Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Fire Safety Fire Risk Assessment Case Study Ken Stevens Risk Services Manager ProAktive.

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