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 to identify fire risks and ways of preventing them.
What are some key features of the Fire Safety Act 2021?
RP has to manage risk for the structure and external walls and sprinklers, additional responsibilities for RP.
What 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 and common areas of buildings with two or more domestic premises.
Who is the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and what are their responsibilities under the Order?
Typically the owner or landlord. Complete FRAs and establish general fire precautions.
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.
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 of all buildings, set standards for design on HRBs.
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), designs must be signed off by the BSR (Gateway 2).
Can you tell me a couple of duties of the PD (BSA)?
Ensure works comply with Building Regulations, manage works during the design phase.
Who appoints a PD (BSA)?
The client.
What happens if they don’t appoint anyone?
They 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 and 2?
Gateway 1: RIBA Stage 2.
Gateway 2: RIBA Stage 4.
How did you consider fire safety on Windor Walk?
Ensured building regs were adhered to, RAMS, non-combustible materials.
Did you liaise with anyone else aside from building control on this project?
Structural engineer (suspended ground floor).
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?
Someone who ensures the fire safety of the building’s occupants.
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 a fire area of 5000 sqft or more.
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.
