Tom Sutton
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Everything posted by Tom Sutton
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I would be post haste to the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau at least go online at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ you need legal advice.
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Thanks Harry. -
Hi Juliet The furniture regulations only apply to upholstered furniture, therefore tables should present no problems. Is the upholstered furniture for domestic or contract/ non-domestic purposes, because different rules apply. Check out http://www.fira.co.u...mability-guides select which guide and the standards you require then before you purchase, enquire with the retailer if the furniture meets the necessary standards. You may have to register (free) to download the publication. Tom
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Hi Harry Why do they lose their kitemark, they should be overhauled in accordance with BS 5306: Part 3: 2000, F1, F2, D1 and E1? Tom
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Yes you can use refurbished fire extinguishers (overhauled) but there are very few types that it makes economic sense to refurbish possible CO2 and some dry powders but quite often it’s cheaper to buy new. It needs to be done in accordance with BS 5306: Part 3: 2000 and other standards therefore if there is no kite mark then that is not acceptable. In most normal situations you require very few CO2 extinguishers and if you are considering only CO2 then you have been watching too many star trek movies and are need of a competent person to help you. Check out http://www.firesafe....uisher-general/
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Hi Mark A few observations on this subject but by no means a definitive response. If you install a certified fire door set and any modifications are done by approved contractors the door set remains certified. The documentation provides a guarantee and any enforcing officer (EO) would most certainly accept it. If you upgrade a door then it’s up to you to prove the door will perform as required this is done by a risk assessment and you convincing the EO. First of all I would upgrade the door by using the English Heritage guide, check out http://www.helm.org.....pdf?1325965679 for heritage building, this is organisation to follow. I found a product called Therm-a- Flex who provides a test details. If flex is similar then any documentation from them could prove useful with your fire door assessment. As for the vision panel I would use retro fit modules especially if the provide any form of guarantee. Finally I would talk to the EO before you do anything because if s/he will not accept it and you are not prepared to go all the way then it could be a very expensive exercise. Check out http://www.communiti...e/heritagehotel this is how complicated it can get.
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Are you referring to a fire alarm manual call point or Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) system, outstation call point? You will find the standard for fire alarms is BS 5839-1:2002+A2:2008 and with reverence to the height of manual call points is 1400mm +/- 200mm. A lower mounting height is acceptable in circumstances where there is a high likelihood that the first person to raise an alarm of fire will be a wheelchair user. You will find the standard for EVC systems is is BS 5839 -9: 2011 and with reverence to the height for outstations it is 900mm to 1200mm. Both should be accessible, well illuminated, conspicuous and free from obstructions. In the case of EVC outstation noise level needs to be considered and the background noise should be less than 40 dBA or consider an acoustic hood.
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The person or persons designated the Responsible Person of the premises is responsible for any employees and other persons lawfully on the premises known as relevant persons. The RP is required provide instructions and training for the safety of these people in the event of a fire, which should include a fire procedure showing the actions to be taken in the event of a fire. It may include the need for a register and a roll call but you need to speak to the RP to find out the finding of the fire risk assessment.
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How often should emergency lighting lamps be changed?
Tom Sutton replied to a topic in Emergency Lighting
When ever you become aware a lamp has blown, in a maintained system this should be immediately but in a non maintained it most probably will be during the monthly test. I am not aware of any routine replacement recommended. -
For the maximum size of fire resisting glazing check out http://www.eastbourn...vicetype=Inline but I would suggest you keep vision panels as small as reasonable practical and to confirm the information contact your local building control. For more information check out http://www.ggf.org.u...4a7f50398c2.pdf
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Is this a fire resisting door and how is it marked? We have discussed something similar on another thread with regards to retro fitting a ventilation grille, check out but this is more problematic because what you propose to install has not been tested at all.
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Are you saying the the front door leads to a communal area outside the building and there is a door in the boundary wall leading to the public highway or the front door leads to a large hall inside the building then there is an external door leading to public highway. Also when you say fire door are you referring a a fire resisting door?
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Nina It all depends on what fire risk you have in your premises and which fire extinguisher is suitable for that type of fire. There are five classes of fire extinguisher one for each type of fire. There is usually class A in all premises and in your premises you will have a class C you may need class B, D and F but unlikely. For class A the best method to extinguish a fire is cooling but you can use smothering but there is a chance of re-igniting. For class C the best method is isolating the supply however Class C (dry powder) will extinguish the flame to allow you to get to the shut off valve. If you have an electrical risk then isolating the supply is best then use class A or there are others that are consider safe on electric risk. (CO2 Dry Powder and some Foams) To make sense of the above check out http://www.firesafe....uisher-general/ http://www.firesafe....-extinguishers/ http://www.firesafe....-extinguishers/ and http://www.firesafe....and-combustion/ Here endeth the lesson god bless you all. Tom
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Ryan first of all welcome, your presence is much appreciated. Part of the question asked was, is the premises a HMO and it was not stated they were self-contained flats but like you I suspect they are and consequently not a HMO. My point was when trying to establish if it is a HMO one of the details you need to establish is the tenancy and if a lease is for more than 21 years or owner occupied it is relevant. Also I think Chris thought that if it wasn't a HMO then a fire risk assessment would not be required consequently I went on to say that although it is may not be a HMO it will still be subject to the RR(FS)O and a fire risk assessment on the premises common areas would be required. Sorry to be pedantic but very rarely do you get all the information you require to give definitive response so I tend to point the questioner where they can find the answer and allow them work it out for themselves.
