Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Fire Safety in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Buildings

This is a summary of the way that fire safety is managed in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Buildings and the individual’s role in the management of fire. It is not a complete guide to fire safety.

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Updated: 19 April 2024

Legal/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Requirements

In England and Wales fire safety legislation is centred on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. In Scotland it is the Fire (Scotland Act) and in Northern Ireland it is the Fire Safety Regulations (NI). But this is a complex area and you should seek advice if you need to understand how the legislation applies to what you are doing.

The legislation in England and Wales makes reference to β€The Responsible Personβ€. There may be more than one responsible person for any workplace and typically β€The Responsible Personsβ€ are companies (Employers) not individuals. Seek advice from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Safety if you need to understand who is responsible for fire safety in your workplace.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Role

In the UK the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ have contracted the Facilities Management Teams at each building to manage the fire safety arrangements. In some overseas buildings the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ may have direct control over more aspects of fire safety. This guidance focuses on the arrangements in the UK but can be used to help plan fire safety anywhere in the world.

Typically Facilities Management Teams are responsible for:

  • Fire Alarm maintenance and testing.
  • Automatic smoke detections systems
  • Gas/water suppression systems.
  • Evacuation strategy
  • Arranging Fire Evacuation drills (except that in some smaller buildings where there is no permanent facilities management presence these may be arranged by the managing editor).
  • Fire Extinguisher maintenance and testing.
  • Emergency Lighting maintenance and testing.
  • Emergency Exits.
  • Housekeeping – management of waste.
  • Holding and maintaining the building fire manual

Fire Risk Assessment

  • A fire risk assessment is a methodical, structured examination of the risk to the buildings occupants from fire, taking into account the fire hazards, the means by which the fire hazards are to be controlled and the arrangements for protecting people from any fire, including an assessment of both the physical structures and managerial systems.
  • Provision of fire risk assessments, and addressing any action points raised, is the responsibility of the Facilities Management provider for the premises (contact the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Workplace helpdesk for more information).

 Fire Alarms

  • Most Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ buildings have automatic fire detection and alarm systems.
  • Larger buildings have β€two stageβ€ alarms – when the alarm is first raised the security team will investigate and cancel the alarm if no fire is discovered. If a second alert is received the alarms will sound.
  • Some buildings are zoned – the fire alarms may sound in one part of the building and not in another. Only the part of the building where the alarm is sounding has to be evacuated.

Fire Wardens

  • When a building is evacuated fire wardens are used to check that it is empty. Fire wardens role is not limited to β€fire’ and they should also assist in other evacuations such as suspect package/bomb alerts.
  • For the area where they are working fire wardens should:
  • Check every room, including toilets and to assist people where necessary to evacuate to a place of safety.
  • If necessary tell or show people where escape routes are and show disabled people safe refuges or how to use emergency lifts or help them use stairs.
  • They should be the last person to leave the floor area for which they are responsible. They should then report to the senior person at the assembly point to inform them that their area is clear or if anyone is still in the building and their whereabouts.
  • Fire wardens should make sure that they are very familiar with the fire procedures and escape routes in their building.
  • Fire wardens are not expected to try to extinguish fires or to search for suspect devices.
  • Fire Warden Training must be provided as soon as possible after appointment and be repeated every three years.

Facilities Management team

  • Keep a record of fire wardens and publish notices in the building. 
  • Contact managers if there are insufficient.
  • Arrange training for fire wardens.

Training

Some people require more training than can be delivered in drills. This will include anyone with a specific role such as Fire Wardens, anyone who helps disabled people to escape, security staff.

Fire warden training should include:

  • Causes of fire
  • Fire and smoke spread
  • Fire alarms and evacuation procedures
  • Management of evacuation
  • Means of escape, fire exits and the value of fire doors
  • Arson awareness
  • Human behaviour in fire conditions
  • Evacuation of disabled persons and others requiring assistance
  • Fire extinguishers (practical)
  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Fire Guidance
  • Fire Drills
  • Should be held at least twice a year in every building
  • Must cover everyone who uses a building including those on night shifts and people such as cleaners and maintenance staff
  • In buildings with more than one staircase, access to one of the staircases should be prohibited during at least one fire drill each year
  • If there is rapid staff turnover, hold a fire drill more frequently
  • In buildings to which large numbers of the public are admitted, at least one fire drill per year should include members of the public
  • If it is essential to allow a person to continue working during a drill to prevent disruption to output an exemption can be granted, It should be in writing, a record kept and no person should be granted exemption from two consecutive fire drills.

Fire topics

More from SSR

  • Your platform to record accidents, risk assessments, assurance monitoring and inspections
  • Safety Equipment Stores

    Just one number to call: 020 3614 5155
  • Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Safety Guidelines

    An A-Z of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Health and Safety Guidelines
  • Safety Advice Line: 0370 411 0464 Email: safety@bbc.co.uk

About this site

This site describes what the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ does in relation to managing its health, safety and security risks and is intended for those who work directly for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

It is not intended to provide instruction or guidance on how third parties should manage their risks. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cannot be held liable for how this information is interpreted or used by third parties, nor provide any assurance that adopting it would provide any measure of legal compliance. More information

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