Fire safety risk assessment: sleeping accommodation (accessible)

Question 1

How to use the guide

Accepted Answer

This guide is divided into two parts:

Part 1: Explains what fire risk assessment is and how you might go about it. Fire risk assessment should be the foundation for all the fire precautions in your premises.
Part 2: Provides further guidance on fire precautions. The information is provided for you and others to dip into during your fire risk assessment or when you are reviewing your precautions.

The appendices provide example checklists, some detailed technical information on fire-resisting elements and advice on historic buildings.

This guide is one from a series of guides listed on the back cover. The rest of this introduction explains how the law applies.

Technical terms are explained in the glossary and references to other publications are linked to the list at the end of the publication.

In this Guide reference is made to British Standards and standards provided by other bodies. The standards referred to are intended for guidance only and other standards could be used. Reference to any particular standard is not intended to confer a presumption of conformity with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Order).

The level of necessary safety (or service) must be dictated by the findings of your risk assessment so you may need to do more or less than that specified in any particular standard referred to. You must be prepared to show that what you have done complies with any requirements or prohibitions of the Order irrespective of whether you have relied on a particular standard.

A full list of references can be found at the end of this document.

Question 2

Preface

Accepted Answer

This guidance gives advice on how to avoid fires and how to ensure people’s safety if a fire does start. Why should you read it? Because:

Fire kills. In 2004 (England and Wales) fire and rescue services attended over 33,400 fires in non-domestic buildings. These fires killed 38 people and injured over 1,300.
Fire costs money. The costs of a serious fire can be high and afterwards many businesses do not reopen. In 2004, the costs as a consequence of fire, including property damage, human casualties and lost business, were estimated at £2.5 billion.

This guide applies to England and Wales only. It does not set prescriptive standards, but provides recommendations and guidance for use when assessing the adequacy of fire precautions in premises providing sleeping accommodation. Other fire risk assessment methods may be equally valid to comply with fire safety law. The guide also provides recommendations for the fire safety management of the premises.

Your existing fire safety arrangements may not be the same as the recommendations used in this guide but, as long as you can demonstrate that they meet an equivalent standard of fire safety, they are likely to be acceptable. If you decide that your existing arrangements are not satisfactory there may be other ways to comply with fire safety law. This means there is no obligation to adopt any particular solution in this guide if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement in some other way.

Where the building has been recently constructed or significantly altered, the fire detection and warning arrangements, escape routes and facilities for the fire and rescue service should have been designed, constructed and installed in accordance with current building regulations. In such cases, it is likely that these measures will be satisfactory as long as they are being properly maintained and no significant increase in risk has been introduced.

This guide should not be used to design fire safety in new buildings. Where alterations are proposed to existing premises, they may be subject to building regulations. However, it can be used to develop the fire safety strategy for the building.

Question 3

Introduction

Accepted Answer

Who should use this guide

This guide is for all employers, managers and owners of premises providing sleeping accommodation. Details of other guides in the series are listed on the back cover. It tells you about how you might 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.

It applies to premises where the main use is for sleeping accommodation. The premises addressed in this guide include:

all guest accommodation properties, e.g. bed and breakfasts, guest houses, inns, restaurants with rooms, and farmhouses;
self catering accommodation (individual and multiple units), chalets, flat complexes, narrow boats and cruisers, caravan holiday parks (excluding privately owned units – unless they are sub-let);
hotels, motels, holiday villages, serviced apartments and aparthotels;
hostels, e.g. Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., youth hostels, bail hostels or homeless persons’ accommodation;
refuges, e.g. family accommodation centres, halfway houses;
residential health and beauty spas, resort and destination spas;
residential conference, seminar and training centres;
student halls of residence and areas of sleeping accommodation in other training institutions including military barrack style quarters;
those areas of buildings in boarding schools that provide sleeping accommodation;
seminaries and other religious colleges;
the common areas of houses in multiple occupation (HMO);
the common areas of flats and maisonettes;
the common areas of park homes;
the common areas of sheltered accommodation, where care is not provided (where care is provided, see residential care guide); and
areas in workplaces, where staff ‘sleeping-in’ is a condition of the employment or a business requirement, as in licensed premises and hotels (but not including tied accommodation such as separate flats, houses or apartments).

Note: HMOs and flats and maisonettes are covered by two pieces of legislation, the Order and the Housing Act 2004.

This guide addresses:

sleeping accommodation for staff;
sleeping, dining or other accommodation for guests/residents; and
common areas for residents.

This guide is not intended for use in:

domestic premises occupied as a single private dwelling (which includes private flats or rooms);
hospitals, residential care and nursing homes; and
prisons and other establishments where people are in lawful custody.

It has been written to provide guidance for a responsible person, to help them to carry out a fire risk assessment in less complex premises. If you read the guide and decide that you are unable to apply the guidance, then you should seek expert advice from a competent person. More complex premises will probably need to be assessed by a person who has comprehensive training or experience in fire risk assessment. However this guide can be used for multi-occupied buildings to address fire safety issues within their individual occupancies.

It may also be useful for:

employees;
employee-elected representatives;
trade union-appointed health and safety representatives;
enforcing authorities;
all other people who have a role in ensuring fire safety in premises providing sleeping accommodation; and
residents.

If your premises are listed as of historic interest, also see Appendix C.

Fire safety is only one of many safety issues which management must address to minimise the risk of injury or death to staff or the public. Unlike most of the other safety concerns, fire has the potential to injure or kill large numbers of people very quickly. This guidance is concerned only with fire safety but many of the measures discussed here will impact upon other safety issues, and vice versa. It is recognised that these various differing safety demands can sometimes affect one another and management should consult other interested agencies (e.g. Local Authority) where necessary to confirm that they are not contravening other legislation/guidance.

You can get advice about minimising fire losses from your insurer.

The Fire Safety Order

Previous general fire safety legislation

The Order replaces previous fire safety legislation. Any fire certificate issued under the Fire Precautions Act 19712 will cease to have any effect. If a fire certificate has been issued in respect of your premises or the premises were built to recent building regulations, as long as you have made no material alterations and all the physical fire precautions have been properly maintained, then it is unlikely you will need to make any significant improvements to your existing physical fire protection arrangements to comply with the Order. However, you must still carry out a fire risk assessment and keep it up to date to ensure that all the fire precautions in your premises remain current and adequate.

If you have previously carried out a fire risk assessment under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, as amended 1999, and this assessment has been regularly reviewed then all you will need to do now is revise that assessment taking account of the wider scope of the Order as described in this guide.

If your premises are an HMO, flat or maisonette they will also be subject to the Housing Act 2004. Further information regarding the scope of the Housing Act can be found by contacting your local housing authority.

Background

The Order applies in England and Wales. It covers general fire precautions and other fire safety duties which are needed to protect ‘relevant persons’ in case of fire in and around most ‘premises’. The Order requires fire precautions to be put in place ‘where necessary’ and to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances of the case.

Responsibility for complying with the Order rests with the ‘responsible person’.

In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, e.g. the manager or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises (e.g. a multi-occupied complex), all must take all reasonable steps to co-operate and co-ordinate with each other.

If you are the responsible person you must carry out a fire risk assessment which must focus on the safety in case of fire of all ‘relevant persons’. It should pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as disabled people, those who you know have special needs and children, and must include consideration of any dangerous substance liable to be on the premises. Your fire risk assessment will help you identify risks that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and extent of the general fire precautions you need to take.

If your organisation employs five or more people, your premises are licensed or an alterations notice is in force, you must record the significant findings of the assessment. It is good practice to record your significant findings in any case.

There are some other fire safety duties you need to comply with:

You must appoint one or more competent persons, depending on the size and use of your premises, to assist in undertaking any of the preventive and protective measures required by the Order (you can nominate yourself for this purpose). A competent person is someone with enough training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to be able to implement these measures properly.
You must provide your employees with clear and relevant information on the risks to them identified by the fire risk assessment, about the measures you have taken to prevent fires, and how these measures will protect them if a fire breaks out.
You must consult your employees (or their elected representatives) about nominating people to carry out particular roles in connection with fire safety and about proposals for improving the fire precautions.
You must, before you employ a child, provide a parent with clear and relevant information on the risks to that child identified by the risk assessment, the measures you have put in place to prevent/protect them from fire and inform any other responsible person of any risks to that child arising from their undertaking.
You must inform non-employees, such as residents, temporary or contract workers, of the relevant risks to them, and provide them with information about who are the nominated competent persons, and about the fire safety procedures for the premises.
You must co-operate and co-ordinate with other responsible persons who also have premises in the building, inform them of any significant risks you find and how you will seek to reduce/control those risks which might affect the safety of their employees.
You must provide the employer of any person from an outside organisation who is working in your premises (e.g. an agency providing temporary staff) with clear and relevant information on the risks to those employees and the preventive and protective measures taken. You must also provide those employees with appropriate instructions and relevant information about the risks to them.
If you are not the employer but have any control of premises which contain more than one workplace, you are also responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the Order are complied with in those parts over which you have control.
You must consider the presence of any dangerous substances and the risk this presents to relevant persons from fire.
You must establish a suitable means of contacting the emergency services and provide them with any relevant information about dangerous substances.
You must provide appropriate information, instruction and training to your employees, during their normal working hours, about the fire precautions in your workplace, when they start working for you, and from time to time throughout the period they work for you.
You must ensure that the premises and any equipment provided in connection with firefighting, fire detection and warning, or emergency routes and exits are covered by a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained by a competent person in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
Your employees must co-operate with you to ensure the workplace is safe from fire and its effects, and must not do anything that will place themselves or other people at risk.

The above outline some of the main requirements of the Order. The rest of this guide will explain how you might meet these requirements.

Who enforces the Fire Safety Order?

The local fire and rescue authority (the fire and rescue service) will enforce the Order in most premises. The exceptions are:

Crown-occupied/owned premises where Crown fire inspectors will enforce;
premises within armed forces establishments where the defence fire and rescue service will enforce;
certain specialist premises including construction sites, ships (under repair or construction) and nuclear installations, where the HSE will enforce; and
sports grounds and stands designated as needing a safety certificate by the local authority, where the local authority will enforce.

The enforcing authority will have the power to inspect your premises to check that you are complying with your duties under the Order. They will look for evidence that you have carried out a suitable fire risk assessment and acted upon the significant findings of that assessment. If you are required to record the outcome of the assessment they will expect to see a copy.

If the enforcing authority is dissatisfied with the outcome of your fire risk assessment or the action you have taken, they may issue an enforcement notice that requires you to make certain improvements or, in extreme cases, a prohibition notice that restricts the use of all or part of your premises until improvements are made.

If your premises are considered by the enforcing authority to be or have potential to be high risk, they may issue an alterations notice that requires you to inform them before you make any changes to your premises or the way they are used.

Failure to comply with any duty imposed by the Order or any notice issued by the enforcing authority is an offence. You have a right of appeal to a magistrates court against any notice issued. Where you agree that there is a need for improvements to your fire precautions but disagree with the enforcing authority on the technical solution proposed (e.g. what type of fire alarm system is needed) you may agree to refer this for an independent determination.

If having read this guide you are in any doubt about how fire safety law applies to you, contact the fire safety office at your local fire and rescue service.

If your premises were in use before 2006, then they may have been subject to the Fire Precautions Act and/or the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations. Where the layout (means of escape) and other fire precautions have been assessed by the fire and rescue service to satisfy the guidance that was then current, then it is likely that your premises already conform to many of the recommendations here, providing you have undertaken a fire risk assessment as required by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations.

New buildings or significant building alterations should be designed to satisfy current building regulations(which address fire precautions).

However, you will still need to carry out a fire risk assessment, or review your existing assessment (and act on your findings), to comply with the Order.

Question 4

Part 1: Fire risk assessment

Accepted Answer

Managing fire safety

Good management of fire safety is essential to ensure that fires are unlikely to occur; that if they do occur they are likely to be controlled or contained quickly, effectively and safely; or that, if a fire does occur and grow, everyone in your premises is able to escape to a place of total safety easily and quickly.

The risk assessment that you must carry out will help you ensure that your fire safety procedures, fire prevention measures, and fire precautions (plans, systems and equipment) are all in place and working properly, and the risk assessment should identify any issues that need attention. Further information on managing fire safety is available in Part 2 on page 41.

What is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried on there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.

The aims of the fire risk assessment are:

To identify the fire hazards.
To reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm to as low as reasonably practicable.
To decide what physical fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary to ensure the safety of people in your premises if a fire does start.

The term ‘where necessary’ (see Glossary) is used in the Order, therefore when deciding what fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary you will need to take account of this definition.

The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ are used throughout this guide and it is important that you have a clear understanding of how these should be used.

Hazard: anything that has the potential to cause harm.
Risk: the chance of that harm occurring.

If your organisation employs five or more people, or your premises are licensed or an alterations notice requiring it is in force, then the significant findings of the fire risk assessment, the actions to be taken as a result of the assessment and details of anyone especially at risk must be recorded. You will probably find it helpful to keep a record of the significant findings of your fire risk assessment even if you are not required to do so.

How do you carry out a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment will help you determine the chances of a fire starting and the dangers from fire that your premises present for the people who use them and any person in the immediate vicinity. The assessment method suggested in this guide shares the same approach as that used in general health and safety legislation and can be carried out either as part of a more general risk assessment or as a separate exercise. As you move through the steps there are checklists to help you.

Before you start your fire risk assessment, take time to prepare, and read through the rest of Part 1 of this guide.

Much of the information for your fire risk assessment will come from the knowledge your employees, colleagues and representatives have of the premises, as well as information given to you by people who have responsibility for other parts of the building. A tour of your premises will probably be needed to confirm, amend or add detail to your initial views.

It is important that you carry out your fire risk assessment in a practical and systematic way and that you allocate enough time to do a proper job. It must take the whole of your premises into account, including outdoor locations and any rooms and areas that are rarely used. If your premises are small you may be able to assess them as a whole. In larger premises you may find it helpful to divide them into rooms or a series of assessment areas using natural boundaries, e.g. bedroom areas, kitchens, offices, stores, as well as corridors, stairways and external routes.

If your premises are in a building with more than one occupier then the information on hazard and risk reduction will still be applicable to you. However, any alterations to the use or structure of your premises will need to take account of the overall fire safety arrangements in the building.

Your premises may be simple, with few people present or with a limited degree of business activity, but if it forms part of a building with different occupancies, then the measures provided by other occupiers may have a direct effect on the adequacy of the fire safety measures in your premises.

Under health and safety law (enforced by the HSE or the local authority) you are required to carry out a risk assessment in respect of any work processes in your workplace and to take or observe appropriate special, technical or organisational measures. If your health and safety risk assessment identifies that these processes are likely to involve the risk of fire or the spread of fire then you will need to take this into account during your fire risk assessment under the Order,1 and prioritise actions based on the level of risk.

You need to appoint one or more competent persons (this could be you) to carry out any of the preventive and protective measures needed to comply with the Order This person could be you, or an appropriately trained employee or, where appropriate, a third party.

Your fire risk assessment should demonstrate that, as far as is reasonable, you have considered the needs of all relevant people, including disabled people.

Figure 1 shows the five steps you need to take to carry out a fire risk assessment:

Fire safety risk assessment

1: Identify fire hazards

Identify:

Sources of ignition
Sources of fuel
Sources of oxygen

2: Identify people at risk

Identify:

People in and around the premises
People especially at risk

3: Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

Evaluate the risk of a fire occurring
Evaluate the risk to people from fire
Remove or reduce fire hazards
Remove or reduce the risks to people
Detection and warning
Fire-fighting
Escape routes
Lighting
Signs and notices
Maintenance

4: Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

Record significant finding and action taken
Prepare an emergency plan
Inform and instruct relevant people; co-operate and co-ordinate with others
Provide training

5: Review

Keep assessment under review
Revise where necessary
Remember to keep to your fire risk assessment under review

Step 1: Identify fire hazards

For a fire to start, three things are needed:

a source of ignition;
fuel; and
oxygen.

If any one of these is missing, a fire cannot start. Taking measures to avoid the three coming together will therefore reduce the chances of a fire occurring.

The remainder of this step will advise on how to identify potential ignition sources, the materials that might fuel a fire and the oxygen supplies that will help it burn.

Figure 2: The fire triangle

Fuel

Flammable gases
Flammable liquids
Flammable solids

Oxygen

Always present in the air
Additional sources from oxidising substances

Ignition source

Hot surfaces
Electrical equipment
Static electricity
Smoking/naked lights

1.1: Identify sources of ignition

You can identify the potential ignition sources in your premises by looking for possible sources of heat, which could get hot enough to ignite material found in your premises. These sources could include:

smokers’ material, e.g. cigarettes, matches and lighters;
naked flames, e.g. candles, night lights, gas or liquid-fuelled open-flame equipment;
electrical, gas or oil-fired heaters (fixed or portable);
boilers;
hot processes, e.g. welding by contractors;
cooking equipment and activities;
machinery with hot surfaces;
faulty or misused electrical equipment, e.g. electric blankets, computers, vending machines;
lighting equipment (fixed and movable), e.g. halogen lamps or table lamp;
obstruction of ventilation equipment; and
arson.

Indications of ‘near-misses’, such as scorch marks on furniture or fittings, discoloured or charred electrical plugs and sockets, cigarette burns etc., can help you identify hazards which you may not otherwise notice.

Figure 3: Sources of ignition

Naked flame
Hot surface
Mechanically generated sparks
Electrically generated sparks

1.2 Identify sources of fuel

Anything that burns is fuel for a fire. You need to look for the things that will burn reasonably easily and are in enough quantity to provide fuel for a fire or cause it to spread to another fuel source. Some of the most common ‘fuels’ found in premises providing sleeping accommodation are:

furniture (permanent and temporary storage);
textiles and soft furnishings, such as hanging curtains and clothing displays;
laundry (bedding, linen, towels);
waste products, particularly finely divided items such as shredded paper and wood shavings, off cuts, and dust;
waste storage, refuse containers and skips;
flammable-liquid-based products, such as paints, varnishes, thinners and adhesives;
flammable liquids and solvents, such as white spirit, methylated spirit, cooking oils and disposable cigarette lighters;
flammable chemicals, such as certain cleaning products, photocopier chemicals and dry cleaning that uses hydrocarbon solvents;
flammable gases such liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and aerosols;
paper products, packaging materials, stationery, advertising material, paper and books;
decorations for seasonal and religious occasions;
plastics and rubber, such as video tapes, polyurethane foam-filled furniture and polystyrene-based display materials;
guest possessions; and
wall and ceiling hangings.

You should also consider the materials used to line walls and ceilings, e.g. polystyrene or carpet tiles, the fixtures and fittings, and bought-in materials, and how they might contribute to the spread of fire. Further information is available in Part 2, Section 1.

1.3 Identify sources of oxygen

The main source of oxygen for a fire is in the air around us. In an enclosed building this is provided by the ventilation system in use. This generally falls into one of two categories: natural airflow through doors, windows and other openings; or mechanical air conditioning systems and air handling systems. In many buildings there will be a combination of systems, which will be capable of introducing/ extracting air to and from the building.

Additional sources of oxygen can sometimes be found in materials used or stored at premises such as:

some chemicals (oxidising materials), which can provide a fire with additional oxygen and so help it burn. These chemicals should be identified on their container (and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health data sheet, see Figure 4) by the manufacturer or supplier who can advise as to their safe use and storage;
oxygen supplies from cylinder storage, e.g. oxygen used in welding processes; and
pyrotechnics (fireworks), which contain oxidising materials and need to be treated with great care.

Figure 4: Label on oxidising materials

The image shows a circle in flames over a horizontal line on a yellow background, with the word ‘Oxidising’.

Checklist

Have you identified all potential ignition sources?
Have you identified all potential fuel sources?
Have you identified all potential sources of oxygen?
Have you made a note of your findings?

Step 2: Identify people at risk

As part of your fire risk assessment, you need to identify those at risk if there is a fire. To do this you need to identify the occupants of the premises, e.g. guests, residents, people working, either at permanent workstations or at occasional locations around the premises, and to consider who else may be at risk, such as visitors, visiting contractors etc., and where these people are likely to be found.

You must consider all the people who use the premises but you should pay particular attention to people who may be especially at risk such as:

people asleep (who will be slow to respond and disorientated);
employees who work alone and/or in isolated areas, e.g. cleaners, maintenance staff, security staff, night staff;
people who are unfamiliar with the premises, e.g. guests, visitors, customers, seasonal staff, new staff and contractors;
unaccompanied children and young persons;
people with disabilities^{[footnote 1]} (including mobility impairment, or hearing or vision impairment etc.);
people who may have some other reason for not being able to leave the premises quickly, e.g. parents with children;
people who are sensorially impaired due to alcohol, drugs or medication; and
other people in the immediate vicinity of your premises.

In evaluating the risk to people with disabilities you may need to discuss their individual needs with them. In larger premises used extensively by the public you may need to seek professional advice.

Further guidance on people with special needs is given in Part 2, Section 1.

Checklist

Have you identified who is at risk?
Have you identified why they are at risk?
Have you made a note of your findings?

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

The management of the premises and the way people use it will have an effect on your evaluation of risk. Management may be your responsibility alone or there may be others, such as the building owners or managing agents, who also have responsibilities. In multi-occupied buildings all those with some control must co-operate and you need to consider the risk generated by others in the building.

3.1 Evaluate the risk of a fire occuring

The chances of a fire starting will be low if your premises has few ignition sources and combustible materials are kept away from them.

In general, fires start in one of three ways:

accidentally, such as when smoking materials are not properly extinguished or when lights are knocked over;
by act or omission, such as when electrical equipment is not properly maintained, or when waste is allowed to accumulate near to a heat source; and
deliberately, such as an arson attack involving setting fire to external rubbish bins placed too close to the building.

Look critically at your premises and try to identify any accidents waiting to happen and any acts or omissions which might allow a fire to start. You should also look for any situation that may present an opportunity for an arsonist.

Further guidance is given in Part 2, Section 1 on evaluating the risk of a fire starting.

Visit the Disability Rights commission website for more information.

3.2 Evaluate the risk to people

In Step 2 you identified the people likely to be at risk should a fire start anywhere in the premises and earlier in Step 3 you identified the chances of a fire occurring. It is unlikely that you will have concluded that there is no chance of a fire starting anywhere in your premises so you now need to evaluate the actual risk to those people should a fire start and spread from the various locations that you have identified.

While determining the possible incidents, you should also consider the likelihood of any particular incident; but be aware that some very unlikely incidents can put many people at risk.

To evaluate the risk to people in your premises, you will need to understand the way fire can spread. Fire is spread by three methods:

convection;
conduction; and
radiation.

Convection

Fire spread by convection is the most dangerous and causes the largest number of injuries and deaths. When fires start in enclosed spaces such as buildings, the smoke rising from the fire gets trapped by the ceiling and then spreads in all directions to form an ever-deepening layer over the entire room space. The smoke will pass through any holes or gaps in the walls, ceiling and floor into other parts of the building. The heat from the fire gets trapped in the building and the temperature rises.

Conduction

Some materials, such as metal shutters and ducting, can absorb heat and transmit it to the next room, where it can set fire to combustible items that are in contact with the heated material.

Radiation

Radiation heats the air in the same way as an electric bar heater heats a room. Any material close to a fire will absorb the heat until the item starts to smoulder and then burn.

Figure 5: Smoke moving through a building

The diagram shows the smoke travelling upwards from a fire on the ground floor, collecting under the roof and spreading through the building.

Smoke produced by a fire also contains toxic gases which are harmful to people. A fire in a building with modern fittings and materials generates smoke that is thick and black, obscures vision, causes great difficulty in breathing and can block the escape routes.

It is essential that the means of escape and other fire precautions are adequate to ensure that everyone can make their escape to a place of total safety before the fire and its effects can trap them in the building.

In evaluating this risk to people you will need to consider situations such as:

fire starting on a lower floor affecting the only escape route for people on upper floors or the only escape route for people with disabilities;
fire developing in an unoccupied space that people have to pass by to escape from the building;
fire or smoke spreading through a building via routes such as vertical shafts, service ducts, linen and waste chutes, ventilation systems, poorly installed, poorly maintained or damaged, walls, partitions and ceilings affecting people in remote areas;
fire and smoke spreading through a building due to poor installation of fire precautions, e.g. incorrectly installed fire doors (see Appendix B2 for more information on fire doors) or incorrectly installed services penetrating fire walls; and
fire and smoke spreading through the building due to poorly maintained and damaged fire doors or fire doors being wedged open.

Further guidance on fire risks is given in Part 2, Section 1.

3.3 Remove or reduce the hazards

Having identified the fire hazards in Step 1, you now need to remove those hazards if reasonably practicable to do so. If you cannot remove the hazards, you need to take reasonable steps to reduce them if you can. This is an essential part of fire risk assessment and as a priority this must take place before any other actions.

Ensure that any actions you take to remove or reduce fire hazards or risk are not substituted by other hazards or risks. For example, if you replace a flammable substance with a toxic or corrosive one, you must consider whether this might cause harm to people in other ways.

Remove or reduce sources of ignition

There are various ways that you can reduce the risk caused by potential sources of ignition, for example:

Operate a safe smoking policy in designated smoking areas and prohibit smoking elsewhere, ensuring sufficient ashtrays are provided and cleaned appropriately.
Replace naked flame and radiant heaters with fixed convector heaters or a central heating system. Restrict the movement of and guard portable heating appliances.
Ensure electrical, mechanical and gas equipment is installed, used, maintained and protected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions e.g. electric blankets, cooking appliances.
Ensure all electric fuses and circuit breakers are of the correct rating and suitable for the purpose.
Ensure electric sockets are not overloaded.
Check all areas where hot work (e.g. welding) has been carried out to ensure that no ignition has taken place or any smouldering materials remain that may cause a fire.
Ensure that no one carrying out work on gas fittings that involves exposing pipes that contain or have contained flammable gas uses any source of ignition such as blow-lamps or hot-air guns.
Ensure that no one uses any source of ignition while searching for an escape of gas.
Operate a permit-to-work system for maintenance contractors who carry out hot work.
Take precautions to avoid arson.
Remove any unnecessary sources of heat and/or replace with safer alternatives.

Remove or reduce sources of fuel

There are various ways that you can reduce the risks caused by materials and substances which burn, for example:

Ensure combustible items, such as furniture, laundry, decorations, are stored properly and are separate from potential ignition sources, such as boilers.
Reduce the amount of combustible materials, such as paper products and plastics. Keep spare items in storerooms or storage areas where the public are not allowed to go.
Make sure staff responsible for cleaning bedrooms are aware of potential fire hazards (e.g. storage, use and disposal of aerosols/ newspapers) that may be brought into rooms by guests and residents and left in a haphazard manner creating a fire risk). You should have a policy in place to deal with this constant hazard.

Figure 6: Storage of flammables

The illustration shows boxes and canisters shut in a secure cabinet.

Remove or treat large areas of highly combustible wall and ceiling linings, e.g. polystyrene or carpet tiles, to reduce the rate of flame spread across the surface.
Reduce or protect combustible displays, furnishings and foliage.
Develop a formal system for the control of combustible waste by ensuring that waste materials and rubbish are not allowed to build up and are carefully stored until properly disposed of, particularly at the end of the day.
Clean ducts and flues.
Reduce stocks of flammable materials, liquids and gases to a minimum. Keep remaining stock in dedicated storerooms or storage areas, preferably outside, where the public are not allowed to go, and keep the minimum required for the operation of the business.
Ensure flammable materials, liquids and gases, are kept to a minimum, and are stored properly with adequate separation distances between them.
Do not keep flammable solids, liquids and gases together.
Take action to avoid any parts of the premises, and in particular storage areas being vulnerable to arson or vandalism.
Check all areas where hot work (e.g. welding) has been carried out to ensure that no ignition has taken place and no smouldering or hot materials remain that may cause a fire later.

Further guidance on removing and reducing hazards is given in Part 2, Section 1.

Remove or reduce sources of oxygen

You can reduce the potential source of oxygen supplied to a fire by:

closing all doors, windows and other openings not required for ventilation, particularly out of working hours;
shutting down ventilation systems which are not essential to the function of the premises;
not storing oxidising materials near or with any heat source or flammable materials; and
controlling the use and storage of oxygen cylinders, ensuring that they are not leaking.

3.4 Remove or reduce the risks to people

Having evaluated and addressed the risk of fire occuring and the risks to people (preventative measures) it is unlikely that you will have concluded that no risk remains of fire starting and presenting a risk to people in your premises.

You now need to reduce the remaining fire risk to people to as low as reasonably practicable by ensuring that adequate fire precautions are in place to warn people in the event of a fire and allow them to safely escape.

