; and

• help for people with special needs.

1.1 Housekeeping

Good housekeeping can lower the chances ofa fire starting, so the accumulation of combustiblematerials in premises should be monitoredcarefully. Good housekeeping is essential toreduce the chances of escape routes and firedoors being blocked or obstructed.

Waste material should be kept in suitablecontainers prior to removal from the premises. Ifbins, particularly wheeled bins, are used outside,they should be secured in a compound toprevent them being moved to a position nextto the building and set on fire. Skips shouldnever be placed against a building and should

normally be a minimum of 6m away from anypart of the premises (see Figure 13).

If you generate a considerable quantity ofcombustible waste material then you may needto develop a formal plan to manage this effectively,e.g. in packing and unpacking areas.

In higher risk areas you need to make surearrangements are in place for safe close down,e.g. checking all applicances are turned off andcombustible waste has been removed.

1.2 Storage

Many of the materials found in your premiseswill be combustible. If your premises haveinadequate or poorly managed storage areasthen the risk of fire is likely to be increased(see Figure 14). The more combustiblematerials you store the greater the source offuel for a fire. Poorly arranged high rackedstorage could prevent equipment such assprinklers working effectively.

Combustible materials are not just thosegenerally regarded as highly combustible, such as polystyrene, but all materials that will readily catch fire. Even non-combustiblematerials may present a fire hazard whenpacked in combustible materials. However, bycarefully considering the type of material, thequantities kept and the storage arrangements,the risks can be significantly reduced.

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Section 1 Further guidance on fire risksand preventative measures

Figure 13: Bins under a stairway (courtesy ofCheshire fire and rescue service)

The absence of adequate storage arrangementsresults in congestion on the factory floor or warehouse. This may lead to a concealedfire, restriction of access to the fire; fireextinguishers; alarm points and escape routes.Discarded packaging materials, e.g. polystyreneand cardboard, and even piles of woodenpallets can introduce severe fire hazards.

Poorly managed storage areas often becomeover-stocked or dumping areas for unwantedmaterial. Do not pile combustible materialagainst electrical equipment or heaters, even if turned off for the summer, and do not allow smoking in areas where combustiblematerials are stored.

To reduce the risk, store excess materials andstock in a dedicated storage area, such as apurpose-built detached building, a storeroomwith fire separation from the rest of the factory,or a controlled space on the factory floor. Goodsstored on the factory floor should be restrictedto the minimum quantities essential for theflow of work. Finished goods should beremoved promptly.

As well as considering the materials used inyour premises you should also consider theirform. For example, wood in the form of solidbaulks of timber is not readily ignitable, butchopped wood or kindling is (similarly withpaper). Cardboard stored flat would notpresent a high fire risk, but rolls of cardboardstored vertically present a vertical surface forfire to spread rapidly upwards, corrugatedcardboard presents an even greater risk.

Your fire risk assessment should also considerany additional risk generated by seasonalchanges such as increased volumes of goods at Christmas.

Consider the following to reduce these risks:

• ensure you have sufficient storage areasfor your needs; and

• ensure storage areas are adequatelycontrolled and monitored.

VoidsVoids (including roof voids) should not beused for the storage of combustible material.Such voids should be sealed off or keptentirely open to allow easy access for inspection.

Storage of raw materialsRaw materials can contain large quantities ofhighly combustible materials, such as fats andoils. If ignited these materials can burn readilywith high rates of heat release. The storagearrangement of these materials should becarefully considered, to ensure these fuels arekept separated from potential ignition sources.

Combustible waste and packagingSome processes involve large quantities ofcombustible waste and packaging. The sighting,use and removal of these materials needs to be carefully managed to ensure that they cannot come into contact with potential ignitionsources, and do not cause obstructions.

Outdoor storageYour main risks associated with outdoorstorage are outdoor fires preventing escapefrom the building or undetected fire spread tothe building. Fires are most likely to start inwaste material or dry undergrowth. Tarpaulin,jute and plastic sacks can readily burn too.Sparks, cigarettes and arson are the likelyignition sources.

To reduce these risks, ensure that:

• goods, materials, pallets and vehicles are sited in designated storage areas awayfrom the building, fire exits, windows andboundary fences; and

• outdoor areas are kept tidy, by clearingwaste and vegetation.

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Figure 14: An example of poor storage

Stacked goods and high stacked storageIn a fire, flames will tend to spread very rapidlyand vertically through the stored goods to thetop of the stack or racking and then spreadlaterally to all levels. When fires occur in theseconditions they can spread extremely quickly,presenting greater life risk to occupants.(Experimental testing has shown that withboxes stored on a 10m high racking system,fires started in vertical flues frequently reachedto top of the racking within two minutes.75)

Consider the following to reduce these risks:

• a minimum clear space of 1m, betweenstack and ceiling or lighting;

• aisle width of at least 2.5m, to restrict thespread of fire across an aisle;

• aisle with adequate access, to minimisecollisions;

• a minimum clear space of 0.5m, betweenstored goods and the internal walls to provide access (e.g. for the fire andrescue service);

• separation and segregation of hazardousmaterial, e.g. rubber tyres, plastic products,sugar and oil foodstuffs, combustible fibres,paper and paper products, hanging garments,carpeting, pesticides, flammable liquids andgases, reactive chemicals and flammableaerosols. Fire-resisting compartmentsshould be used in certain circumstances;

• measures to ensure fire doors and fireshutters are not obstructed;

• storage arrangements that ensureclearance between stored goods andlighting is maintained;

• storage arrangements that ensure sprinklerheads are not shielded by the racking;

• control measures where large volumes of packaging materials, are required, e.g. goods inwards and despatch areas;

• sprinkler protection to control or extinguisha fire at an early stage;

• monitored automatic fire detection toensure the early arrival of the fire andrescue service; and

• smoke ventilation to allow firefighters earlyand improved intervention to maintainvisibility and reduce temperatures.

Some local acts may require the provision ofsprinklers, automatic fire detection and smokeventilation to reduce the risk.

1.3 Dangerous substances:storage, display and use

Specific precautions are required when handlingand storing dangerous substances to minimisethe possibility of an incident. Your supplier shouldbe able to provide detailed advice on safestorage and handling; however, the followingprinciples will help you reduce the risk from fire:

• substitute highly flammable substances and materials with less flammable ones;

• reduce the quantity of dangerous substancesto the smallest reasonable amount necessaryfor running the business or organisation;

• correctly store dangerous substances, e.g. in a fire-resisting enclosure. All flammableliquids and gases should ideally be lockedaway, especially when the premises areunoccupied, to reduce the chance of thembeing used in an arson attack; and

• ensure that you and your employees areaware of the fire risk the dangeroussubstances present and the precautionsnecessary to avoid danger.

Additional general fire precautions may beneeded to take account of the additional risksthat may be posed by the storage and use ofthese substances.

Certain substances and materials are by their nature, highly flammable, oxidising orpotentially explosive. These substances arecontrolled by other legislation in addition tofire safety law, in particular the DangerousSubstances and Explosive AtmospheresRegulations 20027 (also see the HSE’s Approvedcode of practice and guidance 8).

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Flammable liquidsHighly flammable liquids present a particularlyhigh fire risk. For example, a leak from acontainer of flammable solvents, such as acetone,may produce large quantities of heavier-than-air flammable vapours. These can travel largedistances, increasing the likelihood of theirreaching a source of ignition well away fromthe original leak, such as a basement containingheating plant and/or electrical equipment onautomatic timers.

Flammable liquids stored in plastic containerscan be a particular problem if involved in firebecause they readily melt, spilling their contentsand fuelling rapid fire growth.

The risk is reduced by ensuring the storage anduse of highly flammable liquids is carefullymanaged; that materials contaminated withsolvent are properly disposed of and whennot in use, they are safely stored. In the workroom,up to 50 litres may be stored in a fire-resistingcabinet or bin that will contain any leaks (seeFigures 15 and 16). Quantities greater than50 litres should be stored in a dedicated highlyflammable liquids store. Further guidance onthe storage of highly flammable liquids incontainers is available from the HSE.49

There should be no potential ignition sourcesin areas where flammable liquids are usedor stored and flammable concentrationsof vapours may be present. Any electricalequipment used in these areas, including firealarm and emergency lighting systems, needsto be suitable for use in flammable atmospheres.In such situations, you should seek advicefrom a competent person.

LPG storage and useWhere LPG in cylinders or cartridges is present,you need to take particular care to minimisethe possibility of its involvement in a fire. The total amount of LPG in use should be keptto the minimum necessary to meet your needs:only that required for immediate use should bekept within the premises. The maximum stockshould not exceed 70kg, which should be keptin a safe place, where it cannot be interferedwith, and away from stairways, exit doors andplaces where it might obstruct means of escape.

Keep stored LPG cylinders, both full and empty,separate from other flammable and incompatiblematerials, in a safe and secure location, either inthe open air or in a properly constructed andadequately ventilated storeroom.

Advice on the use of LPG for heating is given inSection 1.4.

Bulk storage tanks and bulk cylinder storesshould be designed, installed and located inaccordance with industry guidance.

Further guidance on the safe storage of LPG isavailable from your supplier or the LiquefiedPetroleum Gas Association’s Code of Practice.9

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Figure 15: A fire-resisting pedal bin for rags

Non-combustible, high melting point hinges

Maximum 50 litres total

Half-hourfire-resistant exterior

Bonded/fire stopped junction

Figure 16: A 50 litre flammable storage bin

PipingPiping conveying gas or flammable liquidshould be, as far as practicable, of rigid metal. Any necessary flexible piping should consist of material suitable for the gas or liquid beingconveyed; it should be adequately reinforced toresist crushing and withstand the maximuminternal pressure to which it may be subjected.Any connections to the flexible piping shouldbe of an approved pattern (i.e. screwed orotherwise secured with a patent design deviceto prevent accidental disconnection). If indoubt you should seek advice from acompetent person.

DustFlammable dusts can initiate fire and explosionsin factories and warehouses. Dust clouds can beformed by the release of powder (e.g. foodstuffsor chemicals). Release can occur by puncturingcontainers or in the act of transferring powders.

Preventative measures include:

• training in the handling of powders;

• correct use of handling equipment;

• ensuring that no potential ignition sources are taken into the dust cloud (e.g. fork lift trucks); and

• establishing procedures for cleaning up (e.g. vacuuming or wetting).

Where there are quantities of powder greaterthan 25kg a DSEAR8 risk assessment willbe required. Further guidance is availablein the HSE guide76 on handling ofcombustible dusts.

Fireworks and explosivesFireworks and explosives can cause fires and explosions in factories and warehouses.They have the potential for a violent release of pressure and heat that can cause severeharm to people and damage to a building.

These materials can be ignited or detonated bycontact with ignition sources or by contamination,where other chemicals or water cause thematerial to become unstable.

Preventative measures include:

• excluding ignition sources;

• appropriate storage containers;

• training in the handling of fireworks andexplosives; and

• establishing separation distances betweenexplosive buildings and other buildings.

In most cases, where fireworks and explosivesare manufactured or stored, a licence will berequired under the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.50 Furtherguidance is available on the HSE websitewww.hse.gov.uk/explosives and in an HSEleaflet.51

AerosolsSome aerosol cans contain flammable productsstored at pressure and can present a high levelhazard. When ignited, they can explode,produce fireballs and rocket to distances of40m. Their presence can make it unsafe forfirefighters to enter a building and they havethe potential for starting multiple fires.

In warehouse situations the main causes ofaerosol can failure are: puncture by truckforksor sharp objects; being run over when looseon the floor; falls from a height, e.g. highracking; or bursting on heating.

The following should be considered to reducethese risks:

• All staff involved in the movement, storageand display of aerosol cans should beadequately instructed, trained and supervised.

• Damaged and leaking aerosol cans shouldbe removed immediately to a safe, secure,well ventilated place prior to disposal.Powered vehicles should not be used tomove damaged stock, unless speciallyadapted for use in flammable atmospheres.Arrangements should be made for its safedisposal at a licensed waste managementfacility.

• Segregation of stocks of aerosol cans fromother items e.g. by the use of caging. Forlarger quantities of aerosol cans a fire-resisting enclosure should be used.

• Sprinkler protection.

• Cleaning and other staff should be madeaware of the potential dangers of aerosolcans and the need for safe disposal.

Further guidance on handling of aerosols isavailable from the British Aerosol Manufacturers’Association.48

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1.4 Equipment and machinery

Common causes of fire in equipment are:

• allowing ventilation points to becomeclogged or blocked, causing overheating;

• inadequate cleaning of heat-shrinkpackaging equipment;

• allowing excessive deposits to build up infume and dust extraction equipment andassociated ducting in catering environments;

• loose drive belts or lack of lubricationleading to increased friction;

• disabling or interfering with automatic or manual safety features and cut-outs;

• leaking valves, glands or joints allowingoils and other flammable liquids tocontaminate adjacent floors or goods; and

• misuse or lack of maintenance of cookingequipment and appliances.

All machinery, equipment and plant should beproperly maintained by a competent person.Appropriate signs and instructions on safe usemay be necessary.

Fork lift trucks and other vehiclesThere are hazards associated with industrialvehicles, particularly during refuelling andmaintenance operations; also when storedor in use.

Battery charging of fork lift trucks can give riseto sparks and hydrogen (a gas that is highlyflammable, explosive and is lighter than air).Sparks can occur when connecting anddisconnecting power supplies.

Fork lift truck charging points should becarefully sited in a well ventilated area (ideallydirect to open air), clear of ignition sourcesand perferably in a separate dedicated non-combustible structure. However, if sited in thebuilding, the charging point should be againsta fire-resisting wall (e.g. 30-minute fireresistance).

HeatingIndividual heating appliances require particularcare if they are to be used safely, particularlythose which are kept for emergency use duringa power cut or as supplementary heating duringsevere weather. The greatest risks arise from lackof maintenance and staff unfamiliarity with them.Heaters should be secured in position when inuse and fitted with a fire guard if appropriate.

As a general rule, convector or fan heatersshould be preferred to radiant heaters becausethey present a lower risk of fire and injury. The following rules should be observed:

• All heaters should be kept well clear ofcombustible materials and where they donot cause an obstruction.

• Heaters which burn a fuel should be sitedaway from draughts.

• Portable fuel burning heaters (includingbottled gas (LPG)) should only be used inpublic areas in exceptional circumstancesand if shown to be acceptable in your riskassessment.

All gas heating appliances should be used only in accordance with manufacturer’sinstructions and should be serviced annually by a competent person.

Cooking processesTypical installations used in cooking processesinclude: deep fat fryers, surface fryers, ovens,grills, surface cookers, smoking cabinets,ductwork, flues, filters, hoods, extract andventilation ducts, and dampers.

These cooking processes can operate with hightemperatures, involve large quantities of oil andcombustible foodstuffs. Heat sources used forcooking processes include: gas, electric,microwave, radio frequency, and thermal fluids.The main causes of fire are ignition of cookingoil, combustion of crumbs and sediment deposits,and duct work fires from a build up of fatsand grease.

The siting of cooking processes close to insulatedcore panels with combustible insulation (seeSection 1.10) can lead to the likely ignition ofthe panels and consequent rapid fire spreadto other parts of the building. This practiceshould therefore be avoided where possible.

The following should be considered to reducethe fire risk from cooking processes:

• regular cleaning to prevent build-up ofcrumbs and other combustible material;

• fire resisting containers for waste product;

• a fire suppression system capable ofcontrolling an outbreak of fire;

• monitored heat/oil levels, even after thecooking process is complete, andinstallation of temperature control/cut-off/shut-off devices as appropriate;

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• duct, joints and supports able to withstandhigh cooking temperatures;

• separation from wall and ceiling panels(with combustible insulation), e.g. 2.5m forwalls, 4m for ceilings;

• insulation of ducts to prevent heating/igniting nearby combustible materials andwall/ceiling panels;

• a regular programme for inspection andcleaning;

• a programme of electrical and mechanicalmaintenance;

• an annual programme of thermographicsurveys to identify ‘hotspots’;

• ovens in a single storey non-combustiblebuilding; and

• annual service of all gas heating appliancesby a competent person.

Other equipmentElectrical refrigeration defrost systems can raise electrical heating coils built inside therefrigerator to 600°C, introducing an ignitionsource. Measures to reduce the fire risk includetemperature probes and cut-offs.

Spray driers for converting liquids to powdersand other dried products can produce fire andexplosion hazards by ignition of the powdersand dusts or by spontaneous combustion.Measures to reduce the fire risk include regularremoval of dust deposits, explosion venting,automatic suppression systems, and electricalsafety including grounding and bonding.

Conveyor systems can provide an ignition source,by heating due to friction, bearing seizure andstatic charge. Conveyors often penetrate wallsand occassionally ceilings and can compromisefire separation. Hydraulic conveyors cansignificantly increase the fuel load. Measures toreduce the fire risk include: regular maintenanceof belts and drive motors, monitoring of bearingtemperature and belt slip, bespoke conveyorclosure devices and automatic suppression systems.

1.5 Electrical safety

Electrical equipment is a significant cause ofaccidental fires in factories and warehouses.The main causes are:

• overheating cables and equipment, e.g. dueto overloading circuits, bunched or coiledcables or impaired cooling fans;

• incorrect installation or use of equipment;

• little or no maintenance and testing ofequipment;

• damaged or inadequate insulation oncables or wiring;

• combustible materials being placed tooclose to electrical equipment, which maygive off heat even when operatingnormally, or may become hot due to a fault;

• arcing or sparking by electrical equipment;

• embrittlement and cracking of cablesheathing in cold environments;

• bunched cables passing through insulationwhich can generate excessive heat; and

• impaired cooling fans.

All electrical equipment should be installed andmaintained in a safe manner by a competentperson. If portable electrical equipment isused, including items brought into a workplaceby staff, then your fire risk assessment shouldensure that it is visually inspected and undergoesportable appliance testing (‘PAT’) at intervalssuitable for the type of equipment and itsfrequency of use (refer to HSE guidance10). Ifyou have any doubt about the safety of yourelectrical installation then you should consulta competent electrician.

Issues to consider include:

• overloading of equipment;

• correct fuse ratings;

• PAT testing and testing of the fixedinstallation;

• protection against overloading ofinstallation;

• protection against short circuit;

• insulation, earthing and electrical isolationrequirements;

• frequency of electrical inspection and test;

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• temperature rating and mechanical strengthof flexible cables;

• portable electrical equipment;

• physical environment in which the equipmentis used (e.g. wet or dusty atmospheres); and

• use and maintenance of suitable personalprotective equipment.

All electrical installations should be regularlymaintained by a competent person, appointedby you, or on your behalf, in accordance withthe Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWRegulations).53 The use of low voltage equipmentshould conform to the requirements of theElectrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994,54

including the requirement to be CE marked.

1.6 Smoking

Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smokingmaterials are a major cause of fire. A cigarettecan smoulder for several hours, especiallywhen surrounded by combustible material.Many fires are started several hours after thesmoking materials have been emptied intowaste bags and left for future disposal.

Consider operating a safe smoking policyin designated smoking areas and prohibitsmoking elsewhere. Display suitable signsthroughout the premises informing people ofthe smoking policy and the locations wheresmoking is permitted.

In those areas where smoking is permitted,provide deep and substantial metal ashtrays tohelp prevent unsuitable containers being used.Empty all ashtrays daily into a metal waste binand take it outside. It is dangerous to emptyashtrays into plastic waste sacks which arethen left inside for disposal later.

1.7 Managing building work andalterations

Fires are more frequent when buildings areundergoing refurbishment or alteration.

You should ensure that, before any buildingwork starts, you have reviewed the fire riskassessment and considered what additionaldangers are likely to be introduced. You willneed to evaluate the additional risks to people,

particularly in those buildings that continue to be occupied. Lack of pre-planning can leadto haphazard co-ordination of fire safety measures.

You should liaise and exchange information withcontractors who will also have a duty underthe Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare)Regulations 199611, 12 to carry out a risk assessmentand inform you of their significant findings andthe preventive measures they may employ. Thismay be supported by the contractors’ agreedwork method statement. The designer shouldalso have considered fire safety as part of theConstruction (Design and Management)Regulations 1994 (the CDM Regulations).55

You should continuously monitor the impact of the building work on the general fire safetyprecautions, such as the increased risk from quantities of combustible materials andaccumulated waste and maintaining adequatemeans of escape. You should only allow the minimum materials necessary for the workin hand within or adjacent to your building.

Activities involving hot work such as welding,flame cutting, use of blow lamps or portablegrinding equipment can pose a serious firehazard and need to be strictly controlled whencarried out in areas near flammable materials.This can be done by having a written permitto work for the people involved (whether theyare your employees or those of the contractor).

The purpose of the permit is to ensure that thearea is made as safe as possible before any hotworking starts, that monitoring and precautionscontinue to be taken whilst the work is inprogress, and that the area where the hot workwas carried out and the surrounding area aremonitored for at least an hour after completionof the work.

A permit to work is appropriate in situations ofhigh hazard/risk and, for example, where thereis a need to:

• ensure that there is a formal checkconfirming that a safe system of work isbeing followed;

• co-ordinate with other people or activities;

• provide time limits when it is safe to carryout the work; and

• provide specialised personal protectiveequipment (such as breathing apparatus) or methods of communication.

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Additional risks that can occur during buildingwork include:

• temporary electrical equipment;

• blocking of escape routes includingexternal escape routes;

• introduction of combustibles into an escape route;

• loss of normal storage facilities;

• fire safety equipment, such as automaticfire-detection systems becoming affected;

• fire-resisting partitions being breached or fire doors being wedged open (see Appendix B1 for information on fire-resisting separation); and

• additional personnel who may beunfamiliar with the premises.

You must notify the fire and rescue serviceabout alterations in your premises if analterations notice is in force (see who enforcesthe Fire Safety Order on page 7).

Further guidance on fire safety duringconstruction work is available from the HSE56,57

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1.8 Existing layout and construction

In warehouses the design is open-plan withlarge floor areas, e.g. large warehouse anddistribution centres typically exceed 2,000m2

and are often in excess of 20,000m2. The floorcan be densely packed with stacked goods orhigh-bay racking systems. Factories, too, areoften open-plan with designated process areasand storage areas, which can be located inseparate rooms.

These buildings may include a number of opengrate mezzanine floors and gallery levels. Oftenthere are few windows and doors, except foraccess and escape.

Traditionally, occupants are advised to shutdoors when escaping from a fire but in open-plan areas this may not be possible. In theseareas the fire, and especially the smoke, mayspread faster than expected.

To assess the risk in your premises you needto evaluate the construction and layout of yourbuilding. This does not mean a structuralsurvey, unless you suspect that the structureis damaged or any structural fire protection ismissing or damaged, but rather an informed

look around to see if there are any easy pathsthrough which smoke and fire may spread andwhat you can do to stop that. In general, olderbuildings will have more void areas, possiblyhidden from view, which will allow smoke andfire to spread away from its source. Whateveryour type of building, you may need toconsider typical situations that may assist thespread of fire and smoke such as:

• vertical shafts, e.g. lifts, open stairways, dumbwaiters or holes for moving stock around;

• false ceilings, especially if they are not fire-stopped above walls;

• voids behind wall panelling;

• large roof cavities, particularly in cold stores;

• unsealed holes in walls and ceilings wherepipe work, cables or other services havebeen installed; and

• doors, particularly to stairways, which areill-fitting or routinely left open.

1.9 Particular hazards in corridors and stairways used as escape routes

Items that are a source of fuel, pose an ignitionrisk, or are combustible and likely to increasethe fire loading or spread of fire, should not belocated on any corridor or stairway that will beused as an escape route. Such items include:

• portable heaters, e.g. bottled gas (LPG)or electric radiant heaters and electricconvectors or boilers;

• gas cylinders for supplying heaters;

• cooking appliances; and

• unenclosed gas pipes, meters, and otherfittings.

However, depending on the findings of your riskassessment and where more than one escaperoute is available, items such as those belowmay be acceptable if the minimum exit widthsare maintained and the item presents arelatively low fire risk:

• non-combustible lockers;

• vending machines;

• small items of electrical equipment(e.g. photocopiers); and

• small coat racks and/or small quanities ofupholstered furniture which meets BS 7176or the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988.50

1.10 Insulated core panels

Many buildings have insulated core panels asexterior cladding or for internal structures andpartitions. The food industry, in particular, usesinsulated core panels because they are easy toclean and facilitate consistent temperature controlwithin the premises. The simple construction ofthese panels enables alterations and foradditional internal partitions to be erected withminimum disruption to business.

They normally consist of a central insulatedcore, sandwiched between an inner and outermetal skin (see Figure 17). There is no air gap.The external surface is then normally coatedwith a PVC covering to improve weatherresistance or the aesthetic appeal of the panel.The central core can be made of variousinsulating materials, ranging from virtually non-combustible through to highly combustible.Differing fire hazards are associated with commontypes of insulation, when the panels are subjectedto certain temperatures. Typical examples are:

• Mineral rock/modified phenolic will producesurface char and little smoke or gaseouscombustion products, at temperaturesabove 230°C.

