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Peter Reading
Member - 5 posts
On the matter of legionnaire research shows that we have this in our water supply that we drink it now; in the gut it is not a problem, it is only when inhaled into the lungs its impact is serious. The reasarch that I have been undertaking with low pressure water mist indicates that it has to be down to 25-35 microns droplet for it to be inhaled in the air.
Legionnaire is not an issue in sprinklers, or hosereels. It does though have to be assesssed when specifying water mist systems.
Peter Reading
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Peter Reading
Member - 5 posts
Dean,
Hose reels can, in the right circumstances, be an essential part of the fire safety defence package for the preemies. The Office and Deputy Prime Minister always intended, as did the courts that fire fighting equipment is 'part of the means for maintaining the means of escape'. When the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order was being enacted along with its guidance this matter was debated at some length. The ODM now the Department for Communities and Local Government stated that fire extinguishers and hose reels were a part of the package to reduce the risk from to persons who were escaping from fire in other parts of the building.
With this concept, there must go the correct analysis, that the hose reels were the correct form of extinguishing media in the first place; they are not always suitable where there are many changes in direction or levels. Secondly, that staff are correctly trained to recognise the risks and how to use the equipment safely.
I can foresee a legal case developing where a small fire starts, in the presence of employees where, with the use of local first-aid fire fighting equipment, it is extinguished in its incipient stages. However, because of a ‘no fire extinguisher or hose reel policy’ the fire develops and spreads and some people elsewhere in the building become endangered or a casualty. Without knowing the precise circumstances and use of your building, I have broadly taken the view for many years that there are only limited and rare occasions where I would advocate a policy of no fire fighting equipment and people should all leave immediately. If you remove the hose reels and if called upon, are you prepared, with the protection, of a robust analysis to justify to the courts a ‘no fire fighting policy’ The removal on cost grounds will not be a defence, when for decades they have been accepted as a reasonable measure in the fire safety package for a building.
Peter Reading
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Peter Reading
Member - 5 posts
Mary,
In addition to the CLG web site do look on the Fire Protection Association web site at http://www.thefpa.co.uk/Resources/Publications.htm they have some very good examples.
Peter
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Peter Reading
Member - 5 posts
On the basis of the description that Scott has given on the 19th December 2007 the answer is ‘yes’ security grilles should be removed while people are working.
The requirement for 'single action operation' of a door described in 20/12/07 would usually be interrupted by an enforcing authority to mean:
• The pushing of a panic bar – door opens
• The operation of a door handle – door opens
• The operation of a key – door opens.
This is particularly important where members of the public are present and may not be a familiar with the door operation so it should be as simple as possible hence the need to state - single action.
On a risk appropriate basis and with staff training it is possible to move slightly from the single action position and here some authorities will accept a key in a box or a break glass mechanism.
A fire authority will again consider it reasonable where high security is a feature to secure escape doors when used for example, in banks and building societies to have electrical/mechanical locking and release systems, these though are associated with areas that are covered by CCTV and staff can usually see any developing fire or where the building has automatic smoke detection.
Whatever mechanism you accept and deploy it should not materially delay the movement of people or significantly increases the escape time to a place of safety. Every one should be able to reach a place of comparative safety within about 50 seconds from the moment they start to move.
Peter
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Peter Reading
Member - 5 posts
You have identified a significant finding in your risk assessment that impacts directly on the escape of people from your premises. If co-operation with your neighbour fails you should contact your local fire safety manager at your nearest fire station who has power to take enforcement action.
The HSE inspector whilst they may make comment, they operate a protocol with the fire service to inform the local fire and rescue authority who will undertake enforcement. Fire Service administers and enforces general fire safety. The EHO and HSE enforce general health and safety and fire in an industrial process.
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