19 - Fire Safety Flashcards

1
Q

Fire Safety - Extract from Candidate Guide - Aug 2018 (updated Feb 2022)

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the main types of fire alarms in buildings ?

A

M - Manual fire alarm system
P1-2 - Property protection automated fire alarm system
L1-4 - Life protection automated fire alarm system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the RR(FS)O 2005 ?

A

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was introduced in October 2006. Fire and rescue authorities and other bodies (‘enforcing authorities’) have a duty to enforce fire safety in non-domestic premise.

This must be managed by the responsible person.

Failing can lead to advice, enforcement notice and fines/prosecution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Who or what is the Building Safety Regulator ?

A

The BSR (part of the HSE) is a derivative of the Building saftey bill / act introducing a additional body to manage the residential high rise buildings over 18m in height.

3 gateways for BSR input, design building and occupation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the building safety bill ?

A

Building Safety Regulator - A new arm of the HSE that will introduce 3 gateways. This will also take over the submission and review for building control in relation to fire safety.

Gateways - design, construction and completion. the output of this is a ‘Building Assurance Certificate’

An ‘ Accountable Person’ should be defined in relation to the building as is responsible for the building safety upon occupation. They can appoint a building safety manager.

Golden thread of information - which is a live document with accurate and up to date information of the building data around fire safety.

Aimed at high rise buildings. 7 or more stories or 18 metres.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the fire safety act ?

A

This will make changes to the existing RR(FS)O 2005 including :

inclusion of the building structure, external walls and any common parts. all doors between domestic premises and common parts.

The ‘Responsible Person’ is the person who control of the premises which may include building owners, leaseholders or managers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the requirements for an emergency escape window ?

A

Windows should have an unobstructed openable area that complies with all of the following.

i. A minimum area of 0.33m2
ii. A minimum height of 450mm and a minimum width of 450mm (the route through the window may be at an angle rather than straight through).
iii. The bottom of the openable area is a maximum of 1100mm above the floor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Can you explain your understanding of the RRFSO 2005 ?

A

The Order requires that a responsible person (the person having control of the building, or a degree of control) takes reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and makes sure people can safely escape if there is a fire. This includes all people that might visit the premises. For more information, see Responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
This duty involves carrying out a fire risk assessment, or ensuring one is carried out.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

You mention update to approved doc b, can you expand on what they are ?

A
  • Sprinkler form 30m to 11m
  • Wayfinding signage for building over 11m
  • Amendment to the boundary definitions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Can you expand on what the RFO 2015 is ?

A

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is a statutory instrument applicable in England and Wales. The Order places the responsibility on individuals within an organisation to carry out risk assessments to identify, manage and reduce the risk of fire.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How may a fire start in a building ?

A
  • Cooking Equipment. When a pot or pan overheats or splatters greases, it can take seconds to cause a fire
  • Heating Equipment
  • Careless Smoking
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Candles
  • Children Playing with Fire
  • Inadequate Wiring
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How are structures protected ?

A
  • Encasing structural members
  • Fire detection
  • Compartmentalisation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the methods of safe escape ?

A
  • Early protection
  • Early warning
  • Protected escape routes
  • Fire escapes etc
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is an A1 material (Fire Safety) ?

A
  • A1 products are classified as non-combustible

* A2 products are classified as limited combustibility, and B to F are classified as combustible in ascending order.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the Fire Safety Bill 2021 ?

A

The Bill, first proposed in March 2020, was introduced to clarify who is responsible for managing and reducing fire risks in different parts of multi-occupied residential buildings, to prevent future tragedies occurring.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Can you tell me what an “A1” material is ?

A
  • Class F - product has not been tested or failed to meet any of the other levels
  • Class E - Product that have a significant contribution to fire but resist a small flame for a short term
  • Class D -Those with a contribution to fire, but greater resistance to flame
  • Class C - Products that meet more stringent requirements than class D with limited contribution to fire
  • Class B - Highly resistant materials always followed by addition classification for smoke and burning droplets
  • A2 - If construction products produce no contribution to fire
  • A1 - Materials that cannot contribute to a fire at any stage, including fully developed fire
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Explain the combustion triangle.