• Polyisocyanurate (PIR)/polyurethane (PUR)will char and will generate smoke andgaseous combustion products, at temperaturesabove 430°C PIR and 300°C PUR.

• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) will melt andwill generate smoke and gaseous combustionproducts, at temperatures above 430°C PIR.

Insulation charring can lead to panel delamination/collapse, and the gaseous combustion productscan fill areas with the toxic gases carbonmonoxide and styrene.

A number of fires in buildings where insulatedcore panels have been used extensively in thefabric of the building have highlighted theparticular dangers that may be associated withthis form of construction, i.e. where the fabric ofthe building can contribute to the fire harzard.

In a fire the following may occur:

• early buckling and falling away of thefacing materials;

• burning of the combustible insulatingmaterial;

• production of large quantities of dense,toxic smoke;

• rapid heat generation;

• early loss of structural strength can result ifthe system has not been properly designed,and this can lead to the collapse of thewall, partition or ceiling;

• there may be cavities in older buildingswhere the panels are used as an internalenvelope, enabling fire to spread unnoticedand possibly unchecked by fire barriers.

Once installed it is difficult to identify the corematerial of a panel and its potential fire hazard.

The following best practice can help youreduce risks associated with insulated panels.

• Do not install heating appliances, such asbaking ovens, against the panels. Operate aclear distance policy for cooking systems.

• Control ignition sources that are adjacentto, or penetrating the panels.

• Control hot working.

• Check for damage to heater tapes used toprevent ice build-up at doors.

• Do not store highly combustible materialsagainst panels or allow rubbish to collectagainst panels.

• Have damaged panels or sealed jointsrepaired immediately and make sure thatjointing compounds or gaskets used aroundthe edges of the panels are in good order.

• Check where openings have been made for doors, windows, cables and ducts toensure that these have been effectively sealedand the inner core has not been exposed.

• Check that there has been no mechanicaldamage and repair any that has occured,e.g. caused by mobile equipment such asfork lift trucks.

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Figure 17: Insulated core panels – internal panel

• Ensure that any loads, such as storage andequipment, are only supported by panelsthat have been designed and installed toperform this function.

• Check that the inner and outer skins areadhering tightly to the core.

• Ensure that the panels are correctly secured to the structure or are designed tobe independently structurally secure. Onesolution is to ensure the retaining bracketsbolt the panel to a support frame throughthe outer and inner skins.

• Ensure large roof cavities are appropriatelyprotected, e.g. escape routes are clear,signed and have limited travel distance,and fire warning systems are audible.

The use of combustible panels in areas ofbuildings with a high life risk, e.g. where largenumbers of people are present, should becarefully considered. Your fire risk assessmentmay need to be revised to ensure that anyincreased risk resulting from this type ofconstruction is considered.

The potential for fire development involvingmineral fibre cores is less than that for panelscontaining polymeric cores. Therefore, in areaswhere there is considerable life risk, it may beappropriate to consider replacing combustiblepanels, providing a fire suppression system orinstalling non-combustible fire breaks within orbetween the panels at suitable intervals.

Insulated core panels should be installed by acompetent person in accordance with industryguidance.

Guidance on the design, construction, specificationand fire management of insulated core panelshas been published by the InternationalAssociation for Cold Storage Construction.59

1.11 Restricting the spread of fireand smoke

To reduce the risk to people if there is a fire,you need to consider how to control or restrictthe spread of fire and smoke. The majority ofpeople who die in fires are overcome by thesmoke and gases.

RoofsWhere the roofs of buildings are close togetheror connected to each other, flame or smokecan easily spread. This risk may be reduced by

fire prevention measures, or by fire separation.For some roof configurations, venting systemsmay offer a means of reducing the spread of fire (including the movement of flamesunder the roof) and the spread of smoke and toxic gases. Specialist advice should besought on whether venting systems would be advantageous in a particular case. Where a roof contains combustible materials these shouldbe replaced by non-combustible materials;where this is not practicable, the roof shouldbe underdrawn with non-combustible board.

Catering facilitiesWherever possible, any extensive cateringfacilities, particularly those with deep fat fryers,should be located in separate buildings. Iflocated within other buildings they should beseparated from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction and provided withadequate ventilation. Where flues pass throughany part of the structure, the structure shouldbe protected by fire-resisting construction andthe flue should terminate at a point whereemissions can disperse in the open air. Wherefire shutters are used these should be capableof operating both manually and by fusible link.Where a fire detection and warning system isinstalled, the fire shutter should also bedesigned to close on the activation of thesystem. Any automatic shutter should operatevia a controlled geared mechanism.

Display materials and decorationsYou should evaluate what material could ignitefirst and what would cause the fire to developand spread, and assess how materials used intemporary or permanent displays would interactwith surface linings and position them accordingly.In particular, displays such as paper, textiles orother flimsy materials should not be located instairways or corridors. However, such materialsmay be acceptable in other locations if treatedwith an appropriate fire-retardant product.

Staff information should be confined toappropriately located display boards in areasaway from escape routes. Display boards maybe used on escape routes as long as they areno bigger than 1m2 or have been enclosed in a sealed display case.

Fire-resisting structuresMany buildings are divided into different areasby fire doors and fire-resisting walls and floors.These are partly designed to keep a fire withinone area, giving people more time to escape.You will need to identify which doors, wallsand floors in your building are fire-resisting.

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There may be information available from whenthe building was built, if alterations have beenmade, or from a previously held fire certificate.

High-risk areas (e.g. spray shops with highlyflammable materials) should be separated fromthe rest of the premises by 30-minute fire-resisting construction.

Normally if there are fire doors in a wall,then the wall itself will also need to be fire-resisting (see Appendix B1 for more technicalinformation about fire-resisting walls and doors).If a wall or floor is required to be fire-resistingthen you should not make any holes in it, e.g. forextra doors or pipe ducts, without consulting a competent person.

To ensure effective protection against fire,walls and floors (including any openings suchas doors, ventilation ducts, pipe passages orrefuse chutes) providing fire separation mustform a complete fire-resisting barrier.

The passing of services such as heating pipesor electrical cables through fire-resisting wallsor partitions may leave gaps through whichfire and smoke may spread. These should berectified by suitable fire stopping and there aremany proprietary products available for thispurpose to suit particular types of construction.Such products should be installed bycompetent contractors.

Smoke controlIn some premises, there may be some formof smoke control provided for the safety of theoccupants and to assist firefighting (e.g. Smokeand Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems (SHEVS).These systems are designed to restrict the spreadof fire and smoke usually by venting the heatand smoke through the roof or via other routesto the outside. Low level inlet air is essentialfor the operation of SHEVS and all openingsfor this purpose should not be obstructed.

Special down-stands may have been installedto create a reservoir which will contain thesmoke and hot gases at roof level, while ventsallow the smoke to escape.

It is important that any smoke can flow easilyinto the reservoirs and that nothing whichcould cause an obstruction, such as largedisplays, is fixed near the vents.

If your building has smoke vents fitted, or anyother form of smoke control, then you mayneed to seek advice from someone who iscompetent in such systems. Further information

on smoke control can be found from CIBSEGuide E64 or from the BRE.65

SprinklersIn some premises there may be a sprinklersystem. Sprinkler systems are designed torestrict the spread of fire by suppressing thefire. Further guidance is available in Part 2,Section 3.2.

1.12 Arson

Recent studies indicate that, across all premisestypes, over 2,100 deliberately set fires, resultingin two deaths and 55 injuries, occur every week.All premises can be targeted either deliberatelyor just because they offer easy access.

Be aware of other small, deliberately set firesin the locality, which can indicate an increasedrisk to your premises. Be suspicious of anysmall ‘accidental’ fires on the premises andinvestigate them fully and record your findings.

Fires started deliberately can be particularlydangerous because they generally develop muchfaster and may be intentionally started in escaperoutes. Of all the risk-reduction measures, themost benefit may come from efforts to reducethe threat from arson.

Measures to reduce arson may include thefollowing:

• ensure the outside of the premises is well lit and, if practical, secure the perimeterof the premises;

• thoroughly secure all entry points to thepremises, including windows and theroof, but make sure that this does notcompromise people’s ability to use theescape routes;

• make sure you regularly remove allcombustible rubbish;

• do not place rubbish skips adjacent to thebuilding and secure waste bins in acompound separated from the building;

• encourage staff to report people actingsuspiciously;

• remove automatic entry rights from staffwho have been dismissed;

• ensure that your security alarm/fire-detection system is monitored and acted on;

• secure flammable liquids so that intruderscannot use them;

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• secure all storage areas and unused areasof the building that do not form part of anescape route against unauthorised access,ensure access to keys to those areas is restricted;

• fit secure metal letterboxes on the inside ofletter flaps to contain any burning materialsthat may be pushed through; and

• do not park vehicles or store goods ormaterials in the open next to windows or doors opening into buildings.

Further guidance on reducing the riskof arson has been published by the ArsonPrevention Bureau.*

1.13 Help for people with special needs

Of all the people who may be especially at risk you will need to pay particular attentionto people who have special needs, includingthose with a disability. The Disability RightsCommission estimates that 11 million peoplein this country have some form of disability,which may mean that they find it more difficultto leave a building if there is a fire. Under theDisability Discrimination Act,13 if disabled peoplecould realistically expect to use premises, thenyou must anticipate any reasonable adjustmentsthat would make it easier for that right tobe exercised.

The Disability Discrimination Act13 includes theconcept of ‘reasonable adjustments’ and thiscan be carried over into fire safety law. It canmean different things in different circumstances.For a small business it may be consideredreasonable to provide contrasting colours on ahandrail to help people with vision impairmentto follow an escape route more easily. However,it might be unreasonable to expect that samebusiness to install an expensive voice-alarmsystem. Appropriate ‘reasonable adjustments’for a large business or organisation may be muchmore significant.

If disabled people are going to be in yourpremises then you must also provide a safemeans for them to leave if there is a fire. Youand your staff should be aware that disabledpeople may not react, or can react differently,

to a fire warning or a fire. You should givesimilar consideration to others with specialneeds such as parents with young children orthe elderly.

In premises with a simple layout, a common-sense approach, such as offering to help lead a blind person or helping an elderly persondown steps may be enough. In more complexpremises, more elaborate plans and procedureswill be needed, with trained staff assigned tospecified duties.

Consider the needs of people with mentaldisabilities or spatial recognition problems. The range of disabilities encountered can beconsiderable, extending from mild epilepsy to complete disorientation in an emergencysituation. Many of these can be addressed byproperly trained staff, discreet and empatheticuse of the ‘buddy system’ or by carefulplanning of colour and texture to identifyescape routes.

Where people with special needs use or workin the premises, their needs should, so far as ispracticable be discussed with them. These willoften be modest and may require only changesor modifications to existing procedures. You mayneed to develop individual ‘personal emergencyevacuation plans’ (PEEPs) for disabled personswho frequently use a building. They will needto be confident of any plan/PEEP that is put inplace after consultation with them. As part ofyour consultation exercise you will need toconsider the matter of personal dignity.

If members of the public use your buildingthen you may need to develop a range ofstandard PEEPs which can be provided onrequest to a disabled person or others withspecial needs.

Guidance on removing barriers to the everydayneeds of disabled people is in BS 8300.14 Muchof this advice will also help disabled peopleduring an evacuation.

Further advice can be obtained from theDisability Rights Commission at www.drc-gb.org.

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* Visit www.arsonpreventionbureau.org.uk for more information.

Where an electrical fire-warning system isnecessary then a straightforward arrangementtypically includes the following:

• manual call points (break-glass call points);

• electronic sirens or bells; and

• a control and indicator panel.

An alternative system of interconnectedcombined manual call points and sounders may be acceptable.

If your building has areas where a fire coulddevelop undetected or where people workalone and might not see a fire, then it may benecessary to upgrade your fire-warning systemto incorporate automatic fire detection.

If, for any reason, your system fails you muststill ensure that people in your premises canbe warned and escape safely. A temporaryarrangement, such as gongs, whistles or airhorns, combined with suitable training, maybe acceptable for a short period pendingsystem repairs.

The fire warning sound levels should beloud enough to alert everyone, taking intoaccount background noise. In areas with highbackground noise, or where people may bewearing hearing protectors, the audible warningshould be supplemented, e.g. with visual alarms.

People with hearing difficultiesWhere people have hearing difficulties,particularly those who are profoundly deaf, thensimply hearing the fire warning is likely to bethe major difficulty. If these persons are neveralone while on the premises then this may notbe a serious problem, as it would be reasonablefor other occupants to let them know that thebuilding should be evacuated. If a person withhearing difficulties is likely to be alone, thenconsider other means of raising the alarm. Amongthe most popular are visual beacons andvibrating devices or pagers that are linked tothe existing fire alarm.

Voice alarmsResearch has shown that some people and, inparticular, members of the public, do not alwaysreact quickly to a conventional fire alarm. Voicealarms are therefore becoming increasinglypopular and can also incorporate a public addressfacility. The message or messages sent must be carefully considered. It is therefore essentialto ensure that voice-alarm systems are designedand installed by a person with specialistknowledge of these systems.

Schematic planIn order to quickly determine where a fire hasbeen detected, you should consider displayinga schematic plan showing fire alarm zones in amulti-zoned system adjacent to the control panel.

2.1 Manual call points

Manual call points, often known as ‘break-glass’call points, enable a person who discovers afire to immediately raise the alarm and warnother people in the premises of the danger.

People leaving a building because of a firewill normally leave by the way they entered.Consequently, manual call points are normallypositioned, at exits and storey exits that peoplemay reasonably be expected to use in case of fire, not just those designated as fire exits.However, it is not necessary in every case toprovide call points at every exit.

Manual call points should normally be positionedso that, after all fixtures and fittings, machineryand stock are in place, no one should have totravel more than 45m to the nearest alarmpoint. This distance may be less if your premisescater for people of limited mobility or there areparticularly hazardous areas. They should beconspicuous (red), fitted at a height of about 1.4m(or less for premises with a significant numberof wheelchair users), and not in an area likelyto be obstructed.

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Section 2 Further guidance on firedetection and warning systems

2.2 Automatic fire detection

Automatic fire detection may be needed for anumber of reasons. These can include:

• if you have areas where people are isolatedor remote and could become trapped by a fire because they are unaware of itsdevelopment, such as lone workers;

• if you have areas where a fire can developunobserved (e.g. storerooms);

• as a compensating feature, e.g. for inadequatestructural fire protection, in dead-ends orwhere there are extended travel distances; and

• where smoke control and ventilationsystems are controlled by the automaticfire-detection system.

If you have an automatic fire detection system,the system should:

• be designed to accommodate the emergencyevacuation procedure;

• give an automatic indication of the firewarning and its location. If the indicatorpanel is located in a part of the premisesother than the control point (for example,the secretary’s office) there should ideallybe a repeater panel sited in the control point;

• be maintained and tested by a competentperson; and

• communicate with a central control room(if you have one).

New automatic fire detection systems shouldbe designed and installed by a competentperson. Further guidance is given in BS 5839-116

or a more recent standard where applicable.

Where the public address system is part of thefire warning system it should be connected toan auxiliary power source to ensure the continueduse of the system in the event of fire or otheremergency.

Whichever warning or detection systems are inplace, the fire and rescue service should alwaysbe called immediately if a fire occurs.

2.3 Reducing false alarms

False alarms from automatic fire detection systemsare a major problem and result in manyunwanted calls to the fire and rescue serviceevery year. Guidance on reducing false alarmshas been published by ODPM/CFOA/BFPSA.15

If there are excessive false alarms in yourpremises, people may become complacent andnot respond correctly to a warning of a realfire. In such circumstances, you may be failingto comply with fire safety law. All false alarmsshould be investigated to identify the cause ofthe problem and remedial action taken.

To help reduce the number of false alarms, the system design and location of detection andactivation devices should be reviewed againstthe way the premises are currently used. Forexample, if a store room has been converted to a staff area with cooking facilities (e.g. amicrowave and toaster) then the likelihood ofthe detector being set off is increased. Similarly,if a manual call point is placed in a storage area where there is continual movement ofgoods, the call point is likely to be accidentallydamaged. In this case a simple, fabricated hingedmetal guard around the call point is likely tosolve the problem.

Occasionally people set off a manual call pointin the genuine, but incorrect belief that there isa fire. Nothing should be done to discouragesuch actions and the number of false alarmsgenerated this way is not significant.

Further detailed guidance on reducing falsealarms is available in BS 5839-1.16

2.4 Staged fire alarms

In the vast majority of premises sounding thefire warning system should trigger the immediateand total evacuation of the building. However,in some large or complex premises this maynot be necessary and alternative arrangementsmay be in place.

These alternative arrangements broadly fall intotwo groups. Firstly, those people potentially mostat risk from a fire, usually those closest to wherethe alarm was activated, will be immediatelyevacuated, while others in the premises aregiven an alert signal and will only evacuate if it becomes necessary. This is generally called

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a phased evacuation and the initial movement,depending on the layout and configuration of the premises, can be either horizontal or vertical.

The second alternative is for the initial alertsignal to be given to certain staff, who then carry out pre-arranged actions to help others to evacuate more easily. It requires able, fully-trained staff to be available at all times and shouldnot be seen as a simple means of reducingdisruption to working practices. Where stagedalarms are being used, disabled people shouldbe alerted on the first stage to give them themaximum time to escape.

These arrangements both require fire-warningsystems capable of giving staged alarms, includingan ‘alert signal’ and a different ‘evacuate signal’and should only be considered after consultationwith specialist installers and, if necessary, therelevant enforcing authority.

Such systems also require a greater degree of management input to ensure that staff and others are familiar with the system andaction required.

2.5 Testing and maintenance

Your fire-warning and/or detection systemshould be supervised by a named responsibleperson, who has been given enough authorityand training to manage all aspects of theroutine testing and scrutiny of the system.

The control and indicating equipment shouldbe checked at least every 24 hours to ensurethere are no specific faults. All types of fire-warning systems should be tested once a week.For electrical systems a manual call point shouldbe activated (using a different call point for eachsuccessive test), usually by inserting a dedicatedtest key (see Figure 18). This will check thatthe control equipment is capable of receivinga signal and in turn, activating the warningalarms. Manual call points may be numberedto ensure they are sequentially tested.

Testing of the system should be carried out bya competent person. Further guidance on testingand maintenance of fire warning systems canbe found in British Standards 5839-1.16

It is good practice to test the alarm at the sametime each week, but additional tests may berequired to ensure that staff or people presentoutside normal working hours are given theopportunity to hear the alarm.

Where systems are connected to a centralmonitoring station, arrangements should be madeprior to testing to avoid unwanted false alarms.

Six-monthly servicing and preventive maintenanceshould be carried out by a competent personwith specialist knowledge of fire-warning andautomatic detection systems. This task isnormally fulfilled by entering into a servicecontract with a specialist fire alarm company.

It is good practice to record all tests, falsealarms and any maintenance carried out.

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Figure 18: Using a test key

2.6 Guaranteed power supply

If your fire risk assessment concludes that anelectrical fire-warning system is necessary, thenthe Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)Regulations 19965 requires it to have a back-uppower supply.

Whatever back-up system is used, it shouldnormally be capable of operating the fire-warning and detection system for a minimumperiod of 24 hours and sounding the alarmsignal in all areas for 30 minutes.

2.7 New and altered systems

Guidance on the design and installation ofnew systems and those undergoing substantialalterations is given in BS 5839-1.16 If you areunsure that your existing system is adequateyou will need to consult a competent person.

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You have responsibility for the provision ofappropriate firefighting equipment. It is alsoyour responsibility to check that all firefightingequipment is in the correct position and insatisfactory order before the premises are used.

Appropriate staff should be trained in the useof all equipment.

3.1 Portable firefighting equipment

Fire extinguishers provided should be appropriateto the specific risks found in your premises inaccordance with Table 1. This table also showsthe different classes of fire, according to whatis burning.

Number and type of extinguishersTypically for the Class A fire risk, the provisionof one water-based extinguisher for approximatelyevery 200m2 of floor space, with a minimumof two extinguishers per floor, will normallybe adequate.

Notes:

1. If there is a possibility of a fire in yourpremises involving material in the shadedboxes then you should seek advice from acompetent person.

2. It is not safe to fight fires involving aerosolswith fire extinguishers.

Where it is determined that there are additionallyother classes of fire risk, the appropriate type,number and size of extinguisher should beprovided. Further information is available inBS 5306-8.18

Where the fire risk is not confined to a particularlocation, e.g. Class A fires, the fire extinguishersshould be positioned on escape routes, closeto the exit from the room or floor, or the finalexit from the building. Similarly, where theparticular fire risk is specifically located, e.g.flammable liquids, the appropriate fire extinguishershould be near to the hazard, so located thatthey can be safely used. They should be placedon a dedicated stand or hung on a wall at aconvenient height so that employees can easilylift them off (at about 1m for larger extinguishers,1.5m for smaller ones, to the level of the handle).Ideally no one should have to travel morethan 30m to reach a fire extinguisher. If thereis a risk of malicious use you may need to usealternative, and more secure, locations.

Consider the implications of the ManualHandling Operations Regulations 199217 whenselecting and siting firefighting equipment.

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Section 3 Further guidance on firefighting equipment and facilities

Table 1: Class of fire

Class of fire Description

Class A Fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles.

Class B Fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils.

Class C Fires involving gases.

Class D Fires involving metals.

Class F Fires involving cooking oils such as deep-fat fryers.

In self-contained small premises, multi-purposeextinguishers which can cover a range of risksmay be appropriate. Depending on the outcomeof your fire risk assessment, it may be possibleto reduce this to one extinguisher in very smallpremises with a floor space of less than 90m2.

Extinguishers manufactured to current standards(BS EN 3-778) are predominately red but may havea colour-coded area, sited above or within theinstructions, denoting the type of extinguisher.Most older extinguishers, manufactured toprevious standards, have bodies painted entirelyin a single colour which denotes the type ofextinguisher. These older extinguishers remainacceptable until they are no longer serviceable.However, it is good practice to ensure that oldand new style extinguishers are not mixed onthe same floor of a building.

The following paragraphs describe differenttypes of extinguisher. The colour referred to isthe colour of the extinguisher or the colour-coded area.

Water extinguishers (red)This type of extinguisher can only be used on Class A fires. They allow the user to directwater onto a fire from a considerable distance.A 9-litre water extinguisher can be quite heavyand some water extinguishers with additivescan achieve the same rating, although they aresmaller and therefore considerably lighter. Thistype of extinguisher is not suitable for use onlive electrical equipment.

Water extinguishers with additives (red)This type of extinguisher is suitable for Class Afires. They can also be suitable for use on Class Bfires and where appropriate, this will be indicatedon the extinguisher. They are generally moreefficient than conventional water extinguishers.

Foam extinguishers (cream)This type of extinguisher can be used on Class A or B fires and is particularly suited to extinguishing liquid fires such as petrol and diesel. They should not be used on free-flowing liquid fires unless the operator has beenspecially trained, as these have the potential to rapidly spread the fire to adjacent material.This type of extinguisher is not suitable fordeep-fat fryers or chip pans.

Powder extinguishers (blue)This type of extinguisher can be used on most classes of fire and achieve a good ‘knockdown’ of the fire. They can be used on firesinvolving electrical equipment but will almostcertainly render that equipment useless.Because they do not cool the fire appreciablyit can re-ignite. Powder extinguishers cancreate a loss of visibility and may affect peoplewho have breathing problems and are notgenerally suitable for confined spaces.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers (black)This type of extinguisher is particularly suitablefor fires involving electrical equipment as theywill extinguish a fire without causing any furtherdamage (except in the case of some electronicequipment e.g. computers). As with all firesinvolving electrical equipment, the powershould be disconnected if possible.

Class ‘F’ extinguishersThis type of extinguisher is particularly suitablefor commercial catering establishments withdeep-fat fryers.

Selection, installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishersAll portable fire extinguishers will requireperiodic inspection, maintenance and testing.Depending on local conditions such as thelikelihood of vandalism or the environmentwhere extinguishers are located, carry out briefchecks to ensure that they remain serviceable.In normal conditions a monthly check shouldbe enough. Maintenance by a competent personshould be carried out annually.

New fire extinguishers should comply with BS EN 3-7.78 Guidance on the selection andinstallation of fire extinguishers in given inBS 5306-8,18 for maintenance in BS 5306-319

and for colour coding in BS 7863.20

Fire blanketsFire blankets should be located in the vicinityof the fire hazard they are to be used on, butin a position that can be safely accessedin the event of a fire. They are classified aseither light duty or heavy duty. Light-duty fireblankets are suitable for dealing with smallfires in containers of cooking oils or fats andfires involving clothing. Heavy-duty fireblankets are for industrial use where there is a need for the blankets to resist penetrationby molten materials.

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3.2 Fixed firefighting installations

These are firefighting systems which arenormally installed within the structure of thebuilding. They may already be provided inyour premises or you may be considering them as a means of protecting some particularlydangerous or risk-critical areas as part of yourrisk-reduction strategy.

Hose reelsPermanent hose reels (see Figure 19) installedin accordance with the relevant British Standard(see BS EN 671-3: 200021) provide an effectivefirefighting facility. They may offer an alternative,or be in addition to, portable firefightingequipment. A concern is that untrained peoplewill stay and fight a fire when escape is thesafest option. Where hose reels are installed,and your fire risk assessment expects relevantstaff to use them in the initial stages of a fire,they should receive appropriate training.

