Fire Risk Assessment
Maritime Studios
Pendennis Rise
Falmouth
TR11 4FB
Carried out by:
Les Carter CMIOSH
Health & Safety Consultant
Mobile 07831 636751, Email Lescar@ntlworld.com
Date: October 2015
Review Date: October 2016
Contents
1.
Premises Description
2.
Areas Covered
3.
Responsibilities
4.
Basic Fire Safety Strategy
5.
Fire Hazards
6.
Fire Risks Reduction Measures
7.
Compartmentation
8.
Fire Detection and Warning
9.
Smoke Control
10.
Means of Escape
11.
Emergency Procedures
12.
Fire Fighting Equipment
13.
Remedial Actions Required
14.
Conclusion & Assessment of Residual Risks
15.
Fire Risk Assessment Plans
1. Premises Description
Purpose built in 2008b as student accommodation comprising of ground and 5 upper
floors containing 145 student studio flats.
Steel frame, block and concrete construction with part grassed roof, see photographs
and attached plans.
The design and construction incorporated all the fire safety requirements of the Building
Regulations with additional fire detection and warning measures in the common areas.
All water and space heating is electric, gas is not supplied to the building.
A large Reception/Meeting Area is situated on the ground floor.
A panoramic view Common Room is situated on the 5th Floor.
Cycle racks and car parking is provided beneath the building.
Small self-store units are provided along the ground floor corridor.
IT Hub Rooms are situated on the ground floor corridor and electric meter/stop valve
rooms are situated on each floor.
A lift is provided to access all floors.
A fire protected refuse/recycling bin store is provided on the ground floor with a chute
from upper floors.
Ground Floor Reception
5th Floor Common Room
Cycle Racks/Car Park
Typical Studio Flat
2. Scope of Assessment and Areas Covered
Type 3 – Common parts and flats (non-destructive).
3. Responsibilities
The Landlord - Empiric (Falmouth Maritime Studios) Ltd is the ‘responsible person’
under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and responsible for ensuring
that:
 a fire risk assessment is carried out and reviewed when material changes occur
 fire protection arrangements are implemented to reduce the risks to students
CRM Students Ltd. are responsible for the lettings and general students’ welfare and
employs an Accommodation Manager and Warden based at the premises. The
Accommodation Manager is responsible for:
 the day to day monitoring of the fire safety arrangements
 communicating fire procedures to students
Incentive FM Ltd are responsible for the facilities management of the premises including:
 Monitoring fire protection standards on a monthly basis and taking action as
necessary to reduce risks.
 Maintaining & testing the fire alarm system in accordance with BS 5839.
 Maintaining & testing the automatic opening vents.
 Maintaining & testing the fire damper in the refuse chute.
 Maintaining the dry riser system.
 Maintaining & testing the Emergency Voice Communication System for the
refuges on the protected staircases.
 Testing the escape lighting in the common areas in accordance with BS 5266.
 Servicing the fire extinguishers in the common areas on an annual basis in
accordance with BS5396.
 Inspection and testing the fixed wiring and equipment every 5 years in
accordance with BS 7671.
 Inspection and testing of the lightening conductor annually in accordance with BS
EN 62305
 Inspection and testing portable/transportable electrical equipment in the common
areas on an annual basis.
4. Basic Fire Safety Strategy
The compartmentation in this building is excellent as required by the Building
Regulations in 2008.
The compartmentation is such that the ‘stay put’ principle which forms the basis for fire
safety in most flats could be adopted.
In these flats the ‘stay put’ principle is not the policy. All of the flats and common parts
are fitted with an interlinked fire detection and warning system which alerts occupants to
evacuate the building. The system automatically calls the Fire & Rescue Service
through a 24/7 alarm receiving service.
.
5. Fire Hazards
Combustible/Flammable Materials
Refuse & recycling materials in the bin store and outside containers.
Soft furnishings to the chairs/sofas in Reception and the Common Room.
