Fire Safety Flashcards
What does the responsible person need to do under RRO 2005?
Risk assessment
Reduce risk where possible
Escape provisions by escape training
Maintenance and testing of services (FA, EL, FX, Doors etc)
How does a fire start?
The Fire Triangle..
Fuel
Heat (Ignition)
Oxygen
How can fire’s occur on site/ in the work place?
Natural events
Chemical reaction
Overheating of components near a fuel source
Hot works/Naked flames from manufacturing
Arson
Why is a residential premises higher risk than commercial?
May be unsafe electrical items or white goods
Sleeping occupants
Pets/children
People with mobility issues
How can the fire risks in a residential property be reduced?
Ensure good condition services (gas and electric)
Good housekeeping to minimise arson.
Management plan for high risk occupants
Tell me about the sections of Part B Volume 1 and Volume 2
Vol 1 - Dwellings
Vol 2 - Buildings other than dwellings
Tell me about the requirements of Part B
B1 - Means of warning and escape B2 - Internal fire spread (linings) B3 - Internal fire spread (structure) B4 - External fire spread (linings) B5 - Access and facilities for fire service Regulation 38 - Fire Safety Information
Who are the responsible person under the RRO?
The Order allocates responsibility for fire safety to the Responsible Person, who is generally the employer or controller of the premises.
The latter could be the owner, landlord, occupier or anyone else with control of the premises such as a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor.
What are the responsibilities of the responsible person?
Carry out and regularly review a Fire Risk Assessment
Communicate the risks to staff and users of the premises
Install and maintain appropriate fire safety measures, e.g. fire detection, warning systems and fire fighting equipment
Ensure emergency planning, e.g. adequate and unobstructed escape routes
Provide staff training, e.g. awareness, marshals and drills
What are the steps in carrying out an FRA?
Identify fire hazards
Identify who might be harmed
Determine likelihood and severity of hazard.
Evaluate, remove or reduce risks, provide training etc
Review and regularly update the Assessment
Who enforces the RRO?
Local fire and rescue authorities.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the RRO?
Minor breaches: Up to £5,000
Major breaches: Unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.
What other guidance and documents surround fire safety?
The Fire Safety Act 2021 (Formerly Fire Safety Bill) - the duty-holder/building owner for multi-occupied, residential buildings. They must manage the risk of fire for:
- The structure and external walls of the building (e.g. cladding, balconies and windows)
- Entrance doors to individual flats that open into communal areas.
CDM Regulations 2015 imposes a duty to prevent risk from fire
Approved Document B (fire safety), which is part of the building regulations relating to fire safety
British Standards Codes of Practice 9999 and 9991 (alternative design solutions to approved doc b)
What is the Hackitt Report?
The Hackitt Report, published in May 2018, provided an independent review of building regulations and fire safety following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017.
The review was led by Dame Judith Hackitt, and focussed specifically on issues related to high-rise residential buildings
The report recommended:
More competence and clearer responsibilities
Need from a new framework.
Tell me about Aluminium Composite Material Cladding?
Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) is a type of flat panel that consists of two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a non-aluminium core.
ACM cladding became notorious following the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017, when ACM cladding with a polyethylene core was thought to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire up the outside of the tower
Tell me about the combustible cladding ban?
In December 2018, the Government banned the use of combustible materials on all new residential buildings over 18m in height.
Buildings must be constructed from materials having a A1 and A2 classifications.
The government launched funding to remove the cladding on existing buildings which are 18m or over.
Can you explain the fire class classifications of materials?
A1 - Non-combustible
A2 - Very limited combustibility
B to F - Combustible.
Tell me about fire safety measures in a building.
Alarms/detection Fire doors Emergency lighting Escape plans / means of escape Signage Fire Extinguishers Riser's/reels Void detection Fire Risk Assessment's Compartmentation
What properties does the RRO apply too?
All non-domestic properties - applies to communal areas of flats.
Although the fire safety requirements in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) do not apply to most domestic premises they will apply to the communal parts of residential properties and certain other premises that contain residential accommodation (flats etc)
Briefly what does the RRO cover?
Defines the responsible persons and their responsibilities
Determines fire precaution measures, (maintenance, servicing, evacuation drill’s, training etc.)
Determines risk assessment requirements
