Posted By Penfold
Not sure what to advise here. I have a large 3 storey office building in a town centre circa 130 staff. Good fire alarms, means of escape, staff well drilled etc.

However, it was noted on the last drill that there would not be access to the rear of the building for a fire engine due to car parking.

My first instinct is to ban the cars, but I'm sure this problem is not unique. There must be similar buildings in city centres with restricted parking, and some with no rear access at all.

Has anyone else come across this and how did you solve it?

Thanks in Advance

Posted By FAH
Hi Penfold - You could always discuss the perceived problem with the local F&RS Fire Safety dept!

It's difficult to visualise your site given the [quite rightly] minimal detail & therefore impossible to provide a definitive "yes" or "no" answer. However, whether it's a public access or truly private road will certainly impact on your decision.

It should be that the F&RS have already undertaken a "risk assessment" for attendance at your, & neighbouring, sites but possibly without full knowledge of the current, real conditions. I have no doubt that the parking situation fluctuates according to time of day, week, month, year.

Basically, there're loads of issues to be considered; but don't beat yourself up without including those who it is perceived to affect - the F&RS.

Frank Hallett

Posted By Penfold
Thanks for the responses. This is one of many buildings I look after, so limited time I can spend on it.

TBC. Your scenario of the engine getting stuck behind the building makes sense. This would be the case here. It is a private car park and is jammed packed between 9-5

BPF. I will look at Document B.

Thanks again