The rest of this step describes the fire protection measures you may wish to adopt to reduce the remaining fire risk to people (see Steps 3.4.1 to 3.4.6).

The level of fire protection you need to provide will depend on the level of risk that remains in the premises after you have removed or reduced the hazards and risks. Part 2, Section 4.1 can help you decide the level of risk that you may still have.

Flexibility of fire protection measures

Flexibility will be required when applying this guidance, the level of fire protection should be proportional to the risk posed to the safety of the people in the premises. Therefore, the objective should be to reduce the remaining risk to a level as low as reasonably practicable. The higher the risk of fire and risk to life, the higher the standards of fire protection will need to be.

Your premises may not exactly fit the solutions suggested in this guide and they may need to be applied in a flexible manner without compromising the safety of the occupants.

For example, if the travel distance is in excess of the norm for the level of risk you have determined (see Part 2, Table 3 on page 70), it may be necessary to do any one or a combination of the following to compensate:

Provide earlier warning of fire using automatic fire detection.
Revise the layout to reduce travel distances.
Reduce the fire risk by removing or reducing combustible materials and/or ignition sources.
Control the number of people in the premises.
Limit the area to trained staff only (no public).
Increase staff training and awareness.

Note: The above list is not exhaustive and is only used to illustrate some examples of trade-offs to provide safe premises.

If you decide to significantly vary away from the benchmarks in this guidance then you should seek expert advice before doing so.

3.4.1 Fire detection and warning systems

Virtually all premises that this guide applies to will need an electrical fire detection and warning system incorporating automatic fire detection, sounders and manually operated call points (break-glass boxes).

In simple premises of limited size/occupation e.g. ground and first floor with a small number of guest/residents, an alternative system of interconnected smoke alarms or point detectors, incorporating interconnected manual call points and, where necessary separate sounders may be acceptable.

In more complex premises, such as the sleeping areas of hotels, boarding schools or student accommodation, you will probably need an automatic fire detection and warning system with a control panel which is able to identify either the zone or the specific location where the alarm has been raised. The control panel (or a repeat panel) should be located near the entrance to the premises.

In very large or complex premises, particularly those accommodating large numbers of people, such as multi-storey hotels, it is possible that a more sophisticated form of evacuation, e.g. phased evacuation, will be used. In these cases it will be necessary for a fire detection and warning system to automatically trigger the action that people need to take (in accordance with the pre-determined fire proceedure) e.g. by a two stage audible warning or a voice alarm system. The voice alarm will need to include the necessary recorded languages.

In the case of purpose built flats or maisonettes, built in accordance with modern building regulations it is assumed that a fire will generally be confined to the dwelling. This is because there is a high degree of compartmentation and a low probability of fire spread beyond the dwelling of origin. It is further assumed that there will be good risk reduction and arson reduction measures and that the materials and construction of the escape routes should prevent the fabric of the building from being involved. For these reasons common areas are not usually fitted with a fire detection and warning system, (although self-contained smoke alarms should normally be fitted within each accommodation unit), as simultaneous evacuation of the building is unlikely to be necessary.

If your premises have been converted into flats or a maisonnette you will need to ensure they have been altered in accordance with building regulations. If you are not sure then you should seek advice from a competent person as additional precautions maybe necessary.

Although the main risk will be to people when they are asleep you may still need to consider special arrangements for times when people are working alone, or are disabled or when your normal occupancy patterns are different, e.g. maintenance staff or other contractors working at the weekend.

False alarms from electrical fire warning systems are a major problem (e.g. malicious activation of manual call points) and result in many unwanted calls to the fire and rescue service every year. To help reduce the number of false alarms, the design and location of activation devices should be reviewed against the way the premises are currently used.

If you are not sure whether your current arrangements are adequate, see the additional guidance on fire warning systems in Part 2, Section 2.

Figure 7: Fire detection and warning system

The diagram shows how smoke detectors, manual activation devices and a fire alarm giving a visual and voice warning are linked to a control panel.

Checklist

Can the existing means of detection ensure a fire is discovered quickly enough for the alarm to be raised in time for all the occupants to escape to a place of total safety?
Are the detectors of the right type and in the appropriate locations?
Can the means of warning be clearly heard and understood by everyone throughout the whole building when initiated from a single point? Are there provisions for people or locations where the alarm cannot be heard?
If the fire-detection and warning system is electrically powered, does it have a back-up power supply?

3.4.2 Firefighting equipment and facilities

Firefighting equipment can reduce the risk of a small fire, e.g. a fire in a waste paper bin, developing into a large one. The safe use of an appropriate fire extinguisher to control a fire in its early stages can also significantly reduce the risk to other people in the premises by allowing persons to assist others who are at risk.

This equipment will need to comprise enough portable extinguishers that must be suitable for the risk.

Main types of portable extinguishers, their uses and colour coding

Figure 8: Types of fire extinguishers

The contents of an extinguisher is indicated by a zone of colour on the red body.

Halon extinguishers are not shown since no new Halon production is permitted in the UK.

Type	Colour	Use	Do not use
Water	Red	Wood, paper, textile and solid material fires	Liquid, electrical or metal fires
Powder	Blue	Liquid and electrical fires	Metal fires
Foam	Cream	Liquid fires	Electrical or metal fires
Carbon dioxide (CO2 )	Black	Liquid and electrical fires	Metal fires

In simple premises, having one or two portable extinguishers of the appropriate type, readily available for use, may be all that is necessary. In more complex premises, more portable extinguishers may be required and they should be sited in suitable locations, e.g. on the escape routes at each floor level. It may also be necessary to indicate the location of extinguishers by suitable signs.

Some premises will also have permanently installed firefighting equipment such as hose reels for use by trained staff or firefighters.

People with no training should not be expected to attempt to extinguish a fire. However, all staff should be familiar with the location and basic operating procedures for the equipment provided, in case they need to use it. If your fire strategy means that certain people, e.g. fire marshals, will be expected to take a more active role, then they should be provided with more comprehensive training.

Other fixed installations and facilities to assist firefighters, such as dry rising mains and access for fire engines, or automatically operated, fixed fire suppression systems such as sprinklers and gas or foam flooding systems, may also have been provided.

Where these have been required by law, e.g. the Building Regulations or local Acts, such equipment and facilities must be maintained.

Similarly, if provided for other reasons, e.g. insurance, it is good practice to ensure that they are properly maintained.

In most cases it will be necessary to consult a competent service engineer. Keeping records of the maintenance carried out will help you demonstrate to the enforcing authority that you have complied with fire safety law.

Appendix A.1 provides a sample fire safety maintenance checklist you can use.

For more guidance on portable fire extinguishers see Part 2, Section 3.1, for fixed firefighting installations, Part 2, Section 3.2 and other facilities (including those for firefighters) Part 2, Section 3.3

Checklist

Are the extinguishers suitable for the purpose?
Are there enough extinguishers sited throughout the premises at appropriate locations?
Are the right types of extinguishers located close to the fire hazards and can users get to them without exposing themselves to risk?
Are the extinguishers visible or does their position need indicating?
Have you taken steps to prevent the misuse of extinguishers?
Do you regularly check equipment provided to help maintain the escape routes?
Do you carry out daily checks to ensure that there is clear access for fire engines?
Are those who test and maintain the equipment competent to do so?
Do you have the necessary procedures in place to maintain any facilities that have been provided for the safety of people in the building (or for the use of firefighters, such as access for fire engines and firefighting lifts)?

3.4.3 Escape routes

Once a fire has started, been detected and a warning given, everyone in your premises should be able to escape to a place of total safety unaided and without the help of the fire and rescue service. However, some people with disabilities and others with special needs may need help from staff who will need to be designated for the purpose.

Escape routes should be designed to ensure, as far as possible, that any person confronted by fire anywhere in the building, should be able to turn away from it and escape to a place of reasonable safety, e.g. a protected stairway. From there they will be able to go directly to a place of total safety away from the building.

Those who require special assistance (e.g. very young children and some people with disabilities) could be accommodated on the same level as the final exit from the premises to facilitate escape. Where they need assistance to evacuate, you should make sure that there are sufficient staff to ensure a speedy evacuation.

The level of fire protection that should be given to escape routes will vary depending on the level of risk of fire within the premises and other related factors. Generally, premises that are simple, consisting of a single storey, will require fairly simple measures to protect the escape routes, compared to a more complex multi-storey building, which would require a more complex and inter-related system of fire precautions.

When determining whether your premises have adequate escape routes, you need to consider a number of factors, including:

the type and number of people using the premises;
escape time;
the age and construction of the premises;
the number and complexity of escape routes and exits;
the use of phased or delayed alarm evacuation;
assisted means of escape/personal evacuation plans (PEEPS);
whether lifts can or need to be used; and
assembly points.

The type and number of people using the premises

The people present in premises such as hotels, motels, guest and boarding houses will consist of members of the public, who may only be present over a short period of time, and staff. Members of the public (including contractors) are unlikely to have advance knowledge of your premises and so will be unfamiliar with the escape routes. They may also be slow to respond for a number of reasons such as:

an unfamiliar alarm or inability to hear the alarm (due to hearing impairment);
belief that the alarm may be false and waiting for further direction from staff;
attempting to get fully dressed, gathering other family members together and collecting personal belongings; or
being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.

In some residential premises, people can be expected to have more detailed knowledge of the layout of the premises and its escape routes; however, the issues of a delayed response, discussed above, should still be assessed. These premises include:

hostels;
student and nursing halls of residence;
family accommodation centres;
barracks and quarters;
accommodation at training centres;
houses in multiple occupation (HMO);
sheltered accommodation;
holiday flats; and
flats and maisonettes.

The number and capability of people present will influence your assessment of the escape routes. The number of people likely to use your premises at any time, may be fairly constant, e.g. in hostels, halls of residence and HMO type premises, but in hotels it can vary from a few people, to large numbers depending on the time of year, conference facilities and other social gatherings.

Escape time

In the event of a fire, it is important to evacuate people as quickly as possible from the premises. Escape routes in a building should be designed so that people can escape quickly enough to ensure they are not placed in any danger from fire. The time available will depend on a number of factors, including, how quickly the fire is detected and the alarm raised, the number of escape routes available, the nature of the occupants and the speed of fire growth. For simplicity the travel distances in Part 2, Table 3 (page 70) takes these factors into account. Part 2, Section 4.1 will help you decide the level of risk in your premises, for escape purposes.

The age and construction of the premises

Older buildings may comprise different construction materials from newer buildings and may be in a poorer state of repair. The materials from which your premises are constructed, the quality of building work and state of repair could contribute to the speed with which any fire may spread, and potentially affect the escape routes the occupants will need to use. A fire starting in a building constructed mainly from combustible material will spread faster than one where fire-resisting construction materials have been used.

If you wish to construct internal partitions or walls in your premises, perhaps to create a storage area or to divide a bedroom area, you should ensure that any new partition or wall does not obstruct any escape routes or fire exits, extend travel distances or reduce the sound levels of the fire alarm system. Any walls that affect the means of escape should be constructed of appropriate material. (Further technical information is provided in Appendix B.)

If you wish to change any door, e.g. a front door to a flat for security reasons, you should ensure that any new door is constructed to an appropriate standard and has the appropriate furniture, e.g. fire resisting and self closing device (further technical information is provided in Appendix B).

Depending on the findings of your fire risk assessment, it may be necessary to protect the escape routes against fire and smoke by upgrading the construction of the floors, ceiling and walls to a fire-resisting standard. You should avoid having combustible wall and ceiling linings in your escape routes. For further information see Appendix B. You may need to seek advice from a competent person. Any structural alterations may require building regulation approval.

The number of escape routes and exits

In general there should usually be at least two escape routes from all parts of the premises but a single escape route may be acceptable in some circumstances (e.g. part of your premises accommodating less than 60 people or where travel distances are limited).

Where two escape routes are necessary and to further minimise the risk of people becoming trapped, you should ensure that the escape routes are completely independent of each other. This will prevent a fire affecting more than one escape route at the same time.

When evaluating escape routes, you may need to build in a safety factor by discounting the largest exit from your escape plan, then determine whether the remaining escape routes from a room, floor or building will be sufficient to evacuate all the occupants within a reasonable time. Escape routes that provide escape in a single direction only may need additional fire precautions to be regarded as adequate.

Exit doors on escape routes and final exit doors should normally open in the direction of travel, and be quickly and easily openable without the need for a key. Checks should be made to ensure final exits are wide enough to accommodate the number of people who may use the escape routes they serve.

Management of escape routes

It is essential that escape routes, and the means provided to ensure they are used safely, are managed and maintained to ensure that they remain usable and available at all times when the premises are occupied. Tell employees in staff training sessions about the escape routes within the premises.

Corridors and stairways that form part of escape routes should be kept clear and hazard free at all times. Items that may be a source of fuel or pose an ignition risk should not normally be located on any corridor or stairway that will be used as an escape route. Further guidance is available in Part 2, Section 4.

Figure 9: A blocked corridor with incorrect signage

The image shows flammable materials blocking a door labelled as a fire exit.

Emergency evacuation of persons with mobility impairment

The means of escape you provide must be suitable for the evacuation of everyone likely to be in your premises. This may require additional planning and allocation of staff roles – with appropriate training. Provisions for the emergency evacuation of disabled persons may include:

stairways;
evacuation lifts;
firefighting lifts;
horizontal evacuation;
refuges; and
ramps.

Use of these facilities will need to be linked to effective management arrangements as part of your emergency plan. The plan should not rely on fire and rescue service involvement for it to be effective.

Further guidance on escape routes is given in Part 2, Section 4.

Marquees, tents and temporary structures

Exit routes from marquees, tents and temporary structures may be over uneven ground or temporary flooring, duckboards, ramps etc. These factors should be taken into account to ensure that there are safe egress routes. Travel distances should be shorter than in conventional buildings (see Part 2, Section 4.1).

Checklist

Is your building constructed, particularly in the case of multi-storey buildings, so that, if there is a fire, heat and smoke will not spread uncontrolled through the building to the extent that people are unable to use the escape routes?
Are any holes or gaps in walls, ceilings and floors properly sealed, e.g. where services such as ventilation ducts and electrical cables pass through them?
Can all the occupants escape to a place of total safety in a reasonable time?
Are the existing escape routes adequate for the numbers and type of people that may need to use them, e.g. members of the public, young people and disabled people?
Are the exits in the right place and do the escape routes lead as directly as possible to a place of total safety?
If there is a fire, could all available exits be affected or will at least one route from any part of the premises remain available?
Are the escape routes and final exits kept clear at all times?
Do the doors on escape routes open in the direction of escape?
Can all final exit doors be opened easily and immediately if there is an emergency?
Will everybody be able to safely use the escape routes from your premises?
Are the people who work in the building aware of the importance of maintaining the safety of the escape routes, e.g. by ensuring that fire doors are not wedged open and that combustible materials are not stored within escape routes?
Are there any particular or unusual issues to consider?

3.4.4 Emergency escape lighting

People in your premises must be able to find their way to a place of total safety if there is a fire by using escape routes that have enough lighting.

In simple premises, e.g. a small bed and breakfast establishment of 2 floors (i.e. ground and first floor with no floor greater than 200m² in area), where the escape routes are simple and straightforward, borrowed lighting from a dependable source, e.g. from street lamps where they illuminate escape routes, may be acceptable. Exceptionally, where borrowed lighting is not available, suitably placed torches may be acceptable for use by trained staff.

In larger more complex premises, e.g. multi-storey guest houses, hotels, student accommodation and residential conference centres it is likely that a more comprehensive system of automatic emergency escape lighting will be needed to illuminate all the escape routes.

Where people have difficulty seeing conventional signs, a ‘way-guidance’ system may need to be considered.

Further guidance on emergency escape lighting is given in Part 2, Section 5.

Checklist

Are all your escape routes covered by an acceptable form of emergency lighting?
Will there always be sufficient lighting to safely use escape routes?
Do you have back-up power supplies for your emergency lighting?

3.4.5 Signs and notices

Signs

Signs must be used, where necessary, to help people identify escape routes, find firefighting equipment and emergency fire telephones. These signs are required under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, and must comply with the provisions of those Regulations.

A fire risk assessment that determines that no escape signs are required (because, for example, trained staff will always be available to help members of the public to escape routes), is unlikely to be acceptable to an enforcing authority other than in the smallest and simplest of premises where the exits are in regular use and familiar to staff and guests.

For a sign to comply with these Regulations it must be in pictogram form (see Figure 10). The pictogram can be supplemented by text if this is considered necessary to make the sign more easily understood, but you must not have a safety sign that uses only text.

Where the locations of escape routes and firefighting equipment are readily apparent, e.g. in a hotel foyer, and the firefighting equipment is visible at all times, then signs are not necessary. In all other situations it is likely that the fire risk assessment will indicate that signs will be necessary.

Figure 10: Typical fire exit sign

The sign has white text on a green background with the words ‘Fire exit’, an arrow showing which way to go, and an image of a person running.

Notices

Notices must be used, where necessary, to provide the following:

instructions on how to use any fire safety equipment;
the actions to be taken in the event of fire; and
help for the fire and rescue service (e.g. location of sprinkler valves or electrical cut-off switches).

All signs and notices should be positioned so that they can be easily seen and understood.

Figure 11: Simple fire action notice

Fire action

Operate nearest fire alarm.
Leave buiding by the nearest exit.
Report to the assembly point.

Do not stop to collect personal belongings.

Do not re-enter until told it is safe to do so.

Further guidance on signs and notices is given in Part 2, Section 6.

Checklist

Where necessary are escape routes and exits, the locations of firefighting equipment and emergency telephones indicated by appropriate signs?
Have you provided notices such as those giving information on how to operate security devices on exit doors, those indicating doors enclosing fire hazards that must be kept shut and fire action notices for staff and other people?
Are you maintaining all the necessary signs and notices so that they continue to be correct, legible and understood?
Are you maintaining signs that you have provided for the information of the fire and rescue service, such as those indicating the location of water suppression stop valves and the storage of hazardous substances?

3.4.6 Installation, testing and maintenance

New fire precautions should be installed by a competent person.

You must keep any existing equipment, devices or facilities that are provided in your premises for the safety of people, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, lighting, signs, fire exits and fire doors, in effective working order and maintain separating elements designed to prevent fire and smoke entering escape routes.

You must ensure regular checks, periodic servicing and maintenance are carried out whatever the size of your premises and any defects are put right as quickly as possible.

You, or a person you have nominated, can carry out certain checks and routine maintenance work. Further maintenance may need to be carried out by a competent service engineer. Where contractors are used, third party certification is one method where a reasonable assurance of quality of work and competence can be achieved (see Part 2, Section 8).

The following are examples of checks and tests that should be carried out. The examples of testing and maintenance given are not intended to be prescriptive and other testing regimes may be appropriate.

Daily checks

Check escape routes to ensure they are clear from obstructions and combustible materials. Ensure that doors on escape routes swing freely, close fully and are in a good state of repair. Where security devices are fitted to fire exits, these should be checked for correct operation. Check the fire alarm panel to ensure the system is active and fully operational. Where practicable, visually check that emergency lighting units are in good repair and working. Check that all safety signs and notices are legible. (See Appendix B3 for more details on bolts, padlocks and security devices.)

Weekly tests and checks

Test fire detection and warning systems and manually operated warning devices weekly following the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions. Check the batteries of safety torches and that fire extinguishers and hose reels are correctly located and in apparent working order. Fire pumps and standby diesel engines should be tested for 30 minutes each week.

Monthly tests and checks

Test all emergency lighting systems and safety torches to make sure they have enough charge and illumination according to the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions. This should be at an appropriate time when, following the test, they will not be immediately required.

Check that fire doors are in good working order and closing correctly and that the frames and seals are intact.

Six-monthly tests and checks

A competent person should test and maintain the fire-detection and warning system and emergency lighting.

Annual tests and checks

All firefighting equipment, fire alarms and other installed systems should be tested and maintained by a competent person.

All structural fire protection and elements of fire compartmentation should be inspected and any remedial action carried out. Specific guidance on the maintenance of timber fire-resisting doors is given in Appendix B2.

Appendix A.1 provides an example of a fire safety maintenance checklist. You will find it useful to keep a log book of all maintenance and testing.

Further guidance on maintenance and testing is given in the relevant Section of Part 2.

Checklist

Do you regularly check all fire doors and escape routes and associated lighting and signs?
Do you regularly check all your firefighting equipment?
Do you regularly check your fire-detection and alarm equipment?
Are those who test and maintain the equipment competent to do so?
Do you keep a log book to record tests and maintenance?

Step 3 Checklist

Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risks by:

Evaluating the risk to people in your building if a fire starts
Removing or reducing the hazards that might cause a fire. Have you:
- Removed or reduced sources of ignition?
- Removed or reduced sources of fuel?
- Removed or reduced sources of air or oxygen?
Have you removed or reduced the risks to people if a fire occurs by:
- Considering the need for fire detection and for warning?
- Considering the need for firefighting equipment?
- Determining whether your escape routes are adequate?
- Determining whether your lighting and emergency lighting are adequate?
- Checking that you have adequate signs and notices?
- Regularly testing and maintaining safety equipment?
- Considering whether you need any other equipment or facilities?

Step 4: Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

In Step 4 there are four further elements of the risk assessment you should focus on to address the management of fire safety in your premises. In some premises with simple layouts this could be done as part of the day-to-day management, however, as the premises or the organisation get larger it may be necessary for a formal structure and written policy to be developed. Further guidance on managing fire safety is given in Part 2, Section 7 on page 41.

4.1 Record the significant findings and action taken

If you or your organisation employ five or more people, your premises are licensed, or an alterations notice requiring you to do so is in force, you must record the significant findings of your fire risk assessment and the actions you have taken.

Significant findings should include details of:

The fire hazards you have identified (you don’t need to include trivial things like a tin of solvent based glue).
The actions you have taken or will take to remove or reduce the chance of a fire occurring (preventive measures).
Persons who may be at risk, particularly those especially at risk.
The actions you have taken or will take to reduce the risk to people from the spread of fire and smoke (protective measures).
The actions people need to take in case of fire including details of any persons nominated to carry out a particular function (your emergency plan).
The information, instruction and training you have identified that people need and how it will be given.

You may also wish to record discussions you have had with staff or staff representatives (including trade unions).

Even where you are not required to record the significant findings, it is good practice to do so.

In some simple premises, record keeping may be no more than a few sheets of paper (possibly forming part of a health and safety folder), containing details of significant findings, any action taken and a copy of the emergency plan.

The record could take the form of a simple list which may be supported by a simple plan of the premises (see Figure 12).

In more complex premises, it is best to keep a dedicated record including details of significant findings, any action taken, a copy of the emergency plan, maintenance of fire-protection equipment and training. There is no one ‘correct’ format specified for this. Further guidance is given in Part 2, Section 7.1.

You must be able to satisfy the enforcing authority, if called upon to do so, that you have carried out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Keeping records will help you do this and will also form the basis of your subsequent reviews. If you keep records, you do not need to record all the details, only those that are significant and the action you have taken.

It might be helpful to include a simple line drawing to illustrate your precautions (Figure 12). This can also help you check your fire precautions as part of your ongoing review.

Figure 12: Example of a line drawing showing general fire safety precautions

A floor plan showing the locations of fire alarms, detectors and extinguishers, fire resisting walls, and fire hazards like electrical equipment or paper.

The findings of your fire risk assessment will help you to develop your emergency plan, the instruction, information and training you need to provide, the co-operation and co-ordination arrangements you may need to have with other responsible people and the arrangements for maintenance and testing of the fire precautions.

If you are required to record the significant findings of your fire risk assessment then these arrangements must also be recorded.

Further guidance about fire safety records with an example is given in Part 2, Section 7.1.

Checklist

Have you recorded the significant findings of your assessment?
Have you recorded what you have done to remove or reduce the risk?
Are your records available for inspection by the enforcing authority?

4.2 Emergency plans

You need to have an emergency plan for dealing with any fire situation.

The purpose of an emergency plan is to ensure that people know what to do if there is a fire and that the premises can be safely evacuated.

If you or your organisation employ five or more people, or your premises are licensed or an alterations notice requiring it is in force, then details of your emergency plan must be recorded. Even if it is not required, it is good practice to keep a record.

Your emergency plan should be based on the outcome of your fire risk assessment and be available for your employees, their representatives (where appointed) and the enforcing authority.

In simple premises the emergency plan may be no more than a fire action notice.

In multi-occupied and more complex premises, the emergency plan will need to be more detailed and compiled only after consultation with other responsible people, e.g. owners, who have control over the building. In most cases this means that an emergency plan covering the whole building will be necessary. It will help if you can agree on one person to co-ordinate this task.

Further guidance on emergency plans is given in Part 2, Section 7.2.

Checklist

Do you have an emergency plan and, where necessary, have you recorded the details?
Does your plan take account of other emergency plans applicable in the builiding?
Is the plan readily available for staff to read?
Is the emergency plan available to the enforcing authority?

4.3 Inform, instruct, co-operate and co-ordinate

You must give clear and relevant information and appropriate instructions to your staff and the employers of other people working in your premises, such as contractors, about how to prevent fires and what they should do if there is a fire.

If you intend to employ a child, you must inform the parents of the significant risks you have identified and the precautions you have taken. You must also co-operate and co-ordinate with other responsible people who use any part of the premises. It is unlikely that your emergency plan will work without this.

Information and instruction

All staff should be given information and instruction as soon as possible after they are appointed and regularly after that. Make sure you include staff who work outside normal working hours, such as night staff, contract cleaners or maintenance staff.

All other relevant persons should be given information about the fire safety arrangements as soon as possible, e.g. residents when they take up residency, guests when they register e.g. draw attention to the fire action notices in bedrooms.

The information and instructions you give must be in a form that can be used and understood. They should take account of those with disabilities such as hearing or sight impairment, those with learning difficulties and those who do not use English as their first language.

The information and instruction you give staff should be based on your emergency plan and must include:

the significant findings from your fire risk assessment;
the measures that you have put in place to reduce the risk;
what staff should do if there is a fire;
the identity of people you have nominated with responsibilities for fire safety; and
any special arrangements for serious and imminent danger to persons from fire.

In simple premises, where no significant risks have been identified and there are limited numbers of guest/residents, information and instruction may simply involve an explanation of the fire procedures and how they are to be applied.

This should include showing staff the fire-protection arrangements, including the designated escape routes, the location and operation of the fire-warning system and any other fire safety equipment provided, such as fire extinguishers. Fire action notices can complement this information and, where used, should be posted in prominent locations.

In complex premises, particularly those in multi-occupied buildings, you should ensure that written instructions are given to people who have been nominated to carry out a designated safety task, such as calling the fire and rescue service or checking that exit doors are available for use.

Further guidance on information and instruction to staff, and on working with dangerous substances is given in Part 2, Section 7.3.

Co-operation and co-ordination

In premises that are not multi-occupied you are likely to be solely responsible. However, in buildings owned by someone else, or where there is more than one occupier, and others are responsible for different parts of the building, it is important that you liaise with them and inform them of any significant risks that you have identified. By liaising you can co-ordinate your resources to ensure that your actions and working practices do not place others at risk if there is a fire, and a co-ordinated emergency plan operates effectively.

Where two or more responsible persons share premises in which an explosive atmosphere may occur, the responsible person with overall responsibility for the premises must co-ordinate any measures necessary to protect everyone from any risk that may arise. Employees also have a responsibility to co-operate with their employer so far as it is necessary to help the employer comply with any legal duty.

Further guidance on co-operation and co-ordination is given in Part 2, Section 7.3.

Checklist

Have you told your staff about the emergency plan, including the identity of people you have nominated to do a particular task?
Have you informed residents and guests about what to do in an emergency?
Have you given staff information about any dangerous substances?
Do you have arrangements for informing temporary or agency staff?
Do you have arrangement for informing other employers whose staff are guest workers in your premises, such as maintenance contractors and cleaners?
Have you co-ordinated your fire safety arrangements with other responsible people and with any contractors in the building?
Have you recorded details of any information or instructions you have given and the details of any arrangements for co-operation and co-ordination with others?

4.4 Fire safety training

You must provide adequate fire safety training for your staff. The type of training should be based on the particular features of your premises including any ancillary accommodation and should:

take account of the findings of the fire risk assessment;
explain your emergency procedures;
take account of the work activity and explain the duties and responsibilities of staff;
take place during normal working hours and be repeated periodically where appropriate;
be easily understandable by your staff and other people who may be present;
address the roles of staff and others (guest, residents); and
be tested by fire drills.

In simple premises, e.g. small hostel, this may be no more than showing new staff and long term residents the fire exits and giving basic training on what to do if there is a fire. In complex premises, such as hotels with a high staff turnover and shift patterns, the organisation of fire safety training will need to be more formal, e.g. by an induction course.

