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Houses in Multiple Occupation: Fire Precautions

Information provided by Hastings Borough Council
http://www.hastings.gov.uk

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Introduction

Our main requirement is that all occupants will be able to evacuate the HMO in the event of a fire. This will be achieved by a combination of the following measures:

  • The prevention of fire spread and containment
  • The provision of adequate means of escape
  • Measures to ensure that all occupants receive early warning of fire
  • Means of securing safe egress from the building

These principles should be applied to all types of HMOs, however the measures applied may vary according to the layout, number of floors and building design.

Under the Housing Act 2004 fire safety in residential properties is now assessed by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).  The HHSRS is a risk assessment system used to assess potential fire safety risks to the health and safety of the occupants of residential properties.  The fire safety measures outlined in this guide should be seen as a 'toolkit', from which a combination of various measures can be employed to eliminate or reduce the fire risks in houses in multiple occupation to acceptable levels.  Each individual residential property unit will be separately risk-assessed.  The guidance covers most eventualities but there may be situations where difficulties arise in applying the measures specified in the guide.  Such cases will be considered individually and the Council will decide what measures are adequate and reasonable depending on the risk assessment of the property involved.

In drawing up this guide the Council has had regard to relevant legislation, government advice, British Standards and other sources.  Changes in the law could require the Council to change its practices, policies and guidance at any time without prior notice.

Owners and managers of HMOs are advised to discuss their proposals with all relevant Council Services before implementing them.

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Fire Spread and Containment

Fire Doors

Effective fire resisting doors are vital to ensure that the occupants of a house can evacuate to a place of safety.  Correctly specified and well-fitted doors will hold back fire and smoke, preventing escape routes becoming unusable, as well as preventing the fire spreading from one room to another.

Where a fire resisting door is required, it must comply with the following:

  • have a minimum standard of fire resistance of 30 minutes (unless stipulated otherwise)
  • It must comply with British Standard 476
  • Door frame rebates must have a minimum depth of 12.5mm, and a minimum width of 35mm
  • A combined intumescent strip and smoke seals are to be provided and located in rebated channels down both sties and across the top rail of the door
  • The gap between the door and the frame should not exceed 3-4mm

Fire resisting doors should normally be hung on three steel butt hinges (although the lighter certified doors may be hung on two hinges); doors are to be provided with an approved self-closing device, which is capable of closing the door fully and tightly into the rebate, in one movement.  Rising 'butt' hinges and Gibraltar type closers are not acceptable.  Overhead closers are the preferred choice.

Whenever possible the provision of a letter plate in a fire door should be avoided as it affects its stability and integrity.  Fire doors with existing plates may be acceptable provided the plates are spring-loaded and have a melting point in access of 8,000C.  The provision of intumescent letterboxes are acceptable, alternatively a totally enclosed box of fire resisting construction is permissible.

Attention should also be given to the effective fire stopping of any gap between the wall and the doorframe, by infilling the space with intumescent paste.  Unless this gap is sealed fire and smoke may percolate into the protected area.

Upgrading of Fire Doors

There are many designs of doors used within the Hastings area and the method of upgrading must be tailored to the characteristics of the individual door.  Therefore if it is intended to upgrade an existing door you will need to discuss and agree the method of upgrading with the fire officer before you undertake the work and it must be done in such a way as to comply with the TRADA specification.  If it is intended to provide the requisite fire resistance to a door, by either the application of a intumescent fabric or liquid coating, the Council will require the appropriate documentation to confirm the suitability of the product.  Therefore you should check with the supplier before purchasing the merchandise.

Glazing in Fire Doors

When ordinary glass is subject to either a rapid heat build up or flame impingement it will readily crack and quickly dislodge from its frame.  Therefore only fire resisting glass should be used if glazing is considered essential in a fire door.

The two types of glass most commonly used for this purpose are either wired glass panes, which have a minimum thickness of 6mm or laminated (ie. Pyrostop or Pyrobel) which will vary in thickness in relation to the fire resistance required.  Heat tempered glass and plain plastic bonded laminated glazing (PPB) have no fire resisting qualities and are therefore not acceptable.  When glazing is to be provided it is essential to ensure that the integrity and the stability of the door are not affected.  Therefore it is imperative to ensure that the framework and the method of fixing are compatible with the type of glass used.