Floor coverings in corridors, mail in the metal mail boxes at Reception, paper and files in
the Manager’s Office.
Soft furnishings and normal dwelling combustible materials in the Flats.
Sources of Ignition
Solid ring electric hobs and microwave cookers in the flats.
Fixed electrical installation for lighting and heating in the flats and common areas (all
heaters are electric powered and fixed to the walls).
Other portable and transportable electrical equipment in the common areas and flats.
6. Fire Risks Reduction Measures
The flats and common parts are ‘No Smoking’.
Access to the building is only by key fob or via the apartment intercoms, this reduces the
risk of malicious fires from unauthorised persons entering the building.
The Building Manager and Warden/Cleaner monitor the premises and the fire
prevention/protection measures on a daily basis.
A Security Officer is contracted to patrol the building and site from 2200hrs to 0400hrs
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week. Photographs of all the occupants are
displayed on the wall in the Office to assist the Security Officers.
15 CCTV cameras are positioned in and around the building to help deter criminal
behaviour and identify offenders.
All areas are kept tidy and well organised. The corridors and staircases are kept free of
items and materials which could cause fires or impede means of escape.
Refuse & recycling materials from the Flats are stored in a dedicated of Store with fire
resisting construction. The internal access is protected by double (FD30S) fire doors
and the store is secured from the outside. Smoke detection is provided in this Store to
give early warning of a fire situation.
The fixed electrical installation incorporates the requirements of the current BS
7671:2008 and IEE Wiring Regulations and is inspected and tested every 5 years by
electrical contractors. Transportable and portable equipment in the common areas and
flats are inspected and tested annually.
A lightening conductor system is installed around the building.
Monthly safety checks are carried out by Incentive FM Ltd. as part of the facilities
management contract.
7. Compartmentation
The compartmentation designed into the premises was in accordance with the Building
Regulations requirements in 2008.
Flats have self-closing, fire resisting front doors (FD30S standard) with intumescent
strips and cold smoke seals. Letter box apertures are not provided in these doors, mail
boxes are positioned in Reception.
The lift shaft and services riser/meter rooms are fire resistant.
The corridors are protected from fires in the in the IT Hub Rooms and Meter Rooms by
fire resisting front doors (FD30S standard) with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals.
Double door fire protection (FD30S standard) is provided to prevent fires in the
Refuse/Recycling Room from affecting the on the ground floor corridor.
A gravity actuated damper is provided at the base of the refuse chute actuated by a
fusible link to prevent fires spreading vertically from the refuse bin store.
All refuse chute points on the upper floors have fire resisting doors (FD30S standard)
and the chute access lid is self- closing and fire resisting. A smoke detector is also
provided in the ceiling above the refuse chute access lid.
The access hatches to the service risers and utility cupboards in the corridors outside
each flat have fire resisting doors (FD30S standard) and are kept locked shut.
The ‘self-store’ units on the ground floor corridor are fire resisting construction (block
walls & concrete ceiling) with fire resisting doors incorporating high level, fire resistant air
transfer grilles.
8. Fire Detection and Warning
A BS5839 category L1 fire alarm system is installed with smoke/heat detectors in all
areas including the flats. Manual call points are provided in the corridors, storey exits
and final exits.
A ‘Discovery’ 32 zone fully programmable & addressable fire alarm panel is fitted in the
Reception with a repeater panel at the base of the escape from the staircase near
Reception.
Mains powered battery back-up smoke and heat alarms are installed in the flats which
have integral sounders along with a red strobe light. These alarms are linked to the
main building system.
This system gives occupants an early warning of a fire situation not only in their flats but
throughout the whole of the premises.
The fire alarm system automatically calls the Fire & Rescue Service through a 24/7
alarm receiving service.
9. Smoke Control
Automatic opening vents are provided to ventilate the North end of the corridor for the 3
flats on each floor which have escape in one direction only to the escape staircase.
