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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
Hello Peter,
Iain is correct in his advice regarding emergency lighting. Your fire risk assessment will determine whether or not you require emergency lighting or not.
For example, if you work late or through the night EL would be appropriate. If you have windowless accommodation within the factory, EL would be required and so on.
Where you have EL installed, you must maintain and test it in accordance with the recommendations of British Standard 5266. That is a requirement under the Regualtory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. If you have not done so, start asap.
Good luck wth your directors, ensure that the electrical engineers are NIC/EIC approved (and get more than 1 quote!!).
Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
Hello all,
just a couple of points to consider in all of this discussion:
Article 13 of the RRO appears quite specific in the measures to be taken by the Responsible Person with regard to provision of necessary fire fighting equipment and the nomination and training of persons to use that equipment.
Article17 of the RRO requires the retention and maintenance of any fire fighting equipment provided in the workplace under any previous fire safety enactment which was repealed or revoked by the RRO.
Regards
Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
Enter your comment here...It really comes as no surprise whatsoever to those of us who have been involved in firefighting and fire safety enforcement for the last 30+ years to find that there are unscrupulous landlords who will not spend one penny in providing fire safety measures within their properties. It was a battle when the Fire Brigades enforced the standards..................... Self Compliance ?? Don't make me laugh !! There will be loss of life in the future, the ghosts of the Rose and Crown will return.
Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
Just a thought for Bob Brown..........
If you have only 2 or 3 staff, why do you have so many fire extinguishers? Do you have a large premises?10 fire extinguishers seems to be a fairly large number and an annual discharge may not actually be required dependent upon the type of extinguisher installed. You might be being "shafted" to quote your post !
Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
Yes, it is a requirement for any workplace.
Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
The previous comments regarding premises area / extinguisher provision is technically correct, but slightly misleading. The "A" rating calculates out at "26" in respect of a 400 sq. metre area, however be clear that this does not mean 26 fire extinguishers!!
The "A" rating indicates the extinguishing power required to deal with a small carbonasceous (Type A) fire in its incipient stages. As a general rule of thumb, 1 water based extinguisher per 200 square metres is the norm and there should be a minimum of 2 units provided in any workplace, except where the floor area does not exceed 100 square metres.
Water based fire extinguishers, 9 litres capacity or a smaller size with additives, are rated at "13A". It therefore follows that in any workplace 2 of these units would be required, and additional units for every 200 square metres.
In respect of other types of fire, there are Foam, Carbon Dioxide and Powder type extinguishers available. These have "B" and "F" fire ratings. A fire risk assessment should identify where these other types are required.
In general, the provision of 1 x Water based and 1 CO2 type (2 Kilogram size) fire extinguishers are often the best combination to adequately form a fire fighting point within most workplaces containing no special risks.
Extinguisher points should be located adjacent to the exits from the workplace and no person should have to travel more than 30 metres in any direction to reach an extinguisher.
Maintenance is simple. Weekly visual checks by the users to identify any damage or tampering, and an annual test and examination by a qualified engineer.
Mike Kane
fireuk@msn.com
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
Hi Iain, big problem here........ the government wants to "reduce the burden on businesses" and " promote a risk based regime rather than a prescriptive regime" however, they never thought through how employers would actually implement the new regime. The Regulatory Reform Order and the Fire Safety Scotland Regulations places many fire safety duties upon employers and building owners but give no indication as to how those duties are to be discharged. The previous thread has tried to address concerns and sell basic safety training courses (see Kelly Mansfield 17.03.08) which is actually typical of the latest breeds of locusts spawned by the uncertainty of the new fire safety legislation which has been used to both frighten employers on the one hand and lull them into a false sense of security on the other, in that they can have a 1/2 days course which gives them the necessary fire safety knowledge to undertake a competent fire risk assessment of the workplace. Bollocks. There are articles within the new fire safety order which are far reaching and which will result in major legal rulings, a fact not fully recognised by most organisations involved at this time. In the meantime, the basic instructions issued under the previous legislation is a stable point to start from, as there is no definitive advice forthcoming from the DCLOG or the FRA's at this time. In respect of the frequency of staff training and other matters, I would suggest those with a genuine interest consider the implication of Article 17 of the order. In the meantime, employers should maintain a regime of initial informative training followed by regular updates (annual remider sessions) for all members of staff and then consider the appointment of sufficient competent staff to undertake all the necessary duties specified in orther articles of the Regulations
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Mike Kane
Member - 8 posts
How surprising.............
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