Although wired glass can meet the requirements in terms of stability and integrity, it has no insulation properties, therefore a passer by could be subject to radiated heat, which could prejudice the escape route.  To reduce this risk in terms of both heat transfer and protection of the escape route, the area of glazing is to be restricted 1.2sq m  Glazing in fire doors should only be fitted above a height of 1.1m when measured from the floor level.

Because of the composition of laminated glass, which is constructed of a membrane of intumescent material sandwiched between layers of glass sheets, which when subjected to fire absorbs heat.  Consequently it not only provides the requisite integrity and stability, but also has insulation properties.  Therefore it has a wider range of usage.

Glazing in fire doors is not normally fitted between sleeping accommodation and protected corridors or staircase enclosures.

Any transoms or borrowed lights located above fire doors will also need to be fire resisting in frames fixed shut.

Fire Protection to floors, walls and ceilings

In buildings where a comprehensive automatic fire detection system is installed floors and ceilings affording half hour fire resistance will generally suffice.  Tight fitting 21mm tongued and grooved floor boarding above a lath or plaster boarded ceiling finished with 5mm gypsum plaster will provide the requisite fire resistance.  Walls and partitions separating the staircase enclosure from the accommodation units will also need to be 30-minute fire resisting.

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Means Of Escape

Accommodation Layout

Fire occurring in domestic dwellings will produce large volumes of smoke and hot gases in a comparatively short space of time.  Therefore inner room situations are to be avoided, as this can present a potentially unacceptable hazard to the occupants.  However, this arrangement is acceptable when the inner room is a kitchen, utility room, bathroom/wc or if both the inner and access rooms are used solely for sleeping and automatic fire detection is provided in the outer room.

Where practicable bedrooms should be located nearer to the accommodation exit, than the kitchen, dining room or lounge.  The kitchen, which is considered an area of high risk, will need to be separated from the remainder of the accommodation by 30-minute fire resistance and the access door will need to be maintained self-closing.

Travel Distances

Although they are no hard and fast limits regarding the distances one might need to traverse to escape fire, where a single staircase provision exists the following distances are considered the maximum for most circumstances, although a degree of flexibility will be exercised in some circumstances.

  • Habitable room, from any point to the room exit: 9m
  • From the room exit to the entrance to the accommodation: 9m
  • From the accommodation to the staircase enclosure: 7.5m

Advice on travel distances within Hostels or buildings with two or more staircases or rooms with more that one exit is more complex and will vary to those listed above.  Therefore you will need to consult with the fire officer to confirm the travel distances.

Number of staircases

It is not always essential to provide alternative means of escape from the upper floors.  Depending on the degree of protection and the circumstances involved a single staircase may be acceptable for a house having upto 6 floors.

In a house with up to 4 storeys (excluding the basement storey) it will only be necessary to protect the staircase enclosure by ensuring that all the doors leading onto the enclosure are fire resisting and maintained self-closing, in addition all walls and partitions separating the staircase from the accommodation facilities will also need to provide the requisite fire resistance.  Doors accessing WCs and bathrooms containing no fire risk, need not be fire resisting.

In a house limited to 5 storeys (excluding the basement storey) a 2-door protection scheme will need to be provided.  This can be achieved either by the provision of a fire protected lobby to separate the accommodation from the staircase or providing fire resisting doors to accommodation access and fire doors to any room which accesses the flat entrance area.  Alternatively single door protection to the staircase would suffice if a secondary means of escape where available.

In buildings having more than 5 floors (excluding the basement storey) an alternative means of escape will be required.  Where an external escape stairway is provided, it will be necessary to ensure that this route cannot be prejudiced by fire and smoke issuing from openings such as windows and doors.  Therefore any window on the external wall (except w.c's) will need to be fire resisting in frames fixed shut.  Any door located beneath the staircase will need to be fire resisting and maintained self-closing.

As an alternative to the provision of an external staircase, it may be acceptable to provide a secondary route via an adjoining property.  Such routes are to discharge to a place safety and will need to be available for immediate use at all times.  Because these routes will involve either passing over or into the adjoining property it will be necessary to enter into a legally binding agreement with all parties concerned.  To ensure that the route is always maintained and readily accessible at all times.  In hostels the number of escape routes and staircases will be dependant upon a number of factors, such as occupancy, number of storeys and travel distances.  Which will need to be discussed and agreed with the fire officer.