A

The fire triangle, or combustion triangle, is the three components needed to ignite and sustain a fire. The three ingredients of a fire triangle are; heat, fuel and oxygen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

List some of the different types of fire extinguisher available and what each may be used for.

A
  • Water - Class A fires (solid combustibles such as wood, paper and textiles). Some water extinguishers are safe on electrical equipment if di-electrically tested. Otherwise caution is required near electrical equipment, as ordinary water is a conductor.
  • AFFF foam - Class A and B (flammable liquids). Safe on electrical equipment if di-electrically tested.
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) - Class B and electrical equipment
  • ABC powder - Class A, B, C (flammable gases) and electrical equipment
  • De-Ionised Water mist - Class A, B, C and electrical equipment
  • Wet chemical - Class F (deep fat) fires, sometimes class A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Explain the different types of fire alarm system available.

A
  • Ionization - Ionization fire alarms are best for detecting flaming fires. Inside of the alarm is a tiny bit of radioactive material (don’t be alarmed – pun intended) that sits between two electronically charged plates. This causes a constant current of ionized air between the two plates. When smoke enters between the ionized current, it interrupts the current and sets the alarm off. These alarm systems are better for detecting fast, flaming fires.
  • Photoelectric - These types of alarms are better for detecting smoldering fires. The smoke that is produced by a slow flaming, smoldering fire is much different than a raging flame fire. A photoelectric fire alarm uses a beam of light that is sent into a chamber away from a light sensor. When smoke enters the chamber, it reflects the light towards the sensor, and triggers the alarm to sound.
  • Combination - Combination alarms feature both ionization and photoelectric fire detecting technologies. There are arguments for having combination alarms in your home, or having both ionization, and photoelectric alarms in your home to maximize your home protection, as combination alarms aren’t as great as one detection method or the other, compared to the single units.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Explain your understanding of the term “travel distance”.

A

The travel distance should be measured from the farthest point in a room to the door leading to a protected stairway or, if there is no protected stairway, to the final exit of the building. Government guidelines state that, if there is only one escape route, the travel distance should not be more than 18 metres.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement ?

A

If there are 5 regular occupants or more the fire risk assessment must be in writing. If your block of flats or business premises normally has over 4 residents at once, then you are legally required for your fire risk assessment to be documented.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Explain when you would use an L type fire alarm system and when a P type system would be more suitable ?

A

Category L - Systems are automatic fire detection systems intended for the protection of life
• L1 systems are installed throughout all areas of a building, to offer the earliest possible warning of a fire to allow the longest possible time for escape.
• L2 systems are installed in defined parts of a building. The system should meet the requirements of a category L3 system, with the additional objective of
• providing early warning of fire in specified areas.
• L3 systems are designed to give a warning of fire at the early stage to enable all occupants, other than those in the room where the fire originated to escape
• safely, before the escape routes become impassable due to the presence of fire, smoke or toxic gases.
• L4 systems are installed within escape routes consisting of circulation areas and spaces, e.g. corridors and stairways, to enhance the safety of the
• occupants by providing early warning of smoke.
• L5 systems protect areas; the location of detectors is designed to satisfy a specific fire safety objective not covered by any of the previous systems.

Category P systems are automatic fire detection systems intended for the protection of property subdivided into two categories.
• P1 systems are installed throughout all areas of the building, to offer the earliest possible warning of a fire in order to minimise the time between the ignition
• of the fire and the arrival of the fire fighters.
• P2 systems are installed only in defined parts of a building, in order to provide early warning of a fire in high fire hazard areas or areas in which the risk to property or business continuity from fire is high.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Explain the principles of fire compartmentation using a purpose-built block of flats as an example.

A

Fire compartmentation is the sub-division of a building into smaller sections or units in order to withstand and limit damage/growth from a fire situation by preventing the spread of smoke and fire, with the use of fire resisting construction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Explain the difference between passive and active fire safety features and give me an example of each type?

