AnthonyB

I'd agree, most precautions relating to server rooms are for business continuity purposes.

https://www.checkmatefire.com/services/fire-door-remediation-and-installation

No, England lags behind Scotland in many ways in legislation & guidance, so it isn't explicitly legally required, however fire is the same regardless of which side of the border a premises on so any diligent & reasonable assessor would include it in the FRA. If the Responsible Person chooses not to take up that guidance that is entirely up to them and at their ultimate liability.

This would comply to BS EN 179 - Emergency exit devices - with a code needed to get in, but a simple push to exit https://locksandhardwaredirect.co.uk/product/codelock-cl505-digital-panic-access-unit-code-free/?attribute_pa_manufacturer=codelocks&gclid=CjwKCAjw2dD7BRASEiwAWCtCbyTWu9KZrolnvbqr0n2x1EjZMRtM5eCCctYCXRI3vGr-qzN3gWmb3BoCX3oQAvD_BwE

Assuming your car park does not include a public thoroughfare then it relates to whether the adjoining premises have a legal right of access such as a wayleave, license, easement or suchlike. These can permit free access, access at certain times or in some cases access for emergency escape only. You need to ascertain if these are in place and what, if any, break clauses exist. Even if there is no written right of access in this form if such a right has been enjoyed for a substantial period of time there could be complications with just stopping it - you are going to need a property lawyers advice unfortunately.

It certainly mitigates to some extent, but shouldn't really be used to excuse shoddy workmanship!

Fire safety is a subject in it's own right and from experience some of the worst FRAs are by H&S people who haven't gained the suitable experience & knowledge (usually through training) to do the job adequately. Whilst not mandatory (yet) increasingly the provision of life safety fire risk assessment is advised to be by accredited individuals and companies. Having said that, in house FRAs can be done by anyone who feels competent and can use the guidance correctly and for small to medium premises this is often done and is often adequate. What fire related stuff have you done? It may fill in the gaps you need - your H&S experience gives you a solid background in the principles of risk assessment, it's just the specialist knowledge on fire safety, fire safety systems (alarms, extinguishers, fire-stopping, emergency lighting, etc). Joinery workshops could have process risk elements under DSEAR as well. Does your insurance cover this? The FPA have a range of suitable courses https://www.thefpa.co.uk/training/fire-risk-assessment-training-courses Look up all the specific sector guidance and see how you feel - if you are confident you understand it all you may well be fine - just remember you are legally liable for your work and, unlike with H&S consultants, it's not uncommon for those providing poor FRAs to be prosecuted, particularly where providing it as a service to a Responsible Person

No one in the fire alarm trade so far can identify it so it's not fire related - sensors for alarms or environmental systems were some of the guesses.

Your FRA should have addressed this. The age of the building, number of storeys, layout (e.g. flats off stair or flats off lobby, etc), etc all feed into the assessment. In some larger old buildings and even some small new buildings there are alternatives to AOV's, one being if there are large openable windows on each landing that can be used as an OV instead. You need a new FRA by someone that knows what they are doing...(I can help depending where you are)

Well it's still locked shut so that bit is fine - however what could be an issue is if the door and/or frame was damaged.

The official DCLG Guide refers the RP to BS5839-1 for fire alarm systems which in Clause 16 Audible Alarm says "in hospitals and certain residential care premises in which occupants might need assistance to evacuate, the fire detection and fire alarm system might not be intended to rouse people from sleep, and it might only be necessary for staff to be aware of the alarm signal." Therefore there is no need to achieve the 75dB bedhead (except to any staff quarters) and the last thing an immobile resident, who many not be being evacuated immediately anyway due to PHE and may have cognitive issues, needs is to be scared out of their wits alone in a room by a very loud siren with either no understanding of the situation or if they do understand the fear that they can't get themselves out, increased when no one comes for them for an extended period. This is why the sector needs risk assessors with an understanding of healthcare and ideally an understanding of medical conditions and patient handling, to determine what is needed in a particular premises. In some registered care homes there will be no bedroom sounders and progressive evacuation, in others where the dynamic of the service users is different there need to be bedroom sounders and a simultaneous evacuation is used. The stereotypical image of care homes is very elderly physically and mentally disabled persons, but there are dozens, if not hundreds where the service users are far younger & self mobilising. There is no blanket approach hence the need for decent FRAs

No, it's an urban myth. The only reason why you might go for a 5kg for an electrical risk is if the size of the enclosure is such you need the larger volume of gas to flood it adequately.