Where more than one staircase is provide the layout should be such that occupants of the building do not have to pass through one staircase enclosure to reach another alternative escape route.

Protection and escape from staircases

All staircases required for means of escape purposes should be separated from the remainder of the building by fire resisting materials and should lead directly to a final exit which in turn leads to a place of safety away from the building.

All doors required for means of escape purposes should only be secured by fastenings that are easily and immediately opened from the inside without the use of a key, card or digital lock, at all times.  If electrical security devices are to be fitted these should fail in the open position, upon the actuation of the fire alarm or any loss of power to the domestic electrical supply or alternatively be provided with a manual override facility.

The staircase enclosure is normally the only means of egressing the building from the upper floors.  Therefore it must remain a sterile area at all times and must not be used as either a general storage or refuse facility.

Any cupboards located within the staircase enclosure will need to be lined with 30-minute fire resisting materials, in addition any electrical meter/consumer units will also need to be enclosed within a requisite enclosure.

All fire resisting doors fitted to stores and cupboards on escape routes must be kept locked shut when not in use.

Any service ducts, pipes or cabling which passes through a fire resisting wall, partition, floors or ceilings are to be sealed with fire resisting materials to prevent fire penetration.

Ideally, a staircase that serves the upper floors should not extend into a basement.  Where this is unavoidable the basement should be separated from the remainder of the building by 2 x 30-minute fire resisting doors, one located at basement level and the other at ground floor.

Mixed user buildings

These buildings contain more than one usage such as bedsits or flats above shops.  In these circumstances 60-minute structural fire separation will normally be required between the commercial and residential accommodation.  This will include the need for an independent access provision for the dwellings.  However it will be permissible for the staircase to serve both types of occupancies provided fire-protected lobbies separate the staircase enclosure at all levels and the building does not exceed four storeys in height.

Lifts

Unless a lift is situated within a protected staircase enclosure, it should be contained within a fire-resisting shaft, with fire rated access doors and where practical the shaft should be ventilated at the top.  Lifts should not be used for means of escape unless installed in accordance with B.S. 5588: Part 8.  Lifts should not normally extend into a basement.

Basements

A basement, exceeding 150sq.m in floor area should be provided with two independent exit routes, which should both discharge onto a place of safety away from the building.

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Fire Alarm and Detection Systems

The purpose of automatic fire detection (AFD) is to provide a reliable and constant means of detecting the presence of fire whilst it is still in its insipient stage and give an audible warning to the occupants.  Thus facilitating a safe and speedy evacuation of the building in the event of an emergency.

Automatic Fire Detection will normally need to be provided in all houses in multiple occupation which are separated into self-contained units.

The appropriate British Standard for all HMOs with the exception of hostels and hotels is B.S. 5839: Part 6.  Hostels and hotels are covered by Part 1 for a category L2 system)

Although British Standard 5839: Part 6: applies to other types of HMO buildings it does not apply to purpose built blocks of flats, except in the case of a flat in Multiple Occupation, where it would need to be installed in the individual flat.

In the case of 1 and 2 storey HMOs the provision of mains powered detectors, which are interlinked and with each head having an integral standby supply, will normally suffice (detector heads should comply with B.S.5446).

In all other HMOs the system provided will need to be a Grade A LD2, incorporating a control panel/indicating equipment, call points, smoke/heat detectors and sounding devices.  The design, installation, commissioning and servicing of the system will need to comply with BS. 5839: Part1: 2002.

  • The control/indicating equipment is to be sited within the principal Entrance area of the building
  • Call Points are to be provided at all storey exits and adjacent to all final exit doors from the building
  • Smoke detection is to be provided in all circulation areas, adjoining rooms / lobbies and to cover any inner room situation. In addition certain areas of high risk ie. kitchens will need to be covered with heat detectors.
  • In bedsit accommodation provided with cooking facilities heat detectors should be used instead of smoke detection, this help to eliminate the nuisance of false alarms.

All fire alarm sounders throughout the building are to have similar sound characteristics and be sufficient in number to achieve the levels referred to in the Code of Practice, ie.75d(B)A at the bed head and 65d(B)A in other areas although this can be reduced to 60d(B)A in certain other parts of the building ie. staircase enclosure.

