Fire safety Flashcards
What are the types of fire alarm?
What do they mean?
L, P, M.
- L: life protection (automatic detection. Manual call points).
- P: building protection (automatic detection).
- M: manual systems.
What is an FRA?
- RA of a building.
- Identifies fire risks and how to prevent them.
What are some key features of the Fire Safety Act 2021?
- Additional responsibilities for RP.
- RP has to manage risk for the structure, external walls and sprinklers.
What elements does Approved Document B cover?
- Means of escape.
- Fire door ratings.
- Fire spread.
Who does the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 apply to?
- All workplaces.
- Common areas with two or more residential premises.
Who is the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and what are their responsibilities under the Order?
- Person who has control of the premises (typically owner or landlord).
- Complete FRAs and manage the fire risks.
Note: PAS 9880 can be used as guidance to complete an FRAEW form.
What is the purpose of the PD (BSA) role?
- Ensures compliance with Building Regs in design phase.
- Provide information to Building Safety Regulator.
When was the role of PD (BSA) required?
From October 2023.
When were BCAs required to be registered with Building Safety Regulator? Which legislation brought this change?
- April 2024.
- Building Safety Act 2022.
What is the definition of a HRB?
18m, 7 storeys, 2 residential units.
What does the BSA cover?
Fire safety and structure.
What buildings does the BSA apply to?
All buildings requiring Building Regulations but stricter controls on HRBs.
What is the purpose of the Building Safety Regulator (HSE)?
- Improve safety standards for buildings.
- HRBs: Set the design criteria.
What are Gateways 1, 2 and 3 of the BSA?
Gateway 1: planning - fire safety to be incorporated into planning stage (HRBs only).
Gateway 2: BSR must sign off designs (HRBs only).
Gateway 3: after Building Control sign off, the BSR issues a completion certificate (signed by client, PD and PC).
Can you provide a couple of implications of the Building Safety Act on your role as a surveyor?
- A PD (BSA) must be appointed (typically an architect but someone involved with the design).
- Gateways 1, 2 and 3 (designs must be signed off by the BSR).
- Golden thread.
Can you tell me a couple of duties of the PD (BSA)?
- Ensure works comply with Building Regulations in the design phase.
- Golden thread (spec, drawings etc added by PD).
- Send information to the BSR for HRBs (Gateways 1, 2 and 3).
Who appoints a PD (BSA)?
The client.
What happens if no one is appointed as PD (BSA)?
The client must carry out the PD (BSA) role [and Principal Contractor role if not appointed].
Can you provide some examples of passive fire controls?
- Fire doors.
- Fire stopping.
- Cavity barriers.
What are the RIBA stages for Gateways 1, 2 and 3?
Gateway 1: RIBA Stage 2.
Gateway 2: RIBA Stage 4.
Gateway 3: RIBA Stage 6.
How did you consider fire safety on Windor Walk?
- Door widths (750mm).
- Non-combustible insulation in floor.
[- Works complied with AD B. - RAMS.]
What is active and passive fire protection?
- Active: Requires action stop fire i.e. sprinklers.
- Passive: Doesn’t require action to stop fire i.e. fire stopping around services.
What is a Responsible Person?
- Undertake FRAs.
- Manage fire risk within buildings.
[Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005]
What are the spacings for sprinklers?
Every 12m2 or every 4 metres apart.
What properties require sprinklers?
- All residential buildings over 11m (all upper floors).
- Buildings with fire area of 5000+ sqft.
What are the different types of sprinkler systems?
- Wet systems: have water in them at all times.
- Dry systems: air pressured - water is activated during fires.
Where are dry sprinkler fire systems used?
Unheated buildings e.g. warehouses to prevent the water from freezing and bursting the pipes.
What is the British Standard for fire alarm testing?
BS 5839.
How is compartmentation achieved?
Fire breaks between walls/partitions and doors - typically need 60min fire resistance.
What are the key attributes of a fire door?
- Smoke seals or intumescent strips.
- Certified by FIRAS or BM TRADA.
- FD30 (45mm thick), FD60 (54mm thick).
[- Stamp on the doors frame with a CF number linked to the manufacturer to check whether it has been specified and installed correctly.
- Gaps at the side should be 2-4mm and up to 8mm at the bottom.]
When do you use an FD30 and FD60?
- FD30: Typically low rise buildings and areas with quick escape.
- FD60: High-rise commercial or domestic buildings with longer escape routes.
What are the main sections within Approved Document B?
- Internal fire spreading (linings).
- Internal fire spreading (structure).
- External fire spread.
- Means of warning and escape.
[- Access and facilities for the fire service.]
What are the minimum travel distances for fire exits?
- One exit: 18m.
- > One exit: 45m.
What is the minimum fire resistance for compartments?
60 mins.
How does a fire start?
Fuel, heat and oxygen.
What are the recent changes to Approved Document B?
Fire doors in communal areas must have quarterly checks (Responsible Person) [January 2023].