Note: It is not safe to fight fires involvingaerosols with hose reels.

Maintenance of hose reels includes visualchecks for leaks and obvious damage andshould be carried out regularly. More formalmaintenance checks should be carried out atleast annually by a competent person.

Sprinkler systemsSprinkler systems can be very effective incontrolling fires. They can be designed to protectlife and/or property and may be regarded as a cost-effective solution for reducing the riskscreated by fire. If you have a sprinklerinstallation, it may have been installed as a resultof a business decision, e.g. for the protection ofbusiness assets, or they may have been installedas a requirement, e.g. imposed under a local act,or an integral part of the building design.

Sprinkler systems should normally extend to theentire building. In a well designed system onlythose heads in the immediate vicinity of thefire will actually operate. Sprinkler installationstypically comprise a water supply (preferablya stored water supply incorporating tanks),pumps, pipework and sprinkler heads. Thereare different types of sprinkler design; sprinklerscan be operated to discharge water at roof orceiling level or within storage racks. Other designtypes such as ESFR (early suppression fastresponse) and dry pipe may also be appropriate.In all cases a competent person/contractorshould be used to provide guidance.

The installation should be designed for thefire hazard; taking into account the buildingoccupancy, the fire load and its burningcharacteristics and the sprinkler controlcharacteristics. For each hazard the sprinklerinstallation design should take account ofspecific matters such as: storage height, storagelayout, ceiling clearance, and sprinkler type(e.g. sprinkler orifice, sprinkler sensitivity).

There are some hazards where sprinklersshould not be fitted, such as over salt bathsand metal melt pans, because water willpossibly cause an explosive reaction.

If you are making significant changes to yourpremises, e.g. changing storage arrangementsor material stored, you should check yoursprinkler installation is still appropriate andseek expert advice as necessary.

Sprinkler protection could give additional benefits,such as a reduction in the amount of portablefirefighting equipment necessary, and therelaxation of restrictions in the design of buildings.

Guidance on the design and installation ofnew sprinkler systems and the maintenanceof all systems is given in the Loss PreventionCouncil (LPC) Rules, BS EN 1284522 or BS 5306-260 and should only be carried out by a

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Figure 19: Hose reel

competent person. Routine maintenance by on-site personnel may include checking of pressuregauges, alarm systems, water supplies, any anti-freezing devices and automatic booster pump(s).For example, diesel fire pumps should begiven a test run for 30 minutes each week.

A competent maintenance contractor shouldprovide guidance on what records need to be completed.

Following a sprinkler operation the sprinklersystem should be reinstated by a competentperson. A stock of spare sprinkler bulbs shouldbe available on site for replacements, preferablyin a separate building, e.g. the pump house.

If a sprinkler system forms an integral part ofyour fire strategy it is imperative that adequatemanagement procedures are in place to caterfor those periods when the sprinkler system is not functional. This should form part of your emergency plan. Although the actualprocedures will vary, such measures mayinclude the following:

• Restore the system to full working order as soon as possible.

• Limit any planned shutdown to low-riskperiods when numbers of people are at aminimum (e.g. at night), or when the buildingis not in use. This is particularly importantwhen sprinklers are installed to a life safetystandard or form part of the fire safetyengineering requirements.

• You may need to isolate the area withoutthe benefit of working sprinklers from therest of the premises by fire-resisting material.

• Avoid higher-risk processes such as ‘hot-work’.

• Extra staff should be trained and dedicatedto conducting fire patrols.

• Any phased or staged evacuation strategymay need to be suspended. Evacuationshould be immediate and complete.(Exercise caution as the stairway widthsmay have been designed for phasedevacuation only.)

• Inform the local fire and rescue service.

If, having considered all possible measures, the risk is still unacceptable then it will benecessary to close all or part of the building.If in doubt you should seek the advice of acompetent person

Other fixed installationsThere are a number of other fixed installationsincluding: local application water mist systemsfor fryer vats and hoods, local applicationgaseous systems for ducting and hoods, waterdeluge systems for rubbish compactors andfixed powder systems.

If your premises have a fixed firefightingsystem that you are unfamiliar with, then seekadvice. Where a fixed firefighting system formsan integral part of your fire safety strategy, itshould be maintained in accordance with therelevant British Standard by a competent person.

3.3 Other facilities (including thosefor firefighters)

Building Regulations and other Acts, includinglocal Acts, may have required firefightingequipment and other facilities to be providedfor the safety of people in the building and tohelp firefighters. Fire safety law places a dutyon you to maintain such facilities in goodworking order and at all times.

These may include:

• access for fire engines and firefighters;

• firefighting shafts and lifts;

• fire suppression systems, e.g. sprinklers,water mist and gaseous;

• smoke-control systems;

• dry or wet rising mains and firefighting inlets;

• information and communication arrangements,e.g. fire telephones and wireless systemsand information to brief the fire and rescueservice when they arrive; and

• firefighters’ switches.

It may be appropriate to invite the fire andrescue service to familiarise themselves onproducts, layout and fire systems as aprecautionary measure.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare)Regulations 199223 also require that systemsprovided for safety within a workplace aremaintained.

Access for fire engines and firefightersBuildings that have been constructed to modernbuilding regulations or in accordance withcertain local Acts will have been provided withfacilities that allow fire engines to approach

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and park within a reasonable distance so thatfirefighters can use their equipment withouttoo much difficulty.

These facilities may consist of access roads tothe building, hard standing areas for fire enginesand access into the building for firefighters.It is essential that where such facilities areprovided they are properly maintained andavailable for use at all relevant times.

Where a building is used by a number ofdifferent occupants you will need to ensure co-operation between the various ‘responsiblepeople’ to maintain fire and rescue serviceaccess. In exceptional cases, where access is persistently obstructed, you may need tomake additional arrangements.

See Approved Document B to the BuildingRegulations24 for more information.

Firefighting shafts and liftsFirefighting shafts (see Figure 20) are providedin larger buildings to help firefighters reachfloors further away from the building’s accesspoint. They enable firefighting operations tostart quickly and in comparative safety byproviding a safe route from the point of entryto the floor where the fire has occurred.

Entry points from a stairway in a firefightingshaft to a floor will be via a lobby, throughtwo sets of fire and smoke-resisting doors andwalls. Many people will use the stairway fornormal movement through the building and

it is important that the safety features are notcompromised by doors being wedged open.

Most firefighting shafts will also incorporate a firefighting lift which opens into the lobby.The lift will have a back-up electrical supplyand car control overrides. The primary functionof the lift is to transport firefighting personneland their equipment to the scene of a fire withthe minimum amount of time and effort. It mayalso be used to help evacuate less mobile people.

Alterations that might affect the shaft shouldnot be made without first liaising with otherresponsible persons, any owners or managingagents and the enforcing authority. Anyproposed changes will require BuildingRegulation approval from a Building Control Body.

Where a firefighting shaft is provided, it shouldbe maintained by a competent person.

Fire suppression systemsFire suppression systems can include sprinklersand other types of fixed installations designedto automatically operate and suppress a fire.Such systems should be maintained by acompetent person.

Smoke control systemsThese are complex systems that are providedfor life safety of occupants, assistance tofirefighters and property protection by clearinghot smoke and gases from the building.The smoke control system may have been arequirement, e.g. imposed under a local act,or an integral part of the building design.

If you have one of these systems provided inyour premises you should ensure you understandhow it operates and that it is maintained in full working order. If your system is part of a larger system then you should liaise withother occupiers and building managers.

The smoke control system should be maintainedby a competent person who is familiar with thefire engineering performance specifications ofthat specific system. This is particularly importantwhen the system is a requirement.

Where these systems are installed in additionto a sprinkler system then the design andinstallation of each system should not actdetrimentally on one another. A competentperson should be employed to confirm this.

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Dry rising main

Self-closingfire doors

Firefighting stairs

Firefighting lift in lift shaft

Figure 20: Firefighting shaft

Dry and wet rising fire mainsThe rising fire main (see Figure 21) is animportant facility for the fire and rescue servicein taller buildings. It consists of an inlet boxwhere firefighters can connect their hoses, apipe running up or through the building, outletvalves on each floor level and an air vent atthe top.

It is important that fire mains are kept in goodworking order. Issues to be considered caninclude the following:

• The physical approach to the inlet boxshould be such that a fire engine can parkwithin 18m with the inlet box in view.

• Prohibit car parking in front of the inlet box.

• Secure the inlet box in such a way thatfirefighters can open the door without toomuch difficulty.

• It is advisable to lock the landing valves inthe closed position, usually with a leatherstrap and padlock.

Foam inletsFoam inlets are special inlets usually fitted toprovide an efficient way of extinguishing a firein a basement or other area of high risk suchas a plant room. In many respects they look

the same as rising main inlet boxes, but thedoor should be clearly marked ‘foam inlet’.The risk area should be kept clear ofobstructions to allow the foam to spread intothe compartment.

Maintenance of rising mains and foam inletsAll types of rising mains together withassociated valves should be maintained andtested on a regular basis by a competentperson. Guidance on inspection and testing ofdry and wet rising mains is given in BS 5306-1.Although there are no recommended periodsbetween maintenance checks for foam inlets itwould be prudent to carry out an annual service.

Firefighters’ switchesLuminous discharge lighting is frequently used.Safety switches are normally provided to isolatehigh-voltage luminous signs or to cut off electricalpower. In the case of existing installations, ifthey have been provided in accordance withprevious legislation (e.g. the Local Government(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 198225), then it islikely that they will comply with the Order.If this is not the case, then you may need toconsult the enforcing authority regarding thesuitability of its location and marking. Testingshould be carried out in accordance with themanufacturer’s instructions. If you have no

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Height of building >18m

Maximum distance 18m

Figure 21: Rising main

such instructions then an initial test shouldbe carried out by a competent electrician.

Other firefighting facilitiesAs well as those already mentioned, other facilitiesto assist firefighters may have been installed inyour premises and should be properlymaintained by a competent person. Yourmaintenance audit (see Appendix A for anexample checklist) should include these. Suchfacilities can include:

• information signs for firefighters;

• static water supplies, private hydrants,meter bypass valves and underground tanks;

• standby fire pumps, electrical generators,air pumps and hydraulic motors; and

• manual self-closing devices for rollershutter doors in fire compartment walls.

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IntroductionThis section provides further guidance on thegeneral principles that apply to escape routesand provides examples of typical escape routesolutions for a range of common buildinglayouts. The guidance is based on premises ofnormal risk so if your premises (or part of yourpremises) are higher (or lower) risk you shouldadapt the solution accordingly.

You are not obliged to adopt any particularsolution for escape routes in this section ifyou prefer to meet the relevant requirement insome other way. If you decide to adopt somealternative arrangement it will need to achieveat least an equivalent level of fire safety.

Refer to the glossary (Appendix D) for thedefinitions of any terms you may not befamiliar with.

Levels of riskIn order to apply the guidance in this section,you need to understand that in any fire situation,the time that people have to escape before theycould become affected by the fire is limited.Providing them with sufficient time usuallymeans that as well as having an appropriateway of detecting and giving warning in caseof fire, the distance that people have to travelto make their escape to a place of reasonableor total safety must be restricted.

The travel distances which are usually appropriatefor this purpose (and are suggested later in thissection) vary according to the level of risk in thepremises (or part of them). To check your escaperoutes you will need to form a judgement aboutthe level of risk that people may be at afteryou have taken other risk reduction (preventativeand protective) measures.

In premises where there is a likelihood of afire starting and spreading quickly (or a firecould start and grow without being quicklydetected and a warning given) and affect theescape routes before people are able to usethem then the risk should normally beregarded at ‘higher’. Such premises couldinclude those where significant quantities offlammable materials are used or stored; ready

sources of ignition are present, e.g. heatproducing machinery and processes; premiseswhere significant numbers of the peoplepresent, are likely to move slowly or be unableto move without assistance; and premiseswhere the construction provides hidden voidsor flues through which a fire could quickly spread.

In premises where there is a low occupancylevel and all the occupants are able bodied andcapable of using the means of escape withoutassistance; very little chance of a fire; few ifany highly combustible or flammable materialsor other fuels for a fire; fire cannot spreadquickly; and will be quickly detected so peoplewill quickly know that a fire has occurred andcan make their escape, then the risk canusually be regarded as ‘lower’.

In most cases however, the risk will usuallybe ‘normal’.

The travel distances suggested are not hardand fast rules and should be applied witha degree of flexibility according to thecircumstances. For example, in premiseswhere the risk might otherwise be considered‘normal’ but where there are a significantnumber of people who move slowly or mayneed assistance to evacuate, it would usuallybe appropriate to consider this a ‘higher’ risk.However, where other measures are in placeto mitigate this, such as the availability of extraassistance and this has been planned for inyour emergency plan, it may be that the risklevel can be regarded as ‘normal to higher’.

Equally, in premises where the risk categorywould otherwise be ‘lower’ but for the fact thata small number of occupants may move slowlyor need assistance, it may be appropriate tocategorise the risk as ‘normal’ in thesecircumstances.

If you are not sure about the level of risk thatremains in your premises, you should seekadvice from a competent person.

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Section 4 Further guidance onescape routes

4.1 General principles

Suitability of escape routesYou should ensure that your escape routes are:

• suitable;

• easily, safely and immediately usable at all times;

• adequate for the number of people likelyto use them;

• generally usable without passing throughdoors requiring a key or code to unlock, orwith low level manual over-rides for metalroller shutter doors;

• free from any obstructions, slip or trip hazards;

• well lit by normal or emergency escapelighting; and

• available for access by the emergency services.

In multi-occupied premises, escape routesshould normally be independent of otheroccupiers, i.e. people should not have to gothrough another occupier’s premises as theroute may be secured or obstructed. Where this is not possible, then robust legal agreementsshould be in place to ensure their availabilityat all times.

All doors on escape routes should open inthe direction of escape and ideally be fittedwith a safety vision panel. This is particularlyimportant if more than 60 people are expectedto use them at any one time or they provide an exit from an area of high fire risk.

At least two exits should be provided if aroom/area is to be occupied by more than 60persons. This number of 60 can be varied inproportion to the risk, for a lower risk therecan be a slight increase, for a higher risk,lower numbers of persons should be allowed.

Movement of persons up or down a group ofnot less than three steps will be so obvious tothose following that they will be prepared forthe change in level, but movement up or downone step is not so readily observed and mayeasily lead to a fall. Wherever practicable,differences of level in corridors, passages andlobbies should be overcome by the provisionof inclines or ramps of gradients not exceeding1 in 12 or steps not having less than threerisers in any flight. Corridors and passagesshould be level for a distance of 1.5 metres ineach direction from any steps.

Any mirrors situated in escape routes should besited so that persons escaping from a fire will notbe thrown into confusion by any reflected imageof the route they are using, or be misled as to thedirection they should take to reach fire exits.

While not normally acceptable, the use of ladders,floor hatches, wall hatches or window exitsmay be suitable for small numbers of able-bodied,trained staff in exceptional circumstances.

Fire-resisting constructionThe type and age of construction are crucialfactors to consider when assessing the adequacyof the existing escape routes. To ensure thesafety of people it may be necessary to protectescape routes from the effects of a fire. In olderpremises (see Appendix C for more informationon historical properties) it is possible that thetype of construction and materials used may notperform to current fire standards. Also changesof occupancy and refurbishment may have led to:

• cavities and voids being created, allowingthe potential for a fire to spread unseen;

• doors and hardware worn by age andmovement being less likely to limit thespread of smoke;

• damaged or insufficient cavity barriers inmodular construction; and

• breaches in fire compartment walls, floorsand ceilings created by the installation ofnew services, e.g. computer cabling.

Where an escape route needs to be separatedfrom the rest of the premises by fire-resistingconstruction, e.g. a dead-end corridor orprotected stairway (see Figures 30 and 34on pages 77 and 81, respectively), then youshould ensure the following:

• Doors, (including access hatches tocupboards, ducts and vertical shafts linkingfloors), walls, floors and ceilings protectingescape routes should be capable of resistingthe passage of smoke and fire for longenough so that people can escape from thebuilding.

• Where suspended or false ceilings areprovided, the fire resistance should extendup to the floor slab level above. For meansof escape purposes a 30 minute fire-resistingrating is usually enough.

• Cavity barriers, fire stopping, and dampersin ducts are appropriately installed.

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If there is any doubt about the nature of theconstruction of your premises, ask for advicefrom a competent person.

Number of people using the premisesAs your escape routes need to be adequate for the people likely to use them you will need to consider how many people, includingemployees and the public, may be present at any one time. Where premises have beensubject to building regulations approval for useas either a factory or warehouse, the numberand width of escape routes and exits willnormally be enough for the anticipated numberof people using the building. In such buildingswhere the risk has changed or buildings wereconstructed before national building regulations,it will be necessary to confirm the provision.

In most warehouses the number of people willbe low, whilst in factories the numbers will vary depending on the facility. However, the maximum numbers of staff, visitors andcontractors liable to be in the building at thesame time will be known by the responsibleperson. There will also be an appreciation of the use of the building by those you knowhave special needs, such as the disabled.

If you propose to make changes to the use or layout of the building which may increase the number of people, you should check thedesign capacity by referring to guidance givenin the Building Regulations ApprovedDocument B.24

Mobility impairmentEffective management arrangements need to beput in place for those who need help to escape.

Consider the following points:

• A refuge is a place of reasonable safety inwhich disabled people can wait either foran evacuation lift or for assistance up ordown stairs (see Figure 22). Disabledpeople should not be left alone in a refugearea whilst waiting for assistance evacuatethe building. Depending on the design andfire resistance of other elements, a refugecould be a lobby, corridor, part of a publicarea or stairway, or an open space such asa balcony or similar place which issufficiently protected (or remote) from anyfire risk and provided with its own meansof escape and a means of communication.

• Where refuges are provided, they should beenclosed in a fire-resisting structure whichcreates a protected escape route whichleadds directly to a place of total safety andshould only be used in conjunction witheffective management rescue arrangements.Your fire safety strategy should not rely onthe fire and rescue service rescuing peoplewaiting in these refuges.

• If firefighting lifts (provided in high buildingsas firefighting access) are to be used forevacuation, this should be co-ordinated withthe fire and rescue service as part of the pre-planned evacuation procedures.

• Normal lifts may be considered suitable for fire evacuation purposes, subject to an adequate fire risk assessment anddevelopment of a suitable fire safetystrategy by a competent person.

• Since evacuation lifts can fail, a disabledperson, having reached a refuge, shouldalso be able to gain access to a stairway(should conditions in the refuge becomeuntenable). An evacuation lift with itsassociated refuge should therefore be locatedadjacent to a protected stairway.

• Sufficient escape routes should always beavailable for use by disabled people. Thisdoes not mean that every exit will need tobe adapted. Staff should be aware of routessuitable for disabled people so that theycan direct and help people accordingly.

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Case study

The activities in a warehouse changefrom packaging and distributing to a factoryprocess involving a labour intensive manualassembly line. Before the introduction of theassembly line most of the floor area wasused for storage of goods. Fewer staff wererequired in the warehouse and only a smallnumber of fire exits were necessary. Whenthe assembly line was introduced more staffwere required. This necessitated checkingthe number and widths of exits, resulting inthe need for an additional exit.

• Stairways used for the emergencyevacuation of disabled people shouldcomply with the requirements for internalstairs in the building regulations. Specialistevacuation chairs or other equipment maybe necessary to negotiate stairs.

• Plans should allow for the careful carryingof disabled people down stairs withouttheir wheelchairs, should the wheelchair be too large or heavy. You will need totake into account Health and Safety manualhandling procedures in addition to the dignityand confidence of the disabled person.

• Stairlifts should not be used for emergencyevacuation. Where installed in a stairwayused for emergency evacuation, no parts of the lift, such as its carriage rail, shouldbe allowed to reduce the effective width of the stairway or any other part of anemergency evacuation route.

• Where ramps are necessary for theemergency evacuation of people inwheelchairs they should be as gentle aspossible. Guidance is given in ApprovedDocument M.62

Further guidance is available in BS 5588-863

and BS 5588-12.52

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SCRefuge

SC

SC

Figure 22: An example of a refuge

Widths and capacity of escape routesand stairwaysOnce you have established the maximumnumber of people likely to be in any part ofthe premises, the next step is to establish thatthe capacity of the escape routes is adequatefor people to escape safely and in sufficient timeto ensure their safety in case of fire.

The capacity of a route is determined by anumber of factors including the width of theroute, the time available for escape and theability of the people using them.

The effective usable width of an escape routeis the narrowest point, normally a door or otherrestriction such as narrowing of a corridor dueto fixtures and fittings. The capacity of an escaperoute is measured by the number of personsper minute that can pass through it so, to establishthe capacity of the route, it is first necessary tomeasure the width of the route at the narrowestpoint. The effective width of a doorway is theclear unobstructed width through the doorwaywhen the door is open at right angles to theframe. The effective width at any other point isthe narrowest clear unobstructed width throughwhich people can pass.

The time available for escape depends on severalfactors. Studies of human behaviour in anemergency situation have shown that about twothirds of the time available to escape is taken upby the initial reaction to the developing situation.For example, people will decide whether thesituation is real or false, often waiting to see thereaction of people around them, and generallygathering information to decide whether to actor not. The final third is taken up by the actualmovement away from the area of the fire.Throughout this time the fire may be growingand spreading. Therefore, to account for thelimited time available for people to travel to aplace of reasonable safety, the length of escaperoutes needs to be limited. The suggested traveldistances in this section (Table 2) take thislimitation into account.

The following guide can be used to determinethe general capacities of escape routes:

A width of at least 750mm can accommodateup to:

• 80 people in higher risk premises;

• 100 people in normal risk premises; or

• 120 people in lower risk premises.

A width of at least 1,050mm can accommodateup to:

• 160 people in higher risk premises;

• 200 people in normal risk premises; or

• 240 people in lower risk premises.

An additional 75mm should be allowed foreach additional 15 persons (or part of 15).

The minimum width of an escape route shouldnot be less than 750mm (unless it is for use byless than five people in part of your premises)and, where wheelchair users are likely to useit, 900mm.

The aggregate width of all the escape routesshould be not less than that required toaccommodate the maximum number of peoplelikely to use them.

When calculating the overall available escaperoute capacity for premises that have more thanone way out, you should normally assume thatthe widest is not available because it has beencompromised by fire. If doors or other exitsleading to escape routes are too close to oneanother you should consider whether the firecould affect both at the same time. If that isthe case, it may be necessary to discount themboth from your calculation.

As a general rule stairways should be at least1,050mm wide and in any case not less thanthe width of the escape routes that lead tothem. In all cases the aggregate capacity of thestairways should be sufficient for the numberof people likely to have to use them in case of fire.

Stairways wider than 2,100mm should normallybe divided into sections, each separated fromthe adjacent section by a handrail, so that eachsection measured between the handrails is notless than 1,050mm wide.

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Travel distanceHaving established the number and location ofpeople and the exit capacity required to evacuatethem safely, you now need to confirm that the number and location of existing exits isadequate. This is normally determined by thedistance people have to travel to reach them.

Table 2 gives guidance on travel distances.It should be understood, however, that thesedistances are flexible and may be increasedor decreased depending upon the level of riskafter you have put in place the appropriatefire-prevention measures (Part 1, Step 3.3). Forinstance, some warehouse buildings that weredesigned with fire-engineered solutions mayhave extended travel distances.

In new buildings which have been designedand constructed in accordance with modernbuilding standards the travel distances will

already have been calculated. Once you have completed your fire risk assessmentyou need to confirm that those distances arestill relevant.

When assessing travel distances you need toconsider the distance to be travelled by peoplewhen escaping allowing for walking aroundequipment, plant storage units, etc. The distanceshould be measured from all parts of thepremises to the nearest place of reasonablesafety which is:

• a protected stairway enclosure (a storey exit);

• a separate fire compartment from whichthere is a final exit to a place of totalsafety; or

• the nearest available final exit.

The suggested travel distances may be increasedby the addition of further fire protection measures,e.g. automatic fire detection.

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Table 2: Suggested travel distances

Escape routes Suggested range of travel distance

Where more than one escape route is provided 25m in higher fire-risk area1,2

45m in normal fire-risk area60m in lower fire-risk area3

Where only a single escape route is provided 12m in higher fire-risk area1,2

25m in normal fire-risk area45m in a lower fire-risk area3

Note 1:Where there are small higher-risk areas this travel distance should apply. Where the risk assessment indicates that the whole building is higherrisk, seek advice from a competent person.

Note 2: Some rooms are considered as places of special fire hazard, e.g. rooms used for highly flammable paint spraying. Shorter travel distances aregenerally required for these areas, e.g. 18m where there is more than one escape route, and 9m with a single escape route.

Note 3: The travel distance for lower risk premises should only be applied in exceptional cases in the very lowest risk premises where densities arelow, occupants are familiar with the premises, excellent visual awareness, and very limited combustibles.

