Fire forum

In previous features we have covered training, proof of competence, third party certification and the legislation and standards that govern the industry – in particular BS5839 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order – and the CFOA phased policy for monitored systems, which is now in its third phase.

In this series I will be discussing and answering issues and questions posed by installation/maintenance companies either working or wanting to work in the fire industry and I will be inviting manufacturers and trade organisations to put across their side of things.

Q: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order became law on October 1 2006. Why did we need new legislation?

A: The former legislation was developed over a long period and in the main from lessons learned from fires resulting in death, such as:

• Eastwood Mills, Keighley in 1956 (8 deaths)
• Hendersons department store, Liverpool in 1960 (11 deaths)
• The Rose and Crown, Saffron Walden in 1969 (11 deaths)
• Woolworths, Manchester in 1979 (10 deaths)
• Bradford City Football Club in 1985 (58 deaths)
• Kings Cross Underground Station in 1987 (31 deaths)

This resulted in legislation being developed piecemeal with overlapping legislation and overlapping enforcement, which was difficult to understand and was difficult to comply with and enforce.

Q: What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order?

A: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (or FSO as it is referred to in the industry) amends or replaces 118 pieces of legislation, the most significant being the repeal of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the revocation of the Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulation 1997. The new Order develops and extends many of the concepts in the '97 regulations. This fire safety law for England and Wales is the biggest reform the industry has seen in more than three decades. To assist those with a duty to undertake a fire safety risk assessment, the Order is supported by eleven guidance documents. The guides will address the following categories of premises:

1. Offices and shops
2. Premises providing sleeping accommodation
3. Residential care premises
4. Small and medium places of assembly
5. Large places of assembly
6. Factories and warehouses
7. Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises
8. Educational premises
9. Healthcare premises
10. Transport premises and facilities
11. Open air events

Q: Who is responsible for the implementation of the Order?

A: Compliance of the Order (law) is firmly placed on the ”Responsible Person”. This person (or persons) has a specific duty of care for fire safety. The FOC outlines all measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of all people he or she is directly or indirectly responsible for. In this Order “Responsible Person” means “the person who owns the premises or business or the person with control over the premises, business or activity”. Where two or more responsible persons share the responsibility, (e.g. tenant/landlord, multiple tenancy building or adjacent premises) the responsible person must co-operate, share information and collaborate to provide measures.

Q: What steps must the person/s responsible take to implement the Order?

A: The responsible person/s must appoint one or more competent persons to assist him or her; the competent person must have “sufficient training experience and knowledge”. If the competent person is directly employed, the responsible person must ensure that he or she is properly trained. However, if the competent person is a subcontractor, some form of third party accreditation would help provide the responsible person with some assurance of their competence. The Order requires the ”Responsible Person" to carry out a fire risk assessment, produce a policy and develop procedures (particularly with regard to evacuation), provide staff training and carry out fire drills. The risk assessment must include the means of escape provided and maintain clear means of escape, signs, notices, emergency lighting, fire alarm & detection systems and extinguishers. As with all other statutory risk assessments, where five or more people are employed the significant findings of the fire risk assessment must be recorded.

Q: What should the Fire Risk Assessment include?

A: The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment that focuses on the safety of all relevant people. They must include the following in any risk assessment: Means of escape: The responsible person must provide means of escape and ensure they are available at all times.

Escape routes and exits: Escape routes must be established and always available: doors must open in the direction of escape and be provided with emergency lighting and signage.

Signs and notices: These must be provided giving appropriate instructions to employees, visitors, etc, indicating the positions/directions of extinguishers, emergency exit routes and exits.

Fire Alarm & Detection Systems: An appropriate fire alarm & detection system must be provided; the type and extent would be subject to the requirements of the fire risk assessment.

Emergency Lighting: This must be provided on escape routes, at exit doors internally and possibly external. The types and extent would be subject to the requirements of the fire risk assessment.

Compartments and Doors: Measures must be taken to reduce the risk of fire spreading. This can be taken as ensuring all fire resisting walls and doors are kept in good order, walls are not breached and fire doors have appropriate seals and closing devices fitted.

Maintenance: Any or all equipment installed for the purpose of fire safety must be maintained in good working order. It is essential that all of the above are designed, installed and maintained by competent companies or people. Individuals/company's may be required to provide proof of competence, for instance BFPSA certificates and/or third party certification such as the BSi SP203 Third Party Certification and Kitemark scheme.

Q: My company designs, installs, commissions and services/maintains fire alarms. How will the FSO affect me and my business?

A: Firstly, you will have to carry out a risk assessment of your own premises. If you employ five people or more you must record your findings and implement them in line with the order.

Secondly, you could be called on by your customers/potential customers (as the expert) to carry out a risk assessment of the building for fire alarms and detection systems, and/or signage, emergency lighting and extinguishers.

You may be required to prove your company/employees competence, and for this ADI-Gardiner, in conjunction with BFPSA are running training courses for engineers as proof of competence along with the BSi SP203 Third Party Certification and Kitemark scheme.

Please note that Fire Risk assessment for buildings is complex and could include Fire engineering solutions (e.g. structural, fire breaks and doors etc). Therefore it is important that you only carry out the part of the risk assessment you are competent in. If in doubt advise your customers/clients to bring in other qualified risk assessors.

ADI-Gardiner has launched a "Proof of Competence" Roadmap binder in conjunction with its key suppliers, BAFE, BFPSA and BSi. We are able to put together a training programme for companies leading to application to the BSi SP203 Third Party Certification and Kitemark scheme.