fire risk assessment october 26 to 28 2015

Fire Risk Assessment

28th Annual WSO InternationalEnvironmental and Occupational Safety and Health

Professional Development Symposium

28th Annual WSO Symposium

Fire Risk Assessment 26-28th October, 2015

Presented By;

Joseph M. Kimeu, WSO-CST,CSI,SIIRSM Director INPATC Kenya

WSO-Qatar Chapter

"A mediocre trainer tells; a good trainer explains; a superior trainer demonstrates, a great trainer inspires!"

OBJECTIVESTo acquaint with and enhance competency of WSO members in the steps of the process involving systematic evaluation of the factors that determine the hazard from fire, the likelihood that there will be a fire and the consequences if it was to occur.


CONTINUATION…

As per QCS 2010 Section 11 Part 1 –-These Regulations require that risk assessments be carried out for all work activities. -The Regulations cover fire in the workplace, fire prevention and all other aspects of fire safety which are based on the concept of the 'Contractor' carrying out a workplace fire risk assessment and then putting in place the appropriate control measures for the fire risks they have identified. -The fire risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person. (competent person may be regarded as a person with sufficient training and experience, knowledge or other qualities, to enable him or her to carry out a defined task properly).

Introduction 28th Annual WSO Symposium

CONTINUATION…

Fire Risk Assessment- what is Involved?

-A fire risk assessment involves a physical inspection of the building/site to determine the adequacy of the existing fire precautions and the need for any additional measures.

-However, of equal importance to the physical inspection is a review of fire safety management in the organisation and consideration of the human factors – how people will respond to an emergency and whether they will take appropriate action.


CONTINUATION…

What is Involved during a Fire Risk Assessment?The survey of the construction of the building will extend

to readily accessible areas of the building. In the case of a fire risk assessment aimed at satisfying

the requirements of legislation, the objective of the risk assessment will primarily be the safety of the occupants of the building.

While some of the recommendations we may make could also be beneficial to property protection, we would not be specifically addressing this objective or the objective of avoiding business interruption from fire.

However, we must have the expertise to address these objectives, if required.


CONTINUATION…

What is Covered during a Fire Risk Assessment?The scope of the survey involved in a fire risk assessment

would include the following particular aspects of fire safety:

Fire loss experience.(was there a fire sometime back?)Fire hazards.(what are the available hazards); Fire prevention.Storage and handling of flammable liquids and gases;

Housekeeping.Means of escape(escape stairways/cases, exit doors-how

many people can pass per minute?40); including Compartment walls-QCS 2010 Section 11 Part 2


CONTINUATION…

The scope of the survey involved in a fire risk assessment would include the following particular aspects of fire safety:

Flammability of linings-such as glue, mastic, sealer, siliconeEmergency escape lighting, Fire safety signs and notices.Fire detection and fire alarm systems, Testing and

maintenance.Fire extinguishing systems and appliances.Smoke control systems- such as fire windows, fire shutters,

passive fire protection, fire curtains, fire rated glazing e.t.c(NFPA 92)

Facilities for use by the fire and rescue service.Arrangements for management of fire safety.Fire procedures, Training and drills; Records.


CONTINUATION…

1. Identify potential fire hazards on site -Look for and identify fire hazards by visually inspecting the workplace;oxygen sources, fuel sources and ignition(heat) sources, housekeeping,storage of flammable gases, liquids,(paints e.t.c)What flammable materials are present? What sources of ignition are present? Can anything be done to reduce either? What must be done to keep flammable materials and sources of

ignition apart? 2. Identify who might be harmed -Decide who might be harmed and

how -identify the people affected, How many people are at risk? Are any at an enhanced level of risk because of what they do or

where they work? Is the means of raising the alarm effective - can it be heard by all? Are escape routes clearly signed and kept free of obstructions?

Stages to Fire Risk Assessment 28th Annual WSO Symposium

CONTINUATION…

3. Having considered the fire hazards and who might be harmed, Determine the level of risk - is the level of risk acceptable - are the existing fire prevention measures adequate? (a) are sources of ignition under adequate control? (b) is a hot-works permit system in place and if not, is one necessary? (c) are the existing fire detection/warning systems effective? (d) is the means of escape (for everyone on site) adequate? (e) is the means of fighting fire (for example, portable fire extinguishers) adequate, appropriate for the likely type of fire and well maintained? (f) have sufficient site staff been trained in the use of fire extinguishers? (g) is it necessary to establish a network of Fire Wardens to oversee any evacuation of the site?


CONTINUATION…

a) Fire prevention -presence of oxygen, fuel, Storage and handling of flammable liquids and gases, Housekeeping, ignition sources and the proximity to each other. Sources of ignition The sun’s rays concentrated through a lens or curved

reflectorAny naked flame such as a lit match, a gas flame or an

open fireSources of heat such as boilers, stoves, hot water pipes,

hot air and hot surfaces of machinery e.g. caused by overheating bearings

Engines such as internal combustion engines generating sparks that can ignite flammable gases or liquids


CONTINUATION…

b)Fire protection -controls to prevent fires from starting and spreading(housekeeping), hot work permits to work, protected electrical equipment, antistatic footwear, compartmentation (walls, floors and doors-60 minutes fire resistance)c)Fire precautions -means of fire & smoke detection, means of raising alarms, means of escape (doors, routes, emergency lighting, signs), means of fighting the fire(fixed and portable-hose reels, sprinklers, flood systems), extinguishers, blankets and buckets of sand, means of contacting fire and rescue services and safe areas(assembly points)


CONTINUATION…

Exhaust pipes and turbo charging units Electrical switches. -When there is a large amount of flammable gas or vapor present in an area, the throwing of an electrical switch can be disastrous and may well result in an explosion. -In areas where there are may be gas/vapor/air mixtures, flame proof equipment such as switches, motors etc. should be used.