Your staff training should include the following:

what to do on discovering a fire;
how to raise the alarm and what happens then;
what to do upon hearing the fire alarm;
the procedures for alerting guest, residents and visitors including, where appropriate, directing them to exits;
the arrangements for calling the fire and rescue service;
the evacuation procedures for everyone to reach an assembly point at a place of total safety;
the location and, when appropriate, the use of firefighting equipment;
the location of escape routes, especially those not in regular use;
how to open all emergency exit doors;
the importance of keeping fire doors closed to prevent the spread of fire, heat and smoke;
where appropriate, how to stop machines and processes and isolate power supplies in the event of a fire;
the reason for not using lifts (except those specifically installed or nominated, following a suitable fire risk assessment);
the safe use of and risks from storing or working with highly flammable and explosive substances; and
the importance of general fire safety, which includes good housekeeping.

All the staff identified in your emergency plan that have a supervisory role if there is a fire (eg heads of department, fire marshals or wardens and, in complex premises, fire parties or teams), should be given details of your fire risk assessment and receive additional training.

Further guidance on training and how to carry out a fire drill is given in Part 2, Section 7.4.

Checklist

Have your staff received any fire safety training?
Have you carried out a fire drill recently?
Are employees aware of specific tasks if there is a fire?
Are you maintaining a record of training sessions?
Do you carry out joint training and fire drills in multi-occupied buildings?
If you use or store hazardous or explosive substances have your staff received appropriate training?

Step 5: Review

You should constantly monitor what you are doing to implement the fire risk assessment, to assess how effectively the risk is being controlled.

If you have any reason to suspect that your fire risk assessment is no longer valid or there has been a significant change in your premises that has affected your fire precautions, you will need to review your assessment and if necessary revise it. Reasons for review could include:

change of use, e.g. hotel to hostel or hall of residence to residential conference centre;
changes to work activities or the way that you organise them, including the introduction of new equipment;
alterations to the building, including the internal layout;
substantial changes to furniture and fixings;
the introduction, change of use or increase in the storage of hazardous substances;
the failure of fire precautions, e.g. fire-detection systems and alarm systems, life safety sprinklers or ventilation systems;
problems reported by staff and/or residents;
significant changes to displays or quantities of stock;
a significant increase in the number of people present; and
the presence of people with some form of disability.

You should consider the potential risk of any significant change before it is introduced. It is usually more effective to minimise a risk by, for example, ensuring adequate, appropriate storage space for an item before introducing it to your premises.

Do not amend your assessment for every trivial change, but if a change introduces new hazards you should consider them and, if significant, do whatever you need to do to keep the risks under control. In any case you should keep your assessment under review to make sure that the precautions are still working effectively. You may want to re-examine the fire prevention and protection measures at the same time as your health and safety assessment.

If a fire or ‘near miss’ occurs, this could indicate that your existing assessment may be inadequate and you should carry out a re-assessment. It is good practice to identify the cause of any incident and then review and, if necessary, revise your fire risk assessment in the light of this.

Records of testing, maintenance and training etc. are useful aids in a review process. See Appendix A.1 for an example.

Alterations notices

If you have been served with an ‘alterations notice’ check it to see whether you need to notify the enforcing authority about any changes you propose to make as a result of your review. If these changes include building work, you should also consult a building control body.

End of part 1

You should now have completed the five-step fire risk assessment process, using the additional information in Part 2 where necessary. In any review you may need to revisit Steps 1 to 4.

Question 5

Part 2: Further guidance on fire risk assessment and fire precautions

Accepted Answer

Managing fire safety

Good management of fire safety in your premises is essential to ensure that any fire safety matters that arise are always effectively addressed.

In small premises this can be achieved by the manager or owner maintaining and planning fire safety in conjunction with general health and safety.

In larger premises it is good practice for a senior manager to have overall responsibility for fire safety. It may be appropriate for this responsibility to be placed with the manager designated with overall responsibility for health and safety.

An organisation’s fire safety policy should be flexible enough to allow modification. This is particularly important when local managers have to function daily with other businesses in the same building. It should be recognised that fire safety operates at all levels within an organisation and therefore local managers should be able to develop, where necessary, a local action plan for their premises.

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

who will hold the responsibility for fire safety at board level;
who will be the responsible person for each of their premises (this will be the person who has overall control, usually the manager);
the arrangement whereby managers will, where necessary, nominate in writing specific people to carry out particular tasks if there is a fire; and
the arrangement whereby regional or area managers should monitor and check that individual managers are meeting the requirements of the fire safety law.

You should have a plan of action to bring together all the features you have evaluated and noted from your fire risk assessment so that you can logically plan what needs to be done. It should not be confused with the emergency plan, which is a statement of what you will do if there is a fire.

The plan of action should include what you intend to do to reduce the hazards and risks you have identified and to implement the necessary protection measures.

You will need to prioritise these actions to ensure that any findings which identify people in immediate danger are dealt with straightaway. In other cases where people are not in immediate danger but action is still necessary, it may be acceptable to plan this over a period of time.

The guidance in Part 2 provides additional information to:

ensure good fire safety management by helping you establish your fire prevention measures, fire precautions and fire safety procedures (systems equipment and plans); and
assist you to carry out your fire safety risk assessment and identify any issues that need attention.

Question 6

Section 1: Further guidance on fire risks and preventative measures

Accepted Answer

This section provides further information on evaluating the risk of a fire and its prevention in your premises. You should spend time developing long-term workable and effective strategies to reduce hazards and the risk of a fire starting. At its simplest this means separating flammable materials from ignition sources.

You should minimise fire hazards by considering:

housekeeping;
laundries;
kitchen areas;
storage;
dangerous substances, storage, display and use;
equipment and machinery;
electrical safety;
smoking; and
managing building work and alterations.

You should minimise risk to people by considering:

existing layout and construction;
particular hazards in corridors and stairways 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

The accumulation of combustible materials in premises that provide sleeping accommodation should be carefully monitored.

In hotels, boarding houses and similar premises, the nature of guests and their daily routine of coming and going will require you to develop adequate systems to manage the accumulation of waste and laundry. The movement of clean linen, old newspapers and spare or ‘put-me-up’ beds, should be controlled to ensure that the premises are left in a safe condition, e.g. by avoiding temporary or permanent storage in escape routes.

In family group homes the need to avoid an institutional appearance will mean that combustible material will often remain in the premises. However, such material should not be allowed to accumulate in the escape routes and this should form part of your considerations when carrying out the fire risk assessment.

Waste material should be kept in suitable containers prior to removal from the premises. If bins, particularly wheeled bins, are used outside they should be secured in a compound to prevent them being moved to a position next to the building and set on fire (see Figure 13). Skips should never be placed against a building and should normally be a minimum of 6 metres away from any part of the premises.

Good housekeeping is essential to reduce the chances of escape routes being blocked, see Part 2, Section 1.11.

Escape routes need to be maintained free from obstruction by items such as laundry, temporary storage of furniture, goods, materials, equipment, large displays and rubbish. In particular fire doors and final exits should be regularly inspected to make sure that they are openable and not obstructed. Seating areas should not be provided within escape routes and floor surfaces within escape routes should be maintainable, even and slip-resistant.

In higher risk areas you need to make sure arrangements are in place for safe close down e.g. checking all appliances are turned off and combustible waste has been removed.

Figure 13: Bins under stairway

Courtesy of Cheshire fire and rescue service

1.2 Laundries

Laundries are a high risk area and are often located in the basement which means that any fire may affect the escape routes above. The use of laundry chutes provide a ready path for smoke from any fire to travel throughout the residential areas of the premises. Smoke and fire dampers within the laundry chute should be automatically operated following activation of fire detection devices within the chute.

Washing and drying machines should not be loaded in excess of the manufacturer’s recommendations, exhaust filters should be cleaned and maintenance carried out regularly. Items such as cleaning cloths and mop heads placed in the dryers can spontaneously combust if there is any chemical residue left on them.

In situations where residents use facilities provided (e.g. self-catering accommodation), you need to inform residents of correct procedures to prevent any fire risk. You can do this by installing signage in the laundry area.

Ironing equipment should be correctly used and maintained. Where ironing equipment is temporarily issued for use, e.g. in a hotel room, guests should be advised how to prevent any fire risks.

The laundry area should not be used for storing miscellaneous combustible material.

1.3 Kitchen areas

In premises with extensive catering facilities (e.g. a hotel), the cooking range should have some form of automatic fire suppression system and deep fat cooking equipment should have thermostatic temperature control. In smaller premises (e.g. a kitchen in a shared house or a small bed and breakfast) a suitable fire extinguisher and fire blanket should be provided. Extractor ducting, grease traps and filters should be regularly cleaned and maintained. Isolation switches for gas and electricity supplies, and any extractor fans should be located near to an exit.

Cooking equipment should never be left unattended. There are approximately 8,000 chip pan fires every year^{[footnote 2]}. In some premises, such as houses in multiple occupation and hostels, you should consider prohibiting the use of ‘open top chip pans’.

Where guests/residents are allowed to use their own equipment, or in self-catering accommodation where facilities are provided, cooking should only take place in designated areas and guest/residents should be advised how to prevent any fire risks.

Flambé cooking should be carried out in areas where the flames cannot ignite other combustible materials such as decorations.

1.4 Storage

If your premises have inadequate or poorly managed storage areas then the risk of fire is likely to be increased (Figure 14). The more combustible materials you store the greater the source of fuel for a fire. Poorly arranged storage could prevent equipment such as sprinklers working effectively.

Combustible materials are not just those generally regarded as highly combustible, such as polystyrene, but all materials that will readily catch fire, e.g. cleaning rags or artificial flower displays. However, by carefully considering the type of material, the quantities kept and the storage arrangements, the risks can be significantly reduced.

Figure 14: An example of poor storage

Overflowing cardboard boxes, clothes and other items are piled on the floor, covering it completely.

Do not pile combustible material against electrical equipment or heaters, even if turned off for the summer, and do not allow smoking in areas where combustible materials are stored.

To reduce the risk, store combustible materials such as baggage, linen and reserve furniture in a dedicated storeroom or cupboard that is fire-resisting. Do not store material in escape routes or areas where the public would usually have access.

Consider how combustibles are arranged. For example large quantities of clothing on vertical hangers would present a greater risk of rapid fire development than clothing arranged in a pile.

Your fire risk assessment should also consider any additional risk generated by seasonal products such as fireworks and Christmas decorations.

Consider the following to reduce these risks:

ensure you have sufficient storage areas for your needs;
ensure storage and display areas are adequately controlled and monitored;
use fire-retardant display materials wherever possible (suppliers should be able to provide evidence of this); and
ensure electrical lighting used as part of the display does not become a potential source of ignition.

1.5 Dangerous substances; storage, display and use

Specific precautions are required when handling and storing dangerous substances to minimise the possibility of an incident. Your supplier should be able to provide detailed advice on safe storage and handling, however, the following principles will help you reduce the risk from fire:

substitute highly flammable substances and materials with less flammable ones;
reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to the smallest reasonable amount necessary for running the business or organisation;
correctly store dangerous substances, e.g. in a fire-resisting enclosure. All flammable liquids and gases should ideally be locked away, especially when the premises are unoccupied, to reduce the chance of them being used in an arson attack; and
ensure that you and your employees are aware of the fire risk the dangerous substances present and the precautions necessary to avoid danger.

Additional general fire precautions may be needed to take account of the additional risks that may be posed by the storage and use of these substances.

Certain substances and materials are by their nature, highly flammable, oxidising or potentially explosive. These substances are controlled by other legislation in addition to fire safety law, in particular the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (also see the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice and guidance).

Flammable liquids

Highly flammable liquids present a particularly high fire risk. For example, a leak from a container of flammable solvents, such as acetone, may produce large quantities of heavier-than-air flammable vapours. These can travel large distances, increasing the likelihood of their reaching a source of ignition well away from the original leak, such as a basement containing heating plant and/or electrical equipment on automatic timers.

Flammable liquids stored in plastic containers can be a particular problem if involved in fire because they readily melt spilling their contents and fuelling rapid fire growth.

The risk is reduced by ensuring the storage and use of highly flammable liquids is carefully managed, that materials contaminated with solvent are properly disposed of (Figure 15) and when not in use, they are safely stored. Up to 50 litres may be stored in a fire-resisting cabinet or bin that will contain any leaks (Figure 16).

Figure 15: A fire-resisting pedal bin for rags

A cylindrical metal bin opened by a foot pedal.

Figure 16: A 50 litre storage bin for flammables

A metal box with a lock and key, holding bottles, containers and tins. It has a half hour fire resistant exterior, bonded or fire stopped junction, and non-combustible, high melting point hinges.

There should be no potential ignition sources in areas where flammable liquids are used or stored and flammable concentrations of vapours or dusts may be present. Any electrical equipment used in these areas, including fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, needs to be suitable for use in flammable atmospheres. In such situations, you should seek advice from a competent person.

LPG storage and use

Where LPG in cylinders or cartridges is present, you need to take particular care to minimise the possibility of its involvement in a fire. The total amount of LPG should be kept to the minimum necessary to meet your needs. Where it is necessary to keep spare LPG cylinders in premises providing sleeping accommodation, this should be limited to 15kg in not more than 2 cylinders. These should be kept in a safe, secure and well ventilated place where they cannot be interfered with; can be kept upright (with valve protection fitted); are away from sources of ignition and/or readily ignitable materials; and are away from any corrosive, toxic or oxidant materials.

Where there are retail premises within the building, holding LPG cylinders and cartridges, the maximum stock should not exceed 70kg.

Stock in excess of 15kg should be in a properly designed and located storage area away from the premises, or in a building that is dedicated for LPG. Advice on the use of LPG for heating is given Section 1.6.

Bulk storage tanks for LPG should be designed, installed and located in accordance with industry guidance.

Further guidance on the safe storage of LPG is available from your supplier or the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association’s Code of Practice.

Aerosols

Some aerosol cans contain flammable products stored at pressure and can present a high hazard. When ignited, they can explode, produce fireballs and rocket to distances of 40m. Their presence can make it unsafe for firefighters to enter a building and they have the potential for starting multiple fires.

The following should be considered to reduce these risks:

All staff involved in the use and storage of flammable aerosol cans should be aware of the potential fire hazard.
Damaged and leaking aerosol cans should be removed immediately to a safe, secure, well ventilated place prior to disposal.
Segregation of stocks of aerosols from other items, where possible in a fire- resisting enclosure or by caging.
Cleaning and other staff should be made aware of the potential dangers of aerosol canisters and the need for their safe disposal.

Hazardous materials

Where it is necessary to use hazardous materials, such as fuels (whether in containers or within fuel tanks and machinery), fertilisers, weed killers, paints or gas cylinders used for medical purposes, they should be stored in a secure and safe location, for example a properly ventilated fire-resisting storeroom. Care should also be taken to ensure that incompatible materials are not stored together. If in any doubt you should seek the advice of your supplier.

1.6 Equipment and machinery

Common causes of fire in equipment are:

allowing ventilation points to become clogged or blocked, causing overheating, e.g. driers;
inadequate cleaning of equipment, such as fryers and toasters;
allowing extraction equipment in catering environments to build up excessive grease deposits;
disabling or interfering with automatic or manual safety features and cut-outs; and
leaking valves, glands or joints allowing oils and other flammable liquids to contaminate adjacent floors or goods.

A competent person should adequately and regularly maintain machinery, equipment and plant, including cooking appliances and heating equipment. Appropriate signs and instructions on safe use may be necessary.

Heating

Individual heating appliances require particular care if they are to be used safely, particularly those which are kept for emergency use during a power cut or as supplementary heating during severe weather. The greatest risks arise from lack of maintenance and staff unfamiliarity with them. Heaters should be secured in position when in use and fitted with a fire guard if appropriate.

As a general rule, convector or fan heaters should be preferred to radiant heaters because they present a lower risk of fire and injury.

The following rules should be observed:

All heaters should be kept well clear of combustible materials and where they do not cause an obstruction.
Heaters which burn a fuel should be sited away from draughts.
Portable fuel burning heaters (including bottled gas (LPG)) should only be used in public areas in exceptional circumstances and if shown to be acceptable in your risk assessment.

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

In general, residents/guest/staff should be discouraged from bringing in their own portable heaters, into the premises. The use of boiler rooms to store combustible materials should be avoided.

1.7 Electrical safety

Electrical equipment is a significant cause of accidental fires. The main causes are:

overheating cables and equipment e.g. due to overloading circuits, bunched or coiled cables or impaired cooling fans;
overheating cables and equipment due to equipment left on, e.g. irons, kettles, electric blankets;
incorrect installation or use of equipment;
damaged or inadequate insulation on cables or wiring;
combustible materials being placed too close to electrical equipment which may give off heat even when operating normally or may become hot due to a fault, e.g. trouser presses in wardrobes;
arcing or sparking by electrical equipment; and
lack of maintenance or testing.

All electrical equipment should be installed and maintained in a safe manner by a competent person. If portable electrical equipment is used, including items brought into a workplace by staff, then your fire risk assessment should ensure that it is visually inspected and undergoes portable appliance testing (‘PAT’) at intervals suitable for the type of equipment and its frequency of use (refer to HSE guidance). If you have any doubt about the safety of your electrical installation then you should consult a competent electrician.

Issues to consider include:

overloading of equipment,
correct fuse ratings;
PAT testing and testing of the fixed installation;
protection against overloading of installation;
protection against short circuit;
insulation, earthing and electrical isolation requirements;
frequency of electrical inspection and test;
temperature rating and mechanical strength of flexible cables;
portable electrical equipment, including lanterns;
physical environment in which the equipment is used (e.g. wet or dusty atmospheres); and
suitable use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

All electrical installations should be regularly inspected by a competent electrical engineer appointed by you, or on your behalf, in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAW Regulations). The use of low voltage equipment should conform to the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, including the requirement to be CE marked.

1.8 Smoking

Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials are a major cause of fire. A cigarette can smoulder for several hours, especially when surrounded by combustible material. Many fires are started several hours after the smoking materials have been emptied into waste bags and left for future disposal.

Consider operating a safe smoking policy in designated smoking areas and prohibit smoking elsewhere. Display suitable signs throughout the premises informing people of the smoking policy and the locations where smoking is permitted.

In those areas where smoking is permitted, provide non-combustible deep and substantial ashtrays to help prevent unsuitable containers being used. Empty all ashtrays daily into a metal waste bin and take it outside. It is dangerous to empty ashtrays into plastic waste sacks which are then left inside for disposal later.

1.9 Managing building work and alterations

Fires are more frequent when buildings are undergoing refurbishment or alteration.

You should ensure that, before any building work starts, you have reviewed the fire risk assessment and considered what additional dangers are likely to be introduced. You will need to evaluate the additional risks to people, particularly in those buildings that continue to be occupied. Lack of pre-planning can lead to haphazard co-ordination of fire safety measures.

You should liaise and exchange information with contractors who will also have a duty under the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, to carry out a risk assessment and inform you of their significant findings and the preventive measures they may employ. This may be supported by the contractors’ agreed work method statement.

The designer should also have considered fire safety as part of the Construction (Design and Management) regulations 1994 (The CDM Regulations).

You should continuously monitor the impact of the building work on the general fire safety precautions, such as the increased risk from quantities of combustible materials and accumulated waste and maintaining adequate means of escape. You should only allow the minimum materials necessary for the work in hand within or adjacent to your building.

Additional risks can include:

hot work such as flame cutting, soldering, welding or including paint stripping;
temporary electrical equipment;
blocking of escape routes including external escape routes;
introduction of combustibles into an escape route;
loss of normal storage facilities;
fire safety equipment, such as automatic fire-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 be unfamiliar with the premises.

Activities such as welding, flame cutting, use of blow lamps or portable grinding equipment can pose a serious fire hazard and need to be strictly controlled when carried out in areas near flammable materials. This can be done by having a written permit to work for the people involved (whether they are your staff or those of the contractor).

A permit to work is appropriate in situations of high hazard/risk and, for example, where there is a need to:

ensure that there is a formal check confirming that a safe system of work is being followed;
co-ordinate with other people or activities;
provide time limits when it is safe to carry out the work;
provide specialised personal protective equipment (such as breathing apparatus) or methods of communication; and
check that contractors have a policy in place with respect to a smouldering fire. You should inspect areas before each night.

Further guidance on fire safety during construction work is given by the HSE and the Fire Protection Association.

1.10 Existing layout and construction

Traditionally, occupants are advised to shut doors when escaping from a fire but in open-plan areas there are few doors to shut. In these areas the fire, and especially the smoke, may spread faster than expected.

To assess the risk in your premises you need to evaluate the construction and layout of your building. This does not mean a structural survey, unless you suspect that the structure is damaged or any structural fire protection is missing or damaged, but rather an informed look around to see if there are any easy paths through which smoke and fire may spread and what you can do to stop that. In general, older buildings will have more void areas, possibly hidden from view, which will allow smoke and fire to spread away from its source. Whatever your type of building, you may need to consider typical situations that may assist the spread of fire and smoke such as:

vertical shafts, e.g. lifts, open stairways, linen and waste chutes and dumb waiters;
false ceilings, especially if they are not fire- stopped above walls;
voids behind wall panelling;
unsealed holes in walls and ceilings where pipe work, cables or other services have been installed;
doors, particularly to stairways, which are ill-fitting or routinely left open; and
storage under stairs.

1.11 Particular hazards in corridors and stairways used as escape routes

Items that are a source of fuel, pose an ignition risk, or are combustible and likely to increase the fire loading or spread of fire, should not be located on any corridor or stairway or circulation space that will be used as an escape route.

Such items include:

portable heaters, e.g. bottled gas (LPG) or electric radiant heaters and electric convectors or boilers;
gas cylinders for supplying heaters;
cooking appliances; and
unenclosed gas pipes, meters, and other fittings.

However, depending on the findings of your risk assessment and, where more than one escape route is available, items such as those below may be acceptable if the minimum exit widths are maintained and the item presents a relatively low fire risk:

non-combustible lockers;
vending machines;
small items of electrical equipment (e.g. photocopiers); and
small coat racks and/or small quantities of upholstered furniture which meets BS 7176 or the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

1.12 Insulated core panels

Many buildings have insulated core panels as exterior cladding or for internal structures and partitions (Figure 17). Insulated core panels are used because they are easily constructed, which enables alterations and additional internal partitions to be erected with minimum disruption to business.

They normally consist of a central insulated core, sandwiched between an inner and outer metal skin, normally coated with PVC covering. The central core can be made of various insulating materials, ranging from virtually non- combustible through to highly combustible.

Fire can grow unnoticed in the core and only become apparent when it is well developed.

Figure 17: Insulated core panel – internal

It is difficult to identify the type of core the panels have, therefore best practice can help you reduce any additional risk:

Do not store highly combustible materials, or install heating appliances, such as baking ovens, against the panels.
Control ignition sources that are adjacent to, or penetrating the panels.
Have damaged panels or sealed joints repaired immediately and make sure that jointing compounds or gaskets used around the edges of the panels are in good order.
Check where openings have been made for doors, windows, cables and ducts that these have been effectively sealed and the inner core has not been exposed.
Ensure there has been no mechanical damage, e.g. caused by mobile equipment.
Ensure that loads, such as storage and equipment, are supported by such panels only if they have been designed and installed to perform this function.

The use of combustible panels in areas of buildings with a high life risk, e.g. where large numbers of people are present, should be carefully considered. Your fire risk assessment may need to be revised to ensure that any increased risk resulting from this type of construction is considered.

The panels should be installed by a competent person in accordance with industry guidance.

Guidance on the design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated core panels has been published by the International Association of Cold Storage Contractors.

1.13 Restricting the spread of fire and smoke

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

It is important to ensure that, in the event of fire, the rate of fire growth is restricted in its early stages. It should also be noted that most measures which restrict the rate of fire growth in its early stages will also serve to restrict the fire spread in its later stages.

Combustible contents

The use of flame-retardant materials will substantially reduce the fire risk. Your premises may contain a range of materials and could include:

mattresses, bedding, furnishings, upholstered furniture and cushions;
curtains, drapes and other textile hangings;
resident/guest display material on walls; and
promotional and seasonal festival displays.

Furniture and furnishings used in domestic premises (including any supplied by the owners or landlords or any that are brought in by residents) must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended 1989 and 1993.

The Regulations cover the ignitability characteristics of the materials used and include requirements for labelling. The following items which contain upholstery are covered by the regulations:

beds, headboards, pillows, mattresses and sofa beds;
nursery furniture, garden furniture (which can be used indoors);
furniture in new caravans; and
scatter cushions, seat pads, and loose and stretch covers.

The Regulations require such products to be able to pass fire tests specified in certain standards and, in some cases, for the products to be labelled.

Where doubt exists about the fire performance of a product or material you should consider asking for a copy of the test certificate that can show compliance with the appropriate standard required by the Regulations.

In some premises, e.g. HMOs and hostels, you should consider prohibiting residents from bringing in their own furniture, beds etc., if it does not meet the above Regulations.

Further guidance on the Regulations is available from the DTI at www.dti.gov.uk or from your local Trading Standards department.

Ideally, the use of furnishings, beds and bedding, and synthetic materials which are easily ignited or have rapid spread of flame characteristics should be avoided wherever possible in all other premises to which this guide applies. If such materials are present, this should be taken into account when determining the level of fire precautions in the premises.

Note: Soft furnishings treated with flame- retardant treatments may have a limited ‘wash life’ before the effectiveness of the flame- retardant is diminished. To maintain the protection, you should follow the manufacturer’s/supplier’s instructions. If you are in any doubt about the flame retardant treatment of any product you should seek confirmation from the supplier that the items have been tested for flammability by a UKAS^{[footnote 3]} accredited organisation.

Specifications for the fire performance and testing of furniture and furnishings can be found in the following standards:

ignitability of upholstered furniture (including composites of cover material and infill) and loose covers: BS 5852
resistance to ignition of mattresses, divans and bed bases: BS 7177
resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic use: BS 7176
flammability of fabrics for curtains and drapes (including nets and linings): BS 5867-2
burning behaviour (ignitability and flame spread) of curtains and drapes: BS EN 1101 (ignitability) and BS EN 1102 (flame spread).

Note: For all the above standards equivalent European classification standards, where available, may also be used.

You may need to consider the need for ceiling linings and other hanging textiles to be fire retardant. Care is also needed on the selection of decorative finishes and multi-layer decorative systems, e.g. wall papers and oil based paints.

If you provide accommodation specially for children (e.g. a children’s hostel) any toys used must meet the essential requirement for flammability under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995.

Display materials and decorations

Displays are often located in corridors and in entrance foyers, and generally comprise materials such as paper, cardboard and plastic which provide a means for the rapid spread of fire. You should evaluate what material could ignite first and what would cause the fire to develop and spread, and assess how materials used in temporary or permanent displays would interact with surface linings and position them accordingly. To reduce the risk of fire spread, you should consider the following:

avoid the use of displays in corridors and foyers;
minimise the size and number of display areas to discrete, separated areas (e.g. along a corridor);
treat displays with proprietary flame- retardant sprays;
the use of display boxes;
keep displays away from curtains, light fittings and heaters;
keep displays away from ceiling voids which may lack fire barriers; and
ensure that there are no ignition sources in the vicinity.

Caravans and tents

Fire can spread rapidly between caravans and between tents, if they are too close. Safe separation distances between units should be applied, e.g. 6m spacing for park homes.

Further guidance on caravan and tent fire precautions can be found in BS 5576, circular 14/89 Model Standards and BRE IP 15/91.

Fire-resisting structures

Many buildings are divided into different areas by fire doors and fire-resisting walls and floors. These are partly designed to keep a fire within one area, giving people more time to escape. You will need to identify which doors, walls and floors in your building are fire-resisting.

There may be information available from when the building was built, if alterations have been made, or from a previously held fire certificate.

High-risk areas (e.g. extensive catering facilities such as a hotel kitchen) should be separated from the 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 technical information about fire-resisting wall and doors.) If a wall or floor is required to be fire-resisting then you should not make any holes in it, e.g. for extra doors or pipe ducts, without consulting a competent person.

If your premises are of CLASP^{[footnote 4]} type construction, the installation of appropriately installed cavity barriers to fire-resisting walls, floors and roof spaces will generally be required to restrict the spread of fire and smoke. If you are in any doubt as to whether any remedial work will be required, then ask for advice from a competent person.

Smoke control

In more complex buildings, such as modern hotels and flats, there may be some form of smoke control provided for the safety of the occupants and to assist firefighting (e.g. Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems (SHEVS)). These systems are designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke usually by venting the heat and smoke through the roof or via other routes to outside. Low level inlet air is essential for the operation of SHEVS and all openings for this purpose should not be obstructed.