Automatic opening vents are provided to ventilate the South end of the corridors for the
6 flats on each of the 2nd 3rd & 4th floors which have escape in one direction only to the
escape staircase.
An automatic opening vent is provided at the South end of the 1 st floor corridor to
ventilate the area leading to the escape staircase.
An automatic opening ceiling vent is provided at the South end of the 5th floor corridor for
the Common Room which has escape in one direction only to the escape staircase.
A further automatic opening ceiling vent is provided at approx. the mid-point of the 5th
floor corridor.
The protected means of escape staircases have manually openable smoke vents at the
highest points.
A gravity actuated damper is provided at the base of the refuse chute actuated by a
fusible link to prevent fires spreading vertically from the refuse bin store.
Typical window vent
Roof vents 5th Floor
Window Vents South End
Ventilation controls normally locked on automatic setting
10. Means of Escape
The flats are studio type open plan living and sleeping areas with separated bathroom,
the escape travel distances within the flats are within the current benchmark figure of 9m
maximum.
Students have good knowledge of the layout of the premises and the escape routes.
Two final exits are provided in addition to the final exit at Reception as shown on the
Ground Floor plan. Protected staircases lead down to these final exits from all floors.
The South end final exit from the protected staircase has a ‘Push Bar to Open’ latch.
The Reception and North end final exit doors release automatically when the alarm
sounds.
The protected means of escape staircases have self - closing fire doors (FD30S) along
with smoke detection, escape lighting and manual openable smoke vents at the highest
points.
Escape from the end flats (and the Common Room on the 5th Floor) is in one direction
only, the horizontal travel distances to the protected staircases are in line with the 7.5
metres maximum specified by Building Regulations. Automatic smoke ventilation is
provided in these corridors leading to the escape staircase in accordance with Building
Regulations.
Escape from the flats in the centre of the building is possible to both escape staircases,
the maximum horizontal travel distance to these staircases is approx. 20 metres well
within the Building Regulations figure of 30m maximum.
Escape lighting is provided in the flats and throughout the common parts of the building
which complies with BS 5266-1:2006.
The means of escape are designated by signs conforming to BS5499-2:1986 and EN
ISO 710:2012. Illuminated fire exit signs are positioned above the corridor doors and
final exit doors.
An Emergency Voice Communication System is provided for the refuges on the
protected staircases which enables communication with Reception.
11. Emergency Procedures
Notices displaying the actions for students to take in the event of a fire or the fire alarm
activation are displayed at the fire alarm call points on each floor.
The fire procedures are communicated when new tenancies are taken out.
The Fire & Rescue Service attend when the alarm is activated and have provided fire
safety advice to students on these occasions.
12. Fire Fighting Equipment
Fire blankets are provided in each flat.
A 6 litre AFFF and 5kg CO2 fire extinguishers are provided at the Fire Alarm panel in
Reception.
A 6 litre AFFF and 2kg CO2 fire extinguishers are provided at the rear exit from
Reception.
A 6 litre AFFF and 2kg CO2 fire extinguishers are provided in the Electrical Intake
Room.
6 litre AFFF and 5kg CO2 fire extinguishers are provided on each floor next to the lift.
6 litre AFFF fire extinguishers are provided along each corridor.
Notices showing what fires these extinguishers can be used for and how they are
operated are displayed on the wall at each.
Dry riser outlets are provided on all floors from an intake point in the Cycle Store/Car
Park area.
A mains hydrant is located in the car park at cliff edge near the front of the building.
13. Remedial Actions Required
Priority Ratings
High
Items creating serious and imminent fire or H & S risks.
Medium
Items creating significant fire or H & S risks.
Low
Items not to recognised standards but no significant risks
No
1
Location
Details
Electric
The intumescent and cold smoke seals on this door are
Intake Room missing and must be replaced to provide the necessary
FD30S standard for this room.
The fire extinguishers in this room should be mounted
on wall brackets.
