Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2. Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.
Starting from 1st October 2023, all buildings that fall under the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) will have to comply with new fire safety guidelines. These guidelines are part of Phase 3 of the Home Office's fire safety reform program and will play a crucial role in enhancing fire safety measures in all FSO-regulated properties.
Phase 3 further strengthens fire safety in all FSO-regulated premises by:
- improving cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons (RPs).
- increasing requirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fire safety information thus creating a continual record throughout a building’s lifespan.
- making it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against non-compliance.
- ensuring residents have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building.
Furthermore, the old concise guide for making your premises safe from a fire has been substituted with three new fire safety manuals for Small Blocks of Flats, Small Paying-Guest-Accommodation, Small Non-Domestic Premises and a Fire Risk Assessment Checklist. The purpose of these guides and checklist is to help with compliance with both the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and Fire Safety Order.
A Guide to Making Your Small Non-Domestic Premises Safe from Fire has been published to assist persons responsible for fire safety in small non-domestic premises to comply with fire safety legislation and make their premises safe from fire.
As a person with responsibility for the premises under fire safety laws, you must:
- carry out a fire safety risk assessment.
- ensure sufficient fire safety measures are in place.
- maintain fire safety measures.
- have proper fire procedures to inform employees and visitors on what to do in case of a fire and make sure they understand the fire safety measures within the building.
- collaborate with any other person who has duties under fire safety legislation to coordinate the fire safety measures.
- keep your fire risk assessment and fire safety measures reviewed regularly and take action to address new or increases risks where necessary.
A Guide to Making Your Small Paying-Guest-Accommodation Safe aims at providing practical advice for persons responsible for fire safety in small premises that have simple layouts, limited fire risks and a small number of bedrooms designated as guest sleeping accommodation for short-term lets, such as small bed and breakfast, guest houses and self-catering accommodation.
The guidance applies to:
- single premises of ground floor, or ground and first floor, providing sleeping accommodation for a maximum of 10 persons, with no more than four bedrooms on the first floor, such as houses, cottages, and chalets.
- individual flats (whether within a purpose-built block of flats or a house that has been converted into flats), other than unusually large flats (e.g. as often found in mansion blocks in London).
The principles and recommendations in the guide can also be applied to smaller outdoor accommodations such as: holiday caravans, camping and glamping pods, bothies, lodges, shepherds’ huts, tents, tree houses and yurts.
As a person responsible for the premises under fire safety laws, you must:
- carry out a suitable and sufficient fire safety risk assessment and record your findings.
- ensure that adequate fire safety measures, such as escape routes and fire alarm systems, are in place.
- maintain fire safety measures in good condition and in effective working order.
- provide proper fire procedures to inform employees, guests, and visitors on what to do in case of a fire and ensure they understand the fire safety measures within the premises.
- provide appropriate fire safety instruction to any staff you employ.
- cooperate with others responsible for fire safety measures.
- keep your fire safety risk assessment and fire safety measures reviewed regularly.
A Guide to Making Your Small Block of Flats Safe from Fire has been published to offer easy-to-follow and practical advice for individuals who are responsible for fire safety in small blocks of flats to comply with fire safety regulations and keep their premises safe from fire.
Such persons include:
- social housing provider
- private sector landlords
- freeholders
- resident management companies
- right to manage companies
- managing agent
This guide focuses on small, general needs blocks of flats that:
- were constructed as a purpose-built block of flats; or
- were converted into a block of flats in accordance with the 1991, or later, versions of the Building Regulations; and
- were, in either case, designed on the basis of a ‘stay put’ strategy, whereby, in the event of a fire in one flat, occupants of other flats are normally safe to remain within their own flats.
The guide is applicable to three-story blocks with not more than six flats, comprising a ground, first, and second floor.
If you are a person with responsibility for the building under fire safety legislation, you must:
- carry out a fire safety risk assessment and document your findings.
- ensure that adequate fire safety precautions are taken in the common parts.
- maintain those fire safety precautions (keeping records of such maintenance is good practice)
- engage with residents to ensure that they are aware of what to do in the event of fire, and that they understand the fire safety measures within the building.
- co-operate with any other person who has duties under fire safety legislation to co-ordinate the fire safety measures for which each of you is responsible.
- keep your fire safety risk assessment and fire safety precautions under regular review.
Got a question about a Fire Risk Assessment? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.
The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.
When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.
The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.
What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?
- Hard copy
- Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.
The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.
Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.
Solutions you should consider:
The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.
Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.
Products include:
- Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
- The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
- A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
- A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.
We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.
KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.
KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.
It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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