Hi all, 

 

I would be grateful for your help please. 

 

I would like to ask your help in regards to a place of work I was working at to establish your views on hazards/risks that I have identified at this premises to reduce further accidents from happening. 

 

The picture enclosed is a fire exit door leading from the basement area of a property I used to work at. On numerous occasions I had to move boxes, disregarded desk chairs and rubbish from behind this door and unfortunately on one occasion when I did move the objects I caught my head on the side on the filling cabinet and cut my head open resulting in A & E hospital treatment, concussion and time of work. 

 

In your view/opinion could you please let me know your thoughts on the following: 

 

1) in your opinion does the above picture pose hazards to enable the fire exit door to be used for the purpose on what it’s attended for? 

2) boxes/objects/combustible objects behind the fire exit door is illegal and shouldn't happen? 

3) mounting a metal cabinet on the wall behind a fire exit door poses a hazard for the use of this fire exit door and the person who maybe using the metal cabinet at the time as they could be hit by the fire exit door opening on them when using the filling cabinet? 

4) that fire extinguishers should be mounted on a wall using a quick release chain mechanism or on a stand and that they shouldn’t be stored behind a door on the floor loose as these would be rendered useless? 

5) your overall opinion/views surrounding the above picture in regards to health and safety/fire safety so a further accident doesn’t happen and that the business is compliance in regards to fire and safety? 

 

Any help on the matter I would be grateful to you, so I can further protect another accident from happening and furthermore should the inevitable happen and a fire in the basement happened that all persons in the property could escape and that there means of escape are not impeded. 

 

Thank you in advance 

If it's a designated fire exit then yes it's not best, nor are the extinguishers. The law states:
 

Emergency routes and exits

14.—(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times.

(2) The following requirements must be complied with in respect of premises where necessary (whether due to the features of the premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons—

(a)emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a place of safety;

(b)in the event of danger, it must be possible for persons to evacuate the premises as quickly and as safely as possible;

(c)the number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits must be adequate having regard to the use, equipment and dimensions of the premises and the maximum number of persons who may be present there at any one time;

(d)emergency doors must open in the direction of escape;

(e)sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits;

(f)emergency doors must not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency;

(g)emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs; and

(h)emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting.

It’s a exit from the basement so if there is a fire in the basement then this is the only means of escape also the way out of the basement normally. 

Definitely not adequate then!

Thanks Anthony for all your help on this one and the above information that you sent.