The travel distances given in Table 2 arebased on those recommended in ApprovedDocument B of the Building Regulations24

and are intended to complement the otherfire safety recommendations in ApprovedDocument B. Your current escape route traveldistances may be different from these sincethey may be based on recommendations madein alternative guidance.

Where your route leads to more than one finalexit, but only allows initial travel in a singledirection (e.g. from a room or dead end, seeFigures 27 and 28), then this initial traveldistance should be limited to that for a ‘singleescape route’ in Table 2. However, your totaltravel distance should not exceed that for‘more than one escape route’.

Measuring travel distanceThe figures that follow are schematic only andare intended to represent part of a larger building.

The route taken through a room or space willbe determined by the layout of the contents,e.g. machinery, storage racking (Figure 23). Itis good practice to ensure routes to the exitsare kept as direct and short as possible. In asmall room there may be only one exit but in alarger room or area there may be many exits.

In some cases, where the contents are movedaround or the space is liable to frequent change,e.g. in a storage area or where racking ismovable, you should ensure that the exits, orthe routes to them, do not become blockedor the length of the route is not significantlyextended.

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Storeroom

Exit

Figure 23: Measuring travel distance

Inner roomsWhere the only way out of a room is throughanother room (Figure 24), an unnoticed fire inthe outer room could trap people in the innerroom. This means of exit should be avoidedwhere possible. If, however, this cannot beachieved then adequate warning of a fireshould be provided by any one of thefollowing means:

• a vision panel between the two roomsproviding adequate vision to give anindication of the conditions in the outerroom and the means of escape;

• a large enough gap between the dividingwall and the ceiling, e.g. 500mm, so that smoke will be seen;

• an automatic smoke detector in the outerroom that will sound a warning in theinner room.

In addition, the following points should also beconsidered:

• restrict the number of people using aninner room to 60.

• access rooms should be under the controlof the same person as the inner room.

• the travel distance from any point in theinner room to the exit from the accessroom should be restricted to escape in onedirection only (see Table 2), unless thereare alternative exits from the access room.

• no one should have to pass throughmore than one access room while makingtheir escape.

• the outer room should not be an area ofhigh fire risk.

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Inner room

Outer room

Vision panel

At least 500mmgap between partitionwall and ceiling

Automatic firedetection

Figure 24: Inner rooms

Alternative exitsWhere alternative exits from a space or roomare necessary they should wherever possiblebe located at least 45° apart (see Figure 25)unless the routes to them are separated by fire-resisting construction (see Figure 26). If indoubt consult a competent person.

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45º+

Final Exit

Final Exit

45º+

Figure 25: Alternative exits

less than45º Final Exit

Final Exitless than 45°

Fire-resisting wall

Figure 26: Alternative exits (separated by fire-resisting construction)

Measuring travel distances for initialdead-end travelWhere the initial direction of travel in an openarea (see Figure 27) is in one direction only orwithin an inner room (see Figure 28), the traveldistance (A–B) should be limited to that for a‘single escape route’ in Table 2.

Any alternative exits should be positioned toensure that a fire will not compromise both exits.The maximum total travel distance recommendedin Table 2 should apply to the nearest exit(Figure 27 and 28, distance A–C). However,since you have two exits, your total traveldistance should not exceed that for ‘more thanone escape route’ in Table 2.

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45º+

C Exit

C Exit

B

A

A–B Travel in single direction only

A–C Total travel distance (to nearest exit)

C ExitC Exit

45º+

B

A

Figure 27: Measuring travel distance from initialdead end (open plan)

Note: Additional measures are necessaryto give warning of fire for inner rooms(see Figure 24).

Escape routes with dead-end conditionsIf your premises has escape routes from whichescape can be made in one direction only (adead end), then an undetected fire in that areacould affect people trying to escape. To overcomethis problem, limit the travel distance (seeTable 2) and use one of the following solutions:

• Fit an automatic fire detection and warningsystem in those areas where a fire couldpresent a risk to the escape route (seeFigure 29).

• Protect the escape route with fire-resistingconstruction to allow people to escapesafely past a room in which there is a fire(see Figure 30).

• Provide an alternative exit (see Figure 31).

Alternative approaches may be acceptable,although expert advice may be necessary.

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45º+

C Exit

C Exit

B

A

A–B Travel in single direction only

A–C Total travel distance (to nearest exit)

C ExitC Exit45º+

B

A

Figure 28: Measuring travel distance from initialdead end (inner room)

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C Exit

A

B

C Exit

A–B Travel in single direction only

A–C Total travel distance

Automatic fire detection

C Exit

C ExitA

B

Figure 29: Dead-end conditions with automatic fire detection

C Exit

A

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC SC SC

SC SC SC

SC

SC

SC

B

C Exit

A–B Travel in single direction only

A–C Total travel distance

SC Self-closing

Fire-resisting wall

Fire doorC Exit

C Exit

B

A

SC

SC

Figure 30: Dead-end conditions with fire-resisting construction

Basements, escape and protectionIn all buildings with basements (other thanvery small basements), stairways serving upperfloors should preferably not extend to thebasement and in any case should not do sowhere they are the only stairway serving theupper floors. Any stairway that extends fromthe basement to the upper floors should beseparated at basement level by a fire-resistinglobby or corridor between the basement andthe stairway. All basements used by more than60 people, or where there are no exits directlyto a place of total safety, should have at leasttwo protected escape stairways.

In high risk premises there should be analternative stairway from the basement to groundlevel, unless there is a suitable alternative routeto the final exit.

Wherever possible all stairways to basementsshould be entered at ground level from theopen air, and should be positioned so thatsmoke from any fire in the basement wouldnot obstruct any exit serving the other floors of the building.

Where any stairway links a basement with the ground floor, the basement should beseparated from the ground floor, preferably bytwo 30-minute fire doors, one at basement andone at ground floor level (see Figure 32). In afactory, the basement can be separated by one60-minute fire door at basement level, or one30-minute fire door where the basement issmall and does not present a high fire risk.

Any floor over a basement should provide60 minutes fire resistance. For smaller premises30 minutes may be acceptable. Where this isimpractical, and as long as no smoke canget through the floor, automatic smokedetection linked to a fire-alarm system whichis audible throughout the premises could, asan alternative, be provided in the basementarea. If in doubt, contact a competent personfor more detailed advice.

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C Exit

A

B

C Exit

C Alternative Exit

C Alternative Exit

A–B Travel in single direction only

A–C Total travel distance

C Exit

C Exit

A

B

Figure 31: Dead-end conditions provided with an alternative exit

Subdivision of corridorsIf your premises has corridors more than 30mlong, then generally these corridors should besubdivided near the centre of the corridor withfire doors and, where necessary, fire-resistingconstruction to limit the spread of fire andsmoke and to protect escape routes if thereis a fire.

Where a corridor serves two exits from a floor,generally these corridors should be subdividedwith fire doors to separate the two exits (seeFigure 33).

Doors that are provided solely for the purposeof restricting the travel of smoke need not befire doors, but will be suitable as long as theyare of substantial construction, are capable ofresisting the passage of smoke, and are self-closing. Smoke should not be able to bypassthese doors, e.g. above a false ceiling, or viaalternative doors from a room, or adjoiningrooms, opening on either side of the subdivision.

Generally, false ceilings should be providedwith barriers or smoke stopping over any firedoors. Where the false ceiling forms part of the fire-resisting construction this may notbe necessary.

If you have doubts about subdivision of corridors,ask advice from a competent person.

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Ground floor

Basement

Fire-resisting wall

Fire door

SC Self-closing

SC

SC

Figure 32: Basement protection

Stairway enclosuresStairways, if unprotected from fire, can rapidlybecome affected by heat and smoke, cuttingoff the escape route and allowing fire spreadto other floors. However, if adequatelyprotected, escape stairways can be regarded as places of reasonable safety to enable people to escape to a place of total safety.

In most premises designed and built to buildingregulations and served by more than onestairway, it is probable that these stairways will be protected by fire-resisting constructionand will lead to a final exit. If any floor hasan occupancy of over 60, each storey should have at least two exits, i.e. protected routes. The figure of 60 can be varied in proportion to the risk, lower risk slight increase, higherrisk lower numbers of persons.

It is possible that you may have some stairwayswhich have no fire protection to them. In thiscase they are not designed for escape and arenormally known as accommodation stairways(see accommodation stairways on page 84).

If you have a protected stairway(s) then itis essential that you maintain that level offire protection.

The benefit of protecting stairways from theeffects of fire allows you to measure yourtravel distance from the farthest point on therelevant floor to the nearest storey exit ratherthan the final exit of the building.

If you do not have a protected stairway,depending on the outcome of your fire riskassessment, it may be that you can achieve an equivalent level of safety by other means.However, before doing so you should seekadvice from a competent person.

If the building you occupy has floors which areoccupied by organisations other than yourown, you need to consider, as part of your firerisk assessment, the possibility that a fire mayoccur in another part of the building over whichyou may have no control and which may affectthe protected stairway if allowed to developunchecked. If your fire risk assessment showsthat this may be the case and people using anyfloor would be unaware of a developing fire,then additional fire-protection measures maybe required, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system. If this is required you will need to consult and co-operate with otheroccupiers and building managers.

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Upper storey

SC

SC

SC SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Figure 33: Subdivision of corridor between two stairways or exits

You may find that stairways in your buildingare provided with protected lobbies or corridorsat each floor level, except the top floor (Figure34). Although these are not generally necessaryfor means of escape in multi-stairway buildings

of less than 18m high, they may have beenprovided for other reasons (e.g. firefightingaccess). In all cases protected corridors, lobbiesand stairways must be kept clear ofcombustibles and obstructions.

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SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Protected lobby

SC

SC

SCSC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Figure 34: Examples of a stairway with protected lobby/corridor approach

Ideally stairway enclosures should lead directlyto a final exit. If your premises has only onestairway from the upper floor(s) which doesnot lead directly to a final exit, adopt oneof the following arrangements:

• provide a protected route from the foot of the stairway enclosure leading to a finalexit (see Figure 35); or

• provide two exits from the stairway, eachgiving access to a final exit via routeswhich are separated from each other byfire-resisting construction (see Figure 36).

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Final Exit

Final Exit

SC SC

Final Exit

SCSC

SC

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC SC

SC

S

Figure 35: Examples of a protected route from astairway to a final exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

SC SC

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC

S

SC

Figure 36: Examples of two escape routes from astairway to final exits

Separation of protected stairwaysWhere there are two or more protectedstairways, the routes to final exits should beseparated by fire-resisting construction so thatfire cannot affect more than one escape routeat the same time (see Figure 37).

Creating a stairway bypass routeNo one should have to pass through aprotected stairway to reach another stairway.Options to avoid this include:

• using intercommunicating doors betweenrooms adjacent to the stairway; such doorsmust be available at all times when thebuilding is occupied (see Figure 38);

• using balconies and other features tobypass the stairway; or

• as long as there is enough space, create a bypass corridor around the stairwayenclosure.

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Final exit

SC

SC

SC SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Figure 37: Separation of protected stairways

Reception areasReception or enquiry areas should only belocated in protected stairways where thestairway is not the only one serving the upperfloors, the reception area is small (less than 10m2)and is of low fire risk.

Accommodation stairwaysIf you have stairways that are used for generalcommunication and movement of peoplein the premises, and they are not designatedas fire escape stairs then these are called‘accommodation stairways’. They may notrequire fire separation from the remainder of

the floor as long as they do not pass through acompartment floor, or people do not have topass the head of such a stairway in order toaccess a means of escape stairway. However,experience shows that many people willcontinue to use these as an escape route.

Accommodation stairways should not normallyform an integral part of the calculated escaperoute; however, where your fire risk assessmentindicates that it is safe to do so, then you mayconsider them for that purpose. In thesecircumstances it may be necessary to seekadvice from a competent person to verify this.

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SC SC

SC

SC

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Figure 38: A stairway bypass route

External stairwaysTo be considered a viable escape route, anexternal stairway should normally be protectedfrom the effects of a fire along its full length.This means that any door, window (otherthan toilet windows) and walls within 1.8mhorizontally and 9m vertically below any partof the stairway should be fire-resisting.Windows should be fixed shut and doors self-closing (see Figure 39).

Consider protecting the external stairway fromthe weather as the treads may become slippery,e.g. due to algae, moss or ice. If this is notpossible, you must ensure that the stairway isregularly maintained. Consider fixing non-slipmaterial to the treads.

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1.8 m1.8 m1.8 m

1.8 m1.8 m1.8 m

Defined zone for fire-resisting walls, doors and windows on an external stairway

Figure 39: Protection to an external stairway

Spiral and helical stairwaysSpiral and helical stairways are usuallyacceptable only in exceptional situations, e.g.for a maximum of 50 people who are notmembers of the public. The stairway shouldnot be more than 9m in total height and notless than 1.5m in diameter with adequateheadroom. A handrail should be continuousthroughout the full length of the stairway.

However spiral and helical stairways may beused as means of escape for more than 50 staffand may be used by the public if the stairwayshave been designed for the purpose. Furtherguidance is given in BS 5395-2,26 includingabout type E (public) stairs under that standard.

LiftsDue to the danger of the power supplies to alift being affected by a fire, lifts not specificallydesigned as ‘firefighting’ or ‘evacuation’ lifts arenot normally considered acceptable as a meansof escape. However, where a lift and stairwayfor a means of escape are incorporated in afire-resisting shaft which has a final exit fromit at the access level, and the lift has separateelectrical supply to that of the remainder of thebuilding, then that lift, subject to an agreed firerisk assessment, may be acceptable as a meansof escape in case of fire.

Lifts are housed in vertical shafts that interconnectfloors and compartments, therefore precautionshave to be taken to protect people from therisk of fire and smoke spreading from floor to floor via the lift shaft. Such precautions may include:

• separating the lift from the remainder ofthe storey using fire-resisting constructionand access via a fire door;

• ensuring the lift shaft is situated in aprotected enclosure which may also be a stairway enclosure; and

• providing ventilation of at least 0.1m2 at thetop of each lift-well to exhaust any smoke.

Roof exitsIt may be reasonable for an escape route tocross a roof. Where this is the case, additionalprecautions will normally be necessary:

• The roof should be flat and the route acrossit should be adequately defined and well-illuminated where necessary, with normalelectric and emergency escape lighting.The route should be non-slip and guardedwith a protective barrier.

• The escape route across the roof and itssupporting structure should be constructedas a fire-resisting floor.

• Where there are no alternatives other thanto use a roof exit, any doors, windows,roof lights and ducting within 3m of theescape route should be fire-resisting.

• The exit from the roof should be in, orlead to, a place of reasonable safety wherepeople can quickly move to a place of total safety.

• Where an escape route passes through oracross another person’s property, you willneed to have a robust legal agreement inplace to allow its use at all times whenpeople are on your premises.

• These should not normally be used bymembers of the public.

A typical escape route across a roof is illustratedin Figure 40.

External escape routes should receive routineinspection and maintenance to ensure theyremain fit for use. You will need to ensure thatany legal agreements in place cover access formaintenance of the escape route.

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Revolving doors, wicket doors, slidingdoors and roller shuttersRevolving doors should not normally beconsidered as escape doors unless the leavesfold outward to form a clear opening uponpressure from within, or standard doors of therequired exit width are provided next to therevolving door.

Ideally wicket doors or gates should have aminimum opening height of 1.5m. The bottomof the door should not be more than 250mmabove the floor and the width should bepreferably more than 500mm but not less than 450mm. Normally wicket doors will only be suitable for up to 15 members of staff;however, in areas of a higher fire risk, thisshould be reduced to a maximum of three.

Loading and goods delivery doors, shutters(roller, folding or sliding), up-and-over doorsand similar openings are not normally suitablefor use as a final exit. However, they may besuitable for escape from areas of normal riskby small numbers of staff as long as they arenot likely to be obstructed and can be easilyand immediately opened manually, even ifnormally power-operated, and the staff arefamiliar with the escape routes.

Sliding doors are not normally suitable onescape routes unless they are for the sole use of members of staff. Where provided, anotice with the words ‘slide to open’, withan arrow pointing in the direction of opening,should be permanently displayed at abouteye level on the face of the doors.

3m

3m

Figure 40: An escape route across a roof

Final exit doors and escape away fromthe premisesGood escape routes to a final exit will be of littlebenefit if the occupants are not able to get outof the building and quickly disperse from thearea to a place of total safety. It is also importantto consider where people will go once theyhave evacuated from the premises.

The matters that you should consider includethe following:

• Final exit doors should be quickly andeasily openable without a key or code inthe event of a fire. Where possible, thereshould be only one fastening. SeeAppendix B3 for more information onsecurity fastenings.

• Final exit doors should not lead peopleinto an enclosed area from which there isno further escape.

• Where a final exit discharges into anenclosed area, further access to a place oftotal safety should be available by meansof further doors or gates that can be easilyopened in a manner similar to the final exit.

4.2 Escape route layout

The examples listed in Table 3 show typicalescape route solutions for a range of commonbuilding layouts. In each case the solution isfor a normal risk building unless otherwiseillustrated.

These are not intended to be prescriptive orexhaustive, but merely to help you understandhow the principles of means of escape may beapplied in practice.

They are illustrative of the key features ofescape route layouts and not intended to bereal building layouts or to scale.

You do not need to read all of this section,you only need to consider those figuresand the accompanying text which mostclosely resemble your premises. If yourpremises do not resemble these thenyou should seek advice from a competentperson. These examples are intended torepresent your existing layout; they arenot to be used as design guidance.

In all of these examples the following basicprinciples apply:

• The farthest point on any floor to the finalexit or storey exit to a protected stairway iswithin the overall suggested travel distance(see Table 2).

• The route to and the area near the exit iskept clear of combustibles and obstructions.

• The fire-resisting stairway is kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.

• The escape route leads to a final exit.

• Where the stairway is not a protectedstairway, the final exit is visible andaccessible from the discharge point of thestairway at ground floor level.

• High-risk rooms do not generally opendirectly into a protected stairway.

• If your fire risk assessment shows thatpeople using any floor would be unawareof a fire you may require additional fire-protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system.

• There should be more than one escaperoute from all parts of the premises (roomsor storeys) except for areas or storeys withan occupancy of less than 60. The figure of60 can be varied in proportion to the risk,for a lower risk there can be a slightincrease, for a higher risk, lower numbersof persons should be allowed.

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If you do not have any of the stairwayconfigurations given, and depending on theoutcome of your fire risk assessment, it maybe that you can achieve an equivalent levelof safety by other means.

The green arrows on the Figures 41–55represent the travel distances given inTable 2 (page 71) which should be applied.

If your building has more than a ground floorand three upper storeys, ask advice from acompetent person.

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Table 3: Typical examples of escape route layouts

Single storey buildings (or the ground floor of a larger building)

Ground floor (smaller) with more than one exit See Figure 41

Ground floor (larger) with more than one exit See Figure 42

Ground floor with a single exit (including a mezzanine) See Figure 43

Multi-storey buildings with more than one stairway

Two-storey, ground and one upper floor: lower risk premises (e.g. a warehouse storing sand, gravel and cement) See Figure 44

Two-storey, ground and one upper floor: higher risk premises(e.g. a factory with paint spraying activities) See Figure 45

Three-storey, basement, ground and one upper floor See Figure 46

Four-storey, ground and up to three upper floors See Figure 47

Tall building with a firefighting shaft See Figure 48

Multi-storey buildings (or parts of buildings) with a single stairway

Two-storey, ground and one upper floor See Figure 49

Two-storey, basement and ground floor See Figure 50

Three-storey, small basement, ground and one upper floor,with a separate single stairway to each See Figure 51

Three-storey, basement, ground and one upper floor See Figure 52

Four storey, ground and up to three upper floors See Figure 53

Four storey, ground and up to three upper floors: higher risk premises(e.g. a factory with paint spraying activities) – protected lobbies/corridors See Figure 54

Four storey, ground and up to three upper floors: higher risk premises(e.g. a factory with paint spraying activities) – protected with automaticfire detection See Figure 55

Single-storey buildings (or the ground floorof a larger building)

Ground floor with more than one exitFigures 41 and 42 show acceptable examplesof smaller and larger premises respectively, withmore than one exit.

90

45º+

Final Exit

Final Exit

45º+

Figure 41: Ground floor (smaller) withmore than one exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

45º+

45º+

Figure 42: Ground floor (larger) withmore than one exit

Ground floor with a single exit (including a mezzanine)Part of your premises may have only a singleexit. The example shown in Figure 43 will begenerally acceptable provided that part of thepremises served only by a single exit (i.e.ground floor and mezzanine) accommodatesno more than 60 people in total.

If your fire risk assessment shows that peopleusing the mezzanine would be unaware of afire, it may require additional fire-protectionmeasures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection andwarning system.

Note: A mezzanine covering more than half ofthe floor area may need to be treated as aseparate floor (see two-storey buildings).

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Final Exit

Ground floor

Figure 43: Ground floor with a single exit(including a mezzanine)

Multi-storey buildings with more thanone stairway

Two-storey, ground and one upper floorIf your premises has a ground floor and oneupper floor and these are served by more thanone stairway, it is important to understand thatyou may not be able to meet the suggestedtravel distance to a final exit (see Table 2 onpage 71). In this case, stairways may thereforeneed to be protected by a fire-resistingenclosure as shown.

The layout shown in Figures 44 and 45 will begenerally acceptable as long as the farthestpoint on each of your floors to the storey exit(or to a final exit using an unprotected stair) is within the overall suggested travel distance(see Table 2 on page 71).

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Ground floor

Final Exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

First floor

>45º>45º

SC

SC

>45º

>45º

Figure 44: Two-storey, ground and one upper floor:lower risk premises (e.g. a warehouse storing sand,gravel and cement)

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Ground floor

Final Exit

Final Exit

Final Exit

SC

SC

SC

SC

Final Exit

First floor

>45º>45º

>45º

>45º

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Figure 45: Two-storey, ground and one upper floor:higher risk premises (e.g. a factory with paintspraying activities)

Three-storey, basement, ground and oneupper floorIn premises with a basement, ground and firstfloor, served by more than one stairway, thelayout shown in Figure 46 will be generallyacceptable as long as the following apply:

• To overcome the restriction of traveldistance the stairway has been completelyenclosed in 30-minute fire-resistingconstruction and all doors onto thestairway are self-closing fire doors.

• The farthest point on all of the floors tothe nearest storey exit is within the overallsuggested travel distance (see Table 2 onpage 71).

• Where the building incorporates abasement, any stairway from the basementthat extends to the upper floors should beseparated by a fire-resisting lobby orcorridor between the basement and theprotected stairway.

• If the basement is served only by a singlestairway then it should accommodate nomore than 60 people.

This principle applies to taller buildings (up to18m). However, where your building has morethan three upper storeys ask advice from acompetent person.

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Final Exit

Final Exit

First floor

Ground floor

Basement

Figure 46: Three-storey, basement, ground andone upper floor

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Four-storey, ground and up to threeupper floorsIn some premises, with a ground floor and up to three upper floors served by more thanone stairway, it is important to understand that you are unlikely to be able to meet thesuggested travel distance to a final exit (seeTable 2 on page 71. In these circumstancesit is necessary to protect the stairway by afire-resisting enclosure as shown.

The layout shown in Figure 47 will begenerally acceptable as long as the farthestpoint on all of the floors to the storey exitis within the overall suggested travel distance(see Table 2 on page 71).

This principle applies to taller buildings (upto 18m). However, where your building hasmore than three upper storeys ask advicefrom a competent person.

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closingSC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SCW.C.

W.C.

SC

SC

SC

Finalexit

Finalexit

Ground floor

First andsecond floors

Top floor

Figure 47: Four-storey, ground and up to threeupper floors

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Tall building with a firefighting shaftFigure 48 shows a multi-storey building morethan 18m high fitted with a firefighting shaftwhich is required for specific types ofbuildings. If the premises you occupy aresituated in a building like this, you should askthe advice of a competent person. Furtherinformation may be found in BS 5588-561 andApproved Document B.24

Maximum distance 18m

Upper floor

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Firefighting lift

Firefighting lift

Floorshigherthan18m

Firefighting stairs

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Figure 48: Tall building with a firefighting shaft

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Multi-storey buildings (or parts of buildings)with a single stairway

Two-storey, ground and one upper floorIn two-storey premises with a simple layoutand a single stairway the arrangement in Figure49 will generally be acceptable provided:

• The upper floor should accommodate nomore than 60 people.

• The farthest point on each of the floors tothe final exit is within the overall suggestedtravel distance for escape in one directiononly (see Table 2 on page 71).

Ground floor Ground floor

First floor

Final Exit

Figure 49: Two-storey, ground and one upper floorwith a single stairway

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Two-storey, basement and ground floorIn premises with a basement and a simplelayout, an open stairway is acceptable asindicated in Figure 50 provided:

• The basement can accommodate no morethan 60 people.

• The farthest point on each floor to the finalexit is within the overall suggested traveldistance (see Table 2 on page 71).

Basement

Store

Ground floor

FinalExit

Figure 50: Two-storey, basement and ground floorwith a single stairway

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Three-storey, small basement, ground andone upper floor, with a separate singlestairway to eachIn premises with a ground floor, and a smallbasement and first floor each served by a separatesingle stairway, the layout in Figure 51 will begenerally acceptable as long as the following apply:

• The basement should accommodate no more than 60 people.

