Fire Safety Flashcards
What does the term EWS mean to you?
An external wall system which encompasses the outside of a residential building including cladding, insulation and fire break systems.
What building height does the EWS form relate to
- Buildings over 18m with combustible EWS construction
- some residential buildings below 18m also require a from. eg. If they are 4-6 storeys high with combustible EWS construction
How long does an EWS1 form last?
5 years
What is the purpose of the International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS)?
- Launched in November 2020
- The aim is to improve public confidence around the regulation and control of fire safety measures and to work towards globally consistent fire safety standards
What are the common principles applying to the building life cycle?
- Prevention
- detection and communication
- Occupant protection
- Containment
5 Extinguishment
What is PAS 79-1 and 2:2020?
- A document that provides best practice guidance for how to carry out Fire Risk Assessments.
- It is published by the British Standards Institution
- PAS stands for publicly available specification - a fast track standardisation document developed by a steering group of stake holders
- documents can be found on the BAFE website
What are the key changes to approved document B - Fire Safety?
- Sprinklers must be provided in buildings over 11m in height. previously this was a minimum of 30m in height
What are the component parts of the triangle of fire?
Heat
Oxygen
Fuel
What are the consequences of fire within a building?
- Loss of life
- Injuries as a result of the fire or evacuation of the building
- Loss of data and records
- Property damage - both cosmetic and structural
- Loss of business
- Reputation damage arising from
What are the legal requirements for sprinkler systems in commercial buildings in England?
- A compartmented area in a shop or self-storage building over 2,000 square metres requires sprinkler protection
How may a fire start in a building?
- Faulty electrical wiring
- cooking
- heating
- Arson
- Carelessness, e.g. discarding cigarettes, overloading electrical plugs
How can a fire spread internally in a multi storey building?
- Direct burning
- Radiation
- Convection
- Conduction
You are inspecting an office being built and want to pay particular attention to see if the fire doors have been installed correctly. What would you look for?
- That the door is certified
- That the door fully closes into the frame
- The vision panels have been glazed
- The intumescent seals are in place, well attached inside the groove in the frame or door leaf, continuous around the frame and free from damage
- If the doors are fitted with hold open devices, you would test them
Name 4 methods for the protection of structural steelwork from the effects of a fire?
- Concrete
- Sprayed coatings
- Cladding with fire resistant boards
- Intumescent paint
Which method to protect structural steelwork has gained in popularity?
Intumescent paint
Who, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, has the responsibility for undertaking the fire risk assessment?
The responsible person
Your client refuses to have a fire risk assessment carried out, saying they have a fire certificate and that is enough. What is your advice?
No, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment to be carried out. Fire Certificates (issued under the Fire Precautions Act 1971) have now been abolished and no longer have legal status
Your client, who has taken possession of a brand-new building, refuses to have a fire risk assessment carried out saying the building has been passed by Building Control. What would you advise your client?
The Building Control have assessed and passed the building’s compliance with the Building Regulations. The fire risk assessment is an assessment of risk of the building in use, so one is required.
Name the 2 pieces of legislation which cover fire risk assessments.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- The Housing Act 2004
Name the factors which would be taken into account in conducting a fire risk assessment for a relatively new building.
- Compartmentalisation of the build
- Smoke extract ventilation
- Escape route signage
- Time it takes to get out of the building
- Fired detection and suppression systems
At what frequency do evacuation drills have to be carried out?
deally have two fire drills a year at the premises, although this may vary depending on what has been set out in your company’s risk assessment
What does PEEP stand for?
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
What is a PEEP?
Bespoke ‘escape plan’ for individuals who may not be able to reach an ultimate place of safety unaided or within a satisfactory period of time in the event of any emergency
Who is likely to require a PEEP
Persons with: - Hearing impairments - Cognitive impairments - Mobility impairments and sight impairments -
When might a temporary PEEP be required?
- Temporary medical conditions
- Those in the later stages of pregnancy
- Short term injuries (i.e. broken leg)
What is the guidance on producing a fire risk strategy?
- BSI PAS 7
What factors should be taken into account in a fire strategy for a building?
- Describes fire safety issues and how they are addressed
- Acts as a guide for the design team, by identifying standards or setting performance criteria, e.g. for the capacity of a smoke extract system, and/or the fire resistance of elements of structure
What is a Fire Safety Audit?
Examination of the business’ premises and relevant documents by fire safety inspectors, to ascertain how the premises are being managed with regards to fire safety
What type of documents would you need to see in a Fire safety Audit?
- FRA
- Fire drill records
- Records from staff fire training
- Preventative measures to avoid fires in the premises
What is a ‘stay put’ policy?
Residents to keep internal fire doors closed, keep a phone to hand, use wet towels to cover the bottom of doors and stay close to a window
Can you ask the fire brigade to carry out a fire risk assessment for you?
No, they are the policing body and cannot carry out the fire risk assessment but can be approached for advice
What is PAS 79-2012?
It is guidance on a recommended methodology for carrying out a fire risk assessment published by BSI
What are non-domestic premises defined as under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
- All premises the public have access to
- The common areas of residential buildings
- All workplaces and commercial premises
How far should an assembly point be away from a building?
18-20m
What is the industry-wide process relating to the valuation of high-rise buildings known as?
External Wall Fire Review Process (EWS 1)
What international standards relate to fire safety?
International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS)