If you are unsure about what type of system would be required for your property, you may find our summary section helpful.

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Emergency / Escape Lighting

To facilitate safe egress from the building in the event of an emergency, it will be necessary to provide an emergency lighting system within the staircase enclosure and common parts.  This system is to be installed in accordance with British Standard 5266: Part1: 1988.
Sufficient domestic lighting will also need to be provided and maintained at all times within the staircase enclosure and common parts to ensure that the areas are adequately illuminated, when the system is switched on.

Upon the completion of the installation of both the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems the installation engineer will need to issue the appropriate documentation to the Council, to confirm that the installations have been completed in accordance with the appropriate British Standards.  The installation engineer should also be member of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) or some other recognised body.

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General Information

Sprinkler Installations

The installation of sprinklers in commercial buildings have demonstrated their value for many years and because of the large number of fatalities, injuries and incidents in HMO type properties the provision of domestic sprinkler systems has been the subject of much debate in recent times.  Hastings Borough Council recognises that the installation of a system has the potential to save lives, reduce the number of injuries and restrict fire damage in properties.  However, it must be appreciated that this additional protection, does not negate the need for structural fire separation, protection of escape routes or indeed the necessity for automatic fire detection.  Although the Council do accept that the provision of such a system would offer the opportunity to discuss the possibility for some variation to the other fire precautionary prerequisites.

British Standard 9251 and E N 12845 provides guidance and recommendation for the design, installation, components and maintenance of these systems.

Flammability of Upholstered Furniture

The dangers posed by foam filled furniture are well documented.  Persons who provide furnished accommodation to rent, must ensure that the items comply with the 'Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Amendment Regulations 1993'.

Furniture covered by these regulations includes:

  • Domestic upholstered furniture, including beds, sofa beds and children's furniture
  • Secondary covers for furniture
  • Scatter cushions

The regulations do not apply to furniture made before 1950.

The most practical way of establishing if furniture complies is to look for a permanent label.  Such labels are generally located on the underside of furniture or attached to coverings and cushions.

For further advice you should contact the Trading Standards Department at East Sussex County Council, as the above information is not intended to be an authorative interpretation of the legislation but is merely intended as guidance.

Fire Evacuation

All residents are to be made aware and instructed on what action to take in the event of fire.  This should be based on the following sequence of events:

  • Raising the alarm
  • Action to be taken when hearing the alarm
  • Evacuation of the building
  • Calling the Fire Brigade

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Legislation and Enforcement

Fire safety in residential properties is now assessed by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, (HHSRS), introduced in April 2006 under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004.  The HHSRS is a risk assessment system used to assess potential risks to the health and safety of the occupants of residential properties.  The system focuses on 29 specified hazards, one of which is fire, and assesses the likelihood of an incident arising from the condition of the property and the likely harmful outcome on occupants.  For example, how likely is a fire to break out and what will happen if one does?

The HHSRS assessment will show the presence of serious hazards, (Category 1 hazards), where the local authority has the duty to act and less serious hazards, (Category 2 hazards), where the local authority has the power to act to reduce or eliminate hazards.

The idea behind enforcement is to make the property safer for the range of potential occupants as well as for the current occupant.  Whatever method of enforcement is chosen will be a means to this end.  The local authority will need to take a view on whether hazards can or should be reduced, or removed entirely and how they might be removed or reduced, and if they cannot, what other action is necessary.

Local authorities are encouraged to comply with the Enforcement Concordat and give clear advice to the owner or manager on what is required of them and to provide an opportunity to discuss the circumstances of a case before formal action is taken.  In all but the most urgent cases the statutory notice will be preceded by an informal notice declaring the Council's intention of taking statutory action, and inviting the landlord to respond with proposals to comply with the Council's standards.  If no satisfactory proposals are received from the landlord then the statutory notice will be served.

The local authority will weigh up the risk from any hazard(s) in the dwelling that might affect the potential occupant most at risk.  The authority will also consider matters such as the most practical solution, and the age of the property.