• The first floor should accommodate no more than 60 people.

• The farthest point in the basement to the door to the nearest stairway is withinthe overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2 on page 71).

• The stairways from the basement to groundfloor level is enclosed by fire-resistingconstruction and leads to a final exit.

• The farthest point on the first floor to thefinal exit is within the overall suggestedtravel distance.

Basement

Ground floor

First floor

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC

SC

SC

SCFinal Exit

Figure 51: Three-storey, small basement,ground and one upper floor, with a separate singlestairway to each

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Three-storey, basement, ground and oneupper floor, with a single stairwayIn premises with a basement, ground and firstfloor, served by a single stairway, the layoutshown in Figure 52 will be generallyacceptable as long as the following apply:

• The basement should accommodateno more than 60 people.

• The first floor should accommodateno more than 60 people.

• To overcome the restriction of travel distancethe stairway has been completely enclosedin 30-minute fire-resisting construction andall doors onto the stairway are self-closingfire doors.

• The farthest point on floor each to thestorey exit is within the overall suggestedtravel distance (see Table 2 on page 71).

• Where the building incorporates abasement, any stairway from the basementis separated by a fire-resisting lobby orcorridor between that basement and theprotected stairway.

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SCSC

SC

Final Exit

First floor

Ground floor

Basement

Figure 52: Three-storey, basement, ground and oneupper floor, with a single stairway

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Four storey, ground and up to threeupper floorsIn premises with a ground floor and up to threeupper floors served by a single stairway, it isimportant to understand that you are unlikelyto be able to meet the suggested traveldistance to a final exit (see Table 2 on page71). In these circumstances it is necessary toprotect the stairway by a fire-resistingenclosure as shown.

The layout shown in Figure 53 will be generallyacceptable as long as the following apply:

• The upper floors should eachaccommodate no more than 60 people.

• The farthest point on all of the floors to thestorey exit is within the overall suggestedtravel distance (see Table 2 on page 71).

Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC SCSC

SCW.C.

W.C.

SCSC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Final Exit

Ground floor

First floor

Second and third floors

Figure 53: Four storey, ground and up to threeupper floors

Four storey, ground and up to three upperfloors: higher risk premisesIn premises with higher risk areas (e.g. paintspraying activities) with a single stairway, toprotect the escape route by preventing smokefrom entering the stairway, a protected stairwaywith lobby or corridor approach between thestairway and all floors (other than the topfloor) should be provided as shown.

The layout shown in Figure 54 will be generally acceptable as long as thefollowing apply:

• The upper floors should each accommodateno more than 60 people.

• The farthest point on all of the floors to thelobbied storey exit is within the overallsuggested travel distance (see Table 2 onpage 71).

• When a protected lobby or corridorapproach to the stairway is employed thetravel distance is measured to the storey exitand not the door to the lobby or corridor.

Alternatively, automatic fire detection on allfloors may be used instead of protected lobbiesor corridors (see Figure 55); however, thestairway must still be protected.

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

SC

SCSC

SCW.C.

W.C.

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SCSC

Final Exit

Ground floor

First andsecond floors

Top floor

Figure 54: Four storey, ground and up to threeupper floors: higher risk premises – protectedlobbies/corridors

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Fire door

Fire-resisting wall

SC Self-closing

Automatic fire detection

SC SCSC

SCW.C.

W.C.

SCSC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

SC

Final Exit

Ground floor

First andsecond floors

Top floors

Figure 55: Four storey, ground and up to threeupper floors: higher risk premises – protectedwith automatic fire detection

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The primary purpose of emergency escapelighting is to illuminate escape routes, but italso illuminates safety equipment.

The size and type of your premises and the riskto the occupants will determine the complexityof the emergency escape lighting required. Insimple single storey premises where borrowedlighting or torches are not appropriate, single‘stand-alone’ escape lighting units may besufficient and these can sometimes be combinedwith exit or directional signs. The level ofgeneral illumination should not be significantlyreduced by the sign.

In larger, more complex premises a morecomprehensive system of fixed automaticescape lighting is likely to be needed. This willbe particularly true in premises with extensivebasements or where there are significantnumbers of staff or members of the public.

In warehouses and large open-plan areas infactories, an efficient and effective method ofilluminating escape routes in an emergency isby using spotlights. These are normally self-contained units consisting of a battery, switchingmechanism and spotlights (see Figure 56) fittedto operate automatically on a circuit or mainsfailure.

These self-contained units can be suspendedfrom roofs, structural steelwork such ascolumns or beams, substantial fixed highracking or attached to walls, etc. and arecapable of illuminating escape routes easily.They should be located at high level and point downward.

You will have identified the escape routes whencarrying out your fire risk assessment and needto ensure that they are all adequately lit. Ifthere are escape routes that are not permanentlyilluminated by normal lighting, such as externalstairs, then a switch, clearly marked ‘Escapelighting’, or some other means of switching onthe lighting should be provided at the entry tothat area/stairs.

An emergency escape lighting system shouldnormally cover the following:

• each exit door;

• escape routes;

• intersections of corridors;

• outside each final exit and on externalescape routes;

• emergency escape signs;

• stairways so that each flight receivesadequate light;

• changes in floor level;

• windowless rooms and toiletaccommodation exceeding 8m2;

• firefighting equipment;

• fire alarm call points;

• equipment that would need to be shutdown in an emergency;

• lifts; and

• areas in premises greater than 60m2.

It is not necessary to provide individual lights(luminaires) for each item above, but thereshould be a sufficient overall level of lightto allow them to be visible and usable.

Emergency escape lighting can be both‘maintained’, i.e. on all the time, or ‘non-maintained’ which only operates when the normallighting fails. Systems or individual lightingunits (luminaires) are designed to operate fordurations of between one and three hours.In practice, the three-hour design is the mostpopular and can help with maintaining limitedcontinued use of your premises during a powerfailure (other than in an emergency situation).

Section 5 Further guidance onemergency escape lighting

Figure 56: Self-contained spot lights

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Emergency escape lighting (luminaires) can bestand-alone dedicated units or incorporated intonormal light fittings. There are highly decorativeversions of these for those areas that demandaesthetically pleasing fixtures. Power suppliescan be rechargeable batteries integral to eachunit, a central battery bank or an automaticstart generator.

To complement emergency escape lighting,people, especially those unfamiliar with thepremises, can be helped to identify exit routesby the use of way-guidance equipment. Way-guidance systems usually comprise photo-luminescent material, lines of LEDs, or strips ofminiature incandescent lamps, forming acontinuous marked escape route at lower level(Figure 58). These systems have provedparticularly effective when people have toescape through smoke, and for partially-sightedpeople. They can be particularly useful inpremises where they can provide markedroutes on floors and in multi-storey premisesthey can direct people to escape routes whichare seldom used.

If you decide that you need to installemergency escape lighting or to modify yourexisting system, any work should be carriedout by a competent person in accordance withthe appropriate standards. Further guidance isgiven in BS 5266-128 and BS 5266-8.27

Maintenance and testing of emergencyescape lightingAll emergency escape lighting systems shouldbe regularly tested and properly maintained toan appropriate standard. Most existing systemswill need to be manually tested. However, somemodern systems have self-testing facilities thatreduce routine checks to a minimum.

Depending on your type of installation youshould be able to carry out most of the routinetests yourself. The test method will vary. Ifyou are not sure how to carry out these testsyou should contact your supplier or othercompetent person.

Figure 57: Luminaires Figure 58: A ‘way-guidance’ system

Figure 59: A test key

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Test facilities often take the form of a ‘fishtail’key (Figure 59) inserted in a special switcheither near the main fuse board or adjacent torelevant light switches.

Typically, testing would include:

• a daily visual check of any central controls;

• a monthly function test by operating thetest facility for a period sufficient to ensurethat each emergency lamp illuminates; and

• an annual full discharge test.

Particular care needs to be taken followinga full discharge test. Batteries typically take24 hours to re-charge and the premises shouldnot be re-occupied until the emergency lightingsystem is fully functioning unless alternativearrangements have been made. See BS 5266-827

and BS 5266-128 for more information.

It is good practice to keep a record of tests.

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Escape signsIn simple premises, a few signs indicating thealternative exit(s) might be all that is needed.In more complex premises, a series of signsdirecting people along the escape routestowards the final exit may be needed.

Many people with poor vision retain somesight and are able to recognise changing orcontrasting colour to provide them with visualclues when moving around a building.* Itmay be sufficient to paint any columns andwalls in a contrasting colour and to highlightchanges in level by, for example, making thenosing to step and stair treads a contrastingcolour (see BS 830014 for further guidance).

For people with no sight, a well-managed ‘buddysystem’, continuous handrails, a soundlocalisation system (which helps people to movetowards an alert sound) or the installation ofmore tactile aids may be appropriate.

Exit signs should be clearly visible wheneverthe public, staff and contractors are present.

Positioning of escape signsThe presence of other signs in factories andwarehouses (such as staff notices or operatinginstructions) can distract attention from, orobscure the visibility of, escape signs. This couldaffect people’s ability to see and understandescape signs, particularly if there is a fireevacuation. Always ensure that escape signsare not overwhelmed.

Escape signs should meet the following criteria:

• They should provide clear, unambiguousinformation to enable people to safelyleave a building in an emergency.

• Every escape route sign should, wherenecessary, incorporate, or be accompaniedby, a directional arrow. Arrows should notbe used on their own.

• If the escape route to the nearest exit isnot obvious then it should be indicated by a sign(s).

• Signs should be positioned so that aperson escaping will always have the nextescape route sign in sight.

• Escape signs should be fixed above thedoor in the direction of escape and not befixed to doors, as they will not be visible ifthe door is open.

• Signs mounted above doors should be ata height of between 2.0m and 2.5m abovethe floor.

• Signs on walls should be mounted between1.7m and 2.0m above the floor.

• Mounting heights greater than 2.5m may beused for hanging signs, e.g. in large openspaces or for operational reasons, but careshould be taken to ensure that such signsare both conspicuous and legible. In suchcase larger signs may be necessary.

• Signs should be sited at the same heightthroughout the escape route, so far as isreasonably practicable.

Escape sign designFor a sign to comply with signs and signalsregulations it must be pictographic (see Figures60 and 61). The pictogram can be supplementedby text if this is considered necessary to makethe sign easily understood (BS-type sign), butyou must not have a fire safety sign that usesonly text. Either type of sign can be used butdifferent types should not be mixed.Appropriate signs should take into account theneeds of those who may need to use them.

The legibility of escape signs is determinedby the size of the sign, its level of illuminationand the distance over which it is viewed. Theuse of signs within the same premises shouldfollow a consistent design pattern or scheme.You should not rely on a few outsized signswhich may encourage people to travel toa particular escape route when other moreappropriate routes should be used.

In multi-occupied premises, co-operationbetween the respective ‘responsible persons’should be sought to ensure that, as far aspossible, all signs in the building conform to asingle pattern or scheme.

Section 6 Further guidance on signsand notices

* The Royal National Institute of the Blind estimates that onlyabout 4% of visually impaired people are totally blind.

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Other safety signs and noticesA number of other mandatory signs suchas ‘Fire action’ notices may also be necessary.

Fire doors that have been fitted with self-closing devices should be labelled ‘Fire door –keep shut’ (Figure 62) on both sides. Fire-resisting doors to cupboards, stores and serviceducts that are not self-closing because they areroutinely kept locked should be labelled ‘Firedoor – keep locked’ on the outside.

Signs should indicate non-automatic fire safetyequipment if there is any doubt about its location,e.g. fire extinguishers that are kept in cabinetsor in recesses.

A notice with the words ‘Push bar to open’should be permanently displayed immediatelyabove the push-bar on all doors fitted with apanic bolt or panic latch.

A notice with the words ‘Fire escape – keepclear’ should be permanently displayed at abouteye level on the external face of all doors whichare provided as a means of escape in case offire and which, because they are not normallyused, may become obstructed.

Staff noticesIn simple premises where there are a limitednumber of escape routes, it may be reasonableto provide staff with verbal reminders of whatthey need to do if there is a fire. In somepremises, you could consider providing a shortwritten statement that could, for example, bedelivered with staff pay slips every six months.

In multi-occupied, larger and more complexpremises or where there is a high turnoverof staff, a more considered approach for staffnotices and instructions will be necessary. Aswell as positioning the fire instructions noticeon escape routes adjacent to fire break-glasscall points (Figure 63), put them where stafffrequently assemble in the premises, e.g. thecanteen and locker rooms.

Figure 62: Fire door ‘keep shut’ noticeFigure 63: Fire action notice

Figure 60: BS-type sign

Figure 61: Euro sign

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If your premises are routinely expected toaccommodate people whose first language isnot English you may need to considerproviding instructions in more than onelanguage. The interpretation should alwaysconvey an identical message.

IlluminationAll signs and notices will need illuminationto ensure they are conspicuous and legible.There are a number of options available toachieve this, such as:

• external illumination; and

• internal illumination.

The supplier or other competent person cangive you further advice.

Signs or notices of the photo-luminescent type,i.e. where the active material making up theluminous parts of such signs or notices needs aperiod of exposure to light before they becomevisible in darkness (but get fainter with time),are not a substitute for appropriate emergencylighting and should only be used where otherforms of illumination are present.

Further guidanceDetailed guidance on fire safety signs can befound in BS 5499-430 and BS 5499-5.74 Publishedguidance5,6 on compliance with health andsafety legislation on signs is also available.Guidance about the use of photo-luminescentfire safety signs and notices can be foundin BS 5266-6.73

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Section 7 Further guidance onrecording, planning, informing, instructingand training

7.1 Fire safety records

Keeping up-to-date records of your fire riskassessment can help you effectively managethe fire strategy for your premises anddemonstrate how you are complying withfire safety law.

Even if you do not have to record the fire riskassessment, it can be helpful to keep a recordof any co-operation and exchange ofinformation made between employers andother responsible people for future reference.

In larger and more complex premises, it is bestto keep a dedicated record of all maintenanceof fire-protection equipment and training.There is no one ‘correct’ format specified forthis. Suitable record books are available fromtrade associations and may also be availablefrom your local enforcing authority.

In all cases the quality of records may also beregarded as a good indicator of the overallquality of the safety management structure.

Your records should be kept in a specifiedplace on the premises (for example, in themanagement’s office), and should include:

• details of any significant findings from thefire risk assessment and any action taken(see Part 1, Section 4.1);

• testing and checking of escape routes,including final exit locking mechanisms,such as panic devices, emergency exitdevices and any electromagnetic devices;

• testing of fire-warning systems, includingweekly alarm tests and periodic maintenanceby a competent person;

• recording of false alarms;

• testing and maintenance of emergencylighting systems;

• testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers,hose reels and fire blankets, etc.;

• if appropriate, testing and maintenance ofother fire safety equipment such as fire-

suppression systems and smoke controlsystems;

• recording and training of relevant peopleand fire evacuation drills;

• planning, organising, policy andimplementation, monitoring, audit and review;

• maintenance and audit of any systemsthat are provided to help the fire andrescue service;

• the arrangements in a large multi-occupiedbuilding for a co-ordinated emergency planor overall control of the actions you oryour staff should take if there is a fire; and

• all alterations, tests, repairs andmaintenance of fire safety systems, includingpassive systems such as fire doors.

Other issues that you may wish to record include:

• the competence, qualifications and statusof the persons responsible for carrying outinspections and tests;

• the results of periodic safety audits,reviews, inspections and tests, and anyremedial action taken;

• all incidents and circumstances whichhad the potential to cause accidents andmonitor subsequent remedial actions; and

• a record of the building use, the fireprevention and protection measures inplace and high-risk areas.

You should ensure that no other managementdecisions or policies compromise safety.

Your documentation should be available forinspection by representatives of the enforcingauthority.

More detailed advice is given in BS 5588-12.52

Figure 64 is an example of how to recordsome individual stages of the process in moredetail. A blank version of this form is providedin Appendix A2.

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Risk Assessment – Record of significant findings

Risk assessment for

Company Acme Fine Engineering

Address Unit 2, Ferry EstateNew TownCD12 4AB

Sheet number

One

Floor/area

Ground floor production area

Use

Workshop

Step 1 – Identify fire hazards

Sources of ignition

Electrical plant and equipmentSoldering stationRadiant electrical heatersMicrowave/kettle in tea bay

Sources of fuel

Plastic electrical casingsCable and various small componentsPackagingDegreasing solvent

Sources of oxygen

No additional sources

Step 2 – People at risk

5 full time staff members2 part time staff members

4 sales representativees – occasionalaccess only

Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

(3.1) Evaluate the riskof the fire occuring

(3.2) Evaluate the risk topeople from a fire startingin the premises

(3.3) Remove and reducethe hazards that maycause a fire

(3.4) Remove and reducethe risks to peoplefrom a fire

Degreasing work station in close proximity to soldering work stationWorkshop routinely used to store plastic componentsTea bay untidy and cluttered. Equipment appears to be in poor conditionRadiant heaters in proximity to various combustible materials

Predominantly open plan so fire in workshop area quickly evidentFire in rear store could go undetectedFire in workshop could effect first floor office

Resite degreasing area remote from soldering areaLimit quantity of degreasing agent in workshop to one 10 litre tin (about one days supply)Plastic components to be stored in storeroomPackaging material to be placed in secure store to rear of premisesReplace radiant heaters with suitable convection heatersTea bay to be moved to first floor and monitored by cleanerReplace kettle and microwave oven

The current fire precaution measures (refer to floor plan A) have beenassessed in view of the findings recorded above. They are consideredadequate with the following exceptionsAdditional measures considered necessaryProvide automatic fire detection to rear storeFire door protecting staircase to 1st floor office requires new self closerProvide additional fire alarm sounder to first floor – currently notsufficently audibleFire extinguisher require maintenanceIntroduce periodic staff refresher training and programme in fire drillsReplace damaged fire exit sign above rear exitProvide flammable liquid bin in rear store

1 cleaner2 office clerks

Assessment undertaken by

Date 02/02/2006

Completed by J Brown

Signature J Brown

Figure 64: Example record of significant findings

Assessment review

Assessment review date Completed by Signature

Review outcome (where substantial changes have occurred a new record sheet should be used)

Notes:(1) The risk assessment record significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.(2) The information in this record should assist you to develop an emergency plan; coordinate measures with other ‘responsible persons’

in the building; and to inform and train staff and inform other relevant persons.

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In premises with ‘engineered fire safetystrategies’, a fire policy manual should beprovided in addition to any other records.Guidance on the structure of fire engineeringpolicy manuals is given in BS 7974-0Section 5: Reporting and presentation.31

Fire safety auditA fire safety audit can be used alongside yourfire risk assessment to identify what fire safetyprovisions exist in your premises.

When carrying out a review of your fire safetyrisk assessment, a pre-planned audit can quicklyidentify if there have been any significantchanges which may affect the fire safety systemsand highlight whether a full fire risk assessmentis necessary.

Plans and specificationsPlans and specifications can be used to assistunderstanding of a fire risk assessment oremergency plan. Even where not needed forthis purpose they can help you and your staffkeep your fire risk assessment and emergencyplan under review and help the fire and rescueservice in the event of fire. Any symbols usedshould be shown on a key. Plans andspecifications could include the following:

• essential structural features such as thelayout of function rooms, escape doors,wall partitions, corridors, stairways, etc.(including any fire-resisting structure andself-closing fire doors provided to protectthe escape routes);

• location of refuges and lifts that havebeen designated suitable for use bydisabled people and others who may needassistance to escape in case of a fire;

• methods for fighting fire (details of thenumber, type and location of thefirefighting equipment);

• location of manually-operated fire alarmcall points and control equipment forfire alarms;

• location of any control rooms and firestaff posts;

• location of any emergency lightingequipment and the exit route signs;

• location of any high-risk areas, equipmentor process that must be immediately shutdown by staff on hearing the fire alarm;

• location of any automatic firefightingsystems, risers and sprinkler control valves;

• location of the main electrical supplyswitch, the main water shut-off valve and,where appropriate, the main gas or oilshut-off valves; and

• plans and specifications relating to allrecent constructions.

This information should be passed on to anylater users or owners of the premises.

7.2 Emergency plans

Emergency plan and contingency plansYour emergency plan should be appropriate toyour premises and could include:

• how people will be warned if there is a fire;

• what staff should do if they discover a fire;

• how the evacuation of the premises shouldbe carried out;

• where people should assemble after theyhave left the premises and procedures forchecking whether the premises have beenevacuated;

• identification of key escape routes, howpeople can gain access to them and escapefrom them to a place of total safety;

• arrangements for fighting the fire;

• the duties and identity of staff who havespecific responsibilities if there is a fire;

• arrangements for the safe evacuation ofpeople identified as being especially atrisk, such as young persons, those withdisabilities or lone workers;

• any machines/processes/appliances/powersupplies that need to be stopped orisolated if there is a fire;

• specific arrangements, if necessary, for highfire-risk areas;

• contingency plans for when life safetysystems, such as evacuation lifts, fire-detection and warning systems, sprinklersor smoke control systems are out of order;

• how the fire and rescue service and anyother necessary services will be called andwho will be responsible for doing this;

• procedures for meeting the fire and rescueservice on their arrival and notifying themof any special risks, e.g. the location ofhighly flammable materials; and

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• what training employees need and thearrangements for ensuring that this trainingis given.

As part of your emergency plan it is goodpractice to prepare post-incident plans fordealing with situations that might arise such asthose involving:

• young persons;

• people with personal belongings(especially valuables) still in the building;

• getting people away from the building (e.g.to transport); and

• inclement weather.

You should therefore prepare contingencyplans to determine specific actions and/or themobilisation of specialist resources.

The emergency services may prepare anemergency procedure plan (or major incidentplan) for dealing with a major incident (forexample, an explosion, toxic release or largefire). Your contingency plans and the emergencyprocedure plan should be compatible. In suchcases consultation should therefore take placebetween yourself and the police, fire andambulance services, the local health authorityand local authority, in order to produce anagreed plan of action, including access foremergency vehicles, for all foreseeable incidents.

Guidance on developing health and safetymanagement policy has been published by the HSE.32

7.3 Information, instruction,co-operation and co-ordination

Supplying informationYou must provide easily understandableinformation to employees, the parents of childrenyou may employ, and to employers of otherpersons working in your premises about themeasures in place to ensure a safe escapefrom the building and how they will operate,for example:

• any significant risks to staff and otherrelevant persons that have been identifiedin your fire risk assessment or any similarassessment carried out by another user andresponsible person in the building;

• the fire prevention and protection measuresand procedures in your premises and wherethey impact on staff and other relevantpersons in the building;

• the procedures for fighting a fire in thepremises; and

• the identity of people who have beennominated with specific responsibilitiesin the building.

Even if you do not have to record the fire riskassessment, it would be helpful to keep arecord of any co-operation and exchange ofinformation made between employers andother responsible people for future reference.

You need to ensure that all staff and, wherenecessary, other relevant persons in the building,receive appropriate information in a way thatcan be easily understood. This might includeany special instructions to particular peoplewho have been allocated a specific task, suchas shutting down equipment or guiding peopleto the nearest exit.

Duties of employees to give informationEmployees also have a duty to take reasonablecare for their own safety and that of otherpeople who may be affected by their activities.This includes the need for them to inform theiremployer of any activity that they considerwould present a serious and immediate dangerto their own safety and that of others.

Dangerous substancesHSE publishes guidance8 about specificsubstances where appropriate information mayneed to be provided. If any of these, or anyother substance that is not included butnevertheless presents more than a slight risk,is present in your premises, then you mustprovide such information to staff and others,specifically you must:

• name the substance and the risks associatedwith it, e.g. how to safely use or store theproduct to avoid creating highly flammablevapours or explosive atmospheres;

• identify any legislative provisions that maybe associated with the substance;

• allow employees access to the hazardoussubstances safety data sheet; and

• inform the local fire and rescue servicewhere dangerous substances are presenton the premises.

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Case study

A few boxes of sodium chlorate-basedweedkiller, or a few litres of flammablevarnish, are unlikely to need anything otherthan basic precautions such as a warningsign on the room or container in which theyare stored. However, the storage and/or useof sizeable quantities of polystyrene pelletsfor packaging or significant quantities ofhighly flammable liquids stored in awarehouse will require more comprehensiveinformation and notification to the fire andrescue service.

Information to the emergency servicesIn addition to providing information to the fireand rescue service when dangerous substancesare present in sufficient quantities to pose anenhanced risk, it will also be helpful to informthem of any short term changes that mighthave an impact on their firefighting activities;e.g. in the event of temporary loss of afirefighting facility and temporary alterations.

Procedures should also include meetingand briefing the fire and rescue service when they arrive.

InstructionYou will need to carefully consider the type of instructions to staff and other people workingin your premises. Written instructions must beconcise, comprehensible and relevant andtherefore must be reviewed and updated as

new working practices and hazardoussubstances are introduced.

