3.2 Fire Risk Assessment

Question 1

Fire prevention strategies are intended to

Answer 1

reduce the likelihood of a fire and are based upon keeping the sides of the fire triangle apart through the effective management of ignition sources, combustible materials, and oxygen sources.

Question 2

Fire protection strategies are intended to

Answer 2

protect the people, the building and other assets, should a fire occur.

Question 3

Active Fire Protection 2

Answer 3

Fire Detectionand Alarm(Element 3.3)Fire FightingEquipment(Element 3.4)

Question 4

Passive Fire Protection 2

Answer 4

Stuctural FireProtection(Element 2.3)Means ofescape(Element 3.5)

Question 5

The details of the emergency plan must be recorded if: 3

Answer 5

 more than five people are employed  the premises is licensed  an alterations notice requiring it is in force, In simple premises the emergency plan may be no more than the fire action notice.

Question 6

The emergency plan should include: 13

Answer 6

 How people will be warned if there is a fire.  What staff 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.  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 the 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 young people, those with disabilities or lone workers.  Any machines/processes/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 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, for example, the location of highly flammable materials; and what training employees need and the arrangements for ensuring that this training is given.

Question 7

A factory manufactures upholstery using fabrics, and plastic pellets. These raw materials are delivered to a warehouse. The fabrics and plastic pellets are machined to form furniture coverings and cushions. The finished product is then stored in a despatch warehouse prior to distribution. The movement of goods around the premises is carried out by Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) fuelled forklift trucks. The company is located on the outskirts of a small town and employs 230 people Outline the range of factors that must be addressed to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is made for the premises. 20 marks

Answer 7

The factors to be addressed could have been grouped and described as follows:  Factors connected with fuels which would have to be addressed include the LPG for the forklift trucks, the flammable covers and untreated fillings, and structural issues such as the materials of construction of the premises themselves.  Ignition sources would include those connected with the use of electricity, including the likely presence of static, friction from machinery which may not be adequately maintained, ‘illegal’ smoking by personnel, the controls (or lack of them) introduced for maintenance, which might include hot work, and the possibility of arson.  As for people issues, attention would have to be given to the number of people to be evacuated in the event of a fire, including visitors and contractors, with the needs of disabled employees being particularly addressed.  Preventive actions would include special precautions for the LPG store such as segregation, bunding and the provision of a fixed sprinkler system; regular maintenance of electrical systems and cleaning of trucks and moulding machines; the use of fire resistant cover materials; minimising the amount of stock kept on the premises and ensuring a good standard of housekeeping with facilities provided for the segregation of waste.  Mitigating actions would be concerned with the compartmentalisation for higher risk areas such as the plastic store; the sufficiency and appropriate nature of the fire fighting equipment together with its location; smoke venting of warehouses together with the provision of fixed protection systems; an adequate supply of water and of foam; ensuring the audibility of alarms; and providing access for emergency services.  The assessment would need to give particular attention to the means of escape and there would have to be assurance that these were continually maintained, and that fire doors were correctly specified. Attention would have to be given to travel distances including multi-storey considerations, the provision of normal and emergency signage and emergency lighting together with refuges for subsequent evacuation and the provision of assembly points in a place of safety.  Finally the assessment would have to consider the management systems introduced for the maintenance and testing of fire precautions and mitigation equipment; the appointment and training of fire wardens; the carrying out of fire drills and the training given to employees both in evacuation procedures and the use of fire fighting equipment.