What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
- Sets out fire safety standards for commercial properties.
- Part of the H&S at Work Act.
[- Designates someone as Responsible Person i.e. landlord or tenant.
- Also requires the appointment of fire wardens and commissioning of fire risk assessments.]
What are the general responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
- Undertake FRAs.
- Manage fire risks.
What documents are commercial buildings required to have in relation to fire?
- Fire Risk Assessments.
- Fire Strategy.
How often should an FRA be undertaken?
Reviewed annually or updated when there are changes to the property. (RICS recommends every 6 months).
What is the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022?
- Legislation to improve design and construction of all buildings (specific attention to HRBs).
[- Full implementation in October 2023.]
What buildings are excluded from the Building Safety Act (BSA) regarding “in occupation”?
- Hospitals.
- Care homes.
[Hotels, prisons, military barracks].
Does the Building Safety Act (BSA) cover any types of buildings during construction?
- Hospitals.
- Care homes.
[During the design and construction process).
What is a relevant building under the leaseholder protection provisions of the Building Safety Act (BSA)?
Properties over 11m with two or more residential units.
What are the new roles under the Building Safety Act (BSA)?
- PD (BSA).
- AP
[if there is more than one accountable person, a principle accountable person should be designated]. - BSR
[work with local authorities and oversee the safety of buildings, lead the implementation of new regulations for HRBs]. - BCA [must be registered with BSR].
What are the main roles of the Accountable Person?
- Manage risks (fire and structure).
- Golden thread.
- Register the building with the BSR.
[- Prepare the safety case.
- Building assessment certificate.]
What is the building assessment certificate?
- Certificate from BSR stating that AP has complied with their duties in managing risks.
- Must be reassessed every 5 years.
Who are the key duty holders in a project under the Building Safety Act (BSA)?
- Client.
- PD (BSA).
- Principal Contractor.
Can a PD perform both BSA and CDM roles?
- Yes (recommended by RIBA).
[- Require sufficient experience and expertise.]
What are the client’s responsibilities at Practical Completion under the Building Safety Act (BSA)?
- Declaration of Compliance (HRBs) - send to local authority within 5 days of PC.
- Declaration signed by dutyholders (PD, PC etc) confirming they have fulfilled their duties.
- BSR then inspects and issues a Certificate of Compliance stating works have been completed in accordance with the regs.
When are Building Safety Act (BSA) approved PDs, Principal Contractors and Building Control Approvers required?
- Any project requiring building regs.
- A BCA requires a BSA approved PD and Principal Contractor.
How has the BSA impacted planning permission?
- 3 Gateways for HRBs.
- Potentially longer planning permission timelines for council to review fire safety reports (especially for HRBs).
Are you competent enough to act as PD (BSA)?
No, as I haven’t had training from a body such as the Association for Project Safety (not mandatory under the BSA but I would personally need it to feel competent).
What is the golden thread in the Building Safety Act 2022?
- Chain of information throughout a building’s life cycle.
[Contains details on fire safety and structure].
What are category A and B works under the BSA?
- Category A: Higher-Risk (significant works), full BSR approval required. E.g. structural alterations.
- Category B: Lower-Risk (minor works), less scrutiny. E.g. internal refurb.
Under the BSA, what is required of existing high-rise buildings?
- AP must be appointed.
- Register with BSR.
[- A building assessment certificate - when requested by BSR]
What fire prevention techniques do HRBs require?
- Secondary staircase.
- Residential buildings over 11m require sprinklers.
- No combustible materials in external walls.
How does the BSA impact all new projects generally?
- Tighter controls (fire and structure).
- Gateways (HRBs).
- Golden thread (HRBs).
[- BCAs need to be registered by April 2024 (by the HSE).]
How does the BSA impact all new HRB projects?
- Gateways.
- Sprinklers [building over 11m].
- Golden thread [created by dutyholders (client, PD (BSA), contractor)].
[- HRBs can’t be occupied until the BSR issues a building assessment certificate.]
What is a fire damper?
What is a fire collar?
- Somthing inside ductwork that closes when there is a fire.
- Collar seals pipework and expands when there is fire.
What are the methods for fire strategies?
- Phased evac.
- Simultaneous evac.
- Stay put.
What are ACMs?
Aluminium composite materials: Two sheets of aluminium with insulation between.
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021 (Fire Safety Bill)?
- An amendment to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- Extends FRAs to external areas.
What certification is required for properties over 18m?
EWS1 form.
What do you need where works require flammable equipment such as installing torch-on-felt?
Hot works permit.
How has the BSA impacted your work personally?
- PD (BSA).
- Gateways.
- Golden thread.
What is your understanding of PAS?
- Publicly available specifications.
- Not mandatory - best practice.
[- Introduced to speed up the standardisation process.]
What is PAS 9980?
Method for undertaking fire risk appraisals of external wall and cladding systems (EWS1 forms).