In deciding the most appropriate enforcement method (but not for deciding whether a hazard exists), the authority will also consider matters such as cost of the works necessary to deal with the hazards.  It will then take the most suitable form of action, which will be one of the following:

Serve an improvement notice

This is a possible course of action for dealing with category 1 or 2 hazards and must at the very least remove any category 1 hazard(s).  It will not require work to start sooner than 28 days from when the notice is served.  It may, if necessary, be suspended until an agreed date or event.  For example it could be suspended until the current occupant moves out of the property.  It can cover more than one hazard, and perhaps require different completion times.  Once the necessary work has been carried out to their satisfaction, the authority must revoke the notice.  Failure to carry out the required works in the Improvement Notice within the specified time frame is a criminal offence, and the local authority has the power to carry out works in default and recover the cost of such works required from the landlord.

Make a prohibition order

This is a possible course of action which can be taken to deal with a category 1 or 2 hazard.  It might prohibit the use of part or all of the premises for various specified reasons.  This might be appropriate:

  • Where the conditions are a serious threat to health and/or safety but the execution of remedial works are not possible because of cost or other reasons;
  • To limit the maximum number of people who occupy the dwelling because of defects or where the facilities are unsatisfactory for the number of people who live there; and
  • To prohibit the use of a dwelling or part of a dwelling to a particular vulnerable group (until such a time as improvements have been made)

As with improvement notices, prohibition orders can also be suspended and made to come into operation after a specified event such as when an occupant moves in or out of the property.  Someone who allows premises to be used against the terms of the order commits an offence.

Emergency action

Where there is a category 1 hazard and the local authority is satisfied that the hazard involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the health or safety of occupiers, the local authority can use emergency measures to get work done or prohibit the use of the dwelling (or a part) and so protect those occupiers.  Using its powers the authority can carry out immediate remedial action, and though it is possible to appeal, in practice, any appeal is likely to be heard after the action has been taken.  The authority can also serve an emergency prohibition order, which has immediate effect.

Serve a hazard awareness notice

This option is in the nature of advisory action where the authority wants to draw attention to the need for improvements.  It could be a possible, though unusual, response to a category 1 hazard.  The notice must give details of the hazard concerned and what is needed to deal with it.

If a landlord is aggrieved by the Council's actions they may appeal to the Residential Property Tribunal, normally within 28 days.

Appeals must be directed to:
The Residential Property Tribunal Service
First Floor 1 Market Avenue
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 1JU
Telephone: 0845 100 2617 or 01243 779392
Fax: 01243 779389
e-Mail: southern.rap@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

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Summary of Fire Precautionary Measures

The following measures specified are only intended to give general guidance as to the fire safety measures that could be employed in certain types of houses in multiple occupation.  Fire safety risk assessments will be carried out in each individual property, and it is possible that a combination of different measures outlined in the previous pages will be employed to reduce the risk from fire to acceptable levels.

Houses Converted into Self Contained Flats - Up to 2 storeys

Fire Warning Provision

A mains powered smoke alarm system is to be provided, all detector heads are to be interlinked so that when any one alarm is triggered, all sensors will sound.  The installation is to comply with British Standard 5839:Part 6: Grade 'E'.  Detector heads should comply with B.S. 5446: Part 1.

The detector heads are to be sited within the staircase enclosure, at each level and inside the hallway or lobby of each flat.  If there is no internal lobby or hall the detector should be located in the room adjoining the staircase enclosure.  The sensors are to be sufficient in number to achieve the sound levels required by the Code of Practice; therefore it is likely that any room used for sleeping accommodation will need a sensor.

Fire Escape

The staircase enclosure and associated exit route should be separated from the other parts of the building by 30-minute fire-resisting materials and fire doors.  However, this may not be necessary, providing the following conditions are met:

  • Less than six occupants are housed
  • All habitable rooms have an openable window or door for escape purposes
  • No habitable room can only be accessed by way of another room
  • All rooms have close fitting doors
  • There are no bedsit facilities
  • There are no other adverse risk factors

Shared Houses and Bedsit Properties - Up to 2 storeys

Fire Warning Provision

A mains powered interlinked system is to be provided and installed in compliance with the above recommendations, however any room where cooking takes place will require a heat detector.

Fire Escape

The escape route will need to be protected by 30-minute fire resisting materials and fire doors.

3 and 4 storey HMOs

Fire Warning Provision

An electrically operated automatic fire alarm system incorporating a control panel, manual call points, smoke/heat detectors and sounding devices is to be provided and installed throughout the building.  Unless otherwise stipulated the system is to comply with B.S. 5839: Part 6, Grade A LD2 type.