Priority
Medium
Low
No
2
Location
Self-Store
Units
Ground Floor
Details
Further investigations are necessary to determine the
standard of fire protection of these doors.
Priority
Medium
The doors should be to FD30 standard as specified on
the fire plan design drawing but intumescent seals
were not visible which are required on this standard of
door.
It should also be confirmed that fire resistant
(intumescent) air transfer grilles have been fitted
between the louvre grills (to give hot smoke protection)
Unwanted items should be cleared out of these units to
reduce fire risks.
Low
No
3
Location
Common
Room
Details
The central gap is too large in parts for the intumescent
seal to work properly (the gap is between 5mm &
10mm, it should be between 2mm & 4mm).
Priority
Medium
There are no cold smoke seals on this door which
should be fitted to maintain the FD30S standard
protection for the escape route.
4
Refuse
Recycling
Room
This room is a special fire risk and the design
requirements are a fire resisting lobby with 2 selfclosing, fire resisting doors to FD30S standard.
The inner door requires a self-closing mechanism,
intumescent and cold smoke seals. A large gap at the
top of the frame must be filled with fire resisting
material.
Medium
No
6
7
Location
Outside
Refuse
Recycling Bin
Storage
Utility
Cupboards
Details
The design intention was that all refuse and recycling
bins be kept in the fire resisting store. This has not
been kept up, all but the bin in use are now kept
outside which creates risks of maliciously started fires
in these bins affecting the building and occupants.
Priority
Medium
If bins are to be kept outside they should be at least 6
metres away from the building and secured in a
compound or by other means to prevent them being
moved by unauthorised persons.
Medium
The utility cupboards should not be used for storage
purposes.
Medium
Flat 3
No
8
Location
Final Exit
Doors
Details
‘Fire Exit – Keep Clear’ should be affixed to the outside
of the final exit doors from both staircases
9
Fire Alarm
Panel
Although it has been confirmed the panel works
correctly the general fault indicated should be
investigated further and corrected.
10
Maintenance
& Testing of
Fire
Equipment
Ensure the monitoring, maintenance and testing
arrangements detailed in Section 3 are implemented.
Priority
Low
Low
Medium
14. Conclusion & Assessment of Residual Risks
Taking into account the fire prevention measures observed at the time of this risk
assessment, it is considered that the likelihood of a fire occurring at this building is
Unlikely (2)
Taking into account the nature of the building, the occupants, the fire protection and
procedural arrangements observed at the time of the assessment, it is considered that
the consequences of a fire occurring would be Minor (2).
4 – Low Risk
The overall fire risk evaluation is: 2 x 2 =
Evaluation of Risk
Likelihood of Fire Occurrence
Consequence of Fire Occurrence
1 Very Unlikely
1 Insignificant
2 Unlikely
2 Minor
3 Fairly Unlikely
3 Moderate
4 Likely
4 Major
5 Very Likely
5 Catastrophic
5
5
10
15
20
25
4
8
12
16
20
3
3
6
9
12
15
2
2
4
6
8
10
1
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
4
Increasing likelihood
of a fire occurring
Increasing consequences of a fire occurring
17-25
10-16
5-9
1-4
Unacceptable
Make immediate improvements
Tolerable
Look to improve within specified timescale
Adequate
Look to improve at next review
Low
No further action, but ensure controls are maintained
Fire Alarm Panel
Ventilation Control Panel
Emergency Voice
Communication System
15. Fire Risk Assessment Plans
Repeater fie panel
Final Exit Door
North End
Typical automatically opening
window vents on all floors at
this end of the building
South End
Final Exit Door
Final Exit Door
Fire hydrant with 300mm
water supply pipes
Ground Floor
Automatically opening
window vents on 2nd 3rd & 4th
floors, with ducted grill vent
on 1st floor
1st Floor
2nd Floor
3rd Floor
4th Floor
Automatically opening ceiling
vents
5th Floor
Roof Area
(No access without special
equipment)