Special down-stands may have been installed to create a reservoir which will contain the smoke and hot gases at roof level, while vents allow the smoke to escape. It is important that any smoke can flow easily into the reservoirs and that nothing which could cause an obstruction, e.g. large advertising displays, is fixed near the vents.

If your building has smoke vents fitted, or any other form of smoke control, then you may need to seek advice from someone who is competent in such systems. Further information on smoke control can be found from CIBSE Guide E or from the BRE.

Ventilation systems

Where ventilation systems might assist the spread of flames, smoke and hot gases from a fire it will be necessary to take steps to safe guard the means of escape against this hazard.

Sprinklers

In some premises there may be a sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems are designed to restrict the spread of fire by suppressing the fire.

Further guidance is available in Part 2, Section 3.2.

1.14 Arson

Recent studies indicate that over 2,100 serious deliberately set fires, resulting in two deaths and 55 injuries, occur every week. In premises used for sleeping accommodation it is estimated that 24% of all fires are deliberately set^{[footnote 5]}. All premises can be targeted either deliberately or just because they offer easy access.

Be aware of other small, deliberately set fires in the locality, which can indicate an increased risk to your premises. Be suspicious of any small ‘accidental’ fires on the premises and investigate them fully and record your findings.

Fires started deliberately can be particularly dangerous because th ey generally develop much faster and may be intentionally started in escape routes. Of all the risk-reduction measures, the most benefit may come from efforts to reduce the threat from arson.

Measures to reduce arson may include the following:

ensure the outside of the premises is well lit and, if practical, secure the perimeter of the premises;
thoroughly secure all entry points to the premises, including windows and the roof, but make sure that this does not compromise people’s ability to use the escape routes;
make sure you regularly remove all combustible rubbish;
do not place rubbish skips adjacent to the building and secure waste bins in a compound separated from the building;
do not place vehicles, caravans or other portable structures adjacent to the building;
encourage staff to report people acting suspiciously;
remove automatic entry rights from staff who have been dismissed;
ensure that your security alarm/fire- detection system is monitored and acted on;
secure flammable liquids so that intruders cannot use them;
secure all storage areas and unused areas of the building that do not form part of an escape route against unauthorised access, ensure access to keys to those areas is restricted; and
fit secure metal letterboxes on the inside of letter flaps to contain any burning materials that may be pushed through.

Further guidance on the reducing the risk of arson has been published by the Arson Prevention Bureau.^{[footnote 6]}

1.15 Help for people with special needs

Of all the people who may be especially at risk you will need to pay particular attention to people who have special needs including those with a disability. The Disability Rights Commission estimates that 11 million people in this country have some form of disability, which may mean that they find it more difficult to leave a building if there is a fire. Under the Disability Discrimination Act, if disabled people could realistically expect to use the service (or premises) you provide, then you must anticipate any reasonable adjustments that would make it easier for that right to be exercised.

The Disability Discrimination Act includes the concept of ‘reasonable adjustments’ and this can be carried over into fire safety law. It can mean different things in different circumstances. For a small business it may be considered reasonable to provide contrasting colours on a handrail to help people with vision impairment to follow an escape route more easily. However, it might be unreasonable to expect that same business to install an expensive voice-alarm system. Appropriate ‘reasonable adjustments’ for a large business or organisation may be much more significant.

If disabled people are going to be in your premises then you must also provide a safe means for them to leave if there is a fire. You and your staff should be aware that disabled people may not react, or can react differently, to a fire warning or a fire. You should give similar consideration to others with special needs such as parents with young children as the elderly.

In premises with a simple layout, a common- sense approach, such as offering to help lead a blind person or helping an elderly person down steps may be enough. In more complex premises, more elaborate plans and procedures will be needed, with trained staff assigned to specified duties. In complex premises, you may also wish to contact a professional consultant or take advice from disability organisations.

Whilst the majority of people with special needs wish to and are able to make their own escape, there may be a number who are only able to move or react adequately with assistance from staff.

Consider the needs of those with mental disabilities or spatial recognition problems. The range of disabilities encountered can be considerable, extending from mild epilepsy to complete disorientation in an emergency situation. Many of these can be addressed by properly trained staff, discreet and empathetic use of the ‘buddy system’ or by careful planning of colour and texture to identify escape routes.

Where people with special needs use or work in the premises, their needs should, so far as practicable be discussed with them. These will often be modest and may require only changes or modifications to existing procedures. You may need to develop individual ‘personal emergency evacuation plans’ (PEEPs) for disabled persons who frequently use a building. They will need to be confident of any plan/PEEP that is put in place after consultation with them. As part of your consultation exercise you will need to consider the matter of personal dignity.

If members of the public use your building then you may need to develop a range of standard PEEPs which can be provided on request to a disabled person or others with special needs.

Guidance on removing barriers to the everyday needs of disabled people is in BS 8300. Much of this advice will also help disabled people during an evacuation.

Further advice can be obtained from the Disability Rights Commission.

Question 7

Section 2: Further guidance on fire detection and warning systems

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of the automatic fire detection and warning system is to alert occupants/residents to enable them to move away from the fire to a place of total safety while the escape routes are still clear of smoke.

Your electrical fire detection and warning system should typically include the following:

fire detectors, e.g. smoke, heat;
manual call points (break-glass call points) next to exits with at least one call point on each floor;
electronic sirens or bells; and
a control and indicator panel.

If your building has areas where a fire could develop undetected or where people work alone and might not see a fire, then it may be necessary to check your system protects these areas.

If, for any reason, your system fails you must still ensure that people in your premises can be warned and escape safely. A temporary arrangement, such as gongs, whistles or air horns, combined with suitable training, may be acceptable for a short period, pending system repairs.

The fire warning sound levels should be loud enough to alert everyone, taking into account background noise. In areas with high background noise, or where people may be wearing hearing protectors, the audible warning should be supplemented, e.g. with visual alarms. In sleeping areas, to ensure that people are woken, a sufficient sound level should be achieved at the head of the bed (i.e. 75dBA).

This will usually mean the fitting of a sounder device in each bedroom.

People with hearing difficulties

Where people have hearing difficulties, particularly those who are profoundly deaf, then simply hearing the fire warning is likely to be the major difficulty. If these persons are never alone while on the premises then this may not be a serious problem, as it would be reasonable for other occupants to let them know that the building should be evacuated. If a person with hearing difficulties is likely to be alone, then consider other means of raising the alarm. Among the most popular are visual beacons and vibrating devices or pagers that are linked to the existing fire alarm.

Voice alarms

Research has shown that some people and, in particular, members of the public do not always react quickly to a conventional fire alarm. Voice alarms are therefore becoming increasingly popular and can also incorporate a public address facility. The message or messages sent must be carefully considered. It is therefore essential to ensure that voice-alarm systems are designed and installed by a person with specialist knowledge of these systems.

Schematic plan

In order to quickly determine where a fire has been detected, you should consider displaying a schematic plan showing fire alarm zones in a multi-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 a fire to immediately raise the alarm and warn other people in the premises of the danger.

People leaving a building because of a fire will usually leave by the way they entered. Consequently, manual call points are usually positioned at exits and storey exits that people may reasonably be expected to use in case of fire, not just those designated as fire exits.

However, it is not necessary in every case to provide call points at every exit.

Manual call points should usually be positioned so that, after all fixtures and fittings, machinery and stock are in place, no one should have to travel more than 45m to the nearest alarm point. This distance may need to be less if your premises cater for people of limited mobility or there are particularly hazardous areas. They should be conspicuous (red), fitted at a height of about 1.4m (or less for premises with a significant number of wheelchair users), and not in an area likely to be obstructed.

Conventionally sited call points that operate an immediate general alarm are not always desirable in some areas of complex buildings, e.g. function rooms in a hotel. To reduce the risk of malicious or accidental operation you should consider alternative arrangements such as:

locating the majority of manual call points in staff areas;
the guarding of manual call points; and
a delayed alarm for investigation purposes before any general alarm is given.

For these arrangements to be effective your management plan should have robust management procedures in place.

2.2 Automatic fire detection

Most premises providing sleeping accommodation will need automatic fire detection, which actuates the fire warning systems. Automatic fire detection provides the means to know that you have a fire at the earliest possible time. It offers you the possiblity of carrying out firefighting (because the fire is still small) and the maximum period of time to implement your emergency plan and to evacuate residents, staff or any other relevant persons.

The system can be linked to other active fire safety systems in your building (e.g. door closing devices and smoke control vents) so that they operate automatically. Automatic fire detection is usually needed in the following circumstances:

for alerting people who are sleeping;
if you have areas where people are isolated or remote and could become trapped by a fire because they are unaware of its development, such as lone workers;
if you have areas where a fire can develop unobserved (e.g. storerooms);
as a compensating feature, e.g. for inadequate structural fire protection, in dead ends or where there are extended travel distances;
where smoke control and ventilation systems are controlled by the automatic fire-detection system;
areas of high risk, e.g. boiler rooms, kitchens;
other areas such as, high risk unoccupied areas, storage areas and walk in cupboards, large rooms, access rooms to sleeping accommodation, areas or buildings served by a single stairway; and
to reduce the effects of arson.

The precise design and scope of the system required will be subject to the findings of your risk assessment, advice from system designers and guidance from appropriate standards.

Table 1 gives guidance on suggested categories/grades of system for typical types of premises. It must be emphasised that this table can only provide the starting point for assessing the level of fire detection and warning system necessary.

Table 1: Suggested standard of automatic fire detection.

Type of premises	Category/Grade of system (Note 5)
Hotels, motels, hostels, large bed and breakfast and boarding house type accommodation. (Note 1)	L2
School and student residencies. Family group homes, (especially refuges for vulnerable groups).	L2 or L3
Sheltered accommodation.	L2 in common areas (Note 2)
Houses in multiple occupation of more than two storeys (more than one floor above ground) or any floor greater than 200m² Flats and conversions (including holiday flats) that have not been constructed to building regulation standards.	Grade A LD2 in common areas (Note 3)
Houses in multiple occupation and small premises, e.g. bed and breakfast of up to two storey’s (up to one floor above ground) with no floor greater than 200m²..	Grade D LD2 or 3 (Note 3)
Flats and maisonettes constructed to current building regulation standards (common areas).	(Note 4)

Key

L2: automatic fire detection system with detectors sited in escape routes (including rooms that open on to escape routes) and rooms or areas of high fire risk to occupants, detailed in BS 5839-116

L3: automatic fire detection system with detectors sited in escape routes (including rooms that open on to escape routes), detailed in BS 5839-116

Grade A LD2: an automatic fire detection system (designed for dwellings and based on a BS 5839-116 system) with detectors sited in escape routes (including rooms that open on to escape routes) and in rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, detailed in BS 5839-690

Grade D LD2: an automatic fire detection system (designed for dwellings) based on interconnected mains powered smoke alarms (with battery back-up) with detectors sited in escape routes (including rooms that open on to escape routes) and in rooms or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants, detailed in BS 5839-690

Grade D LD3: an automatic fire detection system (designed for dwellings) based on interconnected mains powered smoke alarms (with battery back-up) with detectors sited in escape routes (including rooms that open on to escape routes), detailed in BS 5839-690

Note 1:

In the case of single self contained chalet type accommodation a Grade D LD2 or 3 system may be appropriate.

Note 2:

An individual private dwelling in sheltered accommodation should have a Grade C LD 2 or 3 system but this need not be connected to the system that covers the common areas. Where the occupants are mobility impaired to a degree that they would be at high risk in the event of fire; or they suffer from a disability (e.g. speech impairment) that would preclude communication with the fire and rescue service, provision of facilities for the automatic transmission of the fire alarm signal to the fire and rescue service should be considered.

Note 3:

An individual private dwelling should have a Grade D LD2 or 3 system but this need not be interconnected with the system that covers the common areas of the building.

Note 4:

Flats and maisonettes constructed to current building regulations, will not require automatic fire detection in common areas. However, self-contained smoke alarms will normally be fitted within each accommodation unit.

Note 5:

The outcome of your risk assessment will determine the necessary standard of AFD required, e.g. in some cases, a BS5839-116 Category L1 system may be appropriate.

The reliability of automatic fire detection can be enhanced, especially if there are periods when nobody is awake, by having the system monitored by a commercial monitoring company.

2.3 Reducing false alarms

False alarms from automatic fire detection systems are a major problem and result in many unwanted calls to the fire and rescue service every year. Guidance on reducing false alarms has been published by ODPM/ CFOA/BFPSA.

If there are excessive false alarms in your premises, people may become complacent and not respond correctly to a warning of a real fire. In such circumstances, you may be failing to comply with fire safety law. All false alarms should be investigated to identify the cause of the problem and remedial action taken.

To help reduce the number of false alarms, the system design and location of detection and activation devices should be reviewed against the way the premises are currently used. For example, if a storeroom has been converted to staff area with cooking facilities (e.g. a microwave and toaster) then the likelihood of the detector being set off is increased. Similarly, if a manual call point is placed in a storage area where there is continual movement of stock, the call point is likely to be accidentally damaged. In this case a simple, fabricated hinged metal guard around the call point is likely to solve the problem.

Occasionally people set off a manual call point in the genuine, but incorrect belief that there is a fire. Nothing should be done to discourage such actions and the number of false alarms generated this way is not significant.

Further detailed guidance on reducing false alarms is available in BS 5839-1.

2.4 Staged fire alarms

In the vast majority of premises sounding the fire warning system should trigger the immediate and total evacuation of the building. However, in some large or complex premises, such as a large multi storey hotel, this may not be necessary as alternative arrangements may be in place.

These alternative arrangements broadly fall into two groups. Firstly, those people potentially most at risk from a fire, usually those closest to where the alarm was activated, will be immediately evacuated, while others in the building are given an alert signal and will only evacuate if it becomes necessary. This is generally called 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 alert signal 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 should not be seen as a simple means of reducing disruption to working practices.

Where staged alarms are being used, disabled people should be alerted on the first stage to give them the maximum time to escape.

These arrangements both require fire-warning systems capable of giving staged alarms, including an ‘alert signal’ and a different ‘evacuate signal’ and should only be considered after consultation with specialist installers and, if necessary, the relevant enforcing authority.

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

2.5 Testing and maintenance

Your fire-warning and/or detection system should be supervised by a named responsible person, given enough authority and training to manage all aspects of the routine testing and scrutiny of the system.

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

Figure 18: Using a test key

A user putting a key in a fire alarm to test it without breaking the glass.

It is good practice to test the alarm at the same time each week, but additional tests may be required to ensure that staff or people present outside normal working hours are given the opportunity to hear the alarm.

Where systems are connected to a central monitoring station, arrangements should be made prior to testing to avoid unwanted false alarms.

Six-monthly servicing and preventive maintenance should be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire-warning and automatic detection systems. This task is normally fulfilled by entering into a service contract with a specialist fire alarm company.

Testing and maintenance of the system should be carried out by a competent person. Further guidance on testing and maintenance of fire warning systems can be found in British Standard 5839-1.

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

2.6 Guaranteed power supply

Premises providing sleeping accommodation will normally require an electrical fire-warning system, therefore the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 requires it to have a back-up power supply.

Whatever back-up system is used, it should normally be capable of operating the fire- warning and detection system for a minimum period of 24 hours and sounding the alarm signal in all areas for 30 minutes.

2.7 New and altered systems

Guidance on the design and installation of new systems and those undergoing substantial alterations is given in BS 5839-1 or BS 5839-6 (for dwelling type accommodation). If you are unsure that your existing system is adequate you will need to consult a competent person.

Question 8

Section 3: Further guidance on firefighting equipment and facilities

Accepted Answer

You have responsibility for the provision of appropriate firefighting equipment. It is also your responsibility to check that all firefighting equipment is in the correct position and in satisfactory order before the premises are used.

Appropriate staff should be trained in the use of all such equipment.

3.1 Portable firefighting equipment

Fires are classed according to what is burning. Fire extinguishers provided should be appropriate to the classes of fire found in your premises in accordance with Table 2.

Table 2: 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

Note: If there is a possibility of a fire in your premises involving material in Class C or D then you should seek advice from a competent person.

Number and type of extinguishers

Typically for the Class A fire risk, the provision of one water-based extinguisher for approximately every 200m² of floor space, with a minimum of two extinguishers per floor, will normally be adequate.

Where it is determined that there are additionally other classes of fire risk, the appropriate type, number and size of extinguisher should be provided. Further information is available in BS 5306-8.

Where the fire risk is not confined to a particular location, e.g. Class A fires, the fire extinguishers should be positioned on escape routes, close to the exit from the room or floor, or the final exit from the building. Similarly, where the particular fire risk is specifically located, e.g. flammable liquids, the appropriate fire extinguisher should be near to the hazard, so located that they can be safely used. They should be placed on a dedicated stand or hung on a wall at a convenient height so that employees can easily lift 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 more than 30m to reach a fire extinguisher.

Consider the implications of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 when selecting and siting firefighting equipment.

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

Extinguishers manufactured to current standards (BS EN 3-7) are predominately red but may have a colour-coded area, sited above or within the instructions, denoting the type of extinguisher. Most older extinguishers manufactured to previous standards have bodies painted entirely in a single colour which denotes the type of extinguisher. These older extinguishers remain acceptable until they are no longer serviceable. However, it is good practice to ensure that old and new style extinguishers are not mixed on the same floor of a building.

The following paragraphs describe the different types of extinguisher. The colour referred to is the 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 direct water onto a fire from a considerable distance. A 9-litre water extinguisher can be quite heavy and some water extinguishers with additives can achieve the same rating, although they are smaller and therefore considerably lighter. This type of extinguisher is not suitable for use on live electrical equipment.

Water extinguishers with additives (red)

This type of extinguisher is suitable for Class A fires. They can also be suitable for use on Class B fires and where appropriate, this will be indicated on the extinguisher. They are generally more efficient 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 been specially trained, as these have the potential to rapidly spread the fire to adjacent material. This type of extinguisher is not suitable for deep-fat fryers or chip pans.

Powder extinguishers (blue)

This type of extinguisher can be used on most classes of fire and achieve a good ‘knock down’ of the fire. They can be used on fires involving electrical equipment but will almost certainly render that equipment useless. Because they do not cool the fire appreciably it can re-ignite. Powder extinguishers can create a loss of visibility and may affect people who have breathing problems and are not generally suitable for confined spaces.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers (black)

This type of extinguisher is particularly suitable for fires involving electrical equipment as they will extinguish a fire without causing any further damage (except in the case of some electronic equipment e.g. computers). As with all fires involving electrical equipment, the power should be disconnected if possible.

Class ‘F’ extinguishers

This type of extinguisher is particularly suitable for commercial catering establishments with deep-fat fryers.

Selection, installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers

All portable fire extinguishers will require periodic inspection, maintenance and testing. Depending on local conditions such as the likelihood of vandalism or the environment where extinguishers are located, carry out brief checks to ensure that they remain serviceable. In normal conditions a monthly check should be enough. Maintenance by a competent person should be carried out annually.

New fire extinguishers should comply with BS EN 3-7. Guidance on the selection and installation of fire extinguishers is given in BS 5306-8, for maintenance in BS 5306-3 and for colour coding in BS 7863.

Fire blankets

Fire blankets should be located in the vicinity of the fire hazard where they are needed, but in a position that can be safely accessed in the event of a fire. They are classified as either light duty or heavy duty. Light duty fire blankets are suitable for dealing with small fires in containers of cooking oils or fats and fires involving clothing.

3.2 Fixed firefighting installations

These are firefighting systems which are normally installed within the structure of the building.

They may already be provided in your premises or you may be considering them as a means of protecting some particularly dangerous or risk- critical area as part of your risk-reduction strategy.

Hose reels

Permanent hose reels (see Figure 19) installed in accordance with the relevant British Standard (BS EN 671-3: 2000) provide an effective firefighting facility. They may offer an alternative, or be in addition to, portable firefighting equipment. A concern is that untrained people will stay and fight a fire when escape is the safest option. Where hose reels are installed, and your fire risk assessment expects relevant staff to use them in the initial stages of a fire, they should receive appropriate training.

Maintenance of hose reels includes visual checks for leaks and obvious damage and should be carried out regularly. A competent person should carry out more formal maintenance checks at least annually.

Figure 19: Hose reel

A red hose on a red reel.

Sprinkler systems

Sprinkler systems can be very effective in controlling fires. They can be designed to protect life and/or property and may be regarded as a cost-effective solution for reducing the risks created by fire. Where installed, a sprinkler system is usually part of a package of fire precautions in a building and may form an integral part of the fire strategy for the building.

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

Guidance on the design and installation of new sprinkler systems and the maintenance of all systems is given in BS EN 12845, or the Loss Prevention Council (LPC) Rules, BS 5306-2 and BS 9251 and should only be carried out by a competent person.

Routine maintenance by on-site personnel may include checking of pressure gauges, alarm systems, water supplies, any anti-freezing devices and automatic booster pump(s).

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

If a sprinkler system forms an integral part of your fire strategy it is imperative that adequate management procedures are in place to cater for those periods when the sprinkler system is not functional. This should form part of your emergency plan. Although the actual procedures will vary, such measures may include the following:

Restore the system to full working order as soon as possible.
Limit any planned shutdown to low-risk periods when numbers of people are at a minimum or when the building is not in use. This is particularly important when sprinklers are installed to a life safety standard or form part of the fire safety engineering requirements.
You may need to isolate the area without the benefit of working sprinklers from the rest of the premises by fire-resisting material.
Avoid higher-risk processes such as ‘hot-work’.
Extra staff should be trained and dedicated to conducting fire patrols.
Any phased or staged evacuation strategy may need to be suspended. Evacuation should be immediate and complete. (Exercise caution as the stairway widths may have been designed for phased evacuation only.)
Maintenance should be carried out on a zoned basis, to prevent leaving the whole system ineffective.
Inform the local fire and rescue service.

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

Other fixed installations

There are a number of other fixed installations including water mist, gaseous, deluge and fixed powder systems. If your premises have a fixed firefighting system that you are unfamiliar with, then seek advice. Where a fixed firefighting system forms an integral part of your fire safety strategy, it should be maintained in accordance with the relevant British Standard by a competent person.

3.3 Other facilities (including those for firefighters)

Building Regulations and other Acts, including local Acts, may have required firefighting equipment and other facilities to be provided for the safety of people in the building and to help firefighters. Fire safety law places a duty on you to maintain such facilities in good working 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 systems and information to brief the fire and rescue service when they arrive; and
firefighters’ switches.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also require that systems provided for safety within a workplace are maintained.

Access for fire engines and firefighters

Buildings that have been constructed to modern building regulations or in accordance with certain local Acts will have been provided with facilities that allow fire engines to approach and park within a reasonable distance so that firefighters can use their equipment without too much difficulty.

These facilities may include, hard standing areas for fire engines and access into the building for firefighters. Hard standing areas for fire engines should not be used as car parking. It is essential that where such facilities are provided they are properly maintained and available for use at all relevant times.

Where a building is used by a number of different occupants you will need to ensure co-operation between the various ‘responsible people’ to maintain fire and rescue service access. In exceptional cases, where access is persistently obstructed, you may need to make additional arrangements.

See Approved Document B to the Building Regulations for more information.

Firefighting shafts and lifts

Firefighting shafts (see Figure 20) are provided in larger buildings to help firefighters reach floors farther away from the building’s access point. They enable firefighting operations to start quickly and in comparative safety by providing a safe route from the point of entry to the floor where the fire has occurred.

Figure 20: Fire fighting shaft

Diagram showing the positions of the dry rising main, self closing fire doors, firefighting stairs and firefighting lift

Entry points from a stairway in a firefighting shaft to a floor will be via a lobby, through two sets of fire and smoke-resisting doors and walls. Many people will use the stairway for normal movement through the building and it is important that the safety features are not compromised by doors being wedged open.

Most firefighting shafts will also incorporate a firefighting lift that opens into the lobby. The lift will have a back-up electrical supply and car control overrides. The primary function of the lift is to transport firefighting personnel and their equipment to the scene of a fire with the minimum amount of time and effort. It may also be used to help evacuate less mobile people.

Alterations that might affect the shaft should not be made without first liaising with other responsible persons, any owners or managing agents and the enforcing authority. Any proposed changes will require Building Regulation approval from a Building Control Body.

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

Fire suppression systems

Fire suppression systems can include sprinklers and other types of fixed installations designed to automatically operate and suppress a fire.

Such systems should be maintained by a competent person.

Smoke control systems

These are complex systems that are provided for life safety of occupants, assistance to firefighters and property protection by clearing hot smoke and gases from the building. If you have one of these systems provided in your premises you should ensure you understand how it operates and that it is maintained in full working order. If your system is part of a larger system then you should liaise with other occupiers and building managers.

The smoke control system should be maintained by a competent person who is familiar with the fire engineering performance specifications of that specific system.

Where these systems are installed in addition to a sprinkler system then the design and installation of each system should not act detrimentally on one another. A competent person should be employed to confirm this.

Dry and wet rising fire mains

The rising fire main (see Figure 21) is an important facility for the fire and rescue service in taller buildings. It consists of an inlet box where firefighters can connect their hoses, a pipe running up or through the building, outlet valves on each floor level and an air vent at the top.

Figure 21: Rising main

Diagram showing a building taller than 18 metres, with an 18 metre maximum distance between the rising main and the fire engine.

It is important that fire mains remain in good working order. Issues to be considered can include the following:

The physical approach to the inlet box should be such that a fire engine can park within 18m with the inlet box in view.
Prohibit car parking in front of the inlet box.
Secure the inlet box in such a way that firefighters can open the door without too much difficulty.
It is advisable to lock the landing valves in the closed position, usually with a leather strap and padlock.

Foam inlets

These special inlets are usually fitted to provide an efficient way of extinguishing a fire in a basement or other area of high risk such as a plant room. In many respects they look the same as rising main inlet boxes but the door should be clearly marked ‘foam inlet’. The risk area should be kept clear of obstructions to allow the foam to spread into the compartment.

Maintenance of rising mains and foam inlets All types of rising mains together with associated valves should be maintained and tested on a regular basis by a competent person^{[footnote 7]}. Although there are no recommended periods between maintenance checks for foam inlets it would be prudent to carry out an annual service.

Firefighters’ switches

Luminous discharge lighting, e.g. neon signs, is frequently used in many of the premises for which this guide is intended. Safety switches are normally provided to isolate high-voltage luminous signs or to cut off electrical power.

In the case of existing installations, if they have been provided in accordance with previous legislation (e.g. the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982), then it is likely that they will comply with the Order. If this is not the case, then you may need to consult the enforcing authority regarding the suitability of its location and marking. Testing should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have no such instructions then an initial test should be carried out by a competent electrician.

Other firefighting facilities

As well as those already mentioned, other facilities to assist firefighters may have been installed in your premises and should be properly maintained by a competent person. Your maintenance audit (see Appendix A for an example checklist) should include these. Such facilities 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 roller shutter doors in fire compartment walls.

Question 9

Section 4: Further guidance on escape routes

Accepted Answer

Introduction

This section provides further guidance on the general principles that apply to escape routes and provides examples of typical escape route solutions for a range of building layouts. The guidance is based on premises of normal risk so, if your premises (or parts of your premises) are higher (or lower) risk you should adapt the solution accordingly.

You are not obliged to adopt any particular solution for escape routes in this section if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement in some other way. If you decide to adopt some alternative arrangement it will need to achieve at least an equivalent level of fire safety.

Refer to the glossary (Appendix D) for the definitions of any terms you may not be familiar with.

Levels of risk

In 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 they could become affected by the fire is limited. Providing them with sufficient time usually means that as well as having an appropriate way of detecting and giving warning in case of fire, the distance that people have to travel to make their escape to a place of reasonable or total safety must be restricted.

The travel distances which are usually appropriate for this purpose (and are suggested later in this section) vary according to the level of risk in the premises (or part of them). To check your escape routes you will need to form a judgement about the level of risk that people may be at after you have taken other risk reduction (preventative and protective) measures.

In premises where there is a likelihood of a fire starting and spreading quickly (or a fire could start and grow without being quickly detected and a warning given) and affect the escape routes before people are able to use them then the risk should normally be regarded at “higher”. Such premises could include those where significant quantities of flammable materials are used or stored; ready sources of ignition are present e.g. portable heaters and cooking processes; premises where significant numbers of the people present are likely to move slowly or be unable to move without assistance; and premises where the construction provides hidden voids or flues through which a fire could quickly spread.

In premises where there is a low occupancy level and all the occupants are able bodied and capable of using the means of escape without assistance; very little chance of a fire; few if any highly combustible or flammable materials or other fuels for a fire; fire cannot spread quickly; and will be quickly detected so people will quickly know that a fire has occurred and can make their escape, then the risk can usually be regarded as ‘lower’.