Inclusive access and employment policies meanthat people with learning difficulties may nowbe present in a range of premises and your firerisk assessment should consider whether furtherinstruction or guidance is necessary to ensurethat your evacuation strategy is appropriateand understood by everyone.

Instructions will need to be given to peopledelegated to carry out particular tasks, forexample:

• removing additional security, bolts, bars orchains on final exit doors before the startof business to ensure that escape routesare accessible;

• daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly checkson the range of fire safety measures (inlarger premises some of the work may becontracted out to a specialist company);

• safety considerations when closing downthe premises at the end of the day, e.g.removing rubbish, ensuring enough exitsare available for people that remain andclosing fire doors and shutters;

• leaving hazardous substances in a safecondition when evacuating the building;

• the safe storage of hazardous substancesat the end of the working day; and

• ensuring everyone in large organisationswith many buildings within a curtilage anda security zone know how to use internalemergency telephones.

Specific instructions may be needed about:

• how staff will help members of thepublic/visitors to leave the building;

• ‘sweeping’ of the factory or warehousefloor by staff to guide people to the nearestexit when the fire alarm sounds;

• designating particular areas of a factoryor warehouse for supervisors to check thatno one remains inside;

• calling the emergency services;

• carrying out evacuation roll calls;

• taking charge at the assembly area;

• meeting and directing fire engines; and

• cover arrangements when nominatedpeople are on leave.

Case study

If the firefighting lift in a multi-storeypremises becomes defective, this shouldbe brought to the attention of the fire andrescue service. Being unable to use thisfacility to tackle a fire on the upper floorsmight have a serious effect on the ability offirefighters to begin operations as quicklyas planned. The information supplied willenable the emergency services to makeadjustments to the level of the emergencyresponse. However the responsible personshould ensure that the defect is correctedas soon as possible and the fire and rescueservice notified.

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Co-operation and co-ordinationWhere you share premises with others (thisincludes people who are self-employed or inpartnership), each responsible person, i.e. eachemployer, owner or other person who has controlover any part of the premises, will need to co-operate and co-ordinate the findings of theirseparate fire risk assessments to ensure the fireprecautions and protection measures are effectivethroughout the building. This could include:

• co-ordinating an emergency plan (seeSection 7.2 for features of an emergency plan);

• identifying the nature of any risks andhow they may affect others in or aboutthe premises;

• identifying any fire-prevention andprotection measures;

• identifying any measures to mitigate theeffects of a fire; and

• arranging any contacts with externalemergency services and calling thefire and rescue services.

7.4 Fire safety training

Staff trainingThe actions of staff if there is a fire are likelyto be crucial to their safety and that of otherpeople in the premises. All staff should receivebasic fire safety induction training and attendrefresher sessions at pre-determined intervals.

You should ensure that all staff and contractorsare told about the emergency plan and are shownthe escape routes.

The training should take account of thefindings of the fire risk assessment and beeasily understood by all those attending.It should include the role that those membersof staff will be expected to carry out if a fireoccurs. This may vary in large premises, withsome staff being appointed as fire marshalsor being given some other particular role forwhich additional training will be required.

In addition to the guidance given in Part 1,Step 4.4, as a minimum all staff should receivetraining about:

• the items listed in your emergency plan;

• the importance of fire doors and otherbasic fire-prevention measures;

• where relevant, the appropriate use offirefighting equipment;

• the importance of reporting to theassembly area;

• exit routes and the operation of exitdevices, including physically walkingthese routes;

• general matters such as permitted smokingareas or restrictions on cooking other thanin designated areas; and

• assisting disabled persons where necessary.

Training is necessary:

• when staff start employment or aretransferred into the premises;

• when changes have been made to theemergency plan and the preventive andprotective measures;

• where working practices and processes or people’s responsibilities change;

• to take account of any changed risks tothe safety of staff or other relevant persons;

• to ensure that staff know what they haveto do to safeguard themselves and otherson the premises;

• where staff are expected to assist disabledpersons; and

• if a member of staff may take on the role of duty manager.

Training should be repeated as often as necessaryand should take place during working hours.

Case study

Company A stores a wide range of timberproducts including fence panels, gardensheds and timber decking, and also rentsspace to Company B. Company A’spremises are in the open air wheresignificant stockpiles of timber fencing arestored on 8m-high steel racking around theboundary. Should a fire start there is asignificant risk that it will spread to the otherpremises, endangering people in bothpremises and in the immediate vicinity. Theresponsible person (Company A) shouldensure that there is enough space betweenstacks of timber products and the boundaryto ensure as far as possible that any fire isconfined to the stack and would not spreadand endanger other people. To do this,companies A and B will need to co-operateand co-ordinate as necessary.

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Whatever training you decide is necessary tosupport your fire safety strategy and emergencyplan, it should be verifiable.

Enforcing authorities may want to examinerecords as evidence that adequate training hasbeen given.

Fire marshalsStaff expected to undertake the role of firemarshals (often called fire wardens) wouldrequire more comprehensive training. Theirrole may include:

• helping any members of the public, visitorsand/or disabled persons leave the premises;

• checking designated areas to ensureeveryone has left;

• using firefighting equipment if safe to do so;

• liaising with the fire and rescue serviceon arrival;

• shutting down vital or dangerousequipment; and

• performing a supervisory/managing rolein any fire situation.

Training for this role may include:

• detailed knowledge of the fire safetystrategy of the premises;

• awareness of human behaviour in fires;

• how to encourage others to use the mostappropriate escape route;

• how to search safely and recognise areasthat are unsafe to enter;

• the difficulties that some people, particularlyif disabled, may have in escaping and anyspecial evacuation arrangements that havebeen pre-planned;

• additional training in the use of firefightingequipment;

• an understanding of the purpose of anyfixed firefighting equipment such assprinklers or gas flooding systems; and

• reporting of faults, incidents and near misses.

Fire drillsOnce the emergency plan has been developedand training given, you will need to evaluateits effectiveness. The best way to do this is toperform a fire drill. This should be carried outat least annually or as determined by your firerisk assessment. If you have a high staff turnover,you may need to carry them out more often.

A well-planned and executed fire drill willconfirm understanding of the training andprovide helpful information for future training.The responsible person should determine thepossible objectives of the drill such as to:

• identify any weaknesses in the evacuationstrategy;

• test the procedure following any recentalteration or changes to working practices;

• familiarise new members of staff withprocedures; and

• test the arrangements for disabled peopleand young persons on work experience.

Who should take part?Within each building the evacuation shouldinclude all occupants except those who mayneed to ensure the security of the premises,or people who, on a risk-assessed basis, arerequired to remain with particular equipmentor processes that cannot be closed down.

Premises that consist of several buildings on thesame site should be dealt with one building ata time over an appropriate period unless theemergency procedure dictates otherwise.

Where appropriate, you may find it helpful toinclude members of the public in your fire drill– ensuring that all necessary health and safetyissues are addressed before you do so.

Carrying out the drillFor premises that have more than one escaperoute, the escape plan should be designed toevacuate all people on the assumption that oneexit or stairway is unavailable because of thefire. This could be simulated by a designatedperson being located at a suitable point on anexit route. Applying this scenario to differentescape routes at each fire drill will encourageindividuals to use alternative escape routeswhich they may not normally use.

When carrying out the drill you might find ithelpful to:

• circulate details concerning the drill andinform all staff of their duty to participate.It may not be beneficial to have ‘surprisedrills’ as the health and safety risksintroduced may outweigh the benefits;

• ensure that equipment can be safely left;

• nominate observers;

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• inform the alarm receiving centre if thefire-warning system is monitored (if the fireand rescue service is normally calleddirectly from your premises, ensure thatthis does not happen);

• inform visitors and members of the publicif they are present; and

• ask a member of staff at random to set offthe alarm by operating the nearest alarmcall point using the test key. This willindicate the level of knowledge regardingthe location of the nearest call point.

More detailed information on fire drills and testevacuations is given in BS5588-12.52

The roll call/checking the premises havebeen evacuatedCarry out a roll call as soon as possible at thedesignated assembly point(s), and/or receivereports from wardens designated to ‘sweep’ thepremises. You should note any people who areunaccounted for. In a real evacuation thisinformation will need to be passed to the fireand rescue service on arrival.

Check that people have assembled at theevacuation point.

Once the roll call is complete or all reportshave been received, allow people to returnto the building. If the fire-warning system ismonitored, inform the alarm receiving centrethat the drill has now been completed andrecord the outcomes of the drill.

Monitoring and debriefThroughout the drill the responsible personand nominated observers should pay particularattention to:

• communication difficulties with regard tothe roll call and establishing that everyoneis accounted for;

• the use of the nearest available escape routesas opposed to common circulation routes;

• difficulties with the opening of final exit doors;

• difficulties experienced by people withdisabilities;

• the roles of specified people, e.g. fire wardens;

• inappropriate actions, e.g. stopping tocollect personal items, attempting to uselifts, etc.; and

• windows and doors not being closed aspeople leave.

On-the-spot debriefs are useful to discuss thefire drill, encouraging feedback from everybody.Later, reports from fire wardens andobservations from people should be collatedand reviewed. Any conclusions and remedialactions should be recorded and implemented.

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Fire protection products and related servicesshould be fit for their purpose and properlyinstalled and maintained in accordance withthe manufacturer’s instructions or a relevantstandard.

Third-party certification schemes for fire protectionproducts and related services are an effectivemeans of providing the fullest possibleassurances, offering a level of quality, reliabilityand safety that non-certificated products maylack. This does not mean goods and servicesthat are not third-party approved are lessreliable, but there is no obvious way in whichthis can be demonstrated.

Third-party quality assurance can offer comfort,both as a means of satisfying you that thegoods and services you have purchased are fitfor purpose, and as a means of demonstratingthat you have complied with the law.

However, to ensure the level of assuranceoffered by third party schemes, you shouldalways check whether the company youemploy sub-contracts work to others. If theydo, you will want to check that the sub-contractors are subject to the same level ofchecks of quality and competence as thecompany you are employing.

Your local fire and rescue service, fire tradeassociations or your own trade association maybe able to provide further details about third-party quality assurance schemes and thevarious organisations that administer them.

Section 8 Quality assurance of fireprotection equipment and installation

Part

2•

Furtherguidance

onfire

riskassessm

entand

fireprecautions

119

A fire safety maintenance checklist can be usedas a means of supporting your fire safety policy.This example list is not intended to becomprehensive and should not be used as asubstitute for carrying out a fire risk assessment.

You can modify the example, where necessary,to fit your premises and may need toincorporate the recommendations of

manufacturers and installers of the fire safetyequipment/systems that you may have installedin your premises.

Any ticks in the grey boxes should result infurther investigation and appropriate action asnecessary. In larger and more complex premisesyou may need to seek the assistance of acompetent person to carry out some of the checks.

Appendix A

A1 Example fire safety maintenancechecklist

nnCan all fire exits be opened immediately and easily? nn nn

nnAre fire doors clear of obstructions? nn nn

nnAre escape routes clear? nn nnFire warning systems

nnIs the indicator panel showing ‘normal’? nn nn

nnAre whistles, gongs or air horns in place? nn nnEscape lighting

nnAre luminaires and exit signs in good condition and undamaged? nn nn

nnIs emergency lighting and sign lighting working correctly? nn nnFirefighting equipment

nnAre all fire extinguishers in place? nn nn

nnAre fire extinguishers clearly visible? nn nn

nnAre vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them? nn nnWeekly checks

Escape routes

nnDo all emergency fastening devices to fire exits (push bars andpads, etc.) work correctly?

nn nn

nnAre external routes clear and safe? nn nnFire warning systems

nnDoes testing a manual call point send a signal to the indicatorpanel? (Disconnect the link to the receiving centre or tell themyou are doing a test.)

nn nn

nnDid the alarm system work correctly when tested? nn nn

nnDid staff and other people hear the fire alarm? nn nn

nnDid any linked fire protection systems operate correctly?(e.g. magnetic door holder released, smoke curtains drop)

nn nn

Daily checks (not normally recorded)

Escape routes

Yes No N/A Comments

120

Monthly checks

Escape routes

nnDo all electronic release mechanisms on escape doors workcorrectly? Do they ‘fail safe’ in the open position?

nn nn

nnDo all automatic opening doors on escape routes ‘fail safe’ inthe open position?

nn nn

nnAre fire door seals and self-closing devices in good condition? nn nn

nnDo all roller shutters provided for fire compartmentation work correctly? nn nn

nnAre external escape stairs safe? nn nn

nnDo all internal self-closing fire doors work correctly? nn nnEscape lighting

nnDo all luminaires and exit signs function correctly when tested? nn nn

nnHave all emergency generators been tested? (Normally run for one hour.) nn nnFirefighting equipment

nnIs the pressure in ‘stored pressure’ fire extinguishers correct? nn nn

nnAdditional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. nn nnThree-monthly checks

General

nnAre any emergency water tanks/ponds at their normal capacity? nn nn

nnAre vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them? nn nn

nnAdditional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. nn nnSix-monthly checks

General

nnHas any firefighting or emergency evacuation lift been tested bya competent person?

nn nn

nnHas any sprinkler system been tested by a competent person? nn nn

nnHave the release and closing mechanisms of any fire-resistingcompartment doors and shutters been tested by a competent person?

nn nn

Fire warning system

nnHas the system been checked by a competent person? nn nn

Yes No N/A Comments

nnDo all visual alarms and/or vibrating alarms and pagers(as applicable) work?

nn nn

nnDo voice alarm systems work correctly?Was the message understood?

nn nn

nnAre charging indicators (if fitted) visible? nn nnFirefighting equipment

nnIs all equipment in good condition? nn nn

nnAdditional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. nn nn

Escape lighting

Weekly checks continued

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Escape lighting

nnDo all luminaires operate on test for one third of their rated value? nn nn

nnAdditional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. nn nn

nnDo all self-closing fire doors fit correctly? nn nn

nnIs escape route compartmentation in good repair? nn nnEscape lighting

nnDo all luminaires operate on test for their full rated duration? nn nn

nnHas the system been checked by a competent person? nn nnFirefighting equipment

nnHas all firefighting equipment been checked by a competent person? nn nnMiscellaneous

nnHas any dry/wet rising fire main been tested by a competent person? nn nn

nnHas the smoke and heat ventilation system been tested by acompetent person?

nn nn

nnHas external access for the fire service been checked forongoing availability?

nn nn

nnHave any firefighters’ switches been tested? nn nn

nnHas the fire hydrant bypass flow valve control been tested by acompetent person?

nn nn

nnAre any necessary fire engine direction signs in place? nn nn

Annual checks

Six-monthly checks continued

Escape routes

Yes No N/A Comments

122

Risk Assessment – Record of significant findings

Risk assessment for

Company

Address

Sheet number Floor/area Use

Step 1 – Identify fire hazards

Sources of ignition Sources of fuel Sources of oxygen

Step 2 – People at risk

Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

(3.1) Evaluate the riskof the fire occuring

(3.2) Evaluate the risk topeople from a fire startingin the premises

(3.3) Remove and reducethe hazards that maycause a fire

(3.4) Remove and reducethe risks to peoplefrom a fire

Assessment undertaken by

Date

Completed by

Signature

Assessment review

Assessment review date Completed by Signature

Review outcome (where substantial changes have occurred a new record sheet should be used)

Notes:(1) The risk assessment record significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.(2) The information in this record should assist you to develop an emergency plan; coordinate measures with other ‘responsible persons’

in the building; and to inform and train staff and inform other relevant persons.

A2 Example form for recordingsignificant findings

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B1 Fire-resisting separation

GeneralThe materials from which your premises areconstructed may determine the speed withwhich a fire may spread, affecting the escaperoutes that people will use. A fire starting ina building constructed mainly from readilycombustible material will spread faster thanone where modern fire-resisting constructionmaterials have been used. Where non-combustiblematerials are used and the internal partitionsare made from fire-resisting materials, the firewill be contained for a longer period, allowingmore time for the occupants to escape.

Because of the requirements of the BuildingRegulations you will probably already havesome walls and floors that are fire-resistingand limitations on the surface finishes tocertain walls and ceilings.

You will need to consider whether the standardof fire resistance and surface finishing in theescape routes is satisfactory, has been affectedby wear and tear or alterations and whetherany improvements are necessary.

The following paragraphs give basic informationon how fire-resisting construction can provideup to 30 minutes protection to escape routes.This is the standard recommended for mostsituations. If you are still unsure of the levelof fire resistance which is necessary afterreading this information, you should consulta fire safety expert.

Fire-resisting constructionThe fire resistance of a wall or floor is dependenton the quality of construction and materialsused. Common examples of types of constructionthat provide 30-minute fire resistance to escaperoutes if constructed to the above standards are:

• internal framed construction wall, non-loadbearing, consisting of 72mm x 37mmtimber studs at 600mm centres and facedwith 12.5mm of plasterboard with all jointstaped and filled (see Figure 65);

• internal framed construction, non-loadbearing, consisting of channel section steelstuds at 600mm centres faced with 12.5mmof plasterboard with all joints taped andfilled; and

• masonry cavity wall consisting of solidbricks of clay, brick earth, shale, concreteor calcium silicate, with a minimumthickness of 90mm on each leaf.

Appendix B

Technical information on fire-resistingseparation, fire doors and door fastenings

Basement

1st floor

Fire-resisting floor construction to protect route above

Cavity fire barrier

Efficient smoke seal

Fire-resisting partition constructedup to underside of floor overhead

Protected route

False ceiling

Fire-resisting floor construction

Figure 65: Fire-resisting construction

124

There are other methods and products availablewhich will achieve the required standard offire resistance and may be more appropriate forthe existing construction in your premises. Ifthere is any doubt about how your building isconstructed, then ask for further advice from acompetent person.

Fire-resisting floorsThe fire resistance of floors will depend on theexisting floor construction as well as the typeof ceiling finish beneath. If you need to upgradethe fire resistance of your floor it may not bedesirable to apply additional fire resistance tothe underside of an existing ornate ceiling. Inolder buildings there may be a requirement toprovide fire resistance between beams and joists.

A typical example of a 30-minute fire-resistingtimber floor is tongue and groove softwood ofnot less than 15mm finished thickness on 37mmtimber joists, with a ceiling below of one layer of plasterboard to a thickness of 12.5mmwith joints taped and filled and backed bysupporting timber.

There are other, equally valid, methods andproducts available for upgrading floors.If you are in any doubt you should ask theadvice of a competent person and ensure thatthe product is installed in accordance withinstructions from the manufacturer or supplier.

Fire-resisting glazingThe most common type of fire-resisting glazingis 6mm Georgian wired glazing, which is easilyidentifiable. Clear fire-resisting glazing is availableand can quickly be identified by a mark etchedinto the glass, usually in the corner of the glazedpanel, to confirm its fire-resisting standard.Although this is not compulsory, the markingof glass is supported by the Glass and GlazingFederation; you should check whether the glazingwill be marked accordingly before purchase.The glazing should have been installed inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructionsand to the appropriate standard,66 to ensurethat its fire-resisting properties are maintained.

The performance of glazed systems in termsof fire resistance and external fire exposureshould, wherever possible, be confirmed bytest evidence. Alternatively, where there is alack of test information, ask for an assessmentof the proposed construction from suitablyqualified people.

Fire separation of voidsA common problem encountered with fireseparation is fire-resisting partitions which do

not extend above false ceilings to true ceilingheight. This may result in unseen fire spreadand a loss of vital protection to the escaperoutes. It is important therefore to carefullycheck all such partitions have beeninstalled correctly.

CLASP and SCOLA type constructionCLASP (Consortium of Local Authorities SpecialProgramme)* and SCOLA (Second Consortiumof Local Authorities) are total or systematicmethods of construction that were developedto provide consistent building quality, whilereducing the need for traditional skilled labour.They consist of a metal frame upon whichstructural panels are fixed. This results inhidden voids through which fire may spread.It is important that cavity barriers that restrictthe spread of fire are installed appropriately,especially to walls and floors that need to befire-resisting. If you are in any doubt as towhether any remedial work will be required,then ask for advice from a competent person.

Breaching fire separationTo ensure effective protection against fire, wallsand floors providing fire separation must forma complete barrier, with an equivalent level of fireresistance provided to any openings such as doors,ventilation ducts, pipe passages or refuse chutes.

The passing of services such as heating pipes orelectrical cables through fire-resisting partitionsleaves gaps through which fire and smoke mayspread. This should be rectified by suitablefire stopping and there are many proprietaryproducts available to suit particular types ofconstruction. Such products should be installedby competent contractors.

Décor and surface finishes of walls,ceilings and escape routesThe materials used to line walls and ceilingscan contribute significantly to the spread offlame across their surface. Most materials thatare used as surface linings will fall into oneof three classes of surface spread of flame.The following are common examples ofacceptable materials for various situations:

Class 0: Materials suitable for circulationspaces and escape routes• Such materials include brickwork, blockwork,

concrete, ceramic tiles, plaster finishes(including rendering on wood or metallathes), wood-wool cement slabs andmineral fibre tiles or sheets with cementor resin binding.

* www.clasp.gov.uk

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Note: Additional finishes to these surfaces maybe detrimental to the fire performance of thesurface and if there is any doubt about thisthen consult the manufacturer of the finish.

Class 1: Materials suitable for use in allrooms but not on escape routes• Such materials include all the Class 0 materials

referred to above. Additionally, timber,hardboard, blockboard, particle board,heavy flock wallpapers and thermosettingplastics will be suitable if flame-retardanttreated to achieve a Class 1 standard.

Class 3: Materials suitable for use in roomsof less than 30m2

• Such materials include all those referredto in Class 1, including those that havenot been flame-retardant treated andcertain dense timber or plywood andstandard glass-reinforced polyesters.

The equivalent European classification standardwill also be acceptable. Further details aboutinternal linings and classifications are availablein Approved Document B.24 Appropriate testingprocedures are detailed in BS 476-733 and whereappropriate BS EN 13501-1.34

Further guidance on types of fire-resistingconstruction has been published by the BuildingResearch Establishment.35

B2 Fire-resisting doors

Requirements of a fire-resisting doorEffective fire-resisting doors (see Figure 66) arevital to ensure that the occupants can evacuateto a place of safety. Correctly specified andwell-fitted doors will hold back fire and smoke,preventing escape routes becoming unusable, aswell as preventing the fire spreading from onearea to another.

Fire-resisting doors are necessary in anydoorway located in a fire-resisting structure.Most internal doors are constructed of timber.These will give some limited protection againstfire spread, but only a purpose-built fire-resistingdoor that has been tested to an approvedstandard will provide the necessary protection.Metal fire-resisting doors are also available andspecific guidance for these follows.

All fire-resisting doors are rated by theirperformance when tested to an appropriatestandard. The level of protection provided bythe door is measured, primarily by determining

the time taken for a fire to breach the integrity(E), of the door assembly, together with itsresistance to the passage of hot gases and flame.

It may be possible to upgrade the fire resistanceof existing doors. Further information is availablefrom the Building Research Establishment67 orthe Timber Research and DevelopmentAssociation.68

Timber fire-resisting doors require a gap of2-4mm between the door leaf and the frame.However larger gaps may be necessary to ensurethat the door closes flush into its frame whensmoke seals are fitted. Further information isavailable in BS 4787-1.69 For fire-resistingpurposes the gap is normally protected byinstalling an intumescent seal, in either thedoor or, preferably, the frame. The intumescentseal expands in the early stages of a fire andenhances the protection given by the door.Additional smoke seals will restrict the spreadof smoke at ambient temperatures. Doors fittedwith smoke seals, either incorporated in theintumescent seal or fitted separately, havetheir classification code suffixed with a ‘S’.

The principal fire-resisting door categories are:

• E20 fire-resisting door providing 20 minutesfire resistance (or equivalent FD 20S).(Note: Many suppliers no longer providean E20 type fire-resisting door.)

• E30 fire-resisting door providing 30 minutesfire resistance (or equivalent FD 30S).

• E60 fire-resisting door providing 60 minutesfire resistance (or equivalent FD 60S).

Timber fire-resisting doors are available that willprovide up to 120 minutes fire resistance buttheir use is limited to more specialised conditionsthat are beyond the scope of this guidance.

Metal fire-resisting doorsAlthough the majority of fire-resisting doors aremade from timber, metal fire-resisting doors,which meet the appropriate standard, can oftenbe used for the same purpose. However, thereare situations, especially in large factories orwarehouses, where they are more appropriate.The majority of metal fire-resisting doormanufacturers will require the use of bespokeframes and hardware for their door sets.

See BS EN 1634-136 and BS 476-2237 for moreinformation.

For detailed guidance refer to ApprovedDocument B.24

126

Glazing in fire-resisting doorsAlthough glazing provides additional safety ineveryday use and can enhance the appearanceof fire-resisting doors, it should never reducethe fire resistance of the door. The openingprovided in the door for the fire-resisting glazingunit(s) and the fitting of the beading are critical,and should only be entrusted to a competentperson. In nearly all cases the door and glazingshould be purchased from a reputable supplierwho can provide documentary evidence thatthe door continues to achieve the required rating.

Fire-resisting door furniture

HingesTo ensure compliance with their rated fireperformance, fire-resisting doors need tobe hung with the correct number, size andquality of hinges. Normally a minimum ofthree hinges are needed, however themanufacturer’s instructions should be closelyfollowed. BS EN 193538 including Annex B,is the appropriate standard.