No, and if it was meant to be a smoke or fire detector it looks too flush to work. I've asked on a specialist forum & will get back to you if I find out more.

No requirement at all, it's very odd that some chains are putting it in.

If it is just general needs purpose built flats then there never has been (& still isn't) a need for a common fire detection system, despite people throwing these systems in willy nilly. If it is genuinely fit for stay put it would only need detection (no alarms) in the common parts if there was an automatic smoke control system fitted. Usually sounders and call points would be withdrawn leaving just the detection linked to the smoke control - if there is no smoke control the whole system is superfluous (& a service charge drain)and can go.0 HOWEVER - a full system as described along with a simultaneous evacuation policy (no stay put) is appropriate if: -The premises do not have adequate fire compartmentation and it is not realistic to provide it (often for very old flats pre 1960's), or -There is an unsuitable external cladding system in place and the system is a temporary measure until it is replaced. Whilst it does seem unnecessary I'd need to be at the site to be 100% (but I'm 99.9%)

How wide is it? There could be issues with fire spread between buildings and the ability to navigate the external exit route.

Then there are options open to you, your fire risk assessment would need to justify this but it's not impossible.

https://www.riscauthority.co.uk/free-document-library/RISCAuthority-Library_detail.rc16b-recommendations-for-fire-safety-in-commercial-kitchens.html Aimed at the insurance/property protection side of things not life safety so goes beyond what is in Building Regulations and similar guidance which are only life safety oriented. It, not unsurprisingly, prefers enclosure but does reference mitigation measures for kitchens that aren't enclosed (mainly supression)

They should, but it's not really a life safety risk (which is the point of the FRA) if they are a bit high so would be considered picky by many. It would never be an issue for enforcement officers who on an audit wouldn't blink twice at it.

It's a sign of wear, particularly if there are flakes of metal in the oil, and most fire door inspectors will 'fail' the door and require renewal. If the doors are still functioning properly then the risk is less and it's more of a warning sign, but the door would need more regular ongoing checking to ensure the hinges haven't totally gone.

Under Building Regulations they are not a place of special fire risk requiring enclosure, so can be in the same compartment as the dining area as long as the area has sufficient exits and, where necessary, protected routes, not going through or past the open kitchen. Whilst irritatingly not mandatory (like they are in the US) the provision of a fixed suppression system is also a common control measure for both open and closed kitchens.

I'm happy to help more beyond the limits of free forum advice if you need - PM me through the forum if you need to.

No, it depends on size. HMO's of one or two floors can be covered by a Grade D system of residential smoke & heat alarms. Bigger HMOs would be expected to have a Grade A (commercial equipment with panel, etc) common system and Grade D equipment to individual units.

Hi, Signs - Can be any material, some places print their own off and laminate using signs creation software from the internet to get the colour and symbol right - Do not have to be photoluminescent (the mark up is horrendous, the photoluminescent extinguisher signs for example only cost them @ 70p) - New exit signs do have to include a directional arrow except where only trained and familiar staff are present and usually where the signs are supplementary (e.g. on a stair to indicate to keep going down). It's not retrospective of course, it's up to your fire risk assessment (which you shouldn't have done by the same people whose main business is selling extinguishers and signs) to determine if the risk provided by retaining the legacy signage is intolerable. Extinguishers - In many indoor environments it's absolutely correct to replace powder with other types (despite many companies still putting them in) but it's not across the board and the choice is a combination of both fire and health & safety risk assessment plus business continuity/property protection matters. An office, shop, public building, healthcare premises, etc wouldn't really be a good idea for many reasons, but more industrial areas, particularly large open areas with no public, can suit powder, especially if multi risk, where a flammable liquid spill is a risk and where the secondary damage issues are considered less an issue. If you were a warehouse with attached office block for example, I'd phase powder out of the office and kitchen if present, but may leave it in the warehouse as long as you accepted the damage risks (which depending on the materials and processes may not be high anyway) It's the FRA that drives your needs, not the supplier and maintainer and if you get a good risk assessor you use their report and get the maintenance firm to work to that, not you working to their 'advice' From what you are saying I've a good guess as to which group has taken over your old supplier and it's not uncommon to find you should move as you get hit by lots of recommendations that are 'law' and your servicing charge rockets as every little part used suddenly gets charged on top of the basic service fee. What part of the country are you (In case I can help further)?

Yes, generally to the standard of the day, which can be 20 minute fire check to selected doors, through all doors other than bathrooms being FD20 no intumescent seals and ending in FD30 doors with seals (sometimes standing in for a FD20 door)