Fire Safety Flashcards
What does the The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005 set out to achieve?
Provides a framework for regulating fire safety in all non-domsetic premises and parts of multi-occupied resi buildings.
Can you name a key conclusion from the Dame Judith Hackitt review Building Regs and Fire Safety?
A whole building approach to fire safety was required identifying the following areas for further consideration:
- Identificatioin of the Responsible Person and assurance that they undderstand and are competant to carry out their duties.
- Need to update guidance which supports legislation of the responsible person.
What are the responsiblities of the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order?
- The premises reach the required standards
- Employees are provided with adequate fire safety training
What are the required standards under the Fire Safety Order?
It depends on the building in question, however details can be foind on the GOV.UK website for Fire Safety in the Workplace where building specific sub sections are available.
Who can undertake Fire Risk Assessments?
A competent person.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
An assessment of the risk and hazards in a non-domestic premises pertaining to Fire.
In addition to FRA’s what is the responsible person required to do?
- Consider who may be especially at risk/ vulnerable.
- Eliminate or reduce the risk of fire as far as reasonably practical.
- Provide general fire precautions to deal with any risk
- Create a plan to deal with any emergency and where necessary record any findings.
- Maintain facilities provided for use by firefighters
Can you briefly tell me about Approved Document B?
- Appoved Doc B was initially issued in 2019 with amendments in 2020 and 2022.
- Sets out guidlines to comply with the Building Regulations 2010 in regards to Fire.
- Has 5 overarching requirements relating to:
B1: Means of warning and escape
B2: Internal fire spread (linings)
B3: Internal fire spread (structure)
B4: External fire spread
B5: Access and facilities for the fire service
What is the maximum escape/travel distance under approved doc B?
This depends on the use of the premises, however, for office buildings, this is 18m to the nearest single point of exit.
What is the difference between an active and passive fire safety system?
Active - is about detecting stopping and escaping fire e.g. sprinklers
Passive - containing and preventing the spread of fire. e.g. intumescent strips or coatings
What is included within a Fire Risk Assessment?
- All common areas
- The Fire Safety Act clarifies where the building contains 2 or more domestic dwellings the FRA must include the building structure, external walls and flat entrance doors.
When were the Fire Safety Act incorporated into the Fire safety order?
2021
What did the fire safety act bring about?
Requirement for external elements and flat doors of multi tenanted domestic buildings to be included in FRA’s.
What is the difference between a fire risk and a fire hazard?
Fire hazard refers to the condition or material that has a potential to cause a fire or contribute to the spread of fire.
Fire Risks refers to the likelihood of a fire occurring combined with the potential consequences if a fire does occur. takes into account probability and potential impact.
When did Grenfell occur?
14 June 2017
How often should FRA’s be undertaken?
- After any alterations
- Change of occupation
- The FSO states reviewed regularly and updated when required
- Gov guidance for purpose built blocks of flats recommends a variance depending on risk i.e. height and age of building.
