Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Worked example 3 - Rapid fi re and
smoke spread in the workplace
A landlord (responsible person) is providing a
building for multi-occupant (employer's) use.
Service risers (electrical and IT) are located
within 'common' parts of the building at each
lift/staircase lobby area.
The service risers are fi tted with wooden
doors on which a sign 'Fire Door Keep Locked
Shut' is positioned. Access to the service
risers is controlled by the landlord's manage-
ment team.
Documentation provided indicates that
all tenants must refrain from accessing the
service risers and that it is the management
team's responsibility to manage this area.
During the practical risk assessment pro-
cess it was noted that a number of service
risers were insecure. That the doors to the
risers were defective and were not fi tted with
intumescent strips and that the risers them-
selves were likely to act as a chimney due to
the lack of fi re compartmentation between
each of the building's fl oors.
Figure 14.5
Self-closing device
meet current Building Regulations guidance. The main
corridors and staircase enclosures are provided with
protection that meets a minimum of FR30 standard
and that fi re detection systems have been installed to
provide advanced warning.
The fi re policy currently in place details all the key
issues in relation to fi re but has not been amended to
take into account disabled persons.
control measure and to ensure that the issue does not
recur it may be prudent to consider reminding staff via an
e-mail or memo and ensuring such issues are included
on the monthly fi re safety inspection/tour programme.
The existing control measures in place are that
the travel distances calculated for people to escape
Worked example 4 - Persons in premise unaware of fi re
An employer (responsible person) occupies an offi ce building which is also provided with a basement
storage facility and plant rooms at roof level. A fi re alarm system to BS 5839 is installed throughout the
premises. The system includes frangible break glass points and audible sounders which are fi tted through-
out the premises and into all units. Additional visual alarms are fi tted within the plant room areas in proxim-
ity to equipment which is designated as a 'noise zone'. The entire system was installed by an approved
competent company and in line with the policy is tested weekly by the facilities management team.
The policy and documentary records also indicate that the system is tested and inspected on an annual
basis by a competent engineer. The audibility of the system is checked at regular intervals when testing the
alarm by the facilities management team and employee feedback (a memo is sent to staff requesting infor-
mation if they are in an area in which they cannot hear the alarm).
The call points are readily accessible and clearly identifi able with appropriate signage.
During the visual element of the risk assessment it was noted that one of the warning devices in the base-
ment storage area had been obstructed by storage materials.