Alternative door mountingsAlthough the most common method of hanginga door is to use single axis hinges, alternative

methods are employed where the door isrequired to be double swing or mounted onpivots for other reasons.

Floor mounted controlled door closing devicesare the most common method regularly foundwith timber, glass and steel doors while transommounted devices are commonly used withaluminium sections. In each case reference shouldbe made to the fire test report for details as tocompliance with the composition of the doorassembly including the door mounting conditions.

Self-closing devicesAll fire-resisting doors, other than those tolocked cupboards and service ducts, shouldbe fitted with an appropriately controlled self-closing device that will effectively close thedoor from any angle. In certain circumstances,concealed, jamb-mounted closing devices maybe specified and in these cases should becapable of closing the door from any angleand against any latch fitted to the door; springhinges are unlikely to be suitable. Furtherinformation is available in BS EN 1154.39

Rising butt hinges are not suitable for use asa self-closing device due to their inability toclose and latch the door from any angle.

Ideally the frame should be to the same standard as the door,purchased together as a door set.

Door closer – see BS EN 115439

for further information.

Hinges – see BS EN 1935 annex B.38 Hinges should be tested as part ofthe door set – see BS EN 1634-240

for further information.

Vision panel should be fire-resisting glazing.

Door handles and locks – see BS EN 190678

annex C and BS EN 12209 annex A77

respectively for further information.Door handles and locks should be testedas part of a door set – see BS EN 1634-136 for further information.

Securing device –lock, emergencyexit device or panicexit device. See BS EN 12209,77

BS EN 17944

or BS EN 112543

respectively forfurther information.

Infumescent strip and cold smoke seal toresist the passage of smoke and fire.

Figure 66: A fire-resisting and smoke-stopping door

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Automatic door hold-open/release devicesfor self-closing fire doors These devices are designed to hold open selfclosing fire doors or allow them to swing freeduring normal use. In the event of a fire alarmthe device will then release the door automatically,allowing the self-closing mechanism to closethe door.

Such devices are particularly useful in situationswhere self closing doors on escape routes areused regularly by significant numbers ofpeople, or by people with impaired mobilitywho may have difficulty in opening the doors.

Typical examples of such devices include:

• electro-magnetic devices fitted to the fire-resisting door which release when the firedetection and warning system operates,allowing a separate self-closer to closethe door;

• electro-magnetic devices within thecontrolled door closing device whichfunction on the operation of the firedetection and warning system; and

• ‘free swing’ controlled door closingdevices, which operate by allowing thedoor leaf to work independently of theclosing device in normal conditions. Anelectro-magnetic device within the springmechanism linked to the fire detection andwarning system ensures that the doorcloses on the operation of the system.

Note: Free swing devices may not be suitablein some situations, such as corridors, wheredraughts are a problem and the doors arelikely to swing uncontrolled, causing possibledifficulty or injury to certain people e.g. thosewith certain disabilities, the elderly and frail,or young children.

Automatic door hold open/release devicesfitted to doors protecting escape routes shouldonly be installed in conjunction with anautomatic fire detection and warning systemincorporating smoke detectors, that is designedto protect the escape routes in the building(see Part 2, Section 2).

In all cases the automatic device should releasethe fire-resisting door allowing it to closeeffectively within its frame when any of thefollowing conditions occur:

• the detection of smoke by an automaticdetector;

• the actuation of the fire detection andalarm system by manual means e.g.operation of break glass call point;

• any failure of the fire detection and alarmsystem; or

• any electrical power failure.

Other devices, including self-contained deviceswhich perform a similar function, that are notconnected directly to a fire alarm system andare not therefore able to meet the abovecriteria are available and may be acceptablewhere a site-specific risk assessment can showthat they are appropriate. Such devices areunlikely to be suitable for use on doorsprotecting single stairways or other criticalmeans of escape.

In all cases where a door hold open device isused it should be possible to close the doormanually.

A site specific risk assessment should beundertaken before any type of automatic doorhold open/release device is installed. If you areunsure about the suitability of such devices inyour premises, you should seek the advice of acompetent person.

Further guidance about automatic door holdopen/release devices is given in BS EN 115570

or BS 5839-3.40

Door co-ordinatorsWhere pairs of doors with rebated meeting stilesare installed it is critical that the correct closingorder is maintained. Door coordinators to BSEN 115871 should be fitted and fully operationalin all cases where the doors are self-closing.

Installation and workmanshipThe reliability and performance of correctlyspecified fire-resisting doors can be underminedby inadequate installation. It is important thatinstallers with the necessary level of skill andknowledge are used. Accreditation schemes forinstallers of fire-resisting doors are available.

Fire-resisting doors and shutters will requireroutine maintenance, particularly to poweroperation and release and closing mechanisms.

Further information is available on fire-resistingdoors in BS 8214.42 If you are unsure about thequality, the effectiveness or the fitting of yourfire-resisting doors consult a fire safety expert.

For further guidance on the selection andmaintenance of door furniture suitable for useon timber fire resisting and escape doors referto the Building Hardware Industry Federation(BHIF) Code of Practice – Hardware for TimberFire and Escape Doors.72

B3 Door-fastening devices

The relationship between the securing ofdoors against unwanted entry and the abilityto escape through them easily in an emergencyhas often proved problematical. Careful planningand the use of quality materials remain themost effective means of satisfying both of these objectives.

Any device that impedes people making goodtheir escape, either by being unnecessarilycomplicated to manipulate or not being readilyopenable, will not be acceptable.

Guidance on fire exits starts from the positionthat doors on escape routes should not be fittedwith any locking devices (electrically operatedor otherwise). However, it is accepted that inmany cases the need for security will requiresome form of device that prevents unlimitedaccess, but still enables the occupants of abuilding or area to open the door easily if thereis a fire. These devices can take many formsbut, in the majority of cases, premises wherethere are members of the public present orothers who are not familiar with the buildingshould use panic exit bar devices (i.e. pushbars or touch bars). See BS EN 112543 forfurther information.

Premises that have limited numbers of staff orothers who are familiar with the building andwhere panic is not likely may use alternativedevices (i.e. push pads or lever handles).See BS EN 17944 for further information.

In some larger premises, when only certainstaff are on the premises and there is a securityissue, it may be acceptable to restrict the numberof emergency exits immediately available, e.g.when only security staff are present at night inlarge premises, or prior to opening thepremises to the public in the morning. Staffshould be made fully aware of any restrictionsand the number of exits not immediatelyavailable should be limited.

Electrical locking devicesElectrically operated entry control devices havebeen developed for use as locking devices onfire exits. They fall into two main categories,electromechanical and electromagnetic.

• Electromechanical devices

Electromechanical devices compriseelectromechanical lock keeps and drawbolts, which can be controlled by peopleinside the premises by entering a code orby using ‘smart cards’, which have beenadapted to control the exit from certainareas. These devices have been fitted inmany premises and may be linked to thefire-detection and/or warning system.Experience has shown that these devicescan fail to open in a number of ways. Theyare dependent on a spring mechanism toreturn the lock keep or draw bolt(s) andare liable to jam when pressure is appliedto the door. It is also relatively easy to fitthem incorrectly. Electromechanical lockingdevices are normally unacceptable onescape doors, unless they are fitted witha manual means of overriding the lockingmechanism, such as a push bar, push pador lever handle or they do not rely on aspring mechanism, fail-safe open and arenot affected by pressure, in which case thecriteria for electromagnetic devices shouldbe applied.

• Electromagnetic devices

These devices comprise a magnet anda simple fixed retaining plate with nomoving parts and are therefore generallyconsidered to be more reliable due totheir inherent ‘fail-safe unlocked’ operation.Electromagnetic locking devices go someway to addressing the particular concernssurrounding electromechanical lockingsystems. The release of this type of device iscontrolled by the interruption of electricalcurrent to an electromagnet either manuallyvia a switch or other means, break-glasspoint (typically coloured green), or bylinking to the fire-warning and/or detectionsystem of the premises.

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Time-delay devices on escape routesA further development is the fitting of a time-delay system to the electronic door-lockingdevice. This delays the actual opening of anexit door for a variable period followingoperation of the panic bar or other exit device.Periods of between five and 60 seconds can bepre-set at the manufacturing stage or can beadjusted when fitted. These are not usuallyacceptable for use by members of the public.However, they may be acceptable for use bystaff who are familiar with their operation andare suitably trained in their use.

Management of electronic door-controldevices including time delaysThe use of such devices may be accepted byenforcing authorities if the responsible personcan demonstrate, through a suitable riskassessment for each individual door, both theneed and the adequate management controlsto ensure that people can escape safely fromthe premises. In particular:

• Access control should not be confusedwith exit control. Many devices are availablewhich control the access to the premisesbut retain the immediate escape facilityfrom the premises.

• In public areas, when push bars areoperated on escape doors, they shouldrelease the electromagnetic locksimmediately and allow the exit doorsto open.

• The requirement for exit control shouldbe carefully assessed and should not beseen as a substitute for good managementof the employees and occupants.

• All other alternatives should have beenexplored/evaluated prior to using thesedevices to ensure they do not affect thesafety of occupants.

• The device should be connected to thefire warning and/or detection system.

• The device should incorporate a bypasscircuit for immediate release on activationof the fire warning and/or detection system.

• Each door should be fitted with a singlesecuring device.

• The emergency exit doors should beclearly labelled about how to operate them.

• Adequate control measures should be putin place to ensure the safety of the occupants.

The use of electronic door-locking devices shouldbe considered with particular care in premiseswith a number of different occupancies.The management of a complicated systemof evacuation for many different groups isunlikely to be practicable.

The technical standards in respect of sourcing,maintaining and testing must be extremely high.

When part of the management control systeminvolves trained personnel helping others atthese doors, it is vital to ensure these peopleare available.

The use of exit control devices should notbe considered where the number of trainedstaff is low or where members of the publicwould be expected to operate the devicewithout help.

In premises where there may be large numbersof people, the devices should only be consideredwhen linked to a comprehensive automaticfire-detection and warning system in accordancewith BS 5839-1.16 There should be an additionalmeans of manually overriding the lockingdevice at each such exit (typically a greenbreak-glass point).

The use of time-delay systems that prevent theopening of emergency exits for a pre-set timeare primarily used to improve security. Theseadd a further layer of complexity to the firestrategy and should not be considered in publicareas. They should only be used in non-publicareas when all other options such as relocatingvaluable stock or exterior boundary managementhave been addressed. Their value in preventingtheft is likely to be transient as the use of themanual override becomes more widely known.

British Standard 8220-345 gives further adviceon security in buildings and while this standarddoes refer to electronic locking devices, it alsoacknowledges that the balance must remain onthe side of emergency escape rather than security.

General considerations

This appendix offers additional informationabout listed and historical buildings.

Fire risk assessments conducted for a factory orwarehouse which is within a listed or historicbuilding will need to endeavour to strike abalance between ensuring sufficient fire safetymeasures are in place for the safety of people,yet avoid extensive alterations and helping tomaintain the character of the building.

As well as the fire risk assessment it isrecommended that a general fire policy statementand manual is compiled. A person must benominated to take responsibility for all aspectsof fire safety. Usually the person charged withthe management and control of the premiseswill be the ‘responsible person’ under the Order.1

The advice and/or consent of a buildingcontrol body or any other relevant bodies (e.g.English Heritage) should form part of any firerisk assessment that impacts on the character ofthe building (e.g. replacement of doors, fittings,wooden panelling and decor) or material changesto existing escape routes. An ideal solutionis one that is reversible, enabling the historicelements to be reinstated.

A fire safety adviser will be able to suggestalternatives to conventional fire precautions,such as:

• a fire engineering solution;

• upgrading existing doors and partitionsin a sympathetic manner to improvetheir fire resistance; and

• considering the installation of specialistfire-detection or suppression systems.

Should the design and nature of the historicbuilding preclude the introduction ofconventional fire safety features, it will benecessary to manage the building in sucha way that:

• limits the number of occupants, eitherstaff or members of the public, insidethe building;

• limits activities in the building; and

• provides adequate supervision withinthe building.

Liaison with the fire and rescue serviceThe responsible person will need to ensureeffective liaison with the fire and rescue serviceto enable them to carry out firefightingoperations. These may include information on:

• the provision of water supplies, seasonalponds, lakes and underground tanks, andany associated pumps;

• difficult access for fire engines;

• particular hazards in the constructionfeatures of the building (including asbestos);

• the use of combustible under floor insulation;

• underground vaults ducts and voids wherefire may spread unchecked;

• worn stone slabs in stairway construction; and

• the presence of cast iron columns andwrought iron beams.

Emergency planningAn important consideration for the owners andtrustees is the protection of valuable artefactsand paintings from the effects of fire. However,the efficient evacuation of all occupants musttake precedence over procedures for limitingdamage to property and contents. Salvagework should be limited to those parts of thebuilding not directly affected by the fire.

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Appendix C

Historic buildings

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Fire wardens and others tasked with carryingout salvage work should have received formaltraining, adequate protection and be fullybriefed about the health and safety riskassessment carried out to identify the dangersassociated with this activity. Further detailedadvice on fire safety in historic buildings canbe found in the following publications:

• BS 7913: Guide to the principles of theconservation of historic buildings, BritishStandards Institution

• Heritage under fire: A guide to theprotection of historic buildings, FireProtection Association (for the UK WorkingParty on Fire Safety in Historic Buildings)1991, ISBN 0 902167 94 4

• The Installation of Sprinkler Systems inHistoric Buildings (Historic ScotlandTechnical Advice Note S), Fire ProtectionAssociation (TCRE Division/ScottishConservation Bureau, Hist.) 1998,ISBN 1 900168 63 4

• Fire Protection Measures in Scottish HistoricBuildings: Advice on Measures Required toMinimise the Likelihood of Fire Starting andto Alleviate the Destructive Consequencesof Fire in Historic Buildings (TechnicalAdvice Note), TCRE Division/ScottishConservation Bureau, Hist. 1997,ISBN 1 900168 41 3

• Fire Risk Management in Heritage Buildings(Technical Advice Note), TCREDivision/Scottish Conservation Bureau,Hist. 2001, ISBN 1 900168 71 5

• Summary and conclusions of the reportinto fire protection measures for the RoyalPalaces by Sir Alan Bailey following theWindsor Castle fire, 1992.

• The fire at Upton Park. The National Trust.

• Timber panelled doors and fire,English Heritage.

• Fire safety in historic town centres,English Heritage and Cheshire Fire andRescue Service.

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Appendix D

Glossary

Term Definition

Access room A room through which the only escape route from an inner roompasses.

Accommodation stairway A stairway, additional to that required for means of escapepurposes provided for the convenience of occupants.

Alterations notice If your premises are considered by the enforcing authority to behigh risk, they may issue an alterations notice that requires you toinform them before making any material alterations to yourpremises.

Alternative escape route Escape routes sufficiently separated by either direction and space,or by fire-resisting construction to ensure that one is still availableirrespective of the location of a fire.

Approved Document B (ADB)24 Guidance issued by Government in support of the fire safetyaspects of the building regulations.

As low as reasonably practicable Is a concept where risks should continue to be reduced until youreach a point where the cost and effort to reduce the risk furtherwould be grossly disproportionate to the benefit achieved.

Automatic fire detection system A means of automatically detecting the products of a fire andsending a signal to a fire warning system. See ‘Fire warning’.

Basement A storey with a floor which at some point is more than 1,200mmbelow the highest level of ground adjacent to the outside walls,unless, and for escape purposes only, such area has adequate,independent and separate means of escape.

Child Anyone who is not over compulsory school age, i.e. before or justafter their 16th birthday.

Class 0, 1 or 3 surface spread Classes of surface spread of flame for materials needed to line of flame the walls and ceilings of escape routes. See Appendix B for

further information.

Combustible material A substance that can be burned.

Compartment wall and/or floor A fire-resisting wall or floor that separates one fire compartmentfrom another.

Competent person A person with enough training and experience or knowledge andother qualities to enable them properly to assist in undertaking thepreventive and protective measures.

These definitions are provided to assist theresponsible person in understanding some ofthe technical terms used in this guide. They arenot exhaustive and more precise definitionsmay be available in other guidance.

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Term Definition

Dangerous substance 1. A substance which because of its physico-chemical orchemical properties and the way it is used or is present at theworkplace creates a risk.

2. A substance subject to the Dangerous Substances andExplosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).

Dead end Area from which escape is possible in one direction only.

Direct distance The shortest distance from any point within the floor area to thenearest storey exit, or fire-resisting route, ignoring walls, partitionsand fixings.

Domestic premises Premises occupied as a private dwelling, excluding thoseareas used in common by the occupants of more than onesuch dwelling.

Emergency escape lighting Lighting provided to illuminate escape routes that willfunction if the normal lighting fails.

Enforcing authority The fire and rescue authority or any other authority specified inArticle 25 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.1

Escape route Route forming that part of the means of escape from any pointin the premises to a final exit.

Evacuation lift A lift that may be used for the evacuation of people withdisabilities, or others, in a fire.

External escape stair Stair providing an escape route, external to the building.

Fail-safe Locking an output device with the application of power andhaving the device unlock when the power is removed. Alsoknown as fail unlock, reverse action or power locked.

False alarm A fire signal, usually from a fire warning system, resulting froma cause other than fire.

Final exit An exit from a building where people can continue to dispersein safety and where they are no longer at danger from fireand/or smoke.

Fire compartment A building, or part of a building, constructed to prevent thespread of fire to or from another part of the same building oran adjoining building.

Fire door A door or shutter, together with its frame and furniture, providedfor the passage of people, air or goods which, when closed isintended to restrict the passage of fire and/or smoke to apredictable level of performance.

Firefighting lift A lift, designed to have additional protection, with controls thatenable it to be used under the direct control of the fire and rescueservice when fighting a fire.

Firefighting shaft A fire-resisting enclosure containing a firefighting stair, fire mains,firefighting lobbies and if provided, a firefighting lift.

Term Definition

Firefighting stairway See firefighting shaft.

Fire resistance The ability of a component or construction of a building to satisfy,for a stated period of time, some or all of the appropriate criteriaof relevant standards. (Generally described as 30 minutes fire-resisting or 60 minutes fire-resisting.) See BS EN 1363-1,46

BS 476-733 and associated standards for further information.

Fire safety manager A nominated person with responsibility for carrying out day-to-daymanagement of fire safety. (This may or may not be the same asthe ‘responsible person’.)

Fire safety strategy A number of planned and co-ordinated arrangements designed toreduce the risk of fire and to ensure the safety of people if there is a fire.

Fire stopping A seal provided to close an imperfection of fit or design tolerancebetween elements or components, to restrict the passage of fireand smoke.

Fire-warning system A means of alerting people to the existence of a fire. (See automatic fire detection system.)

Flammable material Easily ignited and capable of burning rapidly.

Highly flammable Generally liquids with a flashpoint of below 21°C.

(The Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for SupplyRegulations 200247 (CHIP) give more detailed guidance.)

Hazardous substance 1. See Dangerous substance.

2. A substance subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous toHealth Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

Inner room A room from which escape is possible only by passing throughanother room (the access room).

Licensed premises Any premises that require a licence under any statute to undertaketrade or conduct business activities.

Material change An alteration to the premises, process or service which significantlyaffects the level of risk to people from fire in those premises.

Means of escape Route(s) provided to ensure safe egress from the premises orother locations to a place of total safety.

Phased evacuation A system of evacuation in which different parts of the premisesare evacuated in a controlled sequence of phases, those parts ofthe premises expected to be at greatest risk being evacuated first.

Place of reasonable safety A place within a building or structure where, for a limited periodof time, people will have some protection from the effects of fireand smoke. This place, usually a corridor or stairway, will normallyhave a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance and allow peopleto continue their escape to a place of total safety.

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Term Definition

Place of total safety A place, away from the premises, in which people are at noimmediate danger from the effects of a fire.

Premises Any place, such as a building and the immediate land bounded byany enclosure of it, any tent, moveable or temporary structure orany installation or workplace.

Protected lobby A fire-resisting enclosure providing access to an escape stairwayvia two sets of fire doors and into which no room opens otherthan toilets and lifts.

Protected stairway A stairway which is adequately protected from the rest of thebuilding by fire-resisting construction.

Protected route An escape route which is adequately protected from the rest ofthe building by fire-resisting construction.

Refuge A place of reasonable safety in which a disabled person andothers who may need assistance may rest or wait for assistancebefore reaching a place of total safety. It should lead directly to afire-resisting escape route.

Responsible person The person ultimately responsible for fire safety as defined in theRegulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.1

Relevant persons Any person lawfully on the premises and any person in theimmediate vicinity, but does not include firefighters carrying outfirefighting duties.

Self-closing device A device that is capable of closing the door from any angle andagainst any latch fitted to the door.

Significant finding A feature of the premises, from which the fire hazards andpersons at risk are identified.

The actions you have taken or will take to remove or reduce thechance of a fire occuring or the spread of fire and smoke.

The actions people need to take in case of fire.

The necessary information, instruction and training needed andhow it will be given.

Smoke alarm Device containing within one housing all the components, exceptpossibly the energy source, for detecting smoke and giving anaudible alarm.

Staged fire alarms A fire warning which can be given in two or more stages fordifferent purposes within a given area (i.e. notifying staff, stand byto evacuate, full evacuation).

Storey exit A final exit or a doorway giving direct access into a protectedstairway, firefighting lobby, or external escape route.

Travel distance The actual distance to be travelled by a person from any pointwithin the floor area to the nearest storey exit or final exit, havingregard to the layout of walls, partitions and fixings.

Term Definition

Vision panel A transparent panel in a wall or door of an inner room enabling theoccupant to become aware of a fire in the access area during theearly stages.

Way guidance Low mounted luminous tracks positioned on escape routes incombination with exit indicators, exit marking and intermediatedirection indicators along the route, provided for use when thesupply to the normal lighting fails, which do not rely on anelectrical supply for their luminous output.

Where necessary The Order requires that fire precautions (such as firefightingequipment, fire detection and warning, and emergency routes andexits) should be provided (and maintained) ‘where necessary’.

What this means is that the fire precautions you must provide(and maintain) are those which are needed to reasonably protectrelevant persons from risks to them in case of fire. This will bedetermined by the findings of your risk assessment including thepreventative measures you have or will have taken. In practice, itis very unlikely, that a properly conducted fire risk assessment,which takes into account all the matters relevant for the safety ofpersons in case of fire, will conclude that no fire precautions(including maintenance) are necessary.

Young person (a) A person aged 16 years, from the date on which he attains that age until and including the 31st August which next followsthat date.

(b) A person aged 16 years and over who is undertaking a courseof full-time education at a school or college which is not advancededucation.

(c) A person aged 16 years and over who is undertaking approvedtraining that is not provided through a contract of employment.

For the purposes of paragraphs (b) and (c) the person:

(a) shall have commenced the course of full-time education orapproved training before attaining the age of 19 years; and

(b) shall not have attained the age of 20 years.

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The following documents are referenced in this guide. Where dated, only this version applies.Where undated, the latest version of the document applies.

1 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, SI 2005/1541. The Stationery Office, 2005. ISBN 0 11 072945 5.

2 Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c 40). The Stationery Office, 1971. ISBN 0 10 544071 X.

3 Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, SI 1997/1840. The Stationery Office, 1997. ISBN 0 11 064738 6.

4 Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, SI 1999/1877.The Stationery Office, 1999. ISBN 0 11 082882 8.

5 Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/341.The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 054093 X.

6 Safety signs and signals. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.Guidance on regulations, L64. HSE Books, 1996. ISBN 0 7176 0870 0.

7 Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2776.The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042957 5.

8 Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres. Dangerous Substances and ExplosiveAtmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved code of practice and guidance, L138. HSE Books, 2003.ISBN 0 7176 2203 7.

9 Storage of full and empty LPG cylinders and cartridges. Code of Practice 7. LP Gas Association,2000. Available from LP Gas Association, Pavilion 16, Headlands Business Park, Salisbury Road,Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3PB.

10 Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offices and other low-risk environments, INDG236.HSE Books, 1996. (ISBN 0 7176 1272 4 single copy free or priced packs of 10).

11 Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/1592. The Stationery Office,1996. ISBN 0 11 035904 6.

12 A guide to the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, INDG220.HSE Books, 1996. (ISBN 0 7176 1161 2 single copy free or priced packs of 10).

Health and safety in construction, HSG150 (second edition). HSE Books, 2001.ISBN 0 7176 2106 5.

13 Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c 50). The Stationery Office, 1995. ISBN 0 10 545095 2.

14 BS 8300: The design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Codeof practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38438 1.

15 ODPM/CACFOA/BFPSA guidance on reducing false alarms.

16 BS 5839-1: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for system design,installation, commissioning and maintenance. British Standards Institution.ISBN 0 580 40376 9.

17 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, SI 1992/2793. The Stationery Office, 1992.ISBN 0 11 025920 3.

18 BS 5306-8: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection andinstallation of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice. British Standards Institution.ISBN 0 580 33203 9.

