1. Fire Safety For IOSH North of Scotland Branch Nick Broom

2. Safety/Welfare Brief info@safetymentor.co.uk

3. My Fire Safety Background...

4. info@safetymentor.co.uk Overview of the extent of the problem Source: www.communities.gov.uk

5. info@safetymentor.co.uk A brief historical perspective 1189 – London required stone walls and banned thatched roofs 1971 - Fire Precautions Act of 1971 1985 - Fire Safety and Places of Sport Act 1987 – Fire Precautions (sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations

6. info@safetymentor.co.uk Cont... 1995 – Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulations 1997 – Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 2002 – Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations So where are we now..?

7. info@safetymentor.co.uk Current Law in Scotland The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006

8. info@safetymentor.co.uk Taking an integrated approach Fire safety is best managed as part of the overall risk management strategy. Perhaps as an integrated part of the health and safety policy/organisation/arrangements?

9. info@safetymentor.co.uk The Fire (Scotland) Act – Part 3 Carry out fire safety risk assessment Identify measures based on above RA Implement measures (risk reduction principles) Fire safety arrangements for ongoing control Complying with ‘Regulations’ Reviewing RA Keeping records Applies to Employers and those in Control of Premises – Duties SFARP

10. info@safetymentor.co.uk Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations Fire safety risk assessment Fire safety arrangements Elimination/reduction risk - dangerous substances Procedures for serious/imminent danger Maintenance of systems etc Safety Assistance (nominated competent person) Information, training and cooperation Means of escape

11. info@safetymentor.co.uk Means of Escape “structural means whereby a safe route in the event of fire is provided for persons to travel from any point in a building to a place of safety (without external assistance)” source PAS 79:2007 Scottish fire safety law is primarily concerned with ‘life safety’ not property/facility loss. Always wise to link Business Continuity Management to fire safety...

12. info@safetymentor.co.uk Sector Specific Guidance Care homes Offices, shops and similar premises Factories and storage premises Educational and day care Sleeping accommodation (large and small) Transport premises Places of entertainment and assembly Healthcare premises

13. info@safetymentor.co.uk Daily Checks (non prescriptive) Escape Routes – ‘walk through’ premises Fire alarm control panel – active and operational

14. info@safetymentor.co.uk Weekly Checks/Tests (non-prescriptive) Fire alarm test – call points in rotation (BS 5839-1: 2008) Check disabling devices / door retainers function correctly Smoke control systems All safety signs and notices Escape routes – exit locking mechanisms (functioning) All fire door self-closing devices function correctly Check sprinkler system

15. info@safetymentor.co.uk Monthly Checks/Tests (non prescriptive) Functional test – emergency lighting (BS 5266-4: 1999) Visual check of fire extinguishers and hose reels Fire doors – glazing, intumescent strips, smoke seals etc Fire doors – warping of door and frame etc Sprinkler system Also: specified checks for: 3 Monthly, 6 Monthly and Annually.

16. info@safetymentor.co.uk Fire safety arrangements In carrying out duties to which a person is subject, a person must make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate, having regard to the size of his or her undertaking and the nature of its activities, for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the fire safety measures within the meaning of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Familiar to you? MHSWR...

17. info@safetymentor.co.uk Fire Risk Assessment Undertaken by competent person Identify people at risk identify fire hazards: sources of ignition/fuel & oxygen Evaluate and decide if existing fire safety measures are adequate (see next slide) Record Review

18. info@safetymentor.co.uk Evaluating the adequacy of measures Likelihood of fire starting Consequences to people Opportunities for removal or reduction of hazards Remove or reduce risk to people Fire alarm/warning Fire-fighting equipment Escape routes and lighting Signs & notices Maintenance Effective management & staff training

19. info@safetymentor.co.uk A useful ‘publicly available specification’ to help maintain focus on the key areas of a fire risk assessment.

20. info@safetymentor.co.uk Managing Fire Safety Fire safety policy Emergency fire action plan Fire safety information and training Fire drills Maintenance of fire safety measures Recording information and keeping records

21. info@safetymentor.co.uk Fire Safety Policy Planning / Organisation / Control / Monitor / Review Stated senior management commitment Systematic approach – priorities & objectives Organisational structure to improve performance Named individual - overall management responsibility Arrangements for reviewing fire risk assessment Provision of adequate numbers of trained staff Maintenance of all ‘means of escape’ Contingency plans for ‘out of service’ systems

22. info@safetymentor.co.uk The Emergency Fire Action Plan How people are warned of fire Actions to be taken by staff Arrangements for calling emergency services Specific actions of person in charge Evacuation procedures Assembly point arrangements Fire-fighting arrangements (trained staff) Process & plant isolations etc Procedures for meeting emergency services

23. info@safetymentor.co.uk Means of Escape – Considerations Time allowed for evacuation Travel distances Number of occupants Exit widths Number / distribution of exits

24. info@safetymentor.co.uk Evacuation Times Class A - completely non combustible construction i.e. floors, walls and supporting structure of brick or concrete etc Class B - traditional construction i.e. non combustible walls with combustible floors Class C - combustible construction i.e. timber floors and walls A = 3 minutes B = 2.5 minutes C = 2 minutes

25. info@safetymentor.co.uk Travel Distance – ‘Industrial’ Single DirectionMore than 1 direction Factories, storage buildings etc18 m45 m Higher risk storage buildings 15 m32 m Within a place of special fire risk 9 m18 m Always check specific guidance...

26. info@safetymentor.co.uk Adequate Distribution of Exits - 45º Rule

27. info@safetymentor.co.uk X Unacceptable distribution - 45º Rule

28. info@safetymentor.co.uk Occupancy load factors (density factor) Factory Production area = 5 Storage and warehouse = 30 Divide useable floor area (m²) by load factor to obtain max number of permitted persons. **Check the guidance relevant to your sector to get the correct figures**

29. info@safetymentor.co.uk Escape route widths 1200mm if wheelchair access available Reduce to 1100mm if no wheelchairs <225 people = 850mm width min <100 people = 750mm width min The flow rate is 40 people per minute through a unit of exit width i.e. each 750mm width.

30. info@safetymentor.co.uk Minimum escape routes Occupancy capacity of room or storey Min number of exitsMin number of storey escape routes Not more than 6011 61 - 60022 More than 60033 Always check specific guidance...

31. info@safetymentor.co.uk Some useful web addresses http://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/ NEBOSH Fire Safety Management Certificate http://www.communities.gov.uk/fire/researchan dstatistics/firestatistics/firestatisticsuk/ Govt. Stats http://www.infoscotland.com/firelaw/ Scottish fire safety guides to comply with the law

32. info@safetymentor.co.uk Thank You Any final questions?