NB; The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical equipment that may be exposed to any flammable substances be constructed or protected to prevent danger from such exposure.


CONTINUATION…

4. Record the significant findings, including details of any actions taken to reduce the fire risk, must be recorded in a manner that can be easily retrieved should it be necessary to do so. The probability of an occurrence tells you the odds that something is going to happen. To calculate, you need to know the number of favorable outcomes and the total number of possible outcomes.Most importantly, employees must be informed about the outcome of the risk assessment, as they will be the ones who will need to take action.(why?) (Site-specific forms can be produced however, in order not to make risk assessments too complicated, the HSE suggests using the headings in the 'five steps' process.)


CONTINUATION…

5. Review the fire risk assessment –The fire risk assessment process is intended to be dynamic taking into account change & should therefore be reviewed from time to time or if there is a reason to suspect that it is no longer valid, and, in particular, if significant changes take place, such as;- an increase in the numbers of people in the building or- changes to floor layouts,- if work activities ; processes change - after a fire among others.

NB; It could be argued that this stage is more important on construction sites, due to the ever-changing nature of the site, than it is in many other types of workplace.


CONTINUATION…

5. Review the fire risk assessment – continuation……For example, consider: (a) what was an escape route last week might be a 'dead-end' today (b) the increasing complexity of escape routes as large structures are built (c) the start of a "hot-works' process (d) the start of a process that necessitates the storage (in bulk) of flammable substances, such as LPG and other gases,


CONTINUATION…

1. Sources of possible ignition (a) Work activities/processes generating heat/hot works(b) Abrasive cutters (c) Heaters (d) Electrical apparatus (e) Machinery overheating (f) Discarded smoking materials (g) Arson or malicious fire-raising

Factors to be considered; 28th Annual WSO Symposium

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2. Storage of combustible materials (a) Flammable gases/ liquids/ waste material(b) Timber, plastics (c) Paper, cardboard and similar materials (d) Cotton, wool and similar materials

3. Building features (a) Access, egress (b) Floor openings (c) Flues (d) Doors, windows (e) Atria (f) Wall linings (g) Floor construction


CONTINUATION…

4. Maintenance (a) Cleaning (use of flammable materials) (b) Plant maintenance

5. Fire detection (a) Automatic detectors (b) Fire alarm call points (c) Alarm bells

6. Means of escape in case of fire (a) Doors (b) Staircases (c) Passageways (d) Assembly points

(Note that lifts are not recommended as a means of escape.)


CONTINUATION…

7. Provision of fire-fighting equipment (a) Means of fire fighting-fire extinguishers, sand buckets and equipment maintenance-inspection(b) Extinguishers ;Position of extinguishers (c) Site fire evacuation plan

8. Maintenance of fire-fighting equipment (a) Tested regularly (b) Serviced after use (c) Maintained in correct position


CONTINUATION…

9. Staff training

All staff should receive fire awareness training on induction and annually after that(Section 23 of the QCS covers fire protection)a) Raising the alarm(Fire emergency evacuation plan)-MCPS, Whistles, heat

& smoke detectorsb) Procedure for alerting visitors and all staff c) Appointment of fire wardens d) End-of-day fire checks; discovering a fire e) What to do on hearing the alarm; calling the fire service f) Evacuation procedures, assembly points and fire drills g) Location and use of fire-fighting equipment h) Location of escape routes, how to open escape doors i) Importance of fire doors j) How to stop equipment and isolate power, why use of lifts is not

acceptable k) Use and risks of highly flammable and explosive substances l) Good housekeeping m) Smoking policy and smoking areas.


CONTINUATION…

Ensure the Fire risk assessments are 'suitable and sufficient‘ This means they should:•Correctly identify a hazard•Disregard inconsequential risks and those trivial risks associated with life in general•Determine the likelihood of injury or harm arising•Identify those who may be at particular risk•Take into account any existing control measures•Identify any specific legal duty or requirement relating to the hazard•Provide sufficient information to enable the employer to decide upon appropriate control measures, taking into account the latest scientific developments and advances & prioritize remedial measures•Remain valid for a reasonable period of time.


CONTINUATION…

Fire Prevention and Control on Site Key points 1. The risk of fire is greater during the construction, refurbishment or demolition of buildings than at any other time. 2. In a minority of cases, the Civil Defense (Fire Department) may wish to become involved in advising on the management of on-site fire risks. 3. Fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire alarms and fire signs must comply with current British Standards 4. Fire risk assessments must be carried out, reviewed and acted upon. 5. Sources of fuels, such as bonfires, LPG cylinders and building materials, should be identified.


CONTINUATION…

Fire Prevention and Control on Site Key points---continuation6. In addition to the usual sources of ignition, such as smoking, cooking and heating appliances, operations involving welding and cutting should be supervised and security risks such as trespassers, vandals and waste disposal should be monitored. 7. Fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment, signage, fire safety procedures, emergency plans and staff training should keep in step with the progress of building works so that all areas are adequately covered throughout all stages of development. 8. The simplest fire procedure is as easy as = (a) Raise the alarm when you see fire(b) Call the fire brigade (fire and rescue service) (c) Evacuate clients and colleagues safely