19 BS 5306-3: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Code of practice for theinspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. British Standards Institution.ISBN 0 580 42865 6.

20 BS 7863: Recommendations for colour coding to indicate the extinguishing media contained inportable fire extinguishers. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 25845 9.

21 BS EN 671-3: Fixed firefighting systems. Hose systems. Maintenance of hose reels with semi-rigidhose and hose systems with lay-flat hose. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 34112 7.

22 BS EN 12845: Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic sprinkler systems. Design, installation andmaintenance. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 44770 7.

References

23 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, SI 1992/3004. The Stationery Office,1992. ISBN 0 11 025804 5.

24 The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended 2001): Approved document B Fire Safety.The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 11 753911-2.

25 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (c 30). The Stationery Office, 1982.ISBN 0 10 543082 X.

26 BS 5395-2: Stairs, ladders and walkways. Code of practice for the design of industrial type stairs,permanent ladders and walkways. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 14706 1.

27 BS 5266-8: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for emergency escape lighting systems.British Standards Institution.

28 BS 5266-1: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises other thancinemas and certain other specified premises used for entertainment. British Standards Institution.

29 BS EN 1838: Lighting applications. Emergency lighting. British Standards Institution.ISBN 0 580 32992 5.

30 BS 5499-4: Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of practice for escape route signing.British Standards Institution.

31 BS 7974: Application of fire safety engineering principles to the design of buildings. Code of practice British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38447 0.

32 Successful health and safety management, HSG65 (second edition). HSE Books, 1997.ISBN 0 7176 1276 7.

33 BS 476-7: Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products. British Standards Institution.

34 BS EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements.Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests. British Standards Institution.

35 Guidelines for the construction of fire resisting structural elements, BR 128 Building ResearchEstablishment, 1988.

36 BS EN 1634-1: Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies Fire doors and shutters.British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32429 X.

37 BS 476-22: Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction. British Standards Institution.ISBN 0 580 15872 1.

38 BS EN 1935: Building hardware. Single-axis hinges. Requirements and test methods.British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 39272 4.

39 BS EN 1154: Building hardware. Controlled door closing devices. Requirements and test methods.British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 27476 4.

40 BS EN 1634-2: Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies. Part 2. Fire door hardware.Building hardware for fire resisting doorsets and openable windows. British Standards Institution.

41 BS 5839-3: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Specification for automatic releasemechanisms for certain fire protection equipment. British Standards Institution.ISBN 0 580 15787 3.

42 BS 8214: Code of practice for fire door assemblies with non-metallic leaves.British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 18871 6.

43 BS EN 1125: Building hardware. Panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar. Requirementsand test methods. British Standards Institution.

44 BS EN 179: Building hardware. Emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push pad. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 28863 3.

45 BS 8220: Guide for security of buildings against crime. Offices and shops.British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 23692 7.

46 BS EN 1363-1: Fire resistance tests. General requirements. British Standards Institution.

47 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/1689.The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042419 0.

48 Guide to the safe warehousing of aerosols. British Aerosol Manufacturers Association.

49 The storage of flammable liquids in containers, HSG 51. Health and Safety Executive.

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50 Manufacture and storage of explosives. Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.Approved code of practice and guidance, L139. HSE Books, 2005. ISBN 0 7176 2816 7.

51 Storing and selling fireworks safely, INDG407. Health and Safety Executive.

52 BS 5588-12: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings – Part 12:Managing fire safety. British Standards Institution.

53 The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. SI 1989/635.

54 The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, SI 1994/3260.

55 The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (CONDAM/CDM Regs). HMSO, 1994.

56 Construction Information Sheet No. 51: Construction fire safety. Health and Safety Executive.

57 Fire safety in construction work, HSG 168. Health and Safety Executive. ISBN 0 7176 1332 1.

58 Fire prevention on construction sites: The joint code of practice on the protection from fire ofconstruction sites and buildings undergoing renovation (fifth edition). Fire ProtectionAssociation and Construction Federation, 2000. ISBN 0 902167 39 1).

59 Design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated envelopes for temperaturecontrolled environments. International Association for Cold Storage Construction.

60 BS 5306-2: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Specification forsprinkler systems. British Standards Institution.

61 BS 5588-5: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Access and facilitiesfor firefighting. British Standards Institution.

62 The Building Regulations 1991: Approved Document M access to and use of buildings (2004 edition). The Stationery Office

63 BS 5588-8: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice formeans of escape for disabled people. British Standards Institution.

64 CIBSE Guide Volume E: Fire engineering. Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, 1997.

65 Design methodologies for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation, Report 368. BRE, 1999.

66 A guide to best practice in the specification and use of fire-resistant glazed systems. Glass and Glazing Federation, 2005.

67 Increasing the fire resistance of existing timber doors, Information Paper 8/82. BRE.

68 Fire resisting doorsets by upgrading. Wood Information Sheet 1-32. Timber Research andDevelopment Association.

69 BS 4787-1: Internal and external wood doorsets, door leaves and frames. Specification for dimensional requirements. British Standards Institution.

70 BS EN 1155: Building hardware. Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors.Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.

71 BS EN 1158: Building hardware. Door coordinator devices. Requirements and test methods.British Standards Institution.

72 Hardware for timber fire and escape doors. BHIF, 2000.

73 BS 5266-6: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for non-electrical low mounted way guidancesystems for emergency use. Photoluminescent systems. British Standards Institution.

74 BS 5499-5: Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Signs withspecific safety meanings. British Standards Institution.

75 ‘Sprinklers: High piled and rack storage’. Fire Surveyor, Vol. 9, No. 1, 21–26, February 1990.

76 Safe handling of combustible dusts: Precautions against explosions. HSG103 (second edition).HSE Books, 2003. ISBN 0 7176 2726 8.

77 BS EN 12209: Building hardware. Locks and latches. Mechanically operated locks, latches andlocking plate. British Standards Institution.

78 BS EN 3-7: Portable fire extinguishers. Characteristics, performance requirements and testmethods. British Standards Institution.

BS 4422 Fire. Vocabulary. British Standards Institution.

BS PD 6512-3 Use of elements of structural fire protection with particularreference to the recommendations given in BS 5588 Fireprecautions in the design and construction of buildings.Guide to the fire performance of glass. British Standards Institution.

BS 5588-11 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings.Code of practice for shops, offices, industrial, storage and othersimilar buildings. British Standards Institution.

BS EN 81 Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.British Standards Institution.

BS EN 81-70 Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts.Particular applications for passenger and goods passenger lifts.Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability.British Standards Institution.

BS 5839-6 Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Code of practicefor the design, installation and maintenance of fire detection andfire alarm systems in dwellings. British Standards Institution.

BS 5041-1 Fire hydrant systems equipment. Specification for landing valvesfor wet risers. British Standards Institution.

BSd 5041-2 Fire hydrant systems equipment. Specification for landing valvesfor dry risers. British Standards Institution.

BS 5041-3 Fire hydrant systems equipment. Specification for inlet breechingsfor dry riser inlets. British Standards Institution.

BS 5041-4 Fire hydrant systems equipment. Specification for boxes forlanding valves for dry risers. British Standards Institution.

BS 5041-5 Fire hydrant systems equipment. Specification for boxes for foaminlets and dry riser inlets. British Standards Institution.

BS 9990 Code of practice for non-automatic firefighting systems inbuildings. British Standards Institution.

BS 7944 Type 1 heavy duty fire blankets and type 2 heavy duty heatprotective blankets. British Standards Institution.

BS EN 1869 Fire blankets. British Standards Institution.

BS ISO 14520-1 Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems. Physical properties andsystem design. General requirements. British Standards Institution.

140

Further readingThe latest versions of all documents listed inthis section should be used, including anyamendments.

Any views expressed in these documents arenot necessarily those of the DCLG.

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BS 5266-2 Emergency lighting. Code of practice for electrical low mountedway guidance systems for emergency use.British Standards Institution.

BS EN 60598-1 Luminaires. General requirements and tests.British Standards Institution.

BS 5499-1 Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safetysigns. Specification for geometric shapes, colours and layout.British Standards Institution.

BS EN 1634-3 Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies. Smokecontrol doors and shutters. British Standards Institution.

BS 8214 Code of practice for fire door assemblies with non-metallic leaves.British Standards Institution.

Draft BS EN 14637 Building hardware. Electrically controlled hold-open systems forfire/smoke door assemblies. Requirements, test methods,application and maintenance. (Consultation document.) BritishStandards Institution.

BS EN 45020 Standardisation and related activities. General vocabulary. BritishStandards Institution.

ISO 13784-2 Reaction to fire tests for sandwich panel building systems. Part 2:test method for large rooms. British Standards Institution.

BS 6661 Guide for design, construction and maintenance of single-skin airsupported structures. British Standards Institution.

BS 5268-4.2 Structural use of timber. Fire resistance of timber structures.Recommendations for calculating fire resistance of timber studwalls and joisted floor constructions. British Standards Institution.

BS 7671 Requirements for electrical installations: IEE wiring regulations.

Design principles of fire safety. The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 753045 X.

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/1689. The StationeryOffice, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042419 0. Supporting guides: The idiot’s guide to CHIP 3: Chemicals (HazardInformation and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, INDG350. HSE Books, 2002. (ISBN 0 7176 2333 5single copy free or priced packs of 5); CHIP for everyone, HSG228. HSE Books, 2002. ISBN 0 7176 2370 X.

Guidance on the acceptance of electronic locks to doors required for means of escape. The Chief andAssistant Chief Fire Officers’ Association.

Ensuring best practice for passive fire protection in buildings. Building Research Establishment, 2003.ISBN 1 870409 19 1.

Smoke shafts protecting fire shafts: their performance and design, BRE Project Report 79204.Building Research Establishment, 2002.

Design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated envelopes for temperature controlledenvironments. International Association for Cold Storage Construction, 1999.

Fire safety of PTFE-based material used in building, BRE Report 274. Building Research Establishment,1994. ISBN 0 851256 53 8.

Fires and human behaviour. David Fulton Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1 85346 105 9.

Management of health and safety at work. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.Approved code of practice and guidance, L21 (second edition). HSE Books, 2000. ISBN 0 7176 2488 9.

Fire safety in construction work, HSG168, HSE Books, 1997. ISBN 0 7176 1332 1.

Construction fire safety, Construction Information Sheet No.51. HSE Books, 1997.

Fire prevention on construction sites: The joint code of practice on the protection from fire of constructionsites and buildings undergoing renovation (fifth edition). Construction Confederation/Fire ProtectionAssociation, 2000. ISBN 0 902167 39 1.

Safe use of handling of flammable liquids, HSG140. HSE Books, 1996. ISBN 0 7176 0967 7.

Chemical warehousing: The storage of packaged dangerous substances, HSG71. HSE Books, 1998.ISBN 0 7176 1484 0.

Guidance on the assessment of fire risk: A practical approach. The Cold Storage and DistributionFederation, 2000.

The RFIC guide to the management and control of fire risks in temperature controlled structures of therefrigerated food industry, The Cold Storage and Distribution Federation, 1996.

Fire precautions in warehouses and distribution buildings. The Fire Protection Association, 2002.

LPC rules for automatic sprinkler installations. The Fire Protection Association, 2003.

Fire risk minimisation guidance. Food Industry Panels Group, 2003.

142

Aaccess for firefighters 23, 62–3, 64, 120, 121, 130aerosols 46, 59, 61alarms see fire detection and warning systemsalterations 8, 26, 49–50, 53, 58, 63, 134alterations notices 7, 33, 35, 39, 50, 132arson 13, 16, 18, 43, 44, 53assembly points 38, 112, 114, 115, 117automatic fire detection systems 20, 21, 56, 76,77, 88, 102, 103, 132

Bbasements 78, 79, 94, 98–100, 132building work 26, 49–50, 53

Ccavity barriers 67, 123, 124ceilings

fire-resisting 26, 67, 79lining materials 14, 19, 123

children 6, 24, 35, 113, 132, 136co-operation and co-ordination 6, 36, 115competent persons 6, 10, 132conduction, fire spreading by 16construction, fire-resisting 26, 28, 49, 52–3,67–8, 76, 77, 123–5contingency plans 112, 113contractors

certifying 31, 127fire safety training 6, 115managing 49–50permit to work 18, 49risk to 14, 15, 21, 36source of ignition 12, 18, 49–50

convection, fire spreading by 16cooking 12, 47–8, 50, 51, 52, 56, 115

Ddangerous substances 6, 14, 113–14, 133

storage 18–19, 44–6, 53, 114dead ends

escape routes 67, 72, 75–6, 77–8, 133fire alarms 56

disability see people with special needsdisplay materials 13, 52doors

door-fastening devices 128–9door furniture 126–8final exit 88fire-resisting 52, 67, 78, 94, 112, 125–9, 133glazing 126maintenance 7, 17, 119, 120, 121, 127, 129notices 107, 108revolving 87roller shutter doors 65, 87, 120

self-closing 79, 94, 108, 112, 121, 126–7, 135sliding 87vision panels 67, 126, 136wicket 87

dust 46

Eelectrical safety 12–13, 15, 18, 45, 47emergency escape lighting 28–9, 86, 104–5, 133

tests, checks and maintenance 30, 31, 32,105–6, 110, 119, 120, 121

emergency plans 27, 33, 35, 36, 41, 110,112–13, 115, 116, 130equipment and machinery 12–13, 15, 18, 38,39, 47–8escape routes

age and construction of the premises 25–6,28, 50, 67–8alternative exits 74, 78, 88, 90, 132basements 78, 79, 94, 98–100, 132corridors 50, 67, 79, 80, 81, 94, 100, 102dead ends 56, 67, 72, 75–6, 77–8, 133emergency lighting 28–9, 86, 104–5, 133escape time 25, 28, 70final exits 26, 28, 82, 83, 88, 99, 110, 117, 133inner rooms 73, 76, 134, 136layouts 88–103levels of risk 66, 68lifts 25, 27, 38, 68, 86, 120, 133lobbies 67, 78, 81, 94, 100, 102, 135maintenance 85, 86managing 27, 28, 68, 129obstructions 27, 42, 50, 81, 88, 119people with special needs 24, 27, 28reception areas 84roof exits 86, 87signs and notices 29–30, 36, 107–9suitability 67tests and checks 30–2, 110, 119, 120, 121training 27, 38travel distance 20, 56, 66, 70, 71–2, 75–6, 88,89, 95, 135type and number of people using premises25, 28widths and capacity of 70see also doors; stairways

extinguishers 22–3, 30, 31, 59–60

Ffactories

emergency escape lighting 28, 104escape routes 28, 38, 43, 68, 104, 107fire safety management 41open-plan 104sources of fuel 13–14, 43

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IndexPage numbers in italics refer to information in Figures or Tables.

storage 43, 46false alarms 21, 56, 57, 110, 133fire

classes of 59, 60spread of 16–17, 38, 50, 52

fire blankets 60, 110fire certificates 5, 53fire dampers 47, 67fire detection and warning systems 21–2, 134

automatic fire detection systems 20, 21, 56,76, 77, 88, 102, 103, 132false alarms 21, 56, 57, 110, 133manual call points 21, 55, 56, 57monitoring 53, 56, 57phased evacuation 21, 25, 57, 134quality assurance 118record-keeping 57, 110smoke detectors 73, 78, 127, 135sound levels 55staged alarms 56–7, 135tests and checks 7, 31, 32, 57, 110, 119, 120voice alarms 21, 55, 120

fire drills 37, 38, 110, 116–17fire marshals 23, 38, 116, 117, 131fire-resisting separation 53, 67, 123–5fire risk assessment

aims 9co-operation and co-ordination 6, 36, 115emergency plans 27, 33, 35, 41, 110, 112–13,115, 116, 130evaluating risk 15–17Fire Safety Order and 5–8flexibility 20, 41historic buildings 130–1identifying fire hazards 11, 12–14, 33, 122identifying people at risk 11, 14–15, 33, 122information and instruction 7, 35–7, 113–14method 9–10, 11plan of action 41record-keeping 9, 11, 33–4, 110, 111, 112, 122removing or reducing fire hazards 17–19,33, 122removing or reducing risk to people 4–5,20–32, 33, 122reviewing 11, 38–9, 122sources of fuel 12, 13–14, 18–19, 42, 43, 44–6sources of ignition 12–13, 15–16, 18, 45,47–9, 50sources of oxygen 12, 14, 19

fire safety audit 110, 112fire safety management 4, 41, 49–50Fire Safety Order 5–8, 10fire stopping 53, 67, 124, 134fire suppression systems 19, 23, 42, 47, 52,61–2, 63, 110, 116, 130firefighters’ switches 30, 62, 64, 121firefighting equipment and facilities 22–4

access for firefighters 23, 62–3, 64, 120,121, 130extinguishers 22–3, 30, 31, 59–60fire suppression systems 19, 23, 42, 47, 52,61–2, 63, 110, 116, 130

firefighters’ switches 30, 62, 64, 121firefighting lifts and shafts 24, 27, 63, 68, 86,96, 114, 120, 133foam inlets 23, 64hose reels 23, 31, 61, 110maintenance 7, 19, 23, 30, 31, 32, 61–2, 64,65, 110, 119, 120, 121quality assurance 118rising mains 23, 64, 121signs 23, 108tests and checks 30, 31, 32, 60, 119, 120, 121training 7, 23, 38, 59, 116

fireworks 14flame-retardant materials 52, 124–5flammable liquids 13, 18–19, 45, 53, 59, 60,114, 134floors

covering materials 14, 19fire-resisting 26, 53, 67, 86, 123, 124

foam inlets 23, 64fork lift trucks 12, 18, 46, 47, 51fuel, sources of 12, 13–14, 18–19, 42, 43, 44–6function rooms 112furniture and furnishings 13, 50

Ggas cylinders 14, 17, 19

see also aerosols; LPGglass, fire-resisting 124, 126

Hhazard

definition 9identifying fire hazards 11, 12–14, 33, 122removing or reducing 17–19, 33, 122

hazardous materials 21, 38, 39, 113, 114, 134heating 12, 18, 45, 47, 48, 51historic buildings 67, 130–1hose reels 23, 31, 61, 110housekeeping 38, 42

Iignition, sources of 12–13, 15–16, 18, 45,47–9, 50information and instruction 7, 35–7, 49, 107,108–9, 113–14insulated core panels 42, 44, 51–2

Lladders 67lifts

escape routes 25, 38, 68, 86, 120, 133firefighting 24, 27, 63, 68, 86, 96, 114, 120, 133

LPG 13, 15, 45, 47, 50luminaires 104, 105, 119, 120, 121

Mmaintenance

checklist 119–21emergency escape lighting 30, 31, 32, 105–6,110, 119, 120, 121equipment and machinery 47, 48

144

Department for Communities and Local Government PublicationsPO Box 236WetherbyWest YorkshireLS23 7NBTel: 0870 830 7099Fax: 0870 1226 237Textphone: 0870 1207 405E-mail: odpm@twoten.press.net

This document is also available on the DCLG website: www.firesafetyguides.communities.gov.uk

Reference number: 05 FRSD 03338 (b)

Published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eland House, Bressenden PlaceLondon SW1E 5DU, May 2006.

© Crown Copyright 2006.

Printed on material containing 100% post-consumer waste (text), 75% post-consumer waste and 25% ECF pulp (cover).

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 816 7ISBN-10: 1 85112 816 6

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escape routes 85, 86fire detection and warning systems 7, 31, 32,57, 61–2, 65, 110, 119–21fire doors 7, 17, 119, 120, 121, 127, 129firefighting equipment and facilities 7, 19, 23,30, 31, 32, 61–2, 64, 65, 110, 119, 120, 121

mezzanine floors 50, 89, 91multi-occupied buildings 4, 5

emergency plans 35, 36, 110escape routes 67fire detection and warning systems 21fire risk assessment 15information and instruction 107, 108

Ooxygen, sources of 12, 14, 19

Ppartitions, fire-resisting 26, 50, 53, 123

see also wallspeople at risk

evaluating 16–17identifying 11, 14–15, 33, 122removing or reducing risk 4–5, 20–32, 33, 122restricting the spread of fire and smoke50, 52–3type and number using premises 25, 39, 68

people with special needs 14evacuating 24, 27, 28, 54, 57, 68–9, 116, 117fire warning systems 55information and instruction 36, 107

personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs)25, 54piping 46plans and specifications 33, 34, 112portable appliance testing (PAT) 48

Rradiation, fire spreading by 16reception areas 84record-keeping

emergency escape lighting 106, 110fire detection and warning systems 57, 110fire risk assessment 9, 11, 33–4, 110, 111,112, 122

refuge areas 27, 68, 69, 112, 135rising mains 23, 64, 121risk

definition 9evaluating 11, 15–17, 66people at risk 11, 14, 16–17reducing 4–5, 11, 20–32, 33, 43–6

roll calls 114, 117roller shutter doors 65, 87, 120roof exits 86, 87

Ssecurity 53shafts, firefighting see liftssigns and notices 23, 29–30, 107–9

information and instruction 36, 49

smokecontrol of 52, 53, 56, 79, 102, 110, 121dangers of 17spread of 17, 38, 50, 52–3

Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems(SHEVS) 53, 56, 121smoke detectors 73, 78, 127, 135smoking 12, 15, 18, 49sprinklers 19, 23, 42, 61–2, 63, 116, 120staff

fire drills 37, 38, 110, 116–17fire safety training 7, 20, 23, 27, 33, 35–6,37–8, 59, 115–17information and instruction 7, 35–7, 108–9, 113see also contractors

stairwaysaccommodation stairways 80, 84, 132basements 78, 79, 94, 98–100bypass routes 83, 84external 85, 87, 133hazards in 10, 50protected 24, 80–3, 85, 88, 94, 95, 101, 135spiral and helical 86width and capacity of 70

storage 18–19, 42–6, 50, 53, 54, 114outdoor 43racking 13, 17, 25, 27, 42, 44, 72

Ttraining

fire safety 6, 20, 27, 33, 35–6, 37–8, 115–17firefighting equipment 7, 23, 38, 59, 116

Vventilation systems 14, 17, 19, 39, 53, 56, 121vision panels 67, 73, 126, 136voids 43, 50, 66, 67, 124, 130

Wwalls

fire-resisting 26, 47, 53, 67, 77, 123insulated core panels 42, 44, 51–2lining materials 14, 19, 123see also partitions

warehousesemergency escape lighting 28, 104escape routes 28, 38, 43, 68, 71, 92, 104, 107fire safety management 41open-plan 50, 104sources of fuel 13–14, 43storage 43, 46

waste and packaging, combustible 13, 15, 16,19, 42, 43, 53way guidance systems 29, 105, 136windows, fire-resisting 85, 86, 124, 126

vision panels 67, 73, 126, 136

Part

2•

Furtherguidance

onfire

riskassessm

entand

fireprecautions

145

fact

orie

san

dw

areh

ouse

s

This guide is for employers, managers, occupiers and owners

of factories and warehouses. It tells you what you have to do

to comply with fire safety law, helps you to carry out a fire risk

assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need

to have in place.

Other guides in the series:

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 816 7

ISBN-10: 1 85112 816 6

Price: £12

FireS

afetyR

iskA

ssessment

–Facto

riesand

wareho

usesH

MG

overnm

ent

Offices and shops

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 815 0

Offices and retail premises (including individual units within larger premises, e.g. shopping centres).

Factories and warehouses

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 816 7

Factories and warehouse storage premises.

Sleeping accommodation

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 817 4

All premises where the main use is to provide sleeping accommodation, e.g. hotels,guest houses, B&Bs, hostels, residential training centres, holiday accommodationand the common areas of flats, maisonettes, HMOs and sheltered housing (otherthan those providing care – see Residential care premises), but excluding hosptials,residential care premises, places of custody and single private dwellings

Residential care premises

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 818 1

Residential care and nursing homes, common areas of sheltered housing(where care is provided) and similar premises, which are permanently staffedand where the primary use is the provision of care rather than healthcare (seeHealthcare premises).

Educational premises

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 819 8

Teaching establishments ranging from pre-school through to universities, exceptthe residential parts (see Sleeping accommodation).

Small and medium placesof assembly

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 820 4

Smaller public houses, clubs, restaurants and cafés, village halls, communitycentres, libraries, marquees, churches and other places of worship or studyaccommodating up to 300 people.

Large places of assembly

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 821 1

Larger premises where more than 300 people could gather, e.g. shopping centres(not the individual shops), large nightclubs and pubs, exhibition and conferencecentres, sports stadia, marquees, museums, libraries, churches, cathedrals andother places of worship or study.

Theatres, cinemas andsimilar premises

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 822 8

Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises used primarily forthis purpose.

Open air events and venues

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 823 5

Open air events, e.g. theme parks, zoos, music concerts, sporting events(not stadia – see Large places of assembly), fairgrounds and county fairs.

Healthcare premises

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 824 2

Premises where the primary use is the provision of healthcare (including private),e.g. hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dentists and other similar healthcare premises.

Transport premisesand facilities

ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 825 9

Transportation terminals and interchanges, e.g. airports, railway stations(including sub-surface), transport tunnels, ports, bus and coach stations and similar premises but excluding the means of transport (e.g. trains, buses,planes and ships).

Guide Main use