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

The travel distances suggested are not hard and fast rules and should be applied with a degree of flexibility according to the circumstances.

For example, in premises where the risk might otherwise be considered “normal” but where there are a significant number of people who move slowly or may need assistance to evacuate, it would usually be appropriate to consider this a ‘higher’ risk. However, where other measures are in place to mitigate this, such as the availability of extra assistance and this has been planned for in your emergency plan, it may be that the risk level can be regarded as ‘normal to higher’.

Equally, in premises where the risk category would otherwise be ‘lower’ but for the fact that a small number of occupants may move slowly or need assistance, it may be appropriate to categorise the risk as ‘normal’ in these circumstances.

If you are not sure about the level of risk that remains in your premises, you should seek advice from a competent person.

4.1 General principles

Suitability of escape routes

You should ensure that your escape routes are:

suitable;
easily, safely and immediately usable at all times;
adequate for the number of people likely to use them;
usable without passing through doors requiring a key or code to unlock;
free from any obstructions, slip or trip hazards;
well lit by normal or emergency escape lighting; and
available for access by the emergency services.

In multi-occupied premises, escape routes should normally be independent of other occupiers, i.e. people should not have to go through another occupier’s premises as the route may be secured or obstructed. Where this is not possible, then robust legal agreements should be in place to ensure their availability at all times.

All doors on escape routes should open in the direction of escape, and ideally be fitted with a safety vision panel. This is particularly important if more than 60 people use them or they provide an exit from an area of high fire risk.

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

Movement of persons up or down a group of not less than three steps will be so obvious to those following that they will be prepared for the change in level, but movement up or down one step is not so readily observed and may easily lead to a fall. Wherever practicable, differences of level in corridors, passages and lobbies should be overcome by the provision of inclines or ramps of gradients not exceeding I in 12 or steps not having less than three risers in any flight. Corridors and passages should be level for a distance of 1.5 metres in each direction from any steps.

Any mirrors situated in escape routes should be sited so that persons escaping from a fire will not be thrown into confusion by any reflected image of the route they are using, or be misled as to the direction they should take to reach fire exits.

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

Fire-resisting construction

The type and age of construction are crucial factors to consider when assessing the adequacy of the existing escape routes. To ensure the safety of people it may be necessary to protect escape routes from the effects of a fire. In older premises (see Appendix C for more information on historical properties) it is possible that the type of construction and materials used may not perform to current fire standards. Also changes of occupancy and refurbishment may have led to:

cavities and voids being created, allowing the potential for a fire to spread unseen;
doors and hardware worn by age and movement being less likely to limit the spread of smoke;
damaged or lack of cavity barriers in modular construction; and
breaches in fire compartment walls, floors and ceilings created by the installation of new services, e.g. computer cabling.

Reasonable standards of structural fire resistance for normal risk buildings used for sleeping accommodation can be found in Approved Document B.24 Essentially, all upper floors in sleeping premises should be of 30minutes fire resistance. However the floor between basement and ground floor should be of 60 minutes except for simple premises, e.g. small bed and breakfast where it may be 30 minutes.

All corridors serving sleeping areas should be protected routes with 30 minutes fire resistance.

Where an escape route needs to be separated from the rest of the premises by fire-resisting construction, e.g. a dead end corridor or protected stairway (refer to Figures 30 and 34), then you should ensure the following:

Doors (including access hatches to cupboards, ducts and vertical shafts linking floors) walls, floors and ceilings protecting escape routes should be capable of resisting the passage of smoke and fire for long enough so that people can escape from the building.
Where suspended or false ceilings are provided, the fire resistance should extend up to the floor slab level above. For means of escape purposes a 30 minutes fire- resisting rating is usually enough.
Cavity barriers, fire stopping and dampers in ductgs are appropriately installed.

If there is any doubt about the nature of the construction of your premises, ask for advice from a competent person.

Number and type of people using the premises

As your escape routes need to be adequate for the people likely to use them you will need to consider how many people, including guests, residents, employees and the public, may be present at any one time. Where premises have been subject to building regulations approval for its use the number and width of escape routes and exits will normally be enough for the anticipated number of people using the building. In such buildings where the risk has changed or buildings were constructed before national building regulations it is necessary to confirm the provision.

If you propose to make changes to the use or layout of the building which may increase the number of people, you should check the design capacity by referring to guidance given in the Building Regulations Approved Document B.24.

You should also consider the type of people who will use your premises. In a hotel or boarding house, this will consist of a mixture of employees, guests and short-term residents. The guests are unlikely to be familiar with the premises or have any detailed knowledge of the alternative escape routes.

If the premises are being used as hostel type accommodation, or as a house in multiple occupation then the residents may be more familiar with the layout of the escape routes, even so they still remain vulnerable and at a higher risk when sleeping.

Your assessment must anticipate any particular difficulties that people may encounter when escaping. For example, if your premises are used by large numbers of children, parents with pushchairs, elderly people or people with some form of disability, then you need to take this into consideration when assessing whether your escape routes are safe.

Parts of hotels may be used as dance halls, discotheques or conference centres. In such circumstances, it may be more appropriate to apply the fire precautionary standards set out in the Guides to Fire Safety in Places of Assembly. (See other guides in the series listed on the back cover.)

A function room could be used during the day for a seminar with a closely seated audience, in the evening a disco with tables and chairs and an antiques fair at the weekend. The assessment for the number and distribution of fire exits should consider the reasonable worst case for the number or type of people expected to use the facility.

Mobility impairment

Effective management arrangements need to be put in place for those who need help to escape.

Consider the following points:

A refuge is a place of reasonable safety in which disabled people can wait either for an evacuation lift or for assistance up or down stairs (see Figure 22). Disabled people should not be left alone in a refuge area whilst waiting for assistance to evacuate the building. Depending on the design and fire resistance of other elements, a refuge could be a lobby, corridor, part of a public area or stairway, or an open space such as a balcony or similar place which is sufficiently protected (or remote) from any fire risk and provided with its own means of escape and a means of communication.
Where refuges are provided, they should be enclosed in a fire-resisting structure which creates a protected escape route which leads directly to a place of total safety and should only be used in conjunction with effective management rescue arrangements. Your fire safety strategy should not rely on the fire and rescue service rescuing people waiting in these refuges.
If firefighting lifts (provided in high buildings as firefighting access) are to be used for evacuation, this should be co-ordinated with the 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 and development of a suitable fire safety strategy by a competent person (see later).
Since evacuation lifts can fail, a disabled person should, having reached a refuge also be able to gain access to a stairway (should conditions in the refuge become untenable). An evacuation lift with its associated refuge should therefore be located adjacent to a protected stairway.
Enough escape routes should always be available for use by disabled people. This does not mean that every exit will need to be adapted. Staff should be aware of routes suitable for disabled people so that they can direct and help people accordingly.
Stairways used for the emergency evacuation of disabled people should comply with the requirements for internal stairs in the building regulations. Specialist evacuation chairs or other equipment may be necessary to negotiate stairs.
Plans should allow for the careful carrying of disabled people down stairs without their wheelchairs, should the wheelchair be too large or heavy. You will need to take into account health and safety manual handling procedures in addition to the dignity and confidence of the disabled person.
Stairlifts should not be used for emergency evacuation. Where installed in a stairway used for emergency evacuation, no parts of the lift, such as its carriage rail, should be allowed to reduce the effective width of the stairway or any other part of an emergency evacuation route.
Where ramps are necessary for the emergency evacuation of people in wheelchairs they should be as gentle as possible. Ramps should be constructed in accordance with Approved Document M.
Some premises may have a high proportion of people who will be highly dependent on others to ensure their safe escape. You will need to consider special arrangements for these types of premises (e.g. appropriate staffing levels, layout of the premises).

Further guidance is available in BS 5588-8 and BS 5588-12 and, for school buildings used for accommodation, in Building Bulletin 91, Access for Disabled People to School Buildings.

Childcare facilities/crèches

The location of childcare facilities/crèches in your premises is important since parents or guardians will often seek to return to the facility when the alarm sounds. It is therefore important that the facility is located so to avoid parents from travelling against the normal direction of escape. The childcare facility should be sited at the same level as the parents or guardians or on the route to the final exit.

Widths and capacity of escape routes and stairways

Once you have established the maximum number of people likely to be in any part of the premises, the next step is to establish that the capacity of the escape routes is adequate for people to escape safely in sufficient time to ensure their safety in case of fire.

The capacity of a route is determined by a number of factors including the width of the route, the time available for escape and the ability of the persons using them.

The effective usable width of an escape route is the narrowest point, normally a door or other restriction such as narrowing of a corridor due to fixtures and fittings. The capacity of an escape route is measured by the number of persons per minute that can pass through it so, to establish the capacity of the route, it is first necessary to measure the width of the route at the narrowest point. The effective width of a doorway is the clear unobstructed width through the doorway when the door is open at right angles to the frame. The effective width at any other point is the narrowest clear unobstructed width through which people can pass.

The time available for escape depends on several factors. Studies of human behaviourin an emergency situation have shown that about two thirds of the time available to escape is taken up by the initial reaction to the developing situation. For example, people will decide whether the situation is real or false, often waiting to see the reaction of people around them, and generally gathering information to decide whether to act or not. The final third is taken up by the actual movement away from the area of the fire. Throughout this time the fire may be growing and spreading. Therefore, to account for the limited time available for people to travel to a place of reasonable safety the length of escape routes need to be limited. The suggested travel distances in this section (Table 3, page 70) take this limitation into account.

Figure 22: An example of a refuge

The image shows an area with fire resistant walls and self closing fire doors.

The following guide can used to determine the general capacities of escape routes:

A width of at least 750mm can accommodate up 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 1050mm can accommodate up 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 for each additional 15 persons (or part of 15).

The minimum width of an escape route should not be less than 750mm (unless it is for use by less than five people in part of your premises) and, where wheelchair users are likely to use it, 900mm.

The aggregate width of all the escape routes should be not less than that required to accommodate the maximum numbers of people likely to use them.

When calculating the overall available escape route capacity for premises that have more than one way out, you should normally assume that the widest is not available because it has been compromised by fire. If doors or other exits leading to escape routes are too close to one another you should consider whether the fire could affect both at the same time. If that is the case, it may be necessary to discount them both from your calculation.

As a general rule stairways should be at least 1050mm wide and in any case not less than the width of the escape routes that lead to them. In all cases the aggregate capacity of the stairways should be sufficient for the number of people likely to have to use them in case of fire.

Stairways wider than 2100mm should normally be divided into sections, each separated from the adjacent section by a handrail, so that each section measured between the handrails is not less than 1050mm wide.

Travel distance

Having established the number and location of people and the exit capacity required to evacuate them safely, you now need to confirm that the number and location of existing exits is adequate. This is normally determined by the distance people have to travel to reach them.

Table 3 gives guidance on travel distances.

It should be understood, however, that these distances are flexible and may be increased or decreased depending upon the level of risk after you have put in place the appropriate fire prevention measures (Part 1, Step 3.3).

In new buildings which have been designed and constructed in accordance with modern building standards the travel distances will already have been calculated. Once you have completed your fire risk assessment you need to confirm that those distances are still relevant.

When assessing travel distances you need to consider the distance to be travelled by people when escaping allowing for walking around equipment, plant storage units etc. The distance should be measured from all parts of the premises to the nearest place of reasonable safety which is:

a protected stairway enclosure (storey exit);
a separate fire compartment from which there is a final exit to a place of total safety; or
the nearest available final exit.

The suggested travel distances may be increased by the addition of further fire protection measures, e.g. automatic fire detection or sprinklers.

Table 3: Suggested travel distances

Escape routes	Suggested range of travel distance (Note 3, Note 4)
Where more than one route is provided	18m in a bedroom (Note 1) and higher fire risk area (Note 2) 35m in normal fire risk area 45m in lower fire risk area (Note 3)
Where only a single escape route is provided	9m in a bedroom (Note 1) and higher fire risk area (Note 2) 18m in normal fire risk area 25m in a lower fire risk area (Note 3)

Note 1:

Bedroom includes all sleeping rooms e.g. dormitories. The travel distance within a bedroom should be restricted, however, this distance can be included as part of the overall travel distance to a protected stair or final exit. For example, if the travel distance within a bedroom (a single escape route) is 9m and the corridor has two escape routes in a normal fire risk area, the travel distance from the bedroom to the nearest protected stair or final exit is (35m minus 9m) 26m.

Note 2:

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

Note 3:

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

Note 4:

In areas of assembly such as function rooms, bars or restaurants which are completely separated from the sleeping accommodation then the travel distances in the assembly guide can be used for those areas, e.g. for a normal fire risk area, 45m where more than one route is provided and 18m where only a single escape route is provided.

Note 5:

Travel distances for normal fire risk flats and maisonettes are illustrated in Figures 52, 53 and 54.

Note 6:

An individual dwelling in a house of multiple occupation or flat and maisonette is a private dwelling and outside the scope of the Order (except for the requirement to maintain common fire precautions, e.g. fire alarms or sprinkler installed throughout the building). Notwithstanding this, you might wish to consider the benchmarks in Table 3 if you are assessing the escape routes within the dwelling unit. Ideally the layout of individual dwelling units in houses of multiple occupation, flats and maisonettes, should be such that sleeping areas should be closer to the exit from the dwelling than kitchen areas or cooking facilities.

The travel distances given in Table 3 are based on those recommended in Approved Document B of the Building Regulations and are intended to complement the other fire safety recommendations in Approved Document B. Your current escape route travel distances may be different from these since they may be based on recommendations made in alternative guidance.

Where your route leads to more than one final exit, but only allows initial travel in a single direction (e.g from a room or dead end, see also Figures 27 and 28), then this initial travel distance should be limited to that for a ‘single escape route’ in Table 3. However, your total travel distance should not exceed that for ‘more than one escape route’.

For marquees, the travel distance from any part of the structure having more than one exit should be 24m – after the first 6.5m the remainder of the route should lead in different directions to alternative exits. Similarly, where there is only one exit, the travel distance should not exceed 6.5m.

Measuring travel distance

The figures that follow are schematic only and are intended to represent part of a larger building.

The route taken through the room or space will be determined by the layout of the contents (Figure 23). It is good practice to ensure the routes to the room exits are kept as direct and as short as possible, especially in accommodation where sleeping will occur, thus reducing the time taken to exit the room. In a small room, e.g. a bedroom, there will usually only be one exit, but in a larger room, e.g. a ballroom, there may be many exits.

In some cases where furniture is often moved around or the use is liable to frequent change, such as ballrooms or conference halls, you should ensure that exits from the room do not become inadvertently blocked or the escape route from the room is significantly extended.

Figure 23: Measuring travel distance

Room plan with a green route to the exit, travelling around obstacles and from the furthest point away from the exit.

Where alternative exits from a space or room are necessary they should wherever possible be located at least 45° apart (see Figure 24) unless the routes to them are separated by fire-resisting construction (see Figure 25). If in doubt consult a competent person.

Figure 24: Alternative exits

Plan of a room with 2 exits located on different sides.

Figure 25: Alternative exits (separated by fire-resisting construction)

Plan of a room with 2 fire exits at the same end, with a fire resisting construction between them.

Figure 26: Inner rooms

Plan of an outer and inner room showing the exit route. There is a smoke detector in the outer room. An internal window and a gap between the partition wall and the ceiling allow people in the inner room to see the outer room.

Inner rooms

Where the only way out of a room is through another room, an unnoticed fire in the outer room could trap people in the inner room.

This means of exit should be avoided where possible. If, however, this cannot be achieved then adequate warning of a fire should be provided by any one of the following means:

a vision panel between the two rooms providing adequate vision to give an indication of the conditions in the outer room and the means of escape;
a large enough gap between the dividing wall and the ceiling, e.g. 500mm, so that smoke will be seen; or
an automatic smoke detector in the outer room that will sound a warning in the inner room.

In addition, the following points should also be considered:

Restrict the number of people using an inner room to 60.
Access rooms should be under the control of the same person as the inner room.
The travel distance from any point in the inner room to the exit from the access room should be restricted to escape in one direction only (see Table 3), unless there are alternative exits from the access room.
No one should have to pass through more than one access room while making their escape.
The outer room should not be an area of high fire risk.
The inner room should only be used as sleeping accommodation if smoke detection is provided in the access room.

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

Plan of a T shaped corridor with a dead end at the base and exits at both sides. An arrow shows the exit route from the dead end. The angle between the two exit routes after they split is more than 45 degrees.

Measuring travel distances for initial dead end travel

Where the initial direction of travel in an open area (see Figure 27) or within an inner room (see Figure 28) is in one direction only the travel distance should be limited to that for a ‘single escape route’ in Table 3 on page 70.

Any alternative exits should be positioned to ensure a fire will not compromise both exits. The maximum total travel distance recommended in Table 3 should apply to the nearest exit (Figures 27 and 28, distance A–C), your total travel distance should not exceed that for ‘more than one escape route’ in Table 3 on page 70.

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

The same plan but with a wall and door shown between the dead end and the corridor with exits.

Note: Additional measures are necessary to give warning of fire for inner rooms (see Figure 26).

Escape routes with dead end conditions

If your premises has escape routes from which escape can be made in one direction only (a dead end), then an undetected fire in that area could affect people trying to escape.

To overcome this problem, limit the travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70) and use one of the following solutions.

In non-sleeping areas (separate buildings or self-contained parts of buildings only):

Fit an automatic fire detection and warning system in those areas where a fire could present a risk to the escape route, if not already in place (see Figure 29).
Construct the exit route of fire-resisting partitions and self-closing fire doors to allow people to escape safely past a room in which there is a fire (see Figure 30).
Provide an alternative exit (see Figure 31).

Alternative approaches may be acceptable, (e.g. an automatic fire suppression system), in which case you should seek advice from a competent person.

Figure 29: Dead end condition with automatic fire detection (non sleeping areas)

Plan showing rooms opening onto a corridor with an exit route. There are fire detectors in the rooms and corridor.

Figure 30: Dead end condition with fire-resisting construction (non sleeping areas)

The same plan without fire detection. The corridor has fire resisting walls and the rooms have self closing fire doors.

Figure 31: Dead end condition provided with an alternative exit (non sleeping areas)

The same plan with an additional exit from one room.

In sleeping areas, the layout shown in Figure 32 will generally be acceptable. However an alternative approach may be possible if other fire protection measures are in place (e.g. an automatic fire suppression system), in which case you should seek advice from a competent person.

Note: an alternative exit (see Figure 31) provided in addition to the arrangement in Figure 32 would also be acceptable, in which case, the travel distance for escape in more than one direction (Table 3 on page 70) should be used.

Figure 32: Dead end with fire resisting construction and automatic fire detection (in sleeping areas)

A plan showing rooms opening on to a corridor with exit route. The rooms and corridor have fire detection and self closing fire doors. The corridor has fire resisting walls.

Subdivision of corridors

If your premises have corridors more than 30m long, then generally these corridors should be sub-divided near the centre of the corridor with fire doors and, where necessary, fire- resisting construction to limit the spread of fire and smoke and to protect escape routes if there is a fire.

Where a corridor serves two exits from a floor, generally these corridors should be subdivided with fire doors to separate the two exits (see Figure 33).

Doors that are provided solely for the purpose of restricting the travel of smoke need not be fire doors, but will be suitable as long as they are of substantial construction, are capable of resisting the passage of smoke, and are self- closing. Smoke should not be able to bypass these doors, e.g. above a false ceiling, or via alternative doors from a room, or adjoining rooms, opening on either side of the subdivision.

Generally, false ceilings should be provided with barriers or smoke stopping over any fire doors. Where the false ceiling forms part of the fire-resisting construction this may not be necessary.

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

Figure 33: Subdivision of corridor between two stairways

Plan showing a corridor divided in 2 by a self closing fire door and fire resistant walls.

Stairway enclosures

Stairways, if unprotected from fire, can rapidly become affected by heat and smoke, cutting off the escape route and allowing fire spread to other floors. However, if adequately protected, 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 Building Regulations and served by more than one stairway, it is probable that these stairways will be protected by fire-resisting construction and will lead to a final exit. If any floor has an 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, with lower risk the figure may be slightly increased, and with higher risk lower numbers of persons may be appropriate.

The benefit of protecting stairways from the effects of fire is that it allows you to measure your travel distance from the farthest point on the relevant floor to the nearest storey exit rather than the final exit of the building.

If you have a protected stairway(s) then it is essential that you maintain that level of fire protection.

It is possible that you may have some stairways which have no fire protection to them. In this case they are not designed for escape and are normally known as accommodation stairways (see accommodation stairways on page 83).

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

If the building you occupy has floors which are occupied by different organisations to your own you need to consider, as part of your fire risk assessment, the possibility that a fire may occur in another part of the building over which you may have no control and which may affect the protected stairway if allowed to develop unchecked. If your fire risk assessment shows that this may be the case and people using any floor would be unaware of a developing fire, then additional fire protection measures may be required, e.g. an enhanced automatic fire detection and warning system. If this is required you will need to consult and co-operate with other occupiers and building managers.

You may find that stairways in your building are provided with protected lobbies or corridors at each floor level, except the top floor (see Figure 34). Although these are not generally necessary for means of escape in multi-stairway buildings of less than 18m high, they may have been provided for other reasons (e.g. firefighting access). In all cases protected corridors, lobbies and stairways must be kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.

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

Two floor plans showing fire resistant walls in the area around a staircase.

Ideally stairway enclosures should lead directly to a final exit. If your premises has only one stairway from the upper floor(s) which does not lead directly to a final exit, adopt one of the following arrangements:

provide a protected route from the foot of the stairway enclosure leading to a final exit (see Figure 35); or
provide two exits from the stairway, each giving access to a final exit via routes which are separated from each other by fire-resisting construction (see Figure 36).

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

Plan showing an exit route down stairs and through a corridor to the exit. The stairs and corridor have fire resistant walls. The doors from the corridor are self closing fire doors.

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

Plan showing an exit route down stairs, with 2 possible exits. Self closing fire doors and fire resistant walls separate the 2 exit routes.

Separation of protected stairways

Where there are two or more protected stairways, the routes to final exits should be separated by fire-resisting construction so that fire cannot affect more than one escape route at the same time as illustrated in Figure 37.

Figure 37: Separation of protected stairway

Floor plan with a flight of stairs at each end. Fire resistant walls and self closing fire doors are placed between the stairways.

Creating a stairway bypass route

No one should have to pass through a protected stairway to reach another stairway. Options to avoid this include:

using intercommunicating doors between rooms adjacent to the stairway, such doors must be available at all times when the building is occupied (see Figure 38);
using balconies and other features to bypass the stairway; and
as long as there is enough space, create a bypass corridor around the stairway enclosure.

Note: Bypass routes should not be provided through bedrooms.

Figure 38: A stairway bypass route

Floor plan. The direct route to an exit is blocked by a fire in the stairway. This area is shut off by fire resistant walls and self closing fire doors, and there is an alternative exit route that passes around it.

Reception areas

Reception or enquiry areas should only be located in protected stairways where the stairway is not the only protected one serving the upper floors, the reception area is small (less than 10m²) and is of low fire risk.

Accommodation stairways

If you have stairways that are used for general communication and movement of people in the premises, and they are not designated as fire escape stairs then these are called ‘accommodation stairways’. They may not require fire separation from the remainder of the floor as long as they do not pass through a compartment floor, or people have to pass the head of such a stairway to reach an escape stairway. However, experience shows that many people will continue to use these as an escape route.

Accommodation stairways need not be enclosed at ground floor level but they should be enclosed at all other levels, and separated from each other at ground floor level by a minimum of 30 minutes fire-resisting construction.

Accommodation stairways and escalators should not normally form an integral part of the calculated escape routes, however, where your fire risk assessment indicates that it is safe to do so, then you may consider them for that purpose. In these circumstances you may need to seek advice from a competent person.

External stairways

To be considered a viable escape route, an external stairway should normally be protected from the effects of a fire along its full length. This means that any door, window (other than toilet windows) and walls within 1.8m horizontally and 9m vertically below any part of the stairway should be fire-resisting, windows should be fixed shut and doors self- closing (see Figure 39).

Consider protecting the external stairway from the weather as the treads may become slippery, e.g. due to algae, moss or ice. If this is not possible, you must ensure that the stairway is regularly maintained. Consider fixing non-slip material to the treads.

Figure 39: Protection to an external stairway

Plan of the outside of a building, showing the defined zone for fire resisting walls, doors and windows on an external stairway.

Spiral and helical stairways

Spiral and helical stairways are usually acceptable only in exceptional situations, e.g. for a maximum of 50 people who are not members of the public. The stairway should not be more than 9m in total height and not less than 1.5m in diameter with adequate headroom. A handrail should be continuous throughout the full length of the stairway.

However, spiral and helical stairways may be used as means of escape by more than 50 staff and may be used by the public if the stairways have been designed for the purpose. Further guidance is given in BS: 5395-2.26 However, they are not usually suitable for young children.

Basements, escape and protection

In all buildings with basements (other than small basements), stairways serving upper floors should preferably not extend to the basement and in any case should not do so where they are the only stairway serving the upper floors. Any stairway that extends from the basement to the upper floors should be separated at basement level by a fire resisting lobby, or corridor, between the basement and the stairway. All basements used by more than 60 people or where there are no exits directly to a place of total safety, should have at least two protected escape stairways.

In high risk premises these should be an alternative stairway from the basement to ground level, unless there is a suitable alternative route to the final exit from the basement.

Wherever possible all stairways to basements should be entered at ground level from the open air, and should be positioned so that smoke from any fire in the basement would not obstruct any exit serving the other floors of the building.

Where any stairway links a basement with the ground floor, the basement should be separated from the ground floor, preferably by two 30-minute fire doors, one at basement and one at ground floor level (see Figure 40).

Floors over a basement should provide 60 minutes fire resistance. For smaller premises 30 minutes may be acceptable. Where this is impractical, and as long as no smoke can get through the floor, automatic fire detection linked to a fire warning system which is audible throughout the premises could, as an alternative, be provided in the basement. If in doubt consult a competent person for more detailed advice.

Figure 40: Basement protection

Floor plan of the ground floor and basement. The stairway between the floors is enclosed, with a self closing fire door and fire resistant walls. The flooring at ground floor level is also fire resistant.

Lifts

Due to the danger of the power supplies to a lift being affected by a fire, lifts not specifically designed as ‘firefighting’ or ‘evacuation’ lifts are not normally considered acceptable as a means of escape. However, where a lift and stairway for a means of escape are incorporated in a fire-resisting shaft which has a final exit from it at the access level and the lift has a separate electrical supply to that of the remainder of the building, than that lift subject to an agreed fire risk assessment, may be acceptable as a means of escape in case of fire.

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

separating the lift from the remainder of the storey using fire-resisting construction and access via a fire door;
ensuring the lift shaft is situated in a protected enclosure which may also be a stairway enclosure; and
providing ventilation of at least 0.1m² at the top of each lift well to exhaust any smoke.

Escalators and travelators

Escalators and travelators should not be used as part of the escape route unless they become stationary immediately on actuation of the alarm; they should then only be used as a means of escape if they satisfy the recommendations given for accommodation stairways.

Escalators not within stairway enclosures may need to be separated from the remainder of the building by fire-resisting construction and by fire doors.

To avoid a situation where persons are carried towards a fire it is important that arrangements should be made to stop escalators at the outset of an emergency.

Portable ladders and throw-out ladders

Throw-out ladders are not acceptable as a means of escape. Portable ladders are only acceptable in exceptional circumstances where it will be reasonable for ladders of this kind to provide escape for one or two able-bodied staff (e.g. from a high level plant room).

Fixed vertical or raking ladders

These are normally only suitable for use of a limited number of able-bodied staff where they form the only means of access to plant spaces, provided they are suitably guarded and the total descent does not exceed 9m without an intermediate landing. Where they are external they should be protected from the elements in the same way as external stairways.

Lowering lines and other self-rescue devices

These are not acceptable as a means of escape.

Roof exits

It may be reasonable for an escape route to cross a roof. Where this is the case, additional precautions will usually be necessary:

The roof should be flat and the route across it should be adequately defined and well-illuminated where necessary with normal electric and emergency escape lighting. The route should be non-slip and guarded with a protective barrier.
The escape route across the roof and its supporting structure should be constructed as a fire-resisting floor.
Where there are no alternatives other than to use a roof exit, any doors, windows, roof lights and ducting within 3m of the escape route should be fire-resisting.
The exit from the roof should be in, or lead to, a place of reasonable safety where people can quickly move to a place of total safety.
Where an escape route passes through or across another persons property you will need you will need to have a robust legal agreement in place to allow its use at all times where people are on your premises.
These should not normally be used by members of the public and young children.
If your risk assessment deems that the roof exit is acceptable for residents/guests to use for means of escape then the route should be clearly defined and residents/ guests are informed of this alternative route.

