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Tom Sutton

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Posts posted by Tom Sutton

  1. The weekly test should be done during working hours, because it is designed to see if the FA system is working and everybody can hear the sounders, also each MCB is tested over a period of time. The test should also be carried out at the same time every week and only for a short period, if it continues then they should realize it is not a test and should evacuate. If it is not done during working hours how will the employees know if they can hear the sounders and if a sounder develops a fault how will the RP know without being informed by one of his employees. The other maintenance and tests can be done at the convenience of the service engineers and RP. 

  2. The width of escape routes and exits depends on the number of persons needing to use them. In your situation I cannot see more than 60 requiring to escape, therefore 750mm width should be considered adequate and it is very important that you are able to open the locked gate to get out of the yard. 

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    You need to study the Domestic Flammability Guide and  http://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/ this guidance should answer most of your questions.

     

    Getting a supplier for the printed fire labels is difficult, but surf the web with, “furniture fire labels” and you should get most you require. You need documented proof that the materials meet the required standard so you would need to contact the supplier. Not all foam is fire retardant and you would again need to contact the supplier for document proof. Any furniture predated 1950 does not require labels but any new or reupholstered furniture does and the guidance explains more fully. Scatter cushions fall within the regulations and the labelling is explained in the guide.

  4. If I have read it correctly are you saying the main entrance sliding door will not close properly because of the padlock that is secured to the security eye. Providing this will not prevent the door from being opened from the inside during the time the premises is occupied it would be acceptable and meet the criteria as being able to be opened without the use of a key. The only problem is the number of relevant person that may require to use this sliding door because the numbers are limited for a sliding door.

     

     

  5. Other than the  Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005  I am not aware of any guidance for seaside piers, but each building on the pier could be covered by a government guide, and the route from each building, to the entrance, a means of escape scheme could be devised. When the fire service is called it would also be important that the royal national lifeboat institution are involved in case people need to jump into the sea.

    Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ 

  6. It is important, if a system can be devised but ensuring everybody is questioned at the assemble point should identify those that are missing so the officer in charge of the fire service can be informed of missing persons so he/she can conduct a search.

  7. Depends on your fire risk assessment, they are a flammability source which could be a surface spread of flame risk but would they be easily ignited. There is no clear guidance to say they should be flame retardant it is up to the fire risk assessment to decide if they need to be FR.

    Check out  http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0041/00418066.pdf  and  http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/public-safety/Fire-Rescue/FireLaw/FireLaw/SectorSpecificGuidance/smallsleepingaccomodation the best guidance I could find.

     

  8. You have to understand the evacuation procedure in most large blocks of flats it is called "stay put". These blocks of flats are divided into into fire resistant compartments that will resist the spread of fire for up to 60 minutes, which is sufficient time for the fire service to arrive and extinguish the fire.

    This means the tenants can stay put in their flats providing it is not involved in fire or the location of the fire is such it is unsafe to do so. If the fire should spread due to bad compartmentation and if it affects any tenants they should evacuate immediately but the remainder can stay put if they choose to.

    This evacuation procedure has been in use for 50 years and proved effective except in a relatively few cases were the people involved, did not understand the evacuation procedure properly. This means, the means of escape provided for you, excluding the use of the lifts, is satisfactory because of the small number of people that will need to use it.

    Because of the terminology I would prefer, not to give it a title and let the people decide for themselves or call it, stay put if it is safe to do so. 

    Check out http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/publications/-/journal_content/56/10180/3369777/PUBLICATION 

  9. Are your proposals subject to the Building Regulations if so you will need to comply with Approved Document Part B Fire Safety therefore contact your local building control department? Some of the requirements will be your responsibility and other the landlord it will depend on your tenancy agreement.

    Eventually you will be subject the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and will be required to conduct a fire risk assessment in accordance with those regulations and I would suggest you employ a fire risk assessor to assist you.

    The Guidance you will require is Offices and shops.

  10. I think the advice from Neil Ashdown in a previous submission would be suitable for you.

    Voids inside the door and frame construction would very likely result in early integrity failure of the doors in a fire situation.

    If you can identify the manufacturer of the fire doors by finding a label on the top or vertical edges of the door you can then contact their technical department for advice. If you are unable to identify the door manufacturer and any performance certification and you have the necessary competence then you may be able to repair the door and frame. You would need to be a competent joiner (assuming the doors are timber) to tightly splice hardwood of a density above 650 kg per m3 into the voids together with intumescent paper as a gasket material. The splicing must be tight in the mortice holes leaving no voids (however small) within the door and frame section.

    This is a job for a competent person and if you are at all unsure then you should seek professional help. In which case you could try the Fire Door Inspection Scheme at www.fdis.co.uk and info@fdis.co.uk 

  11. Are you a small premises or covering a number of floors, without a lot more information it is impossible to advise you and the company who supplied the fire extinguishers should be able to help. Some basic guidance would be,

    Extinguishers should be available for immediate use at all times. Normally, extinguishers should be located:

    a) in conspicuous positions on brackets, stands or cabinets;

    b) where they will be readily seen by persons following an escape route;

    c) most suitably, near to room exits, corridors, stairways, lobbies and landings;

    d) in similar positions on each floor, where floors are of similar appearance;

    In a small shop like premises there is usually a reception desk near the front door and locating in that area would most probably acceptable.

    http://www.extinguisheradvice.org.uk/how-install-fire-extinguishers.php 

  12. The first thing is all doors that allow you to escape from the premises are fire exits including the front door. It is possible that a travel in one direction is acceptable, depending on the travel distance to all final fire exits, the numbers persons involved and the layout of the premises. Without a lot more information it is impossible to give a definite answer and I would suggest you contact the local fire & rescue service. They are the enforcing authority and should send out an inspector to check the premises out.

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