Don't spend a penny until you've undertaken proper fire safety checks

One of the knock-on effects of the Grenfell Tower tragedy was a knee-jerk reaction to fire safety by many organisations.  This was a positive thing in some ways, as it meant that in some cases, for the first time, building owners and property managers gave fire safety top priority.  However, in the rush to ‘put things right’ some basic fundamentals were overlooked and in some cases, money has been spent needlessly on fire safety measures which ultimately make little difference to the overall fire safety of a building. This can happen if a properly independent fire safety survey is not commissioned first.

What is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a detailed examination of a company's premises and the activities it carries out there, to determine the ways in which the threat from the fire can be minimised. Until 2005 they were carried out by the Fire Brigade, who then issued fire safety certificates to the building/business involved. However, this arrangement has now changed and it is the responsibility of a ‘competent person’ in each business.  Alternatively, some organisations choose to outsource this to a reputable fire safety organisation.

All businesses need to be able to demonstrate that the risks of fire have been minimised and that appropriate escape / fire plans are in place, for occupants of their premises.

A fire risk assessment may include:

• Compartmentation
• Fire doors
• Work processes
• Smoke control
• Lightning protection
• Escape lighting
• Fire Brigade Access
• Sprinklers
• Fire notices and Signs
• Refuge

If the organisation having its premises assessed employs five or more people (or is licensed) than three things need to be recorded in case of inspection - its main findings, the actions to be taken which result from the assessment, and details of anyone who would be especially at risk in the event of a fire. Even smaller businesses (1 - 4 people) to whom this doesn't apply could find it useful to carry out a fire survey and record the results, as they provide a clear plan for what needs to be changed going forward.

In some instances, fire safety work has been commissioned when there has not been a fire risk assessment carried out of that building, or no professional expertise has been consulted.  As a result, money can be wasted on fire safety measures, such as new fire doors or sprinkler systems, without taking a holistic approach to ensure that those upgrades will achieve the objectives of protecting the occupants of a building in the event of fire.

Once a fire risk assessment has been completed, the external provider or competent person should issue a series of recommendations, such as upgrades to fire doors, fire compartmentation and so on.  Once these upgrades have been implemented, tests should be carried out to ensure that the building does, indeed, offer at least the necessary amount of time for occupants to escape or that they can be reached by the fire services.”

For more information about our fire safety services, including fire door inspections, fire stopping and fire compartmentation services, visit www.horburypropertyservices.com.