A
  • Passive fire protection is a vital component of any fire safety strategy. It is built into the structure of a building to safeguard people’s lives and limit the financial impact of damage to buildings and their contents.
  • Active fire protection is about detecting, stopping and escaping fire. Whereas passive fire protection means containing the fire and preventing it from spreading further.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

List the key features you would expect to find on a fire door.

A
  • Fully closes. If the fire door is fitted with a self-closing device, open the door fully, let it go and allow it to close. …
  • Check your gaps. The gap between the door leaf and the door frame should be between 2mm and 4mm. …
  • Door frame.
  • Seals.
  • Hinges.
  • Door closer.
  • Hold open devices.
  • Damage-free.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Explain the Building Safety Bill 2021?

A

Recommendations in Dame Judith Hackitt’s 2018 Building a Safer Future report Building Safety Regulator which will sit within the Health and Safety Executive. including taking over the building control regime for higher-risk buildings, enforcing sanctions for non-compliance, improving the competence of those working on those buildings and overseeing the safety of those buildings in occupation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the Fire Safety Bill 2021?

A

The Fire Safety Bill was introduced to amend the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in buildings containing more than one dwelling.

Obligations to building owners, leaseholders and managers regarding building structure, external walls and common parts and doors.

Clarification of the ‘Responsible person’ and can lead to fines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Can you name some fire related BS ?

A
  • BS 9999 Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings. Code of practice
  • BS 9991:2015 Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is the Building Safety Bill ?

A

The Bill, first proposed in March 2020, was introduced to clarify who is responsible for managing and reducing fire risks in different parts of multi-occupied residential buildings, to prevent future tragedies occurring. Brought about following the Grenfell disaster and the Hackitt enquiry.

Gateway stages
1 - Planning stage
2 - pre construction phase
3 - pre completion / handover stage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is the Fire Safety Act ?

A

The Fire Safety Bill was introduced to amend the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in buildings containing more than one dwelling.

Obligations to building owners, leaseholders and managers regarding building structure, external walls and common parts and doors.

Clarification of the ‘Responsible person’ and can lead to fines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the RRFO 2005

A

It replaces most fire safety legislation with one simple order. It means that any person who has some level of control in premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the purpose of the EWS1 form?

A

The new EWS1 form, or External Wall Fire Review form, is intended to record in a consistent and universal manner what assessments have been carried out on the external wall construction of residential apartment buildings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is included in a FD30S door set?

A

· Smoke seal, intumescent strip, door closer, and provides 30 minute fire resistant.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What is the title of document B ?

A

Fire Safety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

How many volumes are there and what are they called ?

A
  • Volume 1 – Dwellings

* Volume 2 - Building other than dwellings

36
Q

When were latest amendment released ?

A

May-20

37
Q

When do they come into force ?

A

11/26/2020 with transitional previsions to Jan 2021

38
Q

What are the changes / additions ?

A
  • Amended - Sprinklers and Boundaries

* New - Wayfinding signage

39
Q

What are the previsions for sprinklers now ?

A

Only for volume 1 - dwelling house, reduces the height at which sprinklers are required to a block of flats to 11m, only applies to block of flats and mixed use buildings

40
Q

What was the previous height for the provision of sprinklers ?

A

30m

41
Q

What is wayfinding sign ?

A

Signage for the benefit of fire and recue services require again where a building is over 11m

42
Q

What’s is included in the provision ?

A

When required, Floor identification, Floor working, Flat identification, positioning of sign, text types,

43
Q

What are do you consider when designing a fire escape route for a building?

A
  • Fire doors
  • Exit signage
  • Travel distances
  • Class 0 surfaces
  • Fire detection system
44
Q

What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting?

A
  • Maintained lights are always on, and naturally use more power.
  • Non-maintained lights only on when mains power fails; require a trickle charge from the mains power to maintain backup battery.
45
Q

What’s the difference between a smoke seal and an intumescent strip?

A
  • Intumescent strips swell up when exposed to heat and blocks off the fire itself.
  • Smoke seals block off the smoke – protecting you from smoke inhalation
46
Q

What ironmongery is required for a FD?

A
  • Fire door closer
  • CE marked hinges and handle levers
  • Mortice lock
  • Panic and emergency exit devices
47
Q

Can you name some of the titles of approved doc b?

