Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By C M Taylor
My query is about the application of the RRO in a place such as a Friary or Convent where the building is the private residence of a group of monks or sisters of a religious order. They are likely to have a part time cleaner and cook and a handyman who could be seen as 'domestic servants'. They will have a few rooms where guests will stay the night when visiting.
I have looked at the regulations and the various guides and it is not clear if the RRO applies as I could argue that it is a domestic premises and that the monks or sisters are a single family because that is how they run their daily lives, as a family unit.
Has anyone else come across this as I am finding that some fire officers are requiring adherence to the sleeping guide on fire safety?
Clive Taylor CMIOSH
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Dave Daniel
Clive:
I guess your enquiry is unique. I haven't come across this.
I used to think Fire Officers were more experienced in their respective field than HSE inspectors, but I've been disappointed on a number of occasions recently. It's clear some don't even know the RRFSO exists, that they have powers under it, or what it requires. Inevitably there will be those who misinterpret the Order and you may have to challenge them.
The Order does not clearly define your situation. If people had been paying for their accommodation, then the Order and other laws would apply of course. If you regarded individual accommodation as "flats" and the rest of the building as the "common parts" this would be analogous to a tenanted block of flats, but I think your stance that this is an unusual sort of domestic premise may also be a possible interpretation.
Perhaps the interpretation which sits most easily with the RRFSO is that of the "block of flats" analogy, but as I said, you could legitimately argue the Fire Officer was wrong and if so he would not have any rights of access or enforcement.
Perhaps you ought to go over his head and raise the matter at a higher level in the Fire Service.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Tabs
Not competent enough to give a definitive answer, but I would point you towards looking at a 'premise in multiple occupancy' ... I doubt very much you could define a group of monks/sisters as a family (even if that is the definition of 'domestic').
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By MGF
Hi
I would concur with the note above, it could be classed as a HMO (house of multiple occupancy)and as such responsibility will lie with landlord? diosece? Head monk?.
Your Local Authority Environmental Health / Housing Dept. may be able to give you a pointer on how they would class the residence.
Whichever way I would imagine the Fire Service would be looking for a 'responsible person' within the premise to have looked at possible problems and evacuation requirements for a place of small gathering / hostel etc. This i am sure will be needed to be done.
You could approach the local Fire Service and ask the question, but as mentioned above, you will get differing responses dependant on who you speak to
regards MGF
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ashley Wood
They have staff, they have sleeping guests why should this not fall under the RR(FS)O? Is it a bad thing anyway to carry out an assessment, after all even the house of God is not exempt from fires. have you spoken with the ecclesiastical society? They may be able to advise you more. I would say, yes, it does fall under the legislation. However, there may be flexibility due to the age and use of the building.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By water67.
Hi I would assume ( I know never assume), that the property etc. will have some form of insurance..might be an idea to contact them and get their view on what they expect as per terms of the agreement re fire and other safety. risk assessments etc. etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.