FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT & THE REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER

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WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FIRE, HOW DOES IT SPREAD AND HOW SHOULD I MINIMISE THE RISK OF FIRE IN LINE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS?

Fire results from combustion, i.e. the process by which oxygen combines with some form of fuel in the presence of heat or a source of ignition.  Often known as the FIRE TRIANGLE, it follows that if any of these essential components is removed, fire cannot exist.  If it is present already it will therefore be extinguished and if not present, it cannot start.  In their simplest form, fire precautions therefore revolve around the need to limit or remove one or more of these elements.

Fires are categorised according to fuel types into five classes:  Classes A,B,C,D and F and the type of extinguisher required to control any fire depends on the class of fire present or predicted.

Fire spreads by four methods.  Convection – hot air rising and moving through air; conduction – heat transferring along conductors such as metal pipes; radiation – the spread of heat through air without direct contact and direct burning – contact and heat transfer between substances.

Alarmingly, some one third of fires in the UK result from arson and over 70% of businesses fail as a direct result of a major fire.

THE REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER

This critical legislation identifies the need to carry out a fire risk assessment – ‘An organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried out there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises’.

The RRFSO specifies a ‘Responsible Person’, the identification of whom will vary according to site-specific circumstances, but who is required to ensure safe arrangements for fire risk assessment, control measures and emergency procedures.  There may be one or more Responsible Person, but if more than one (e.g. on shared premises) each must co-operate with the others as far as is necessary to ensure ‘Compliance’.  The RRFSO also identifies a ‘Relevant Person’ i.e. anyone who may be lawfully on the premises, or nearby, or who may be at risk in the event of fire.

The risk assessment should include a plan of the site, indicating principle ignition sources, electrical appliances, heating plant, location of hazardous processes, waste disposal areas, electrical mains switches, gas control valves and fire extinguishers.

General fire control measures revolve around the use and storage of flammable and combustible materials, ignition sources (including electrical equipment and machinery), safe systems of work and good housekeeping standards.

Structural measures designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, focus on compartmentalisation (e.g. fire doors and fire resistant partitioning), both with regard to keeping a fire in and keeping a fire out.  Common building / insulation materials vary according to their fire resisting properties and are largely taken into consideration by building regulations, applicable during any development or refurbishment project.
Systems for fire detection, warning and suppressant vary according to a number of factors including the size of premises, scale of risk, type of work processes, type of materials stored and number / location of those at risk.

Manual alert systems may be suitable for small workplaces and may simply comprise the need for shouting ‘Fire’ if such a warning can be easily heard by all those at risk.

Automatic detection and alarm systems vary widely in type and suitability, but care must be taken to service and test all such systems at regular intervals.  In their simplest forms such tests may simply be weekly activation of an alarm system by manually operating different call buttons.

The RRFSO requires that suitable means of escape are provided and maintained.  The general principle is that there should be alternative means of escape, such that in the event of a fire, people can turn their back on a fire and escape to a place of safety.   Minimum travel distances and escape times vary according to the degree of risk.

Emergency lighting, which can operate independently from main lighting circuits is required in certain high risk areas.  It is acceptable for this to be provided in the form of ‘Borrowed light’ such as daylight or external street light.

Exits and escape routes should be identified with clearly visible colour-coded signs that comply with the Health and Safety (Safety ‘Signs and Signals) Regulations.

Emergency evacuation procedures will depend on the size and nature of the premises and need to be rehearsed as part of regular fire drills.

Whilst there is no prescriptive role, designated Fire Marshals or Fire Wardens (there is no difference) are responsible for ensuring safe evacuation procedures, conducting role calls at assembly areas and for liaising with the fire brigade on arrival.  They should also have a basic knowledge of classes of fire and use of extinguishers.

An acute awareness of the safety of disabled people is of vital importance, including any disability that may not be immediately obvious – e.g. short sightedness / consequent difficulties during evacuation and deafness that may result in a failure to hear alarm bells or sirens.

Training of individuals with responsibility for all aspects of fire safety arrangements is of pivotal importance.  Individuals must be ‘Competent’ i.e. they should have sufficient knowledge to carry out their duties safely, but critically they also require an awareness of their own personal limitations.