Q. What is Fire?
Fire is a self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by heat and light in the form of a glow or flames. It is commonly used to describe either a fuel in a state of combustion (e.g., a campfire, or a lit fireplace or stove) or a violent, destructive and uncontrolled burning (e.g., in buildings or a wildfire). The discovery of making fire is considered one of the most important elements in the progression of humankind, for it let higher hominids ward off wild animals, cook food and provide warmth.
Q. What is Fire Engineering?
Fire Engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles, rules [Codes], and expert judgement, based on an understanding of the phenomena and effects of fire and of the reaction and behaviour of people to fire, to protect people, property and the environment from the destructive effects of fire.
Fire Engineering includes such activities as:
The assessment of the hazards and risks of fire and its effects;
The mitigation of potential fire damage by proper design, construction, arrangement, and use of buildings, materials, structures, industrial processes, transportation systems and similar;
The appropriate level of evaluation for the optimum preventive and protective measures necessary to limit the consequences of fire;
The design, installation, maintenance and/or development of fire detection, fire suppression, fire control and fire related communication systems and equipment;
The direction and control of appropriate equipment and manpower in the strategy and function of fire fighting and rescue operations;
post-fire investigation and analysis, evaluation and feedback.
Q. Who is classed as a fire engineer?
A fire engineer, by education, training and experience: understands The nature and characteristics of fire, and The mechanisms of fire spread and the control of fire and the associated products of combustion, Understands how fires originate, Spread within and outside buildings/structures can be detected, controlled, and/or extinguished, Is able to anticipate the behaviour of materials, structures, machines, apparatus, and processes as related to the protection of life, property and the environment from fire, Has an understanding of the interactions and integration of fire safety systems and all other systems in buildings, industrial structures and similar facilities is able to make use of all of the above and any other required knowledge to undertake the practice of fire engineering
Q. What is the aim of fire safety engineering?
Fire safety engineering is concerned with minimising the impact of fire on life, safety and property and has several key objectives:
Its aims are to:
Ensure that people are able to leave a building or structure in a reasonable amount of time or go to a place of safety that will protect them from the effects of heat, smoke and structural failure.
Protect personnel in fire fighting operations in order to seek and rescue members of the public and contain the fire from spreading to neighbouring property.
Reduce the impact of fire on property and the environment
The fire engineer will be able to provide on going adhoc support in all fire related issues regarding the design, liase with Building Control Officers, Fire officers and the insurers to achieve a fully compliant building regarding fire safety.
Q. When should the design team be talking to a fire engineer?
The design team should aim to get a fire engineer involved in a project at the initial stages of the design process. A fire engineer may have a limited involvement at the early stages, but their experience may ensure that the design is right the first time and that building costs are reduced.
Q. How can you prepare for the changes in workplace fire legislation?
The easiest way to prepare for the changes is to ensure that you are complying with the current fire precautions and health and safety regulations. The basic requirements of the current regulations are going to be carried forward into the new legislation. There will also be additional duties such as the safety of people not on the premises, and the safety of fire fighters will now have to be considered.
The average business professional operating within simple, small premises may be able to manage a satisfactory fire risk assessment. This will of course depend upon the competency of the person carrying out the assessment. Businesses operating in more complex, larger premises may need to call on the assistance of a fire safety specialist or consultant in order to undertake a satisfactory fire risk assessment. Examples of more complex premises will be commercial, residential, aviation, shipping, retail, and distribution and process premises.
Q. What does a fire risk assessment cover?
Typically our assessment will include a review of the following (where applicable):
• Fire safety awareness and management,
• Induction training (fire safety) of employees, contractors and visitors
• Fire safety documentation, loss control programmes
• Housekeeping standards
• Means of escape
• Evacuation drill records
• Emergency lighting systems
• Compartmentation / building construction
• Fire protection systems
• Fire detection systems
• Fire alarm systems
• Smoke ventilation systems
• Fire protection / detection / emergency lighting maintenance records
• Electrical system maintenance including records
• Production plant maintenance records
• Control of hazardous processes and combustible / flammable materials
• Control of contractors
• Hot work procedures and controls
• Lightning protection
• Crane operator means of escape
• Spray booth operations and procedures
• Smoking controls
• Security / arson prevention procedures
• Pre-emergency planning / Major Incident Procedures
• Fire protection system impairment procedures
Fire fighting facilities / access for fire brigade intervention
Our fire risk assessment report can help you comply with your insurance requirements for your property.
Q. Why is a good fire risk assessment important?
The results of a properly conducted assessment will be of benefit to the business, not only in terms of satisfying the legal requirements relating to safety of employees, but also in terms of providing a safer overall environment and reducing the risk of fire damaging or destroying the business.
There is no single way in which an assessment should be made or, at present, any National or International standards relating to fire risk assessment.
Q. So, what do you need to carry out a fire risk assessment?
Knowledge
An understanding of fire safety
Many years experience in fire safety engineering/management
Documents to assist with the process i.e. Publicly available specification PAS 79 fire risk assessment
What is certain is that fire claims in commercial properties are on the increase and the claims figures for 2005 were estimated at over £800 million. This is not including the Buncefield oil depot fire. The warning is that although fires may be falling statistically according to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister the overall financial effect of those that do occur is becoming more serious. Companies must ensure that a robust and adequate fire safety management program is introduced and maintained
Q. Who is a 'Competent Person'?
The Fire Safety Order calls upon ‘Competent Persons’ to carry out a fire risk assessment. The definition has not been accurately defined and may not be until there is a legal case in which the 'competent person' is expected to give evidence following a serious fire/incident.
As legislation is unclear on the competency of the fire risk assessor, the employer will need to decide whether they, or a member of staff, have the necessary experience and expertise to carry out a fire risk assessment in-house or whether external assistance will be required.
A competent person is someone who has thorough background knowledge and understanding of fire safety, together with many years experience in fire safety engineering and fire safety management, applying that knowledge.
We do not believe that sending a health & safety representative on a short course will equip them adequately to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, suggest courses of action and if necessary be expected to defend their actions/decisions in a court of law.
Many businesses will look outside of the company to undertake a professional fire risk assessment, usually engaging external consultants. Some companies may feel that they have internal employees who are capable of undertaking this task.
A fire risk assessment requires honesty to positively highlight fire safety needs, weakness and recommendations. Sometimes the problem with internal staff carrying out the fire risk assessment is that they can be influenced by local issues such as:
• Budget restraints
• Fear of criticizing work processes
• Incorrect building layouts
• Shortfalls in senior managements fire safety procedures
• Time constraints and other work influences and pressures
There is also the question of competency. A fire risk assessment is not simply about ticking boxes, delivering a report and finishing there. We believe that to perform a thorough fire risk assessment, it is important to work with the existing Health & Safety personnel to deliver a complete service, based upon our expertise.
