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If you own a commercial property, do your fire safety measures and fire risk assessment consider all the risks imposed on your business?
A fire risk assessment should include external factors if they will have an impact on your premises. Some circumstances may require different evacuation procedures. Because a fire assembly point may be downwind of an external fire, theref
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I have lost count of the number of times I have carried out a Fire Risk Assessment only to find wooden pallets be stored outside. These pose a substantial risk to health, safety and fire.
Overnight there was a huge fire which spread to adjoining premises including a Children’s nursery which was all set to re-open its doors following the coronavirus outbreak. The cause of the fire was……. you guessed it wooden pallets.
The problem with wooden pallets is that they are often stored outside the premises and are easily accessible. This leaves them open to external factors and arson.
Due to the design of the pallets with the amount of airflow, once ignited they can burn ferociously. If there is a requirement to store pallets at your premises a good management plan and fire risk assessment is crucial to minimising your risk.
A Fire Risk Assessment and management plan would evaluate if there is adequate site security, especially around the site perimeter. Processes to keep pallets to an absolute minimum
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The Government has released changes to approved document B. The Changes will come into effect on 26th November 2020. The main additions are for blocks of flats with a storey(s) above 11m in height. With a requirement to install an automatic sprinkler system and wayfinding signage.
Residential flats with a top storey above 11m above ground level. Require a sprinkler system to be installed throughout the building. Note: common areas such as stairwells may be excluded from the requirement if they are “fire sterile” areas.
Wayfinding signage for the Fire and Rescue Service will become a requirement for any blocks of flats with a top storey over 11m and will include floor identification signage and flat identification signage. This is likely to be similar to what you would find in a hotel when you come to the top of a staircase or out of the lift. There is usually signage which will indicate what floor you are on and the direction of your room. Because of these changes, it makes it much easier for the Fire and Rescue Service to find a particular flat or floor within the building.
These changes will not come cheap to developers or building owners but should be embraced because the potential to save many lives far outweighs the additional cost burden.
Please visit the .gov website on the link below to find out more information. Approved document B
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Dan Quirke the Owner of QED risk consultancy is proud to have recently succeeded in transferring to become a Chartered member of IOSH, giving customers peace of mind that he has the required skills and experience to support their business needs.