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David Barnhurst  
#1 Posted : 09 July 2025 11:58:08(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
David Barnhurst

Hi all,

I was wondering if anybody has experience and/or could point me in the direction of any authorative guidance or exisitng strategies? 

I have a client who has got themselves into a pickle by not considering how their roof-top emergency generator will be serviced and maintained, including refuelling. I have explained their designer should have considered this as part of their design (CDM Regulaton 9) and suggested where properly planned, a suitably protected fuel line would normally have been part of the original design.

However we are where we are and now they are proposing methods such as carrying the fuel internally via the internal staircase. I have commented this is unlikely to be acceptable and should be subject to thorough risk assessment to confirm, and to be considered by  the client's Responsible Person whom will be responsible for ongoing building safety, under the RRO Fire Safety.

Any real world examples of strategies I can use going forward would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in anticipation!

David.

peter gotch  
#2 Posted : 09 July 2025 16:10:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Hi David

No brilliant ideas to offer as I think your logic is impeccable.

Seems to me that your Client is one of two situations (though potentially with an overlap between both):

1. Client operates the facility and will have to find a solution, which might end up meaning retrofitting what should have been done in the first place. Could be an argument for litigation against the Designer (and may be the Principal Designer [or equivalent if the building predates 2015].

2. Client offloads the facility whether as a single unit with multiple housing units or e.g. sells X flats.

Developers have got away with handing over facilities that are not fit for purpose from a whole life cycle perspective for decades.

However at the very least the CDM Health and Safety File(s) should be flagging up that there is an issue.

If the lawyers acting for the buyer or buyers are on the ball, pressure could be exerted to bring the price tag down, so that the inheritors of the problem have some money to sort it all out.

thanks 1 user thanked peter gotch for this useful post.
David Barnhurst on 17/07/2025(UTC)
Messey  
#3 Posted : 09 July 2025 18:10:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Messey

We ran two buildings with on roof generators

Building No 1:  We owned and it was a large building with a proportionately large genny on the roof. We installed a double skinned riser pipe within a fire resisting enclosure up through 13 floors of the building to feed the rooftop tank. The outer layer of the pipe was charged with compressed air, so leaks in the outer skin were monitored 24/7

Building No 2 was also a large 10 storey multple use commercial premises where we were tenants of a small demise, but one with critiacl IT. We carried fuel through the building out of hours when the building was virtually empty.  The fire risk was low, but spillage risk higher and in any case the landlords wanted to keep corporate clients in suits and a grubby drum of fuel separated

thanks 1 user thanked Messey for this useful post.
David Barnhurst on 17/07/2025(UTC)
David Barnhurst  
#4 Posted : 17 July 2025 13:36:53(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
David Barnhurst

Thanks you both for your helpful replies. At the last DTM it was decided that a design for a fuel line to be provided, costed and will probably be the route forward. I think my risk assessment approach and putting it back on the client to decide focussed their minds somewhat. A nice example going forward of what can happen when not considering access, service and maintenance as part of the design!

Just for completeness I am a CDM Advisor for this project and thankfully I have records of questioning the service and maintenance, including refuelling, from our earliest engagement!

Edited by user 17 July 2025 13:37:44(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

thanks 2 users thanked David Barnhurst for this useful post.
peter gotch on 17/07/2025(UTC), Messey on 17/07/2025(UTC)
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