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I think the guide for your premises is Sleeping accommodation and on page 123 class "O" and Class 1 is explained, but as I have said corridors should be sterile with no flammable materials present, but some enforcement officers will accept a limited number of displays in glass fronted cabinets/frames and treated objects. What does you Fire risk assessment say on this matter? The width of the corridor is mostly irrelevant you should keep the fire loading as low as possible. With regards to the substitution for glass have you considered polycarbonate sheet instead of perspex its more stable with regards to fire. Perspex does evolve toxic fumes when involved in fire but so does most materials its all a matter of degree.
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Does ventilation grille damage fire door?
Tom Sutton replied to a topic in Fire Doors and Accessories
Ryan I agree with what you say, but what about those thousands of fire doors that are not certified fire door sets which I term nominal fire doors its just another item to assess when deciding if the fire door will meet the required standard. If it needs to be replaced, then I would insist on a certified fire door set to replace it. -
Do fire alarm systems have to adhere to latest standards?
Tom Sutton replied to a topic in Smoke Alarms
It all depends on the fire risk assessment, what does it say about the fire alarm and what category should be installed. The final decision is up to the Responsible Person whether or not to accept it but from what you say it sounds that is should be upgraded and I cannot see the enforcing authority accepting it neither. If the RP accepts the situation you should make your opinion very clear to to the RP, preferably in writing. -
It is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, that primarily controls fire safety in England and Wales check out http://www.firesafe....ety-order-2005/ for more information. It is the Responsible Person as defined by article 3 of the above order has the duty to implement the order also other person having control can have duties as well. The Fire and Rescue Service has the duty to enforce the order and conducts spot checks to ensure if the order is being complied with. The Department of Communities and Local Government oversees the legislation and provides guidance. The order also uses persons defined as Competent Person to fulfil a role and this includes fire consultants/assessors. In the near future legislation will be introduced defining Competent Person even now a fire risk assessor is residing at her majesty’s pleasure. Check out http://www.absoluteh...safety-offences Competent Person is regarded as competent if they have 'sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to properly assist the employer to meet his safety obligations.
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When a premises is unoccupied you can secure it to any degree you wish, fire doors only need to be available without resorting to the need for a key when occupied. Even when the premises is occupied you can provide certain security to fire doors check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/security-and-fire-safety/ .
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Hi Chris I think what you are talking about is the battery for self contained emergency lighting unit. Yes they do have to be replaced and I found one supplier who stated " Sealed Nickel cadmium cells with a life of at least 4years and comply with EIC standards." I have heard 5yrs mentioned and I would assume there is a test to establish if the needs replacing but I do not know what it is. You should contact a supplier of these batteries or sparks who has experience in this field. Tom
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A resident landlord can have two lodgers/renters living with them and not be a HMO. Schedule 14 of the Act exempts from the definition of HMO an owner-occupier and his/her family, who are living with one or two lodgers, as follows: Buildings not HMO's (excluding Part 1) Schedule 14, 6,1c no more than such number of other persons as is specified for the purposes of this paragraph in regulations made by the appropriate national authority.” The regulations by the appropriate national authority is Statutory Instrument 373/2006, whereby section 6(2) of the above SI states, The number of persons specified for the purposes of paragraph 6(1)c of Schedule 14 to the Act is two. So if there are three or more lodgers in addition to the landlord and his/her family, the property will be defined as an HMO.
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There will be thousands of fire doors out there that hasn't been tested to BS 476 part 22 not even part 8 and there will be many claiming to meet the required standards, that do not.
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Whether the flat is freehold or leasehold does have relevance when deciding if a premises is a HMO. check out Housing Act 254 1c / 254 4a / 257 2b / 257 4a In article 3 I do not see where freehold or leasehold has any relevance.
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Corridors and circulation areas are usually escape routes and therefore the surfaces of walls, ceilings require a surface spread of flame of class "O". Anything introduced into the corridor should meet a class "O" surface spread of flame but in certain situations class 1 may be acceptable. Consequently corridors should be sterile with no flammable materials present, but some enforcement officers will accept a limited number of displays in glass fronted cabinets and treated objects.
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BS EN 50172:2004/ BS 5266-8:2004 states, Regular servicing is essential. The occupier/owner of the premises shall appoint a competent person to supervise servicing of the system. This person shall be given sufficient authority to ensure the carrying out of any work necessary to maintain the system in correct operation. One definition of competent is, A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need. It doesn't say he has to be qualified, it says he has to be competent you will have to decide if he is competent.