Fire Escape

The staircase enclosure and associated exit route should be separated from the other parts of the building by 30-minute fire-resisting materials and fire doors, unless otherwise stated.  In addition any room provided with cooking facilities will need to be separated from the remainder of the accommodation by fire resisting materials and a fire door.

Emergency Lighting

To facilitate safe egress from the building emergency lighting is to be provided and sited with the staircase enclosure and common parts of the building.  The system is to comply with B.S. 5266: Part 1.

5 and 6 storey HMOs

Fire Warning Provision

An electrically operated automatic fire alarm system incorporating a control panel, manual call points, smoke/heat detectors and sounding devices is to be provided and installed throughout the building.  Unless otherwise stipulated the system is to comply with B.S. 5839: Part 6, Grade A LD2 type.

Fire Escape

In a building of 5 storeys if a secondary means of escape is not provided it will be necessary to separate the staircase enclosure from the accommodation by fire protected lobbies or alternatively a 2-door protection scheme.

In addition any room provided with cooking facilities will need to be enclosed in fire resisting materials and associated fire door.

In a building having more than 5 floors an alternative means of escape route and protected staircase will be required.

Emergency Lighting

To facilitate safe egress from the building emergency lighting is to be provided and sited with the staircase enclosure and common parts of the building.  The system is to comply with B.S. 5266: Part 1.  If the building is provided with a secondary exit route the system should also cover this facility.

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Glossary

Access room

A room, which the occupants of an inner room must pass through.

Alternative escape routes

Independent escape routes sufficiently separated by either direction or space or by fire resisting construction, to ensure that one is still available should the other be affected by fire.

Area of high fire risk

A room or area, which because of its function presents a greater risk of fire occurring and developing than elsewhere ie. kitchen or boiler room.

Automatic fire detection

An integral system installed within the property, primarily installed for the protection of life, by detecting fire in its incipient stages and sounding a general alarm.

Emergency lighting

A lighting system provided for use when normal lighting fails.

Escape route

The route forming that part of the means of escape, to the final exit.

Final exit

The termination of the escape route from the building, which discharges onto the street or open space, which leads to a place of safety away from the building.

Fire door

A door provided which together with its fittings; furniture and frame will resist the passage of fire for a specified period of time.

Fire resisting

The ability of the component to withstand flame impingement for a specified period of time, as detailed in the relevant part of British Standard 476.

Habitable room

Lounge, dining room or bedroom.

Inner room

A room, which can only be accessed by way of another room.

Intumescent strips and smoke seals

A combined strip designed to prevent the passage of fire and smoke when fitted into a doorset.

Means of escape

The route through and from the building to a place of safety away from the building.

Place of safety

Where people can disperse from the vicinity, so they are no longer threatened by the dangers of fire and smoke.

Protected lobby

A lobby having an adequate degree of fire protection, which protects and forms part of the means of escape route from the building.

Protected route

A route having an adequate degree of fire protection to the floors, walls ceilings and partitions, which separate it from the remainder of the building.

Protected staircase

A staircase discharging through the building to the final exit leading to a place of safety.

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Whilst companies can access a wealth of free information and download a variety of advice documents**, many prefer to commission a specialist in the field to do the assessment, train staff and advise on equipment.

Many businesses, large and small, are finding that high-quality fire extinguishers, safety signs, alarm equipment and many more fire safety items are being sold on the internet at a fraction of their traditional prices. This is making it easier for businesses to comply with the law without the huge expense normally associated with fire protection equipment.

Ensure any fire protection products you buy carry the appropriate quality labelling which may include BSI Kitemark, CE mark and various UK industry-standard approvals such as BAFE where available. Remember to cover all the risks that your business could encounter.

If in doubt about any aspect of your fire protection measures or the equipment you need, ask the Fire Safety Department of your local Fire Service or your Council's Building Control Officer for advice.

* Norwich Union Risk Services, July 2007

** http://www.communities.gov.uk/fire/firesafety/firesafetylaw/aboutguides
 
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/200543.htm
 
http://www.fire.gov.uk/Workplace safety/WhatTheLawRequires/#anchor

About the author:

Jason Miller has many years' experience in the sector, advising businesses and government departments. Fire Protection Online is open for business seven days a week, 365 days a year. Find out more from www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk or by ringing 0800 321 3145.

 

 

 

 

 

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