A
  • Requirement B1: Means of warning and escape
  • Requirement B2: Internal fire spread (linings)
  • Requirement B3: Internal fire spread (structure)
  • Requirement B4: External fire spread
  • Requirement B5: Access and facilities for the fire service
  • Regulations: 6(3), 7(2) and 38
48
Q

What is Part B of the Building Regulations?

A

Building regulations concerned with Fire Safety

49
Q

What is BS 9999 ?

A
  • Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings beyond the requirements of the Approved Documents.
  • The standard provides a risk-based structure that takes into account human factors and reflects the equality act with regards to inclusive design.
  • New buildings, extensions, existing buildings can all be considered in relation to BS 9999. Covers the maintaining of fire detection systems as well as training of employees, evacuation plans and allocation leadership responsibilities
50
Q

What does BS 9999 cover ?

A

There are 9 sections:

1) General
2) Risk Profiles and assessing risk
3) Ensuring effective fire protection
4) Designing for the management of fire risk
5) Designing means of escape
6) Access and facilities for fire fighting
7) Designing the building structure: Load bearing and non load bearing elements.
8) Special risk protection
9) Managing occupied buildings

51
Q

What is BS 9991 ?

A

Covers Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings.

52
Q

What is the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005?

A

If you are in England and Wales, as an employer, owner, landlord, occupier of a business or non-domestic premises, you are responsible for fire safety and are known as the ‘responsible person’. The responsible person must carry out and regularly review a FRA. If there are more than five people employed, the assessment must be documented. It should be carried out when the building is constructed and updated annually or when there has been a significant change.

53
Q

What is a fire risk assessment? When should it be carried out and who is responsible for its production and updating ?

A

FRA assesses the fire risks within a building and includes the risk of fire occurring, the potential severity based on the fire loading, usage and safety measures in place such as detection, compartmentation, fire fighting equipment etc.

54
Q

What do you call a room which can only be accessed from another room? What extra precautions might you take with regards to the inner room?

A

Inner room - ADB states that those within the inner room need to be warned if there is a fire outside the room. ADB says this can be done with detection in the outer room with an alarm that can be seen or heard in the inner room, vision panels can e used.

55
Q

When are inner rooms acceptable?

A
  • Occupancy under 60
  • Should not be a bedroom
  • Escape route should not pass through more than one room
  • The access room should not be a place of special fire hazard
  • And if one of the precautions above are taken
56
Q

What is compartmentation?

A

Fire compartmentation is the division of a the building into fire zones limiting and delaying the spread of fire.

57
Q

What are fire rated doors ?

A

Maintain the fire resistance of the compartment by providing specified fire resistance and smoke seal to prevent the spread of fire. Usually 30 or 60min doors with intumescent strips. Sometimes with a self-closer and signed as a fire door

58
Q

What building regulations apply to fire safety?

A
  • Part B Volume 1 which relates to dwellings
  • Part B Volume 2 which relates to buildings other than dwellings will set out requirements such as travel distances, the required level of compartmentation to ensure fire safety.
59
Q

What other documents or laws relate to fire safety?

A

The regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order sets out requirements the building owners and business owners have to ensure the safety of the employees and people using the building. It will stipulate what the duties are for the responsible people which include carrying out Risk assessments. The joint fire code provides guidance for fire safety on site as well as prevention and detection and applies to projects over £2.5M but can be applied to lesser value contracts.

60
Q

What must an owner do to ensure that they are compliant with fire safety?

A

Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment of their premises to identify the hazards, who is at risk and the likelihood of the hazards causing harm as well as what precautions need to be put in place to mitigate or eliminate risk. It should be carried out by a competent person with experience in this job.

61
Q

How do you ensure fire safety on your designs?

A

When I prepare designs, I will refer to the approved document to ensure that I meet the requirements for compartmentation and means of escape as well as methods to put the fire out and early detection. My designs are then submitted to the LA BC or AI where a plan check is carried out to ensure that the designs comply with the standards. Where the design falls short of the building regulations, adjustments are made based on the comments provided.

62
Q

What is Part B of the Building Regulations?

