Posted By Robert Dee A Health and Safety manager expects us to provide details of the construction of walls, floors and ceilings in shops to be checked in a fire risk assessment " cause they may pose a fire risk". Is this what the HSE would expect for such an assessment under the Fire Precautions Regulations 1997/9?

Posted By Robert Dee Thanks for response but where do the 1997/9 Regs refer to the assesment addressing structural features please? There is no such thing as a fire proof building. Most building elements are "combustible". They are graded according to the spread of flame and smoke. To ask for the assessment to identify "combustible" materials is far too broad a question and would involve detailed analysis which goes well beyond the risks arising. Surely the assessment question should be "Are there are visible building elements which could pose a high risk to means of escape in case of fire?". I must also correct you. The Building Regulations only cover structural alterations and new building works, not maintenance and improvements of existing buildings so a property could be 100 years old and have been adapted without the need to notify the local building inspector.

Posted By Zyggy Turek Robert. I believe this duty is implied in Section 5 of the Regs.that deals with Emergency Routes & Exits and uses the phrase"....due to features of the workplace...". The information I gave you regarding structural features is included in the Home Office publication, "Fire Precautions in the Workplace" - Information for Employers about the FP(W) Regs. 1997 - ISBN 0-11-341169-3. As for your "correction" on my comments about Building Regs., I stand by them. I suggest that a quick 'phone call to yor friendly Fire Prevention Officer will clarify any concerns you may have as to what is required. My advice is based on carrying out several fire risk assessments in conjunction with the FPO & ultimately having them "validated" as suitable and sufficient.