regulatory reform (fire safety) order 2005 fire safety fire risk assessment case study ken stevens...
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Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Fire Safety
Fire Risk AssessmentCase Study
Ken Stevens
Risk Services Manager
ProAktive
Who enforces the Order?
• Local Authority Fire and Rescue Service• Penalties– failing to comply may result in a fine or a term of
imprisonment not exceeding two years
Who is the responsible person?
• Employer with control of a workplace• Person with overall management of a
building • Occupier of premises, Owner of
premises (i.e. empty buildings)• Landlords (multi occupied buildings)
What are the implications for businesses?
• Businesses regardless of size will have to conduct a comprehensive fire risk assessment to identify:– The elimination or reduction of risks – Suitable means of detecting & raising the alarm in the
event of fire– Adequate emergency escape routes & exits including
emergency lighting– The appropriate type & sufficient quantities of fire
extinguishers– Correct type & sufficient quantities of fire signs & notices– Provisions for the correct maintenance of installed fire
equipment
What are the implications for businesses?
– Procedures for serious and imminent danger• Fire evacuation procedures• Nomination of fire wardens/marshals• Fire drills
– Emergency measures where dangerous substances are used• Information on emergency arrangements• Suitable warning/communication systems• Visual/audible warning systems – explosion• Escape facilities –indicated on risk assessment
What are the implications for businesses?
– Ensure that employees, nominated persons, visitors and contractors receive the appropriate instruction / training in, e.g. actions to be taken in the event of fire and fire evacuation drills
General Fire Precautions
• Reduce the risk and spread of fire• Ensure means of escape at all times• Fire fighting measures on premises• Fire detection and warnings of • Action in the case of fire– Training and instruction– Measures to mitigate the effects
Fire safety risk assessment
1. Identify the fire hazards2. Identify the people at risk3. Evaluate, remove or reduce, and protect
from risk4. Record, plan, inform, instruct, and train5. Review
1.Identify the fire hazards
Ignition SourceFuel
Oxygen
Sources of ignition• ARSON• Electrical • Smokers materials• Naked flames• Contractors• Portable heating
equipment• Hot processes- paint
stripping, welding• Lighting equipment
Sources of fuel
• Flammable liquid based products
• Process Materials• Packaging materials• Waste products• Soft furnishings and
furniture• Some construction
materials
Sources of Oxygen
• The air around us• Air conditioning• Some chemicals • Oxygen supplies –
cylinder storage
2. Identify the people at risk
• Employees especially those who work alone
• Vulnerable people• Contractors• Young people• Other people in the
immediate vicinity• Fire fighters
3. Evaluate, remove, reduce, and protect from risk
Evaluate the risk of a fire occurring:-– Accidentally– By act or omission– Deliberately
3. Evaluate, remove, reduce, and protect from risk
Evaluate the risk to peopleFire is spread by:– Convection
– Conduction
– Radiation
– Contact or direct heat
Smoke movement through a building
Why we close fire doors
Evaluating the risks to people
Consider:• Fires on lower floors can affect escape routes for
those on upper floors• Fires developing in unoccupied spaces which people
have to pass• Spread of fire or smoke via vertical shafts and service
or ventilation ducts• Fires in service rooms affecting hazardous materials
Remove or reduce the hazards - sources of ignition
• Replace potential sources of ignition with an alternative
• Replace naked flame and radiant heaters with fixed convector heaters or central heating
• Separate ignition sources and fuels• Check areas after hot work has taken place• Take precautions to avoid arson
Remove or reduce the hazards - sources of fuel
• Ensure flammable materials, liquids and gases are kept to a minimum and stored properly
• Do not keep flammable solids, liquids and gases together
• Remove combustible waste daily• Store waste materials securely away from
buildings.
Remove or reduce the hazards – sources of oxygen
• Close all doors, windows and other openings when not required for ventilation
• Shut down inessential ventilation systems• Do not store oxidising materials next to heat
sources or flammable materials• Control use of oxygen cylinders
Remove or reduce the hazards – to people
• Ensure that any risks remaining to people are controlled
• Provide systems to warn people and allow them to escape in the event of fire
• Provide adequate exits for the number of people present
Fire detection and warning systems
• System will depend on the size and layout of the building
• It should provide adequate warning in the event of a fire
• Automatic or manual?• You may/will need special arrangements for
people with disabilities
Fire-fighting equipment and facilities
• Can reduce the risk of a small fire (waste paper bin) developing into a larger one
• Controlling a fire in the early stages can reduce the risk to people
• There should be enough portable extinguishers suitable for the risk
• They should be sited throughout the premises at suitable locations
Fire-fighting equipment and facilities
Co2 Foam Powder Water
Fire-fighting equipment and facilities
• Class A fire – rule of thumb one water extinguisher for every 200m² minimum 2 per floor
• Additional risks – appropriate type & number of extinguishers. See BS 5306-8
Other facilities
Can include:• Access for fire engines and fire-fighters• Fire-fighting shafts and lifts• Fire suppression systems – sprinklers• Smoke-control systems• Dry or wet rising mains and fire-fighters inlets• Information and communication systems• Fire-fighters switches
Escape routes
Escape routes should be:• Suitable• Easily, safely and immediately usable at all times• Adequate for the number of people• Free from any obstructions, slip or trips hazards• Available for access by the emergency services
Escape routes
Suitable:– Fire resistant construction– Escape routes should not go through other
occupiers premises– Doors should open in the direction of travel– Be fitted with vision panels if over 60 people
Emergency escape lighting
Provided on all escape routes to assist in evacuation and should cover:
• Exit doors and escape routes• Intersections of corridors• Outside each final exit and external escape
routes and stairways• Changes in level• Fire equipment and alarm call points
Signs and notices
• Comply with British or European standards
• Not mixed • Be fire resistant
British Standard
European Standard
Installation, testing & maintenance
• Installed by competent persons• Maintained in line with manufacturers
guidance• Tested weekly • Inspected quarterly• Records kept for inspection
4. Record, plan, inform, instruct & train
• Fire risk assessment – recorded available for inspection
• Actions prioritised and implemented• Evacuation plans developed, implemented and
tested – at least twice annually• Employee groups informed of results• Employees, visitors, contractors given adequate
training and instruction
5. Review
Review risk assessments, plans etc:• When changes occur – changes to work
processes, alterations to the building or work patterns
• Introduction of new equipment, hazardous substances, significant increase in people
• At least annually
Woolworths Manchester 1979
11 Dead
Alarm not sounded
Fire Brigade not called
Fire Escapes Locked
Fire at Bradford11th May 1985
• Time : first flame - well alight?• How many died?• Why?
• 2-3 Minutes• 56 people lost their lives• Very Poor standards of Fire Safety
Recent Case
• Conveyor Fire in a bagging plant• Hot product left on conveyor
Cost Of Claim
– Emergency works £ 7,441.87– Contract Sum £ 85,668.64– Professional Fees £ 9,411.61– Machinery, Plant & AOC £ 33,989.62– Business Interruption £ 8,039.10Total £144,550.84
Programme