RDS Asbestos Management Consultants Ltd

FIRE PRECAUTION SERVICES

As part of our commitment to providing quality services to our clients we at RDS now have the capabilities for conducting Fire Risk Assessments and the preparation of Emergency Plans which are both obligatory requirements under the Fire Precautions (Workplace Regulations) 1997 as subsequently amended.

Organisations failing to comply with the Regulations risk not only criminal prosecution but also invalidating their Employers Liability Insurance.

RDS Offers a comprehensive Risk Assessment Service consisting of a site(s) inspection by a fire specialist, a detailed written report, including photographs of our findings, plus recommendations for any alterations that may be required to your premises, working practices or current Emergency Plan.

To find out more on how RDS Can assist you in complying with the fire safety requirements, please call 01449 612405 or email us on info@rdsasbestos.com

FIRE EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

Equipment	Period	Action
Fire-Detection and fire-warning Systems including self-contained smoke alarms and manually operated devices	Weekly	Check all Systems for state of repair and operation. Repair or replace defective units. Test operation of systems self- contained alarms and manually operated devices Full check and test of system by competent service engineer
	Annually	Clean self-contained smoke alarms and change batteries
Emergency lighting including self-contained units and torches	Weekly	• Operate torches and replace batteries as required. • Repair or replace any defective unit
	Monthly	• Check all Systems, units and torches for state of repair and apparent function.
	Annually	• Full check and test of systems and units by competent service engineer• Replace batteries in torches
Fire-fighting equipment including hosereels	Weekly	• Check all extinguishers including hosereels for correct installation and apparent function
	Annually	• Full check and test by competent service engineer

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (Amendments1999)

THE REGULATIONS
European countries have been looking at fire precaution issues, which have led to the release of various EC Directives. These Directives are designed to offer a common fire precaution solution across all member states. The new Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 are the UK’s response to these EC Directives.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD AND THE NEW REGULATIONS?
Up to now we have used the relevant authority for inspecting the premises which can, and do on a regular basis, ask for changes if required, once confident all the criterion of assessment have been met they go on to certify the property as being satisfactory and acceptable by the standards of the day.
Following on from there, the designated person/s are responsible for the: regular maintenance of the equipment, training of staff and on-going assessment.
However consideration will also need to be given to the building and its future uses. For example, if the building was to be enlarged, altered or the use changed, the relevant authorities would need to re-attend site for an additional inspection which will again either confirm or refute the building meets the requirements of the audit structure.

The New Regulations are based on typical European law, in brief the main difference is:

You will no longer be audited by the relevant authority which effectively places the obligation of assessment on you.
You should note however, that in the event of and incident, the New EU legislation will act as the means you will be judged.
If you are found to be negligent following an investigation the there is every likelihood that you will be prosecuted.

WHICH PROPERTIES MUST COMPLY?
All places of work.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE?
Every employer.
Every person who has control/responsibility of a workplace.
Persons who have any contract or tenancy when it relates to –
a: the maintenance or repair of the workplace (Also See Asbestos, specifically the Duty to Manage)
b: the safety of the workplace (Also See Occupation Health).
Any person who is carrying on with a trade/business is responsible for their premises.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ALREADY HAVE OR HAVE APPLIED FOR A FIRE CERTIFICATE UNDER THE 1971 ACT?
You must keep to the requirements of the certificate, but you must also abide by the principles of the new regulations.
The former does not make you an exempt case.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-
1. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT MEASURES
Adequate means of detecting fire should be provided.
Adequate means to raise the alarm should be provided.
Adequate and suitable provision for first aid fire fighting equipment should be positioned in the relevant place.
First aid fire fighting equipment should be accessible and sited in relevant position.

2. SIGNING
Note on signs: Correct reference to appropriate signing should be taken from the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
This regulation states that:
Every employer shall ensure that comprehensible and relevant information on the measures to be taken in connection with safety signs is provided to their employees.
Every employer shall ensure that each of his employees receives suitable and sufficient instruction and training in the meaning of safety signs and the measures to be taken in connection with safety signs.
Other references:
BS 5499 Part 1 1990 shows the most comprehensively understood graphical symbols and fully satisfies EC Directive 92/58/EEC and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
For hospitals see also HTM 65 Part 2 for graphical symbols.
Any non-automatic fire fighting equipment so provided should be indicated by signs or the appropriate safety colour (red).

3. ADEQUATE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL
Where necessary employees should be nominated to implement the above measures.
With adequate fire fighting equipment in place all employees should be trained to implement the safe use of the equipment without involving risk to themselves.

4. ESCAPE ROUTES AND EXITS
Adequate escape routes and exits should be provided and available where necessary according to the following principles:
Escape routes and exits should lead as directly as possible to a place of safety.
In the event of danger employees should be able to evacuate the workplace quickly and as safely as possible.
The amount, distribution and dimensions of escape routes and exits should be adequate in accordance to the size, type and maximum number of people who use the building.
Emergency doors should open in the direction of escape.
Sliding or revolving doors should not be used for emergency exits.
Escape and exit doors should be easily and immediately opened by any person requiring to do so and should not be locked or fastened.
Escape routes and exits should be indicated by appropriate signs.
Escape routes and exits should be adequately illuminated at all material times and adequate provision for escape route illumination should be made for the failure of their normal lighting.

5. MAINTENANCE
All fire fighting equipment, alarms and detecting systems should be adequately maintained.
Periodic testing of any fire safety equipment should take place.

6. RECORDS
Records of risk assessments should be kept.
All maintenance should be recorded and logged.
Management of fire safety should be recorded and appropriate log books kept..
RDS can help you with this new legislation. Through years of experience we are able to assist you on a consultancy basis as well as correcting any remedial work that may have to be carried out.

THESE AMENDMENTS CAME INTO FORCE ON THE 1st DECEMBER 1999

For further information or to arrange a meeting Contact us now.

RDS Asbestos Management Consultants (UK) Limited
Head Office The Tannery, Combs Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 2EN United Kingdom TEL: 01449 612405 - Fax: 01449 612406 Email: info@rdsasbestos.com	Northern Regional Office Melton Court Gibson Lane Melton, Hull HU14 3HH United Kingdom TEL: 01482 638579 - Fax: 01449 612406 Email: info@rdsasbestos.com