A

Building regulations concerned with Fire Safety

63
Q

What are some of the requirements of Part B?

A
  • All escape routes should have a minimum of 2m head room.
  • Fire corridors to have 30m fire protection.
  • All habitable rooms should open onto the hall leading to a final exit OR have an emergency escape window/door.
  • Dwellings with a storey more than 4.5m above ground level must have a protected stairway
  • An inner room should have sufficient fire detection and vision panels on the doors with no more than 30 people.
64
Q

Explain the principles of compartmentation in relation to purpose-built blocks of flats

A

A building or part of a building comprising one or more rooms, spaces or storeys constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building or an adjoining building.

This is achieved through the provision of fire resisting walls and floors (commonly offering between 30 minutes and 120 minutes fire resistance). And will include special measures to address any openings in the compartment lines, such as doors, glazing, service penetrations and ductwork.

The wall or floor must remain functional for the duration of the designed fire resistance period. The compartment wall or floor should not crack or develop holes that allow flames, smoke or hot gases to pass through it, and if appropriate, it should maintain a suitable degree of insulation.

Two reasons - Life safety purpose or property protection

65
Q

What do you understand about fire classes?

A

They refer to the fuel that is on fire.
Class A – Combustible materials.
Class B – Flammable liquids.
Class C – Flammable gases.
Class D – Burning metals.
Class E - Electrical fires.
Class F – Cooking oils and fats.

66
Q

When do you need protection in a void?

A

800mm in depth - BS 5839

67
Q

Can you describe your knowledge of the key legislation and guidance relating to fire safety in buildings?

A
68
Q

How have you ensured that fire safety has been incorporated into building designs and specifications in your projects?

A
69
Q

How have you assessed and managed the risks of fire in buildings, particularly in relation to the Regulatory Reform Order 2005?

A
70
Q

Can you explain how you have implemented measures to prevent, detect and contain fire in your projects?

A
71
Q

How have you worked with other professionals and stakeholders to ensure that fire safety requirements are met throughout the lifecycle of a building?

A
72
Q

How have you kept up-to-date with developments and changes in fire safety legislation, guidance and best practice?

A
73
Q

Can you provide an example of a project where you have successfully implemented fire safety measures and how this has benefitted the building and its occupants?

A
74
Q

What would be your approach to addressing fire safety issues identified during a building survey or inspection?

A
75
Q

How have you ensured that fire safety risks have been effectively communicated to building owners, managers and users, and how have you provided advice and guidance on how to reduce these risks?

A
76
Q

Can you explain how you would ensure that a building complies with the latest fire safety legislation and guidance, particularly in light of the Fire Safety Act?

A
77
Q

Describe your understanding of the role of fire safety in the construction, maintenance, and use of buildings, and your responsibilities as a surveyor in ensuring adequate fire safety measures are in place.

A
78
Q

How do Approved Document B, BS9999 and BS9991 contribute to achieving fire safety in buildings? Provide examples of how you have used these documents in your work.

A
79
Q

Can you describe the procedures in place to protect both occupants and structure in the event of a fire? How have you ensured these procedures are implemented in your projects?

A
80
Q

How have you kept up-to-date with the Fire Safety Act and its impact on the Regulatory Reform Order 2005? Provide examples of how you have applied this knowledge in your work.

A
81
Q

In your opinion, what are the most significant challenges facing building surveyors in ensuring fire safety in buildings? How have you overcome these challenges in your projects?

A
82
Q

Provide an example of a project where you identified fire safety issues and proposed solutions to mitigate these risks. How did you ensure that the proposed solutions were effective and compliant with relevant regulations and standards?

A
83
Q

Can you discuss any experience you have with fire risk assessments? How have you contributed to these assessments and what measures have you taken to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards?

A
84
Q

How have you collaborated with other professionals, such as fire engineers or architects, to ensure adequate fire safety measures are in place? Provide an example of a project where you worked collaboratively to achieve effective fire safety outcomes.

A
85
Q

When would you require fire breaks in a Raised Access Floor?

A

Every 20m as per BS 476 fire tests

86
Q

What accreditation would you look for for fire works?

A

UKAS