A typical roof escape route is illustrated in Figure 41.

External escape routes should receive routine inspection and maintenance to ensure they remain fit for use. You will need to ensure that any legal agreements in place cover access for maintenance of the escape route.

Figure 41: An escape route across a roof

Escape route leading from a door to an outside stariway. The route is lit and there is a 3 metre gap between the route and possible sources of fire, like an air conditioning unit and a skylight.

Revolving doors, wicket doors, sliding doors and roller shutters

Revolving doors should not normally be considered as escape doors unless the leaves fold outward to form a clear opening upon pressure from within or standard doors of the required exit width are provided next to the revolving door.

Ideally wicket doors or gates should have a minimum opening height of 1.5m. The bottom of the door should not be more than 250mm above the floor and the width should be preferably 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, this should be reduced to a maximum of three.

Loading and goods delivery doors, shutters (roller, folding or sliding), up-and-over doors and similar openings are not normally suitable for use as a final exit. However, they may be suitable for escape from areas of normal risk by small numbers of staff as long as they are not likely to be obstructed and can be easily and immediately opened manually, even if normally power-operated. These are normally only acceptable for people familiar with the escape routes and operation of the doors.

Sliding doors are not normally suitable on escape routes unless they are for the sole use of members of staff. Where provided, a notice with the words ‘slide to open’ with an arrow pointing in the direction of opening, should be permanently displayed at about eye level on the face of door.

Final exit doors and escape away from the premises

Good escape routes to a final exit will be of little benefit if the occupants are not able to get out of the building and quickly disperse from the area to a place of total safety. It is also important to consider where people will go once they have evacuated from the premises.

The matters that you should consider include the following:

Final exit doors should be quickly and easily openable without a key or code in the event of a fire. Where possible, there should be only one fastening. See Appendix B3 for more information on security fastenings.
Final exit doors should not lead people into an enclosed area from which there is no further escape.
Where a final exit discharges into an enclosed area, further access to a place of total safety should be available by means of further doors or gates that can be easily opened in a manner similar to the final exit.
The route away from the premises needs to be clearly defined, illuminated, signposted, and if necessary protected by guardrails. Consider the proximity of other building outlets, such as ventilation and refuse shafts, which may emit smoke and heat from the fire.
Dangers once away from the building e.g. busy roads and people traffic passing the building, that may affect people on their way out.

Your fire risk assessment must take into account factors such as the mobility of the people who may be expected to use the doors and the accessibility of door opening devices.

4.2 Escape route layout

The examples listed in Table 4 show typical escape route solutions for a range of common building layouts. In each case the solution is for a normal risk building unless illustrated otherwise.

These are not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive but merely to help you understand how the principles of means of escape may be applied in practice.

They are illustrative of the key features of escape route layouts and are not intended to be real building layouts or to scale.

You do not need to read all of this section, you only need to consider those figures and the accompanying text which most closely resemble your premises. If your premises do not resemble these then you should seek advice from a competent person. These examples are intended to represent your existing layout; they are not to be used as design guidance.

In all of these examples the following basic principles apply:

The farthest point on any floor to the final exit or storey exit to a protected stairway is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).
The route to and the area near the exit is kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.
The protected fire-resisting stairway is kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.
The escape route leads to a final exit.
High risk rooms do not generally open directly into a protected stairway.
If your fire risk assessment shows that people using any floor would be unaware of a fire you may require additional fire protection measures, e.g. an enhanced automatic fire detection and warning system.
There should be more than one escape route from all parts of the premises (rooms or storeys) except for areas or storeys with an occupancy of less than 60. The figure of 60 can be varied in proportion to the risk, for a lower risk there can be a slight increase, for a higher risk, lower numbers of persons should be allowed.

Table 4: Typical examples of escape route layouts

Single storey buildings (or the ground floor of a larger building)
Ground floor with a single exit (may include mezzanine)	See Figure 42
Ground floor with more than one exit (cellular)	See Figure 43
Ground floor with more than one exit (open plan)	See Figure 44

Multi-storey buildings with more than one stairway
Two storey (ground and one upper floor)	See Figure 45
Three storey (basement, ground and first floor)	See Figure 46
Three and four storey (ground and up to three upper floors)	See Figure 47
Tall building with a firefighting shaft	See Figure 48

Multi-storey buildings with a single stairway
Two storey (ground and first floor – small)	See Figure 49
Three storey (ground and up to two upper floors)	See Figure 50
Four storey (ground and three upper floors)	See Figure 51

Multi-storey flats and maisonettes
More than one stairway	See Figure 52
Single stairway (ground and up to three upper floors)	See Figure 53
Single stairway and automatic ventilation	See Figure 54

If you do not have any of the stairway configurations given, and depending on the outcome of your fire risk assessment it may be that you can achieve an equivalent level of safety by other means.

The green arrows on the Figures 42-47 and 49-51 represent the travel distances given in Table 3 on page 70 which should be applied.

If your building has more than ground and three upper storeys, seek advice from a competent person.

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

Ground floor with a single exit (may include a mezzanine)

Part of your premises may have only a single exit. That part of the premises served only by a single exit (i.e. ground floor and mezzanine in total) should accommodate no more than 60 people. The layout shown in Figure 42 will be generally acceptable subject to the following:

If the area is a sleeping area you will require automatic fire detection, as suggested in Table 1.
If your fire risk assessment shows that people using a mezzanine area or cellular room would be unaware of fire elsewhere in the building, you may require additional fire protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire detection and warning system in non- sleeping areas.
If the non-sleeping area is part of the same building in which other areas are used for sleeping then any shared escape routes should be protected by automatic fire detection – see Table 1.
A mezzanine covering more than half of the floor area may need to be treated as a separate floor (see two storey buildings, Figures 45 and 49).

Figure 42: Ground floor, with a single exit (including a mezzanine)

Floor plan showing the exit route from the mezzanine down a stairway to the single exit.

Ground floor with more than one exit

Figure 43 shows a ground floor cellular layout with more than one exit. In sleeping areas the corridor should be a protected route with fire- resisting construction and self-closing fire doors. In non-sleeping areas the fire resisting construction is omitted.

Note: If any room or area within a non- sleeping area opens onto any part of the escape route from a sleeping area then automatic fire detection will be necessary in these areas.

Figure 43: Ground floor with more than one exit. (cellular)

Floor plan showing a floor with multiple rooms and exits. The plan shows that if the floor is used for sleeping, it must have fire resisting doors and walls, self closing doors and fire detection.

Figure 44 shows a ground floor open plan layout. In this example, the exits provide alternative escape routes (see Figure 24), direct to open air therefore the room or area is suitable for use by more than 60 people. Fire-resisting construction is not necessary in these circumstances.

Note: If the room or area is used for sleeping accommodation, automatic fire-detection should be in accordance with Table 1.

Figure 44: Ground floor (open plan) with more than one exit

Floor plan showing 2 exits with an angle of more than 45 degrees between them.

Multi-storey buildings with more than one stairway

Two storey (ground and one upper floor)

If your premises has a ground floor and one upper storey, it is important to understand that you may not be able to meet the suggested travel distance to a final exit (see Table 3 on page 70). In this case stairways may therefore need to be protected by a fire-resisting enclosure as shown. If the stairway serves bedrooms in a sleeping area, the corridor and stairways should be protected by a fire- resisting enclosure.

The layout shown in Figure 45 will be generally acceptable as long as the farthest point on each of your floors to the storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).

Note: In the example, the escape routes from the sleeping areas (situated on the first floor only) are protected by automatic fire detection (see Table 1 on page 55)

Figure 45: Two storey (ground and one upper floor)

Plan of a ground and first floor showing the location of exit routes, fire resisting walls, self closing doors and fire detectors.

Three storey (basement, ground and first floor)

In premises with a basement, ground and first floor, where only the first floor is used for sleeping accommodation, served by more than one stairway the layout shown in Figure 46 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

The farthest point in the basement to the door to the stairway is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).
The stairways from the basement to ground floor level are separated by a fire-resisting lobby or corridor between the basement and the protected stairway.
The floor between the ground floor and basement is fire-resisting, e.g. 60 minutes.

Note: If either the ground floor or basement are used for sleeping accommodation the fire resisting enclosure and automatic fire detection should be the same as indicated on the first floor.

The figure shows distances to nearest stairway (or final exit).

Figure 46: Three storey (basement, ground and first floor)

Plan of a basement, ground floor and first floor showing the location of exit routes, fire resisting walls, self closing doors and fire detectors. There are more fire resisting walls, self closing doors and fire detectors on the first floor as this is a sleeping area.

Three and four storey (ground and up to three upper floors).

In premises with a ground floor and up to three upper floors, served by more than one stairway, the layout shown in Figure 47 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

The farthest point on all of the floors to the storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).
The stairways and corridors that serve sleeping areas are protected routes.
Protected routes have 30-minute fire- resisting construction and all doors onto the route are self-closing fire doors.
Access to the stairway from any room is through at least one fire door,
The automatic fire detection is as suggested in Table 1.

The principles apply to taller buildings (up to 18m). However, where the building has more than ground and three upper storeys, seek advice from a competent person.

The figure shows distances to nearest stairway (or final exit).

Figure 47: Three and four storey (ground and up to three upper floors)

Plan of a ground floor and upper floors showing the location of exit routes, fire resisting walls, self closing doors and fire detectors. There are more fire resisting walls, self closing doors and fire detectors on the upper floors as these are sleeping areas.

Tall building with a firefighting shaft

Figure 48 shows a multi-storey building more than 18m high fitted with a firefighting shaft which is required for specific types of buildings. If the premises you occupy are situated in a building like this, you should ask the advice of a competent person. Further information may be found in BS 5588-5 and Approved Document B.

Figure 48: Tall building with a firefighting shaft

Plan of a building showing fire resisting walls and self closing doors around the firefighting stairs and lift.

Multi-storey buildings with a single stairway

In the majority of multi-storey premises, two or more stairways will be provided for escape purposes. Parts of premises that are provided with only a single stairway from upper floors or basements storeys are not usually suitable for more than 60 people. Similarly, if the ground floor of part of your premises has only a single final exit it should be limited to no more than 60 people.

Two storey (ground and first floor – small)

If your premises have one upper storey, served by a single stairway and no floor exceeds 200m² in area, the example in Figure 49 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

The farthest point on all of your floors to the storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).
The upper floor should accommodate no more than 60 people.
The stairway is a protected route, completely enclosed in 30-minute fire- resisting construction and all doors onto the corridor and stairway are self-closing fire doors.
Access to the stairway from any room is through one fire door.
The automatic fire detection is as suggested in Table 1 on page 70, e.g. Grade D LD2 or 3 system in a small bed and breakfast.

Figure 49: Two storey (ground and first floor – small)

Plan of a ground floor and first floor showing the exit route to a stairway surrounded by fire resisting walls and self closing doors.

Three storey (ground and up to two upper floors)

If your premises have a ground and up to two upper floors with any floor more than 200m² in area, served by a single stairway, the layout in Figure 50 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

The farthest point on all of the floors to the storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).
The upper floor is less than 11m above ground level.
The upper floors should each accommodate no more than 60 people.
The corridors serving bedrooms in sleeping areas and stairway are protected routes, completely enclosed in 30-minute fire- resisting construction and all doors onto the corridor and stairway are self-closing fire doors.
Access to the stairway from any room is through one fire door.
The automatic fire detection is as suggested in Table 1 on page 55, e.g. an L2 system in boarding house type accommodation.

Figure 50: Three storey (ground and up to two upper floors)

Plan of a ground floor and upper floors showing the exit route and fire detectors. The stairway and sleeping area have fire resisting walls and self closing doors.

Four storey (ground and three upper floors)

Because of the higher risk posed by a four- storey premises with a single stairway, to protect the escape route by preventing smoke from entering the stairway, a protected lobby or corridor approach between the stairway and all floors should be provided.

The layout in Figure 51 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

The upper floors should each accommodate no more than 60 people.
Access to the stairway from any room is through two fire doors (other than the top floor). This can be achieved by using protected corridors or by the use of lobbies.
The corridors serving bedrooms in sleeping areas and stairway are protected routes, completely enclosed in 30-minute fire- resisting construction and all doors onto the corridor and stairway are self-closing fire doors.
The farthest point on all of the floors to the corridor/lobby exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 3 on page 70).
When a protected lobby or corridor approach to the stairway is employed the travel distance is measured to the storey exit and not the door to the lobby or corridor.
The automatic fire detection is as suggested in Table 1 on page 55.

Figure 51: Four-storey (ground and three upper floors)

Plan showing a ground floor and upper floors, with fire resisting walls and self closing doors around the exit route and stairway.

Multi-storey flats and maisonettes

More than one stairway

In flats and maisonettes served by more than one stairway, the layout in Figure 52 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

Access to the stairway from a dwelling is through two fire doors, e.g. by using a protected corridor.
The stairway is a protected escape route leading to a final exit.
The travel distance from the dwelling entrance door to the common stair is limited 30m.
Ventilation to the corridors and stairways is provided.

Figure 52: Flats and maisonettes, with more than one stairway

Plan showing multiple dwellings opening on to a corridor with a stairway at each end. All walls are fire resisting and all doors are self closing.

Note: automatic fire detection is not shown but see Note 4 to Table 1 on page 55.

Single stairway (ground and up to three upper floors)

If your premises have a ground and up to three upper floors, served by a single stairway, the layout in Figure 53 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

The upper floor is less than 11m above ground.
Access to the stairway from a dwelling is through two fire doors, e.g. by using a protected lobby.
The stairway is a protected escape route leading to a final exit.
The travel distance from the dwelling entrance door to the common stair is limited to 4.5m.
If an automatic opening vent is provided in the lobby, (see Figure 54) the travel distance can be increased from 4.5m to 7.5m.

Note: Automatic fire detection is not shown but see Note 4 to Table 1 on page 55.

Figure 53: Single stairway (ground and up to three upper floors)

Plan showing multiple dwellings opening on to an open space. There is a single enclosed stairway with an opening vent for fire service use. All walls are fire resisting and all doors are self closing.

Single stairway and automatic ventilation

In flats and maisonettes served by a single stairway, the layout in Figure 54 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

Access to the stairway from a dwelling is through two fire doors, this is achieved by using a protected corridor.
The stairway is a protected escape route leading to a final exit.
The travel distance from the dwelling entrance door to the common stair is limited to 7.5m.

This principle applies to tall buildings. However, where your building has more than a ground and three upper storeys, seek advice from a competent person.

Note: Automatic fire detection (other than that for the automatic ventilation) is not shown but see Note 4 to Table 1 on page 55.

Figure 54: Single stairway and automatic ventilation

Plan showing multiple dwellings opening on to a corridor. There is a single enclosed stairway with an opening vent for fire service use, and automatic opening ventilation (triggered by automatic smoke detection) in the corridor. All walls are fire resisting and all doors are self closing.

Question 10

Section 5: Further guidance on emergency escape lighting

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of emergency escape lighting is to illuminate escape routes but it also illuminates other safety equipment.

The size and type of your premises and the risk to the occupants will determine the complexity of escape lighting required.

In simple premises where borrowed lighting or torches are not appropriate, single ‘stand-alone’ emergency escape lighting units may be sufficient. These can sometimes be combined with exit or directional signs. The level of general illumination should not be significantly reduced by the sign.

A more comprehensive system of fixed automatic escape lighting is likely to be needed in larger, more complex premises, particularly in those with extensive basements or where there are significant numbers of members of the public, other occupants or staff.

You will have identified the escape routes when carrying out your fire risk assessment and need to ensure that they are all adequately lit. If there are escape routes that are not permanently illuminated by normal lighting, such as external stairs, then a switch, clearly marked ‘Escape lighting’, or some other means of switching on the lighting should be provided at the entry to that area/stairs.

An emergency escape lighting system would usually cover the following:

each exit door;
escape routes;
intersections of corridors;
outside each final exit and on external escape routes;
emergency escape signs;
stairways so that each flight receives adequate light;
changes in floor level;
windowless rooms and toilet accommodation exceeding 8m²;
firefighting equipment;
fire alarm call points;
equipment that would need to be shut down in an emergency;
lifts; and
halls or other areas greater than 60m².

It is not necessary to provide individual lights (luminaires) for each item above, but there should be a sufficient overall level of light to 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 normal lighting fails. Maintained lighting should be used in areas where people may be unfamiliar with the premises e.g. function rooms, bars etc. as well as hotel corridors where residents of such premises will be unfamiliar with the layout. Systems or individual luminaires are designed to operate for durations of between one and three hours. In practice, the three- hour design is the most popular and can help with maintaining limited continued use of your premises during a power failure (other than in an emergency situation).

Figure 55: Luminaires

Different types of emergency lighting, including an illuminated sign.

Emergency escape lighting luminaires can be stand-alone dedicated units or incorporated into normal light fittings. There are highly decorative versions of these for those areas that demand aesthetically pleasing fixtures. Power supplies can be rechargeable batteries integral to each unit, a central battery bank or an automatic start generator.

To complement emergency escape lighting, people, especially those unfamiliar with the premises, can be helped to identify exit routes by the use of way-guidance equipment. Way- guidance systems usually comprise photo-luminescent material, lines of LEDs, or strips of miniature incandescent lamps, forming a continuous marked escape route at lower level (Figure 56). These systems have proved particularly effective when people have to escape through smoke, and for partially sighted people. They can be particularly useful in premises where they can provide marked routes on floors and in multi-storey premises they can direct people to escape routes which are seldom used.

If you decide that you need to install emergency escape lighting or to modify your existing system, any work should be carried out by a competent person in accordance with the appropriate standards. Further guidance is given in BS 5266-1 and BS 5266-8.

Figure 56: A way-guidance system

Luminous strips on the floor mark a path to the exit.

Maintenance and testing of emergency escape lighting

All emergency escape lighting systems should be regularly tested and properly maintained to an appropriate standard. Most existing systems will need to be manually tested. However, some modern systems have self-testing facilities that reduce routine checks to a minimum.

Depending on your type of installation you should be able to carry out most of the routine tests yourself. The test method will vary. If you are not sure how to carry out these tests you should contact your supplier or other competent person.

Figure 56: A test key

A hand inserts a red key into a keyhole marked ‘Emergency lighting test switch’.

Test facilities often take the form of a ‘fishtail’ key inserted in a special switch either near the main fuse board or adjacent to relevant light switches.

Typically, testing would include:

a daily visual check of any central controls;
a monthly function test by operating the test facility for a period sufficient to ensure that each emergency lamp illuminates; and
an annual full discharge test.

Particular care needs to be taken following a full discharge test. Batteries typically take 24 hours to recharge and the premises should not be re-occupied until the emergency lighting system is fully functioning unless alternative arrangements have been made. This will be of particular importance in premises providing sleeping accommodation seven days a week. It is good practice to keep a record of tests.

Further guidance is given in BS 5266-8.

Question 11

Section 6: Further guidance on signs and notices

Accepted Answer

Escape signs

In simple premises, a few signs indicating the alternative exit(s) might be all that is needed. In larger and more complex premises, a series of signs directing people along the escape routes towards the final exit might be needed.

A fire risk assessment (in other than very small premises) that determines no escape signs are required, as trained staff will always be available to help members of the public to escape routes, is unlikely to be acceptable to an enforcing authority.

Many people with poor vision retain some sight and are able to recognise changing or contrasting colour to provide them with visual clues when moving around a building^{[footnote 8]}. 105It may be sufficient to paint any columns and walls in a contrasting colour (see BS 8300) and to highlight changes in level by, for example, making the nosing to step and stair treads a contrasting colour.

For people with no sight, a well-managed ‘buddy system’, continuous handrails or a sound localisation system (which helps people to move towards an alert sound) or the installation of more tactile aids may be appropriate.

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

Positioning of escape signs

The presence of other signs in premises (such as advertising and customer information), can distract attention from, or obscure the visibility of escape signs. This could affect people’s ability to see and understand escape signs, particularly if there is a fire evacuation. Always ensure that escape signs are not overwhelmed.

Escape signs should meet the following criteria:

They should provide clear, unambiguous information to enable people to safely leave a building in an emergency.
Every escape route sign should, where necessary, incorporate, or be accompanied by, a directional arrow. Arrows should not be used on their own.
If the escape route to the nearest exit is not obvious then it should be indicated by a sign(s).
They should be positioned so that a person escaping will always have the next escape route sign in sight.
They should be fixed above the door in the direction of escape and not be fixed to doors, as they will not be visible if the door is open.
Signs mounted above doors should be at a height of between 2.0m and 2.5m above the floor.
Signs on walls should be mounted between 1.7m and 2.0m above the floor.
Mounting heights greater than 2.5m may be used for hanging signs, e.g. in large open spaces or for operational reasons, but care should be taken to ensure that such signs are both conspicuous and legible. In such case larger signs may be necessary.
Signs should be sited at the same height throughout the escape route, as far as is reasonably practicable.

Escape sign design

For a sign to comply with signs and signals regulations it must be pictographic (see Figures 58 and 59) The pictogram can be supplemented by text if this is considered necessary to make the sign easily understood (BS-type sign) but you must not have a fire safety sign that uses only text. Either type of sign can be used but different types should not be mixed.

Appropriate signs should take into account the needs of those who may need to use them.

The legibility of escape signs is determined by the size of the sign, its level of illumination and the distance over which it is viewed. The use of signs within the same premises should follow a consistent design pattern or scheme. You should not rely on a few outsized signs which may encourage people to travel to a particular escape route when other more appropriate routes should be used.

In multi-occupied premises, co-operation between the respective ‘responsible persons’ including, if necessary, the managing agent or landlord should be sought to ensure that, as far as possible, all signs in the building conform to a single pattern or scheme.

Figure 58: BS-type sign

Green sign with white print showing the words ‘Fire exit’ and the image of a person running. An arrow shows which way to go.

Figure 59: Euro sign

Green sign with white print showing the image of a person running and an arrow pointing to a doorway.

Figure 60: Fire door ‘keep shut’ notice

The words ‘Fire door, keep shut’ are printed in white on a light blue background.

Other safety signs and notices

A number of other mandatory signs such as ‘Fire action’ notices may also be necessary.

Fire doors that have been fitted with self-closing devices should be labelled ‘Fire door – keep shut’ on both sides (Figure 60). Fire resisting doors to cupboards, stores and service ducts that are not self-closing because they are routinely kept locked should be labelled ‘Fire door – keep locked’ on the outside.

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

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

A notice with the words ‘Fire escape – keep clear’ should be permanently displayed at about eye level on the external face of all doors which are provided as a means of escape in case of fire and which, because they are not normally used, may become obstructed.

Guest and resident notices

You will need to provide information to guests and residents. This can be done by providing notices about what to do in case of fire (fire action notices). In small premises this may be an action list; in larger more complex premises this should be an action notice with plan indicating the escape routes, see Figure 61.

Figure 61: A typical bedroom fire action notice

A notice in three languages giving instructions for what to do in the event of fire, with a plan showing the location of the room and the fire exits.

Figure 62: Typical staff fire action notice

Notice with ‘Fire action’ and an exclamation mark, giving instructions for staff in the event of fire:

Lift receiver and dial 999
Give operator your telephone number and ask for ‘fire’
When the brigade replies give call distinctly

Fire at [blank space for location]

Do not replace receiver until address has been repeated by fire brigade.

Call fire brigade immediately to every fire or on suspicion of fire.

Staff notices

In simple premises where there are a limited number of escape routes, it may be reasonable to issue only verbal reminders of what staff need to do if there is a fire. In some premises, you could consider providing a short written statement that could, for example, be delivered with staff pay slips every six months.

In multi-occupied, larger and more complex premises or where there is a high turnover of staff, a more considered approach for staff notices and instructions will be necessary. As well as positioning the fire instructions notice on escape routes adjacent to fire break-glass call points, put them where staff frequently assemble in the premises, e.g. the canteen and locker rooms (Figure 62).

If your premises are routinely expected to accommodate numbers of people whose first language is not English you may need to consider providing instruction in more than one language. The interpretation should always convey an identical message.

Illumination

All signs and notices will need illumination to ensure they are conspicuous and legible. There are a number of options available to achieve this, such as:

external illumination; and
internal illumination.

The supplier or other competent person can give you further advice.

Signs or notices of the photo-luminescent type, i.e. where the active material making up the luminous parts of such signs or notices needs a period of exposure to light before they become visible in darkness (but get fainter with time), are not a substitute for appropriate emergency lighting and should only be used where other forms of illumination are present.

Further guidance

Detailed guidance on fire safety signs can be found in BS 5499-4 and BS 5499-5. Published guidance on compliance with health and safety legislation on signs is also available.

Guidance about photo-luminescent fire safety signs and notices can be found in BS 5266-6.

Question 12

Section 7: Further guidance on recording, planning, informing, instructing and training

Accepted Answer

7.1 Fire safety records

Keeping up-to-date records of your fire risk assessment can help you effectively manage the fire strategy for your premises and demonstrate how you are complying with fire safety law.

Even if you do not have to record the fire risk assessment, it can be helpful to keep a record of any co-operation and exchange of information made between employers and other responsible people for future reference.

In larger and more complex premises, it is best to keep a dedicated record of all maintenance of fire protection equipment and training.

There is no one ‘correct’ format specified for this. Suitable record books are available from trade associations and may also be available from your local enforcing authority.

In all cases the quality of records may also be regarded as a good indicator of the overall quality of the safety management structure.

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

details of any significant findings from the fire 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 exit devices and any electromagnetic devices;
testing of fire warning systems, including weekly alarm tests and periodic maintenance by a competent person;
recording of false alarms;
testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems;
testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers, hose reels and fire blankets etc.;
if appropriate, testing and maintenance of other fire safety equipment such as fire-suppression systems and smoke control systems;
recording and training of relevant people and fire evacuation drills;
planning, organising, policy and implementation, monitoring, audit and review;
maintenance and audit of any systems that are provided to help the fire and rescue service;
the arrangements in a large multi-occupied building for a co-ordinated emergency plan or overall control of the actions you or your staff should take if there is a fire; and
all alterations, tests, repairs and maintenance of fire safety systems, including passive systems such as fire doors.

Other issues that you may wish to record include:

the competence, qualifications and status of the persons responsible for carrying out inspections and tests;
the results of periodic safety audits, reviews, inspections and tests, and any remedial action taken;
all incidents and circumstances which had the potential to cause accidents and monitor subsequent remedial actions; and
a record of the building use, the fire prevention and protection measures in place and high-risk areas.

You should ensure that no other management decisions or policies compromise safety.

Your documentation should be available for inspection by representatives of the enforcing authority.

More detailed advice is given in BS5588-12.

Figure 63 is an example of how to record some individual stages of the process in more detail. A blank version of this form is provided in Appendix A2.

Figure 63: Example record of significant findings

Risk assessment – Record of significant findings

Risk assessment for

Company

Warwick Towers Hotel

Address

38 High Street
Any Town
AA11 6ZZ

Assessment undertaken by

Date

20/02/2006

Completed by

A Smith

Signature

A Smith

Sheet number

1

Floor/area

First floor

Use

Restaurant and accommodation

Step 1 – Identify fire hazards

Sources of ignition

Heat from cooking
Smoking materials

Sources of fuel

Oil in deep fat fryer
Furniture and bedding
Laundry and cleaning material

Sources of oxygen

Normal air circulating by kitchen extract and air handling equipment

Step 2 – People at risk

Customers and staff in restaurant, guests in accommodation on upper floors
Guests in accommodation on upper floors, cleaning staff and especially mobility impaired occupant of room 122

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

(3.1) Evaluate the risk of the fire occuring

High risk of ignition of over heating cooking oil residue in extract equipment
Moderate risk of carelessly discarded smoking material by staff or guests

(3.2) Evaluate the risk to people from a fire starting

Fire in kitchen could spread to restaurant and upper floor via poorly maintained extract equipment, or via wedged open fire doors in the premises
Fire in bedroom or cleaning store could spread to escape routes due to poorly fitting fire doors and poorly maintained door hold open devices

(3.3) Remove and reduce the hazards that may cause a fire

Unable to remove. Introduce programme of regular cleaning of fryer surround and extract equipment and ensure staff are familiar with the temperature controls
Introduce a safe smoking policies. Ensure all staff are aware of risks and check with regular patrols

(3.4) Remove and reduce the risks to people from a fire

Ensure all staff are properly trained to use extinguishers. Ensure all doors protecting escape routes are closed
Repair all fire doors so that they close effectively, arrange for all door open devices to be regularly serviced

Assessment review

Assessment review date

Completed by

Signature

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

Notes:

The risk assessment record significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.
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.

Fire safety audit

A fire safety audit can be used alongside your fire risk assessment to identify what fire safety provisions exist in your premises.

