This section provides guidance on fire detection and warning systems

Where an electrical fire-warning system is necessary then a straightforward arrangement typically includes the following;
Manual call points (break-glass call points) next to exits with at least one call point on each floor. Electronic sirens or bells.
A control and indicator panel.

An alternative system of interconnected combined manual call points and sounders may be acceptable. If your building has areas where a fire could develop undetected or where people work alone and might not see a fire, then it may be necessary to upgrade your fire-warning system to incorporate automatic detection or install an automatic fire-detection and warning system.

If, for any reason, your system fails you must still ensure that people in your premises can be warned and escape safely. A temporary arrangement, such as gongs, whistles or air horns, combined with suitable training, may be acceptable for a short period, pending your system repairs.

The fire warning sound levels should be loud enough to alert everyone, taking into account background noise. In areas with high background noise, or where people may be wearing hearing protectors, the audible warning should be supplemented, e.g. with visual alarms.
People with hearing difficulties

Where people have hearing difficulties, particularly those who are profoundly deaf, then simply hearing the fire warning is likely to be a major difficulty. If these persons are never alone while on the premises then this may not be a serious problem, as it would be reasonable for other occupants to let them know that the building should be evacuated. If a person with hearing difficulties is likely to be alone, then consider other means of raising the alarm. Amongst the most popular are visual beacons and vibrating devices or pagers that are linked to the existing fire alarm.
Voice alarms

Research has shown that some people and, in particular, members of the public, do not always react quickly to a conventional fire alarm. Voice alarms are therefore becoming increasingly popular and can also incorporate a public address facility. The message or messages sent must be carefully considered. It is therefore essential to ensure that voice-alarm systems are designed and installed by a competent person with specialist knowledge of these systems.
Schematic Plan

In order to quickly determine where a fire has been detected, you should consider displaying a schematic plan showing fire alarm zones in a multi-zoned system adjacent to the control panel.

Fire extinguisher guidance chart

To provide you with a little guidance about which type of fire extinguishers you might require please refer to the table below, all fire extinguishers have the body colour of signal red, and at least 5% of the body must be colour coded in the pre-EN3 (BS 5423) colours. a good example is the Dry Powder extinguisher now red (BS-EN3) with the coloured band of blue which was the old (BS 5423) colour code to represent the dry powder.

fireextinguisherchart

Servicing & maintenance information

Lack of maintenance can lead to an extinguisher not discharging when required, or rupturing when pressurized. Deaths have occurred, even in recent times from corroded extinguishers exploding. In the UK, three types of maintenance are required:

Basic Service: All types of extinguisher require a basic inspection annually to check weight, correct pressure (using a special tool, not just looking at the gauge) and for signs of damage or corrosion, cartridge extinguishers are opened up for internal inspection & check weighing of the cartridge, labels are checked for legibility, where possible dip tubes, hoses and mechanisms checked for clear free operation.

Extended Service: Water, Wet Chemical, Foam & Powder extinguishers require every five years a more detailed examination including a test discharge of the extinguisher and recharging- on stored pressure extinguishers this is the only opportunity to internally inspect for damage/corrosion. By recharging fresh agent is used as they all have a shelf life, even water goes foul inside an extinguisher; Note: extinguishers should be percentage tested according to total number of units in any given area. Some extinguishers contain pressure in excess of 1.38 MPa (200psi) and this internal pressure over periods of time affects each brand & make differently depending on their placement & location.

Overhaul: CO2 extinguishers, due to their high operating pressure, are subject to pressure vessel safety legislation and must be hydraulic pressure tested, inspected internally & externally and date stamped every 10 years. As it cannot be pressure tested a new valve is also fitted. If replacing any part of the extinguisher (valve, horn, etc) with a part from another manufacturer then the extinguisher will lose its fire rating. This may invalidate insurance, as would incorrect or inadequate servicing if it were to be found.

Your obligations

Until the next service visit the responsible (or nominated) person should ensure that a visual inspection is carried out on all your fire extinguishers at least monthly.

The reason for this requirement is that any problems with your fire extinguishers may remain undetected and uncorrected until the next service visit, it is important to document your visual checks and keep the record in your fire safety manual, the following checklist will help you:

Check that the extinguisher is in it's correct location

Check that the anti-tamper seal is not missing

If stored pressure, visually check the pressure gauge

Check for any damage to the extinguisher

Confirm the operating instructions are legible

Ensure the extinguisher(s) are unobstructed & visible

Survey's during annual service

Cherwell Fire Safety provide you with a free survey during every service call, we will survey your premises noting any shortcomings or deficiencies with your fire fighting appliances, fire and means of escape signage. We will provide you with the most recent developments within the fire industry and discuss how this will affect your business in the future, providing you with the best solutions to proceed.

Our fire risk assessment reports include observations, findings and recommendations that our fire risk assessors identify that are relevant to the following to ensure you comply with The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and other relevant fire safety legislation.

Easy to understand report with action plan

The report is provided in a detailed customer user friendly format that details amongst other things:

• A description of property and the applicable fire safety legislation including the regulatory reform fire safety order and a general property photograph taken by our fire risk assessors.
• General property information including number of floors, use of premises, occupiers and basic risk level as determined by our fire risk assessors
• Hazards and ignition sources, including electrical sources of ignition, heating, cooking, arson, storage, house-keeping, building work and outside contractors
• Means of escape, including fire exits, protection of escape routes, structural integrity and external exit routes
• Emergency lighting including maintenance and records made available to our fire risk assessors
• Fire Signs and notices
• Fire alarm and fire warning arrangements, including fire and smoke detection
• Fixed and portable fire extinguishing equipment and installations including fire extinguishers and maintenance
• Management of fire safety including fire routine, emergency plan and records as made available to our fire risk assessors
• Access for fire fighting and fire fighter safety including staircase and corridor ventilation
• An action plan providing recommendations made by our fire risk assessors to rectify any deficiencies as per fire safety legislation, including priority order for completion and guideline budget costs
• Fire risk related photos of the property taken by the fire risk assessors, illustrating any deficiencies in accordance with fire safety legislation

Our Fire Risk Assessors will create a fire risk assessment action plan providing recommendations to rectify any fire safety deficiencies our Fire Risk Assessors find during our fire risk assessment including a priority order for completion in accordance with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and other fire safety legislation.

We can also provide written Emergency/Evacuation Plans to help you further comply with the fire safety legislation.

Active Fire Management currently offers a Fire Risk Assessment Review service that is customized to ensure compliance with legislation and the needs of each individual customer.

When should a Fire Risk Assessment be reviewed?

The first step to reviewing your fire risk assessment is to look at your current document and think about these questions: Is it still applicable to my organisation? Am I doing any new activities that could be a fire risk since the document was produced? Has there been a major modification to the building? Any significant changes to the user group for the property in question? When was the last fire risk assessment conducted? The appropriate fire safety legislation will provide additional guidance.

In compliance with Fire Safety Legislation, our Fire Risk Assessment Review offers customers our usual quality service standards in the creation of a review option to the last Fire Risk Assessment on record. Our findings ensure that the fire risk assessment review accounts for the requirements set by the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRO) and our customers will review a report and action plan as appropriate.

Action Plans and Recommendations

Our Fire Risk Assessors will create a fire risk assessment action plan providing recommendations to rectify any fire safety deficiencies our Fire Risk Assessors find during our fire risk assessment including a priority order for completion in accordance with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRO) and other fire safety legislation.

Our fire risk assessors can also provide written Fire Safety Emergency/Evacuation Plans to help you further comply with Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRO) and other relevant the fire safety legislation.

Click here to ask any questions about our Fire Risk Assessment Review.