Posted By Ken Dickson Can we have some clarification first Brenda. What is a DSEAR product and a DSEAR area?

Posted By holmezy I would firstly carry out a fire risk assessment, then expand on any specific areas with a DSEAR assessment. They are related but DSEAR tends to be more specific in looking at the concentrations of gases, vapours, dusts etc and the degree of containment and subsequent explosion or flash fire, the presence of any source of ignition, ie static, hot surfaces etc and the liklehood of of ignition. There is no requirement to designated "zones" in the fire ra but there is in a DSEAR ra, although this excercise only serves to determine what level of protection or type of equipment is allowed in the zone. Silos containing flour are a good example of something that would not be picked up as a significant risk on a fire RA but are an extremely significant risk on a DSEAR ra depending on levels of earth bonding, transfer methods of materials etc..... So fire risk first, then DSEAR and reference the two to each other. Is it beer time yet? Holmezy

Posted By Jane Blunt Holmezy is right to say that fire risk assessment does not require the designation of zones - this is one of the requirements of DSEAR. In the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order there is, however, a specific requirement to address the risks posed by the presence of dangerous substances - see section 16 (the text of which is largely lifted verbatim from DSEAR). This, taken with the definition of dangerous substance within this Order, means that I believe that the flour silos should be considered in the fire risk assessment. Jane