Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Simon Carrier
Good day
I have been asked to comment on a Charities Health and Safety systems. They employ approx 11 staff and are based in a first floor office. When I asked about fire escapes they stated that they only have the main entry which is up a flight of stairs. The risk of fire is relatively low, however they do have quite a few computers and other electrical items. I was a bit uncomfortable with them only having one entry and exit point. Some words from the wise would be helpful on what to suggest.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Patrick Kelly
Simon
I had to look at means of a escape myself,
Go to the Building Regulations and see what they say about emergency exits.
After that contact your local fire officer who can put you in the right direction
I am based in Ireland so I am unsure of the correct Reg in the UK
Hope this helps
Patrick
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul Bellis
Simon
In what capacity are you carrying out the health and safety audit of this organisation, anticipating by your question as to the fire escape - that you are not qualified to carry it out - should it perhaps be carried out by a person who knows the health and safety legislation?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Simon Carrier
Patrick Thank you for your response
Paul Whilst I thank you for your time in replying to the post It would appear that you have not answered the original request, does this mean that you are not qualified to answer it?
If I am unsure as to the answer to a particular question I will ask and if some people take that to mean I am not qualified to do the job then so be it. However to clarify my original request.
The office is on a first floor they only have one means of entry and exit, they do not have a fire certificate, they do not have a fire risk assessment, they do not have large amounts of money. I consider that this is unacceptable and would like to propose something to them to assist in evacuating the Office should a fire begin. If you have any suggestions on how this could be achieved I would be grateful to hear them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Chris Pope
Main point about escape is knowing when to.
Have they got automatic detection and alarm ?
If so then it should be sensitive enough to warn them : of course the stair route needs to be protected from fire ie no flammables or sources of ignition in it like photocopiers.
If these 2 conditions are in order why should they need another staircase in such a low risk environment (unless they are sleeping there !)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Hallett
Currently, If there are 10 or more persons working in the premises and any are on any level other than the main exit floor, a Fire certificate has to have been applied for by the building controller [landlord or their agent]. If the local Fire Authority has decided, for any valid reason, to exempt the premises from the need to maintain a Fire Certificate, there will be a document that clearly states this and then identifies the provisions that the premises controller and their tenants must have in place to maintain the expemtion from the need to maintain the Fire Cert.
This will be a guide towards the FRA needs, but only a guide as the FRA goes beyond what the Fire Cert or Exemption requires.
The ability to find the resources to pay for the essential requirements of the Fire Precvautions [Workplace] Regs is immaterial to the court in an enforcement action - you are, in effect, saying that money takes precedence over life! Not normally welcomed by the Bench.
Charitable status or not, both the landlord and the tenants must ensure demonstrable compliance with the Fire Cert & FP[W] requirements.
Frank Hallett
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By jackw.
Hi, Firstly I work in Scotland but it is my understanding the new fire regs England and Wales have phased out fire certificates. A fire risk assessment is required. We have a number of offices, projects etc. based in old building with only one main stairway. There are 1000s of workers in similar buildings. What you need to ensure, as has been stated by others, is that the people have good early warning of a fire or smoke, the area is kept clear, staff are fully aware of what to do on discovering or hearing an alarm indicating a fire and that all staff promptly react to the alarm. As offices are generally considered low risk this should more than satisfy your legal duties re fire regs etc.
hope this helps
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Hallett
Hi Jason - the new fire regime will kick-in in April - June 2006. Until that time, the existing regime is "The Law" and must be complied with. That's why I included the bit about the FA exempting "for any legitimate reason"; which has been the general approach increasingly used by the majority of FA's.
The rest of your comments are valid and good business sense.
Frank Hallett
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Frank Hallett
Humble apologies Jack - I was previously looking at an earlier posting by jason and had what I can only describe a a minor alliterative confusion.
Frank hallett
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul Bellis
The reason I asked is that if the organisation had asked themselves with a view to putting things right - I would have no hesitation in replying as others so ably and kindly have done, however if you were carrying out inspections or an audit for them I was questioning why you were doing it - if you didnt know what to do. The surely the inspection shoulod have been carried out by someone who knew what to do - if you noted my earlier thread - you would note that I have a bit of an issue with unqualified people carrying out work that should be carried out by a qualified person but charging the client for it - if you are NOT one of these people - then i apologise -and yes i do know the answer.
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By shaun mckeever
Hi Simon
It sounds like your building is relatively small. In small buildings it is acceptable under building regulations and fire precautions legislation to have a single staircase. However, as the staircase is the only way in and out of the building for floors other than the ground floor it is essential that it is protected. This is normally achieved by ensuring the staircase is protected by 30 minute fire resisting construction. All openings onto the staircase i.e. doors must be fire doors fitted with self-closing devices or where there is glazing it must be non-openable and provide the same standard of fire resistance as the walls. The underside of the staircase must also be protected. Often fire resisting lobbies are provided - so to get from an office into the staircase you would have to pass through two doors. This approach often takes up valuable office space so an alternative is to provide a fire detection and alarm system - normally to L3 standard i.e. detectors in the stairwell and corridors and any rooms leading directly off of the stairs and corridors. Then the stairwell and corridors must be kept free from obstruction, fuels and potential ignition sources i.e. it must be a sterile area.
Another essential part is the mangement of fire safety within the building such as staff training. A simple question to ask your staff is 'what would you do if your computer caught fire?'. Listen for the responses, their first answer must be to sound the alarm (not 'ring security' or 'let my manager know').
Providing you implement these you should not have any fears just because they are working on the first floor.
Hope this helps
Shaun McKeever
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.