When carrying out a review of your fire safety risk assessment, a pre-planned audit can quickly identify if there have been any significant changes which may affect the fire safety systems and highlight whether a full fire risk assessment is necessary.

Plans and specifications

Plans and specifications can be required to assist understanding of a fire risk assessment or emergency plan. Even where not needed for this purpose they can help you and your staff keep your fire risk assessment and emergency plan under review and help the fire and rescue service in the event of fire. Any symbols used should be shown on a key. Plans and specifications could include the following:

essential structural features such as the layout of function rooms, escape doors, wall partitions, corridors, stairways etc. (including any fire-resisting structure and self-closing fire doors provided to protect the escape routes);
location of refuges and lifts that have been designated suitable for use by disabled people and others who may need assistance to escape in case of a fire;
methods for fighting fire (details of the number, type and location of the firefighting equipment);
location of manually operated fire alarm call points and control equipment for fire alarms;
location of any control rooms and any fire staff posts;
location of any emergency lighting equipment and exit route signs;
location of any high-risk areas, equipment or process that must be immediately shut down by staff on hearing the fire alarm;
location of any automatic firefighting systems, risers and sprinkler control valves;
location of the main electrical supply switch, the main water shut-off valve and, where appropriate, the main gas or oil shut-off valves; and
plans and specifications relating to all recent constructions.

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

7.2 Emergency plans

Emergency plan and contingency plans Your emergency plan should be appropriate to your premises and could include:

how people will be warned if there is a fire;
what staff/wardens should do if they discover a fire;
what guests/residents should do if they discover a fire;
how the evacuation of the premises should be carried out;
where people should assemble after they have left the premises and procedures for checking whether the premises have been evacuated;
procedure where there are no staff e.g. HMO, sheltered accommodation;
identification of key escape routes, how people can gain access to them and escape from them to a place of total safety;
arrangements for fighting fire;
the duties and identity of staff who have specific responsibilities if there is a fire;
arrangements for the safe evacuation of people identified as being especially at risk, such as those with disabilities, children, and lone workers;
any machines/appliances/power supplies that need to be stopped or isolated if there is a fire;
specific arrangements, if necessary, for high-fire-risk areas;
contingency plans (e.g. restrictions on the use of the building) for when life safety systems such as evacuation lifts, fire- detection and warning systems, sprinklers or smoke control systems are out of order;
how the fire and rescue service and any other necessary services will be called and who will be responsible for doing this;
procedures for meeting the fire and rescue service on their arrival and notifying them of any special risks, e.g. the location of highly flammable materials; and
liaison between building owners, employers, managing agents, other occupiers, residents and the fire and rescue service.

As part of your emergency plan it is good practice to prepare post-incident plans for dealing with situations that might arise such as those involving:

unaccompanied children;
people with personal belongings (especially valuables) still in the building;
people in a state of undress (e.g. swimmers);
people wishing to rejoin friends;
getting people away from the building (e.g. to transport); and
inclement weather.

You should also prepare contingency plans to determine specific actions and/or the mobilisation of specialist resources.

Guidance on developing health and safety management policy has been published by the HSE.

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

Supplying information

You must provide easily understandable information to employees, the parents of children you may employ, and to employers of other persons working in your premises about the measures in place to ensure a safe escape from the building and how they will operate, for example:

any significant risks to staff and other relevant persons that have been identified in your fire risk assessment or any similar assessment carried out by another user and responsible person in the building;
the fire prevention and protection measures and procedures in your premises and where they impact on staff and other relevant persons in the building;
the procedures for fighting a fire in the premises; and
the identity of people who have been nominated with specific responsibilities in the building.

Even if you do not have to record the fire risk assessment, it would be helpful to keep a record of any cooperation and exchange of information made between employers and other responsible people for future reference.

You need to ensure that all staff and, where necessary, other relevant persons in the building, receive appropriate information in a way that can be easily understood. This might include any special instructions to particular people who have been allocated a specific task, such as shutting down equipment or guiding people to the nearest exit. This may also include residents and guests.

Duties of employees to give information Employees also have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of other people who may be affected by their activities. This includes the need for them to inform their employer of any activity that they consider would present a serious and immediate danger to their own safety and that of others.

Dangerous substances

HSE publishes guidance[^9] about specific substances where appropriate information may need to be provided. If any of these, or any other substance that is not included but nevertheless presents more than a slight risk, is present in your premises, then you must provide such information to staff and others, specifically you must:

name the substance and the risks associated with it, e.g. how to safely use or store the product to avoid creating highly flammable vapours or explosive atmospheres;
identify any legislative provisions that may be associated with the substance;
allow employees access to the hazardous substances safety data sheet; and
inform the local fire and rescue service where dangerous substances are present on the premises.

Information to the fire and rescue services

In addition to providing information to the fire and rescue service when dangerous substances are present in sufficient quantities to pose an enhanced risk, it will also be helpful to inform them of any short term changes that might have an impact on their firefighting activities; e.g. in the event of temporary loss of a firefighting facility and temporary alterations.

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

Case study

If the firefighting lift in a multi-storey premises becomes defective, this should be brought to the attention of the fire and rescue service. Being unable to use this facility to tackle a fire on the upper floors might have a serious effect on the ability of firefighters to begin operations as quickly as planned. The information supplied will enable the emergency services to make adjustments to the level of the emergency response.

Instruction

You will need to carefully consider the type of instructions to staff and other people working in your premises. Written instructions must be concise, clear and relevant and therefore must be reviewed and updated as new working practices and hazardous substances are introduced.

Inclusive access and employment policies mean that people with learning difficulties may now be present in a range of premises and your fire risk assessment should consider whether further instruction or guidance is necessary to ensure that your evacuation strategy is appropriate and understood by everyone.

Instructions will need to be given to people delegated to carry out particular tasks, for example:

ensuring that escape routes are accessible;
daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly checks on the range of fire safety measures (in larger premises some of the work may be contracted out to a specialist company);
safety considerations when closing down the premises at the end of the day, e.g. removing rubbish, ensuring enough exits are available for people that remain and closing fire doors;
leaving hazardous substances in a safe condition when evacuating the building;
the safe storage of hazardous substances at the end of the working day; and
ensuring everyone in large organisations with many buildings within a curtilage and a security zone knows how to use internal emergency telephones.

Specific instructions may be needed about:

how staff will help members of the public/ visitors to leave the building;
‘sweeping’ of the premises floor by staff to guide people to the nearest exit when the fire alarm sounds;
calling the emergency services;
carrying out evacuation roll calls;
taking charge at the assembly area;
meeting and directing fire engines; and
cover arrangements when nominated people are on leave.

Co-operation and co-ordination

Where you share premises with others (this includes people who are self-employed or in partnership), each responsible person, i.e. each employer, owner or other person who has control over any part of the premises, will need to co-operate and co-ordinate the findings of their separate fire risk assessments to ensure the fire precautions and protection measures are effective throughout the building. This could include:

co-ordinating an emergency plan (see Step 4.2 for features of an emergency plan);
identifying the nature of any risks and how they may affect others in or about the premises;
identifying any fire-prevention and protection measures;
identifying any measures to mitigate the effects of a fire; and
arranging any contacts with external emergency services and calling the fire and rescue service.

7.4 Fire safety training

Staff training

The actions of staff if there is a fire are likely to be crucial to their safety and that of other people in the premises. All staff should receive basic fire safety induction training and attend refresher sessions at pre-determined intervals.

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

The training should take account of the findings of the fire risk assessment and be easily understood by all those attending. It should include the role that those members of staff will be expected to carry out if a fire occurs. This may vary in large premises, with some staff being appointed as fire marshals or being given some other particular role for which additional training will be required.

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

the items listed in your emergency plan;
the importance of fire doors and other basic fire-prevention measures;
where relevant, the appropriate use of firefighting equipment;
the importance of reporting to the assembly area;
exit routes and the operation of exit devices, including physically walking these routes;
general matters such as permitted smoking areas or restrictions on cooking other than in designated areas; and
assisting disabled persons where necessary.

Training is necessary:

when staff start employment or are transferred into the premises;
when changes have been made to the emergency plan and the preventive and protective measures;
where working practices and processes or people’s responsibilities change;
to take account of any changed risks to the safety of staff or other relevant persons;
to ensure that staff know what they have to do to safeguard themselves and others on the premises;
where staff are expected to assist disabled persons; and
if the member of staff may take on the role of ‘duty manager’.

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

Whatever training you decide is necessary to support your fire safety strategy and emergency plan, it should be verifiable.

Enforcing authorities may want to examine records as evidence that adequate training has been given.

Fire marshals and firefighting teams

Staff expected to undertake the role of fire marshals (often called fire wardens) or form members of a firefighting team (if you have one), would require more comprehensive training. Their role may include:

helping those on the premises to leave;
checking the premises to ensure everyone has left;
using firefighting equipment if safe to do so;
liaising with the fire and rescue service on arrival;
shutting down vital or dangerous equipment; and
performing a supervisory/managing role in any fire situation.

Training for this role may include:

detailed knowledge of the fire safety strategy of the premises;
awareness of human behaviour in fires;
how to encourage others to use the most appropriate escape route;
how to search safely and recognise areas that are unsafe to enter;
the difficulties that some people, particularly if disabled, may have in escaping and any special evacuation arrangements that have been pre-planned;
additional training in the use of firefighting equipment;
an understanding of the purpose of any fixed firefighting equipment such as sprinklers or gas flooding systems; and
reporting of faults, incidents and near misses.

Fire drills

Once the emergency plan has been developed and training given, you will need to evaluate its effectiveness. The best way to do this is to perform a fire drill. This should be carried out at least annually or as determined by your fire risk assessment. If you have a high staff turnover, you may need to carry them out more often.

A well-planned and executed fire drill will confirm understanding of the training and provide helpful information for future training, such as time required to waken people. The responsible person should determine the possible objectives of the drill such as to:

identify any weaknesses in the evacuation strategy;
test the procedure following any recent alteration or changes to working practices;
familiarise new members of staff with procedures; and
test the arrangements for disabled people.

Who should take part?

Within each building the evacuation should be for all occupants except those who may need to ensure the security of the premises, or people who, on a risk-assessed basis, are required to remain with particular equipment or processes that cannot be closed down.

Premises that consist of several buildings on the same site should be dealt with one building at a time over an appropriate period unless the emergency procedure dictates otherwise.

You may find it helpful to include members of the public in your fire drill – ensuring that all necessary health and safety issues are addressed before you do so.

Carrying out the drill

In simple premises, e.g. small bed and breakfasts and small hostels, it may be sufficient to sound the fire alarm at weekly intervals at a time when most guests/residents are on the premises so that they know what it sounds like. This should be followed by information about the fire evacuation procedures to be followed and where instruction can be found e.g. on notices in rooms.

In larger premises, that have more than one escape route, the escape plan should be designed to evacuate all staff people on the assumption that one exit or stairway is unavailable because of the fire. This could be simulated by a designated person being located at a suitable point on an exit route. Applying this scenario to different escape routes at each fire drill will encourage individuals to use alternative escape routes which they may not normally use.

When carrying out the drill you might find it helpful to:

circulate details concerning the drill and inform all staff of their duty to participate. It may not be beneficial to have ‘surprise drills’ as the health and safety risks introduced may outweigh the benefits;
ensure that equipment can be safely left;
nominate observers;
inform the alarm receiving centre if the fire-warning system is monitored (if the fire and rescue service is normally called directly from your premises, ensure that this does not happen,)
inform members of the public if they are present; and
ask a member of staff at random to set off the alarm by operating the nearest alarm call point using the test key. This will indicate the level of knowledge regarding the location of the nearest call point.

More detailed information on fire drills and test evacuations are given in BS5588-12.48

The roll call/checking the premises have been evacuated

Where possible carry out a roll call of your staff as soon as possible at the designated assembly point(s), and/or receive reports from wardens designated to ‘sweep’ the premises. You should note any people who are unaccounted for. In a real evacuation this information will need to be passed to the fire and rescue service on arrival.

Check that people have assembled at the evacuation point.

Once the roll call is complete or all reports have been received, allow people to return to the building. If the fire-warning system is monitored inform the alarm receiving centre that the drill has now been completed and record the outcomes of the drill.

Monitoring and debrief

Throughout the drill the responsible person and nominated observers should pay particular attention to:

communication difficulties with regard to the roll call and establishing that everyone is accounted for;
the use of the nearest available escape routes as opposed to common circulation routes;
difficulties with the opening of final exit doors;
difficulties experienced by people with disabilities;
the roles of specified people, e.g. fire wardens;
inappropriate actions, e.g. stopping to collect personal items, attempting to use lifts etc.; and
windows and doors not being closed as people leave.

On-the-spot debriefs are useful to discuss the fire drill, encouraging feedback from everybody. Later, reports from fire wardens and observations from people should be collated and reviewed. Any conclusions and remedial actions should be recorded and implemented.

Question 13

Section 8: Quality assurance of fire protection equipment and installation

Accepted Answer

Fire protection products and related services should be fit for their purpose and properly installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or a relevant standard.

Third-party certification schemes for fire protection products and related services are an effective means of providing the fullest possible assurances, offering a level of quality, reliability and safety that non-certificated products may lack. This does not mean goods and services that are not third-party approved are less reliable, but there is no obvious way in which this can be demonstrated.

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

However, to ensure the level of assurance offered by third party schemes, you should always check whether the company you employ sub-contracts work to others. If they do, you will want to check that the sub- contractors are subject to the same level of checks of quality and competence as the company you are employing.

Your local fire and rescue service, fire trade associations or your own trade association may be able to provide further details about third- party quality assurance schemes and the various organisations that administer them.

Question 14

Appendix A

Accepted Answer

A.1 Example fire safety maintenance checklist

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

You can modify the example where necessary to fit your premises and may need to incorporate the recommendations of manufacturers and installers of the fire safety equipment/systems that you may have installed in your premises.

Any quetions answered No should result in further investigation and appropriate action as necessary. In larger and more complex premises you may need to seek the assistance of a competent person to carry out some of the checks.

Daily checks (not normally recorded)

Escape routes

Can all fire exits be opened immediately and easily?
Are fire doors clear of obstructions?
Are escape routes clear?

Fire warning systems

Is the indicator panel showing ‘normal’?
Are whistles, gongs or air horns in place?

Escape lighting

*Are luminaires and exit signs in good condition and undamaged? * Is emergency lighting and sign lighting working correctly?

Firefighting equipment

Are all fire extinguishers in place?
Are fire extinguishers clearly visible?
Are vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them?

Weekly checks

Escape routes

Do all emergency fastening devices to fire exits (push bars and pads, etc.) work correctly?
Are external routes clear and safe?

Fire warning systems

Does testing a manual call point send a signal to the indicator panel? (Disconnect the link to the receiving centre or tell them you are doing a test.) *Did the alarm system work correctly when tested?
Did staff and other people hear the fire alarm?
Did any linked fire protection systems operate correctly? (e.g. magnetic door holder released, smoke curtains drop)
Do all visual alarms and/or vibrating alarms and pagers (as applicable) work?
Do voice alarm systems work correctly? Was the message understood?

Escape lighting

Are charging indicators (if fitted) visible?

Firefighting equipment

Is all equipment in good condition?
Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations.

Monthly checks

Escape routes

Do all electronic release mechanisms on escape doors work correctly? Do they ‘fail safe’ in the open position?
Do all automatic opening doors on escape routes ‘fail safe’ in the open position?
Are fire door seals and self-closing devices in good condition?
Do all roller shutters provided for fire compartmentation work correctly?
Are external escape stairs safe?
Do all internal self-closing fire doors work correctly?

Escape lighting

Do all luminaires and exit signs function correctly when tested?
Have all emergency generators been tested? (Normally run for one hour.)

Firefighting equipment

Is the pressure in ‘stored pressure’ fire extinguishers correct?
Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations.

Three-monthly checks

General

Are any emergency water tanks/ponds at their normal capacity?
Are vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them?
Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations.

Six-monthly checks

General

Has any firefighting or emergency evacuation lift been tested by a competent person?
Has any sprinkler system been tested by a competent person?
Have the release and closing mechanisms of any fire-resisting compartment doors and shutters been tested by a competent person?

Fire warning system

Has the system been checked by a competent person?

Escape lighting

Do all luminaires operate on test for one third of their rated value?
Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations.

Annual checks

Escape routes

Do all self-closing fire doors fit correctly?
Is escape route compartmentation in good repair?

Escape lighting

Do all luminaires operate on test for their full rated duration?
Has the system been checked by a competent person?

Firefighting equipment

Has all firefighting equipment been checked by a competent person?

Miscellaneous

Has any dry/wet rising fire main been tested by a competent person?
Has the smoke and heat ventilation system been tested by a competent person?
Has external access for the fire service been checked for ongoing availability?
Have any firefighters’ switches been tested?
Has the fire hydrant bypass flow valve control been tested by a competent person?
Are any necessary fire engine direction signs in place?

A2 Example form for recording significant findings

Risk assessment – Record of significant findings

Risk assessment for

Company

Address

Assessment undertaken by

Date

Completed by

Signature

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 risk of the fire occuring

(3.2) Evaluate the risk to people from a fire starting

(3.3) Remove and reduce the hazards that may cause a fire

(3.4) Remove and reduce the risks to people from a fire

Assessment review

Assessment review date

Completed by

Signature

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

Notes:

The risk assessment record significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.
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.

Question 15

Appendix B: Technical information on fire-resisting separation, fire doors and door fastenings

Accepted Answer

B1: Fire-resisting separation

General

The materials from which your premises are constructed may determine the speed with which a fire may spread, affecting the escape routes that people will use. A fire starting in a building constructed mainly from readily combustible material will spread faster than one where modern fire-resisting construction materials have been used. Where non- combustible materials are used and the internal partitions are made from fire-resisting materials, the fire will be contained for a longer period, allowing more time for the occupants to escape.

Because of the requirements of the Building Regulations you will probably already have some walls and floors that are fire-resisting and limitations on the surface finishes to certain walls and ceilings.

You will need to consider whether the standard of fire resistance and surface finishing in the escape routes is satisfactory, has been affected by wear and tear or alterations and whether any improvements are necessary.

The following paragraphs give basic information on how fire-resisting construction can provide up to 30 minutes protection to escape routes.

This is the standard recommended for most situations. If you are still unsure of the level of fire resistance which is necessary after reading this information, you should consult a fire safety expert.

Fire-resisting construction

The fire resistance of a wall or floor is dependent on the quality of construction and materials used. Common examples of types of construction that provide 30-minute fire resistance to escape routes if constructed to the above standards are:

internal framed construction wall, non-load bearing, consisting of 72mm x 37mm timber studs at 600mm centres and faced with 12.5mm of plasterboard with all joints taped and filled (see Figure 64);
internal framed construction, non-load bearing, consisting of channel section steel studs at 600mm centres faced with 12.5mm of plasterboard with all joints taped and filled; and
masonry cavity wall consisting of solid bricks of clay, brick earth, shale, concrete or calcium silicate, with a minimum thickness of 90mm on each leaf.

Figure 64: Fire-resisting construction

Plan showing a protected route on a ground floor. Fire resisting partitions are constructed up to the underside of floor overhead. There is fire resisting floor construction. Above the route is a false ceiling, an efficient smoke seal and a cavity fire barrier.

There are other methods and products available which will achieve the required standard of fire resistance and may be more appropriate for the existing construction in your premises. If there is any doubt about how your building is constructed, then ask for further advice from a competent person.

Fire-resisting floors

The fire resistance of floors will depend on the existing floor construction as well as the type of ceiling finish beneath. If you need to upgrade the fire resistance of your floor it may not be desirable to apply additional fire resistance to the underside of an existing ornate ceiling. In older buildings there may be a requirement to provide fire resistance between beams and joists.

A typical example of a 30-minute fire-resisting timber floor is tongue and groove softwood of not less than 15mm finished thickness on 37mm timber joists, with a ceiling below of one layer of plasterboard to a thickness of 12.5mm with joints taped and filled and backed by supporting timber.

There are other, equally valid, methods and products available for upgrading floors. If you are in any doubt you should seek the advice of a competent person and ensure that the product is installed in accordance with instructions from the manufacturer or supplier.

Fire-resisting glazing

The most common type of fire-resisting glazing is 6mm Georgian wired glazing, which is easily identifiable. Clear fire-resisting glazing is available and can quickly be identified by a mark etched into the glass, usually in the corner of the glazed panel, to confirm its fire-resisting standard. Although this is not compulsory, the marking of glass is supported by the Glass and Glazing Federation, you should check whether the glazing will be marked accordingly before purchase. The glazing should have been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and to the appropriate standard, to ensure that its fire-resisting properties are maintained.

The performance of glazed systems in terms of fire resistance and external fire exposure should, wherever possible, be confirmed by test evidence. Alternatively, where there is a lack of test information, ask for an assessment of the proposed construction from suitably qualified people.

Fire separation of voids

A common problem encountered with fire separation is fire-resisting partitions which do not extend above false ceilings to true ceiling height. This may result in unseen fire spread and a loss of vital protection to the escape routes. It is important therefore to carefully check all such partitions have been installed correctly.

Breaching fire separation

To ensure effective protection against fire, walls and floors providing fire separation must form a complete barrier, with an equivalent level of fire resistance provided to any openings such as doors, ventilation ducts, pipe passages or refuse chutes.

The passing of services such as heating pipes or electrical cables through fire-resisting partitions leaves gaps through which fire and smoke may spread. This should be rectified by suitable fire stopping and there are many proprietary products available to suit particular types of construction. Such products should be installed by competent contractors.

Decor and surface finishes of walls, ceilings and escape routes

The materials used to line walls and ceilings can contribute significantly to the spread of flame across their surface. Most materials that are used as surface linings will fall into one of three classes of surface spread of flame. The following are common examples of acceptable materials for various situations:

Class 0: Materials suitable for circulation spaces and escape routes

Such materials include brickwork, blockwork, concrete, ceramic tiles, plaster finishes (including rendering on wood or metal lathes), wood-wool cement slabs and mineral fibre tiles or sheets with cement or resin binding.

Note: Additional finishes to these surfaces may be detrimental to the fire performance of the surface and if there is any doubt about this then consult the manufacturer of the finish.

Class 1: Materials suitable for use in all rooms 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 thermosetting plastics will be suitable if flame-retardant treated to achieve a Class 1 standard.

Class 3: Materials suitable for use in rooms of less than 4m²

Such materials include all those referred to in Class 1, including those that have not been flame-retardant treated and certain dense timber or plywood and standard glass-reinforced polyesters.

The equivalent European classification standard will also be acceptable. Further details about internal linings and classifications are available in Approved Document B. Appropriate testing procedures are detailed in BS 476-7 and where appropriate BS EN 13501-1.

Further guidance on types of fire-resisting construction has been published by the Building Research Establishment.

B2: Fire-resisting doors

Requirements of a fire-resisting door

Effective fire-resisting doors (see Figure 65) are vital to ensure that the occupants can evacuate to a place of safety. Correctly specified and well-fitted doors will hold back fire and smoke preventing escape routes becoming unusable, as well as preventing the fire spreading from one area to another.

Fire-resisting doors are necessary in any doorway located in a fire-resisting structure. Most internal doors are constructed of timber. These will give some limited protection against fire spread, but only a purpose-built fire- resisting door that has been tested to an approved standard will provide the necessary protection. Metal fire-resisting doors are also available and specific guidance for these follows.

All fire-resisting doors are rated by their performance when tested to an appropriate standard. The level of protection provided by the door is measured, primarily by determining the time taken for a fire to breach the integrity (E), of the door assembly, together with its resistance to the passage of hot gases and flame.

It may be possible to upgrade the fire resistance of existing doors. Further information is available from the Building Research Establishment or the Timber Research and Development Association.

Timber fire-resisting doors require a gap of 2-4mm between the door leaf and the frame. However larger gaps may be necessary to ensure that the door closes flush into its frame when smoke seals are fitted (see BS 4787-1 for further information). For fire-resisting purposes the gap is normally protected by installing an intumescent seal in either the door or, preferably, the frame. The intumescent seal expands in the early stages of a fire and enhances the protection given by the door.

Additional smoke seals, either incorporated in the intumescent seal or fitted separately, will restrict the spread of smoke at ambient temperatures. Doors fitted with smoke seals have their classification code suffixed with an ‘S’.

The principal fire-resisting door categories are:

E20 fire-resisting door providing 20 minutes fire resistance (or equivalent FD 20S). (Note: Many suppliers no longer provide an E 20 type fire-resisting door.)
E30 fire-resisting door providing 30 minutes fire resistance (or equivalent FD 30S).
E60 fire-resisting door providing 60 minutes fire resistance (or equivalent FD 60S).

Timber fire-resisting doors are available that will provide up to 120 minutes fire resistance but their use is limited to more specialised conditions which are beyond the scope of this guidance.

Metal fire-resisting doors

Although the majority of fire-resisting doors are made from timber, metal fire-resisting doors, which meet the appropriate standard, can often be used for the same purpose. The majority of metal fire-resisting door manufacturers will require the use of bespoke frames and hardware for their door sets.

See BS EN 1634-1 and BS 476-22 for more information.

For detailed guidance refer to Approved Document B.

Glazing in fire-resisting doors

Although glazing provides additional safety in everyday use and can enhance the appearance of fire-resisting doors, it should never reduce the fire resistance of the door. The opening provided in the door for the fire-resisting glazing unit(s), fitted in a proven intumescent glazing system and the fitting of the beading are critical, and should only be entrusted to a competent person. In all cases the door and glazing should be purchased from a reputable supplier who can provide documentary evidence that the door continues to achieve the required rating.

Fire-resisting door furniture

Hinges

To ensure compliance with their rated fire performance, fire-resisting doors must be hung with the correct number, size and quality of hinges. Normally a minimum of three hinges is required, however the manufacturer’s instructions should be closely followed. BS EN 1935, including Annex B, is the appropriate standard.

Alternative door mountings

Although the most common method of hanging a door is to use single axis hinges, alternative methods are employed where the door is required to be double swing or mounted on pivots for other reasons.

Floor mounted controlled door closing devices are the most common method regularly found with timber, glass and steel doors while transom mounted devices are commonly used with aluminium sections. In each case reference should be made to the fire test report for details as to compliance with the composition of the door assembly including the door mounting conditions.

Self-closing devices

All fire-resisting doors, other than those to locked cupboards and service ducts should be fitted with an appropriately controlled self- closing device that will effectively close the door from any angle. In certain circumstances, concealed, jamb-mounted closing devices may be specified and in these cases should be capable of closing the door from any angle and against any latch fitted to the door; spring hinges are unlikely to be suitable. Further information is given in BS EN 1154.

Rising butt hinges are not suitable for use as a self closing device due to their inability to close and latch the door from any angle.

Automatic door hold-open/release devices for self-closing fire doors

These devices are designed to hold open self-closing fire doors or allow them to swing free during normal use. In the event of a fire alarm the device will then release the door automatically, allowing the self-closing mechanism to close the door.

Such devices are particularly useful in situations where self-closing doors on escape routes are used regularly by significant numbers of people, or by people with impaired mobility who 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 fire detection and warning system operates, allowing a separate self-closer to close the door;
electro-magnetic devices within the controlled door closing device which function on the operation of the fire detection and warning system ; and
‘free swing’ controlled door closing devices, which operate by allowing the door leaf to work independently of the closing device in normal conditions. An electro-magnetic device within the spring mechanism linked to the fire detection and warning system ensures that the door closes on the operation of the system.

Note: Free swing devices may not be suitable in some situations, such as corridors, where draughts are a problem and the doors are likely to swing uncontrolled, causing possible difficulty or injury to certain people e.g. those with certain disabilities, the elderly and frail, or young children.

Automatic door hold open/release devices fitted to doors protecting escape routes should only be installed in conjunction with an automatic fire detection and warning system incorporating smoke detectors, that is designed to protect the escape routes in the building (see Part 2, Section 2).

In all cases the automatic device should release the fire-resisting door allowing it to close effectively within its frame when any of the following conditions occur:

the detection of smoke by an automatic detector;
the actuation of the fire detection and alarm system by manual means e.g. operation of break glass call point;
any failure of the fire detection and alarm system; or
any electrical power failure.

Other devices, including self-contained devices which perform a similar function, that are not connected directly to a fire alarm system and are not therefore able to meet the above criteria are available and may be acceptable where a site specific risk assessment can show that they are appropriate. Such devices are unlikely to be suitable for use on doors protecting single stairways or other critical means of escape.

In all cases where a door hold open device is used it should be possible to close the door manually.

A site specific risk assessment should be undertaken before any type of automatic door hold open/release device is installed. If you are unsure about the suitability of such devices in your premises, you should seek the advice of a competent person.

Further guidance about automatic door hold open/release devices is given in BSEN 1155 or BS5839-3.

Door co-ordinators

Where pairs of doors with rebated meeting stiles are installed it is critical that the correct closing order is maintained. Door co-ordinators to BS EN 1158 should be fitted and fully operational in all cases where the doors are self-closing.

Installation and workmanship

The reliability and performance of correctly specified fire-resisting doors can be undermined by inadequate installation. It is important that installers with the necessary level of skill and knowledge are used.

Accreditation schemes for installers of fire- resisting doors are available.

Figure 65: A fire-resisting and smoke stopping door

Labelled diagram showing the following:

Securing device – lock, emergency exit device or panic exit device to be EN 12209, BS EN 179 or BS EN 1125 respectively for further information.
Ideally the frame should be to the same standard as the door, purchased together as a door set.
Door closer, see BS EN 1154.
Hinges – see BS EN 1935 Annex B. Hinges should be tested as part of the door set – see BS EN 1634-2.
Vision panel should be fire-resisting glazing.
Door handles and locks – see BS EN 1906 Annex C and BS EN 12209 Annex A respectively for further information. Door handles and locks should be tested as part of door set – see BS EN 1634-1 Securing device – lock, emergency exit device or panic exit device to be EN 12209, BS EN 179 or BS EN 1125 respectively for further information.
Intumescent strip and cold smoke seal to resist the passage of smoke and fire.

Fire-resisting doors and shutters will require routine maintenance, particularly to power operation and release and closing mechanisms.

Further information is available on fire-resisting doors in BS 8214. If you are unsure about the quality, the effectiveness or the fitting of your fire-resisting doors consult a fire safety expert.

For further guidance on the selection and maintenance of door furniture for timber fire doors refer to the Building Hardware Industry Federation (BHIF) code of practice.

B3: Door-fastening devices

The relationship between the securing of doors against unwanted entry and the ability to escape through them easily in an emergency has often proved problematical. Careful planning and the use of quality materials remain the most effective means of satisfying both of these objectives.

Any device that impedes people making good their escape, either by being unnecessarily complicated to manipulate or not being readily openable, will not be acceptable.

Guidance on fire exits starts from the position that doors on escape routes should not be fitted with any locking devices (electrically operated or otherwise). However, it is accepted that in many cases the need for security will require some form of device that prevents unlimited access but still enables the occupants of a building or area to open the door easily if there is a fire. These devices can take many forms but, in the majority of cases, premises where there are members of the public present or others who are not familiar with the building should use panic exit bar devices (i.e. push bars or touch bars). See BS EN 1125 for further information.

Premises that have limited numbers of staff or others who are familiar with the building and where panic is not likely may use alternative devices (i.e. push pads or lever handles). See BS EN 179 for further information.

In some larger premises, when only certain staff are on the premises and there is a security issue, it may be acceptable to restrict the number of emergency exits immediately available, e.g. when only security staff are present at night, or prior to opening a premises in the morning. Staff should be made fully aware of any restrictions and the number of exits not immediately available should be limited.

Electrical locking devices

Electrically operated entry control devices have been developed for use as locking devices on fire exits. They fall into two main categories, electromechanical and electromagnetic.

Electromechanical devices

Electromechnical devices comprise electromechanical lock keeps and draw bolts, which can be controlled by people inside the premises by entering a code or by using ‘smart cards’, which have been adapted to control the exit from certain areas. These devices have been fitted in many premises and may be linked to the fire-detection and/or warning system.

Experience has shown that these devices can fail to open in a number of ways. They are dependent on a spring mechanism to return the lock keep or draw bolt(s) and are liable to jam when pressure is applied to the door. It is also relatively easy to fit them incorrectly. Electromechanical locking devices are normally unacceptable on escape doors, unless they are fitted with a manual means of overriding the locking mechanism such as a push bar, push pad or lever handle or that they do not rely on a spring mechanism, fail-safe open and are not affected by pressure, in which case the criteria for electromagnetic devices should be applied.

Electromagnetic devices

These devices comprise a magnet and a simple fixed retaining plate with no moving parts and are therefore generally considered to be more reliable due to their inherent ‘fail-safe unlocked’ operation.

Electromagnetic locking devices go some way to addressing the particular concerns surrounding electromechanical locking systems. The release of this type of device is controlled by the interruption of electrical current to an electromagnet, either manually via a switch or other means, break-glass point (typically coloured green), or by linking to the fire-warning and/or detection system of the premises.

Time-delay devices on escape routes

A further development is the fitting of a time- delay system to the electronic door-locking device. This delays the actual opening of an exit door for a variable period following operation of the panic bar or other exit device. Periods of between five and 60 seconds can be pre-set at the manufacturing stage or can be adjusted when fitted. These are not usually acceptable for use by members of the public. However, they maybe acceptable for use by staff that are familiar with their operation and are suitably trained in their use.

Management of electronic door-control devices including time delays

The use of such devices may be accepted by enforcing authorities if the responsible person can demonstrate, through a suitable risk assessment for each individual door, both the need and the adequate management controls to ensure that people can escape safely from the premises. In particular:

Access control should not be confused with exit control. Many devices are available which control the access to the premises but retains the immediate escape facility from the premises.
In public areas, when push bars are operated on escape doors, they should release the electromagnetic locks immediately and allow the exit doors to open.
The requirement for exit control should be carefully assessed and should not be seen as a substitute for good management of the employees and occupants.
All other alternatives should have been explored/evaluated prior to using these devices to ensure they do not affect the safety of occupants.
The device should be connected to the fire warning and/or detection system.
The device should incorporate a bypass circuit for immediate release on activation of the fire warning and/or detection system.
Each door should be fitted with a single securing device.
The emergency exit doors should be clearly labelled about how to operate them.
Adequate control measures should be put in place to ensure the safety of the occupants.

The use of electronic door-locking devices should be considered with particular care in premises with a number of different occupancies. The management of a complicated system of evacuation for many different groups is unlikely to be practicable.

The technical standards in respect of sourcing, maintaining and testing must be extremely high.

When part of the management control system involves trained personnel helping others at these doors, it is vital to ensure these people are available.

The use of exit control devices should not be considered where the number of trained staff is low and members of the public would be expected to operate the devices without help.

In premises where there may be large numbers of people, the devices should only be considered when linked to a comprehensive automatic fire- detection and warning system in accordance with BS 5839-1. There should be an additional means of manually overriding the locking device at each such exit (typically a green break-glass point).

The use of time-delay systems that prevent the opening of emergency exits for a pre-set time are primarily used to improve security. These add a further layer of complexity to the fire strategy and should not be considered in public areas. They should only be used in non- public areas when all other options such as relocating valuable stock or exterior boundary management have been addressed. Their value in preventing theft is likely to be transient as the use of the manual override becomes more widely known.

British Standard 8220 gives further advice on security in buildings and while this standard does refer to electronic locking devices, it also acknowledges that the balance must remain on the side of emergency escape rather than security.

Question 16

Appendix C: Historic buildings

Accepted Answer

General considerations

This appendix offers additional information about listed and historical buildings.

Fire risk assessments conducted for sleeping accommodation which is within a listed or historic building will need to ensure that a balance is struck between ensuring sufficient fire safety measures are in place for the safety of people, yet avoid extensive alterations and helping to maintain the character of the building.

As well as the fire risk assessment it is recommended that a general fire policy statement and manual is compiled. A person must be nominated to take responsibility for all aspects of fire safety. Usually the person charged with the management and control of the premises will be the ‘responsible person’ under the Order

The advice and/or consent of a building control body or any other relevant bodies (e.g. English Heritage) should form part of any fire risk assessment that impacts on the character of the building (e.g. replacement of doors, fittings, wooden panelling and decor) or material changes to existing escape routes. An ideal solution is one that is reversible, enabling the historic elements to be reinstated.

A fire safety adviser will be able to suggest alternatives to conventional fire precautions, such as:

a fire engineering solution;
upgrading existing doors and partitions in a sympathetic manner to improve their fire resistance; and
considering the installation of specialist fire-detection or suppression systems.

Should the design and nature of the historic building preclude the introduction of conventional fire safety features, it will be necessary to manage the building in such a way that:

limits the number of occupants, either staff or members of the public, inside the building;
limits activities in the building; and
provides adequate supervision within the building.

In buildings that are open to the public you may wish to designate parts as ‘off limits’ to the general public. The locking of internal doors or the use of fixed or movable barriers should not restrict alternative escape routes being made available.

Liaison with the fire and rescue service

The responsible person will need to ensure effective liaison with the fire and rescue service to enable them to carry out firefighting operations. These may include information on:

the provision of water supplies, seasonal ponds, lakes and underground tanks, and any associated pumps;
difficult access for fire engines;
particular hazards in the construction features of the building (including asbestos);
the use of combustible under floor insulation;
underground vaults ducts and voids where fire may spread unchecked;
worn stone slabs in stairway construction; and
the presence of cast iron columns and wrought iron beams.

Emergency planning

An important consideration for the owners and trustees is the protection of valuable artefacts and paintings from the effects of fire. However, the efficient evacuation of all occupants must take precedence over procedures for limiting damage to property and contents. Salvage work should be limited to those parts of the building not directly affected by the fire.

Fire wardens and others tasked with carrying out salvage work should have received formal training, adequate protection and be fully briefed about the health and safety risk assessment carried out to identify the dangers associated with this activity. Further detailed advice on fire safety in historic buildings can be found in the following publications:

BS 7913: Guide to the principles of the conservation of historic buildings, British Standards Institution
Heritage under fire: A guide to the protection of historic buildings, Fire Protection Association (for the UK Working Party on Fire Safety in Historic Buildings) 1991, ISBN 0902167944
The Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Historic Buildings (Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note S.), Fire Protection Association (TCRE Division/Scottish Conservation Bureau, Hist.) 1998, ISBN 1 900168 63 4
Fire Protection Measures in Scottish Historic Buildings: Advice on Measures Required to Minimise the Likelihood of Fire Starting and to Alleviate the Destructive Consequences of Fire in Historic Buildings (Technical Advice Note), TCRE Division/Scottish Conservation Bureau, Hist. 1997, ISBN 1 900168 41 3
Fire Risk Management in Heritage Buildings (Technical Advice Note), TCRE Division/ Scottish Conservation Bureau, Hist. 2001, ISBN 1 900168 71 5
Summary and conclusions of the report into fire protection measures for the Royal Palaces by Sir Alan Bailey following the Windsor Castle fire, 1992.
The fire at Upton Park. Published by the National Trust.
Timber panelled doors and fire. Published by English Heritage.
Fire safety in historic town centres. Published by English Heritage and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Question 17

Appendix D: Glossary

Accepted Answer

These definitions are provided to assist the responsible person in understanding some of the technical terms used in this guide. They are not exhaustive and more precise definitions may be available in other guidance.

Access room

A room through which the only escape route from an inner room passes.

Accommodation stairway

A stair, additional to that required for means of escape purposes, provided for the convenience of occupants.

Alterations notice

If your premises are considered by the enforcing authority to be high risk, they may issue an alterations notice that requires you to inform them before making any material alterations to your premises.

Alternative escape route

Escape routes sufficiently separated by either direction and space, or by fire-resisting construction to ensure that one is still available irrespective of the location of a fire.

Approved Document B (ADB)24

Guidance issued by Government in support of the fire safety aspects of the building regulations.

As low as reasonably practicable

Is a concept where risks should continue to be reduced until you reach a point where the cost and effort to reduce the risk further would be grossly disproportionate to the benefit achieved.

Automatic fire-detection system

A means of automatically detecting the products of a fire and sending a signal to a fire warning system. See ‘Fire warning’.

Basement

A storey with a floor which at some point is more than 1,200mm below the highest level of ground adjacent to the outside walls, unless, and for escape purposes only, such area has adequate, independent and s eparate means of escape.

Child

Anyone who is not over compulsory school age, i.e. before or just after their 16th birthday.

Class 0, 1 or 3 surface spread of flame

Classes of surface spread of flame for materials needed to line 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 compartment from another.

Competent person

A person with enough training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable them properly to assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures.

Dangerous substance

A substance which because of its physico-chemical or chemical properties and the way it is used or is present at the workplace creates a risk.
A substance subject to the Dangerous Substance and Explosive 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 the nearest storey exit, or fire-resisting route, ignoring walls, partitions and fixings.

Domestic premises

Premises occupied as a private dwelling, excluding those areas used in common by the occupants of more than one such dwelling.

Emergency escape lighting

Lighting provided to illuminate escape routes that will function if the normal lighting fails.

Enforcing authority

The fire and rescue authority or any other authority specified in Article 25 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.1

Escape route

Route forming that part of the means of escape from any point in a building to a final exit.

Evacuation lift

A lift that may be used for the evacuation of people with disabilities, 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 and having the device unlock when the power is removed. Also known as fail unlock, reverse action or power locked.

False alarm

A fire signal, usually from a fire warning system, resulting from a cause other than fire.

Final exit

An exit from a building where people can continue to disperse in safety and where they are no longer at danger from fire and/or smoke.

Fire compartment

A building, or part of a building, constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building or an adjoining building.

Fire door

A door or shutter, together with its frame and furniture, provided for the passage of people, air or goods which, when closed is intended to restrict the passage of fire and/or smoke to a predictable level of performance.

Firefighting lift

A lift, designed to have additional protection, with controls that enable it to be used under the direct control of the fire and rescue service when fighting a fire.

Firefighting shaft

A fire-resisting enclosure containing a firefighting stair, fire mains, firefighting lobbies and if provided, a firefighting lift.

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 criteria of relevant standards. (Generally described as 30 minutes fire- resisting or 60 minutes fire-resisting.) See BS EN 1363-1,45 BS 476-732 and associated standards for further information.

Fire safety manager

A nominated person with responsibility for carrying out day-to-day management of fire safety. (This may or may not be the same as the ‘responsible person’.)

Fire safety strategy

A number of planned and co-ordinated arrangements designed to reduce 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 tolerance between elements or components, to restrict the passage of fire and 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 Supply Regulations 200246 (CHIP) give more detailed guidance.)

Hazardous substance

See Dangerous substance.
A substance subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).

House in multiple occupation (HMO)

A building or part of a building (flat) which is occupied by more than one household (see Household) and where at least one of the households share or lacks access to basic amenities (cooking, toilet etc.) and occupation by the households is as their main residence and it is the sole residential use of the accommodation.

HMOs include bedsits, hostels, accommodation above shops, shared houses and flats, houses partly converted into self- contained flats and buildings fully converted into self contained flats where the conversion work does not comply with the 1991 Building Regulations and where less than 2/3 of the flats are occupied by long leaseholders.

See sections 254-259 of the Housing Act 200479 for a full definition.

Household

Occupiers of the same family including spouses, co-habitees, same-sex couples and any blood relative.

Inner room

A room from which escape is possible only by passing through another room (the access room).

Licensed premises

Any premises that require a licence under any statute to undertake trade or conduct business activities.

Material change

An alteration to the premises, process or service which significantly affects the level of risk to people from fire in those premises.

Means of escape

Route(s) provided to ensure safe egress from the premises or other locations to a place of total safety.

Phased evacuation

A system of evacuation in which different parts of the premises are evacuated in a controlled sequence of phases, those parts of the 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 period of time, people will have some protection from the effects of fire and smoke. This place, usually a corridor or stairway, will normally have a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance and allow people to continue their escape to a place of total safety.

Place of total safety

A place, away from the building, in which people are at no immediate danger from the effects of a fire.

Premises

Any place, such as a building and the immediate land bounded by any enclosure of it, any tent, moveable or temporary structure or any installation or workplace.

Protected lobby

A fire-resisting enclosure providing access to an escape stairway via two sets of fire doors and into which no room opens other than toilets and lifts.

Protected stairway

A stairway which is adequately protected from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction.

Protected route

An escape route which is adequately protected from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction.

Refuge

A place of reasonable safety in which a disabled person or others who may need assistance may rest or wait for assistance before reaching a place of total safety. It should lead directly to a fire- resisting escape route.

Responsible person

The person ultimately responsible for fire safety as defined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Relevant persons

Any person lawfully on the premises and any person in the immediate vicinity, but does not include firefighters carrying out firefighting duties.

Self-closing device

A device that is capable of closing the door from any angle and against any latch fitted to the door.

Significant finding

A feature of the premises, from which the fire hazards and persons at risk are identified. The actions you have taken or will take to remove or reduce the chance 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 and how it will be given.

Smoke alarm

Device containing within one housing all the components, except possibly the energy source, for detecting smoke and giving an audible alarm.

Staged fire alarm

A fire warning which can be given in two or more stages for different purposes within a given area (e.g. notifying staff, stand by to evacuate, full evacuation).

Storey exit

A final exit or a doorway giving direct access into a protected stairway, firefighting lobby or external escape route.

Travel distance

The actual distance to be travelled by a person from any point within the floor area to the nearest storey exit or final exit, having regard to the layout of walls, partitions and fixings.

Vision panel

A transparent panel in a wall or door of an inner room enabling the occupant to become aware of a fire in the access area during the early stages.

Way guidance

Low mounted luminous tracks positioned on escape routes in combination with exit indicators, exit marking and intermediate direction indicators along the route, provided for use when the supply to the normal lighting fails, which do not rely on an electrical supply for their luminous output.

Where necessary

The Order requires that fire precautions (such as firefighting equipment, fire detection and warning, and emergency routes and exits) 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 protect relevant persons from risks to them in case of fire. This will be determined by the findings of your risk assessment including the preventative measures you have or will have taken. In practice, it is very unlikely, that a properly conducted fire risk assessment, which takes into account all the matters relevant for the safety of persons 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 follows that date.

(b) A person aged 16 years and over who is undertaking a course of full-time education at a school or college which is not advanced education.

(c) A person aged 16 years and over who is undertaking approved training 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 or approved training before attaining the age of 19 years; and

(b) shall not have attained the age of 20 years.

Question 18

References

Accepted Answer

The following documents are referenced in this guide. Where dated only this version applies. Where undated, the latest version of the document applies.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, SI 2005/1541. The Stationery Office, 2005. ISBN 0 11 072945 5.
Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c 40), The Stationery Office, 1971. ISBN 0 10 544071 X.
Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, SI 1997/1840. The Stationery Office, 1997. ISBN 0 11 064738 6
Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, SI 1999/1877. The Stationery Office, 1999. ISBN 0 11 082882 8.
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/341. The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 054093 X.
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.
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2776. The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042957 5.
Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres. Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved code of practice and guidance, L138. HSE Books, 2003. ISBN 0 7176 2203 7.
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.
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.)
Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/1592. The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 035904 6.
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.
Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c 50). The Stationery Office, 1995. ISBN 0 10 545095 2.
BS 8300: The design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38438 1.
ODPM/CACFOA/BFPSA guidance on reducing false alarms.
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.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, SI 1992/2793. The Stationery Office, 1992. ISBN 0 11 025920 3.
BS 5306-8: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 33203 9.
19BS 5306-3: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Code of practice for the inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 42865 6.
BS 7863: Recommendations for colour coding to indicate the extinguishing media contained in portable fire extinguishers. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 25845 9.
BS EN 671-3: Fixed firefighting systems. Hose systems. Maintenance of hose reels with semi-rigid hose and hose systems with lay-flat hose. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 34112 7.
BS EN 12845: Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic sprinkler systems. Design, installation and maintenance. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 44770 7.
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, SI 1992/3004. The Stationery Office, 1992. ISBN 0 11 025804 5.
The Building Regulations 2000: Approved Document B fire safety. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 11 753911 2.
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (c 30). The Stationery Office, 1982. ISBN 0 10 543082 X.
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.
BS 5266-8: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for Emergency Escape lighting systems. British Standards Institution.
27A. {:#doc27A}BS 5266-1: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 1838: Lighting applications. Emergency lighting. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32992 5.
BS 5499-4: Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of practice for escape route signing. British Standards Institution.
BS 7974: Application of fire safety engineering principles to the design of buildings. Code of practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38447 0.
Successful health and safety management, HSG65 (second edition). HSE Books, 1997. ISBN 0 7176 1276 7.
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.
BS EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests. British Standards Institution.
Guidelines for the construction of fire resisting structural elements, BR128. Building Research Establishment, 1988.
BS EN 1634-1: Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies. Fire doors and shutters. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32429 X.
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.
BS EN 1935: Building hardware. Single-axis hinges. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 39272 4.
BS EN 1154: Building hardware. Controlled door closing devices. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 27476 4.
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.
BS 5839-3: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 15787 3.
BS 8214: Code of practice for fire door assemblies with non-metallic leaves. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 18871 6.
BS EN 1125: Building hardware. Panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.
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.
BS 8220-1: Guide for security of buildings against crime. Dwellings. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 33145 8.
BS EN 1363-1: Fire resistance tests. General requirements. British Standards Institution.
Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/1689). The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042419 0.
BS 5499-5: Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Signs with specific safety meanings. British Standards Institution.
BS 5588-12: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Part 12: Managing fire safety. British Standards Institution.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, SI 1989/635.
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, SI 1994/3260.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, (CONDAM/CDM Regs). HMSO, 1994.
Construction Information Sheet No. 51 Construction fire safety. Health and Safety Executive.
Fire safety in construction work, HSG168. Health and Safety Executive. ISBN 0 7176 1332 1.
Fire prevention on construction sites. The joint code of practice on the protection from fire of construction sites and buildings undergoing renovation (fifth edition). Fire Protection Association and Construction Federation, 2000. ISBN 0 902167 39 1.
BS 7157: Method of test for ignitability of fabrics used in the construction of large tented structures. British Standards Institution.
BS 6661: Guide for the design, construction and maintenance of single-skin air supported structures. British Standards Institution.
Design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated envelopes for temperature controlled environments. International Association of Cold Storage Contractors.
BS 7176: Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic seating by testing composites. British Standards Institution.
BS 7177: Specification for resistance to ignition of mattresses, divans and bed bases. British Standards Institution.
BS 5867-2: Specification for fabrics for curtains and drapes. Flammability requirements. British Standards Institution.
BS 1892: Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for boxing rings. British Standards Institution.
BS 5588-6: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for places of assembly. British Standards Institution.
BS 5306-2: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Specification for sprinkler systems. British Standards Institution.
BS 5588-5: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Access and facilities for firefighting. British Standards Institution.
The Building Regulations 1991: Approved Document M Access to and use of buildings, (2004 edition). The Stationery Office.
BS 5588-8: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for means of escape for disabled people. British Standards Institution.
CIBSE Guide Volume E: Fire engineering. Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, 1997.
Design methodologies for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation, Report 368. Building Research Establishment, 1999.
A guide to best practice in the specification and use of fire-resistant glazed systems. Glass and Glazing Federation, 2005.
Increasing the Fire Resistance of Existing Timber Doors, Information Paper 8/82. BRE
Fire resisting doorsets by upgrading. Wood Information Sheet 1-32. Timber Research and Development Association.
BS 4787-1: Internal and external wood doorsets, door leaves and frames. Specification for dimensional requirements. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 1155: Building hardware. Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 1158: Building hardware. Door coordinator devices. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.
Hardware for Timber Fire and Escape Doors. BHIF, 2000.
BS 5266-6: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for non-electrical low mounted way guidance systems for emergency use. Photoluminescent systems. British Standards Institution.
Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995, SI 1995/204.
Access for disabled people to school buildings, management and design guide, Building Bulletin 91. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 902167 42 1.
Housing Act 2004. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 10 543404 3.
BS 5576: Specification for fire safety features of camping tents, awnings, trailer tents and caravan awnings. British Standards Institution.
Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960. Model Standards, Circular 14/89.
Fire spread between caravans, Information Paper 15/91. BRE.
BS 9251: Sprinkler systems for residential and domestic occupancies. Code of practice. British Standards Institution.
LPC rules for automatic sprinkler installations, incorporating BS EN 12845. The Fire Protection Association.
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
BS 5852: Methods of test for the assessment of the ignitability of upholstered seating by smouldering and flaming ignition. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 1101: Textiles and textile products. Burning behaviour. Curtains and drapes. Detailed procedure to determine the ignitability of vertically orientated specimens (small flame). British Standards Institution.
BS EN 1102: Textiles and textile products. Burning behaviour. Curtains and drapes. Detailed procedure to determine the flame spread of vertically orientated specimens. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 3-7: Portable fire extinguishers. Characteristics, performance requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.
BS 5839-6: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellings. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 12209: Building hardware. Locks and latches. Mechanically operated locks, latches and locking plates. British Standards Institution.
BS 1906: Building hardware. Lever handles and knob furniture. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.

Question 19

Offices and shops

ISBN: 978 1 85112 815 0

Offices and retail premises (including individual units within larger premises, e.g. shopping centres)

Factories and warehouses

ISBN: 978 1 85112 816 7

Factories and warehouse storage premises

Sleeping accommodation

ISBN: 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 accommodation and the common areas of flats, maisonettes, HMOs and sheltered housing (other than those providing care – see Residential care premises), but excluding hospitals, residential care premises, places of custody and single private dwellings.

Residential care premises

ISBN: 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 staffed and where the primary use is the provision of care rather than healthcare (see Healthcare premises).

Educational premises

ISBN: 978 1 85112 819 8

Teaching establishments ranging from pre-school through to universities, except the residential parts (see Sleeping accommodation).

Small and medium places of assembly

ISBN: 978 1 85112 820 4

Smaller public houses, clubs, restaurants and cafés, village halls, community centres, libraries, marquees, churches and other places of worship or study accommodating up to 300 people.

Large places of assembly

ISBN: 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 conference centres, sports stadia, marquees, museums, libraries, churches, cathedrals and other places of worship or study.

Theatres, cinemas and similar premises

ISBN: 978 1 85112 822 8

Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises used primarily for this purpose.

Open air events and venues

ISBN: 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: 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 premises and facilities

ISBN: 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).

Stables and agricultural premises

ISBN: 978 1 85112 884 6

Agricultural premises, stables, livery yards and stables within zoos, large animal sanctuaries or farm parks.

Supplementary Guide: Means of Escape for Disabled People

ISBN: 978 1 85112 874 7

This guide is a supplement to be read alongside other guides in this series. It provides additional information on accessibility and means of escape.

Visit the Disability Rights commission website for more information ↩
Fire Statistics UK 2004: ODPM 2006. ↩
United Kingdom Accreditation Service. www.ukas.com ↩
Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme: www.clasp.gov.uk ↩
Fire Statistics UK, 2004, ODPM: 2006. ↩
Visit www.arsonpreventionbureau.org.uk for more information. ↩
Guidance on inspection and testing of dry and wet rising mains is given in BS 5306-1. ↩
The Royal National Institute of the Blind estimates that only about 4% of visually impaired people are totally blind. ↩

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Applies to England

How to use the guide

Preface

Introduction

Who should use this guide

The Fire Safety Order

Previous general fire safety legislation

Background

Who enforces the Fire Safety Order?

Part 1: Fire risk assessment

Managing fire safety

What is a fire risk assessment?

How do you carry out a fire risk assessment?

Fire safety risk assessment

1: Identify fire hazards

2: Identify people at risk

3: Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

4: Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

5: Review

Step 1: Identify fire hazards

Figure 2: The fire triangle

Fuel

Oxygen

Ignition source

1.1: Identify sources of ignition

Figure 3: Sources of ignition

1.2 Identify sources of fuel

1.3 Identify sources of oxygen

Figure 4: Label on oxidising materials

Checklist

Step 2: Identify people at risk

Checklist

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

3.1 Evaluate the risk of a fire occuring

3.2 Evaluate the risk to people

Convection

Conduction

Radiation

Figure 5: Smoke moving through a building

3.3 Remove or reduce the hazards

Remove or reduce sources of ignition

Remove or reduce sources of fuel

Figure 6: Storage of flammables

Remove or reduce sources of oxygen

3.4 Remove or reduce the risks to people

Flexibility of fire protection measures

3.4.1 Fire detection and warning systems

Figure 7: Fire detection and warning system

Checklist

3.4.2 Firefighting equipment and facilities

Main types of portable extinguishers, their uses and colour coding

Figure 8: Types of fire extinguishers

Checklist

3.4.3 Escape routes

The type and number of people using the premises

Escape time

The age and construction of the premises

The number of escape routes and exits

Management of escape routes

Figure 9: A blocked corridor with incorrect signage

Emergency evacuation of persons with mobility impairment

Marquees, tents and temporary structures

Checklist

3.4.4 Emergency escape lighting

Checklist

3.4.5 Signs and notices

Signs

Figure 10: Typical fire exit sign

Notices

Figure 11: Simple fire action notice

Fire action

Checklist

3.4.6 Installation, testing and maintenance

Daily checks

Weekly tests and checks

Monthly tests and checks

Six-monthly tests and checks

Annual tests and checks

Checklist