My Fire Risk Assessment Template

nt – fra 59 Castillon Road Catford London

Fire Risk AssessmentReview

For59 Castillon Road

CatfordLondon

SE6 1QD

Date of Review31/07/2009

ReviewerNeil Tilley mbifm Tech IOSH (Neil Tilley Company)

On site person responsible for Fire Safety

2


Contents:

Executive Summary

1. Recommended Remedial Action Plan

2. Review Summary2.1 Original Recommended Corrective Action Plan2.2 Review of building details/occupancy profile and history2.3 Review of any Occupants at Special Risk2.4 Review of Hazards2.5 Review of the Maintenance of Existing Measures

3. Other Observations

Photo Library (if applicable)

Executive Summary

This document is a review of the existing comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment as completed on the 7th November 2008 and reviewed and up-dated on 25th March 2009

Neil Tilley 59 Castillon Road Catford London SE6 1QD

Tel: 020 8698 0181 Mob: 07748 336 902 [email protected]

2


The review consisted of an audit of the existing Fire Risk Assessment with particularly reference to those significant defects noted at the time of the original assessment and to measure the amount of corrective actions taken plus an audit of the maintenance of existing preventive and protective measures.

A comprehensive building inspection was not completed but a sample number of key fire safety elements were checked.

Any new issues have also been highlighted

As a result of this review the significant defects noted are: That a number of issues raised on the original assessment and subsequent reviews have not been actioned. A number of these means that the responsible person as defined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

could be in breech of that order.

Level of Risk

As a result of the Fire Risk Assessment review I would assess the residual risk to:

All staff as being medium.



2


The public as being medium.

The continuity of the business as moderate.

All ratings would drop to low upon confirmation that the sprinkler system is fully operational and is being tested, serviced and maintained to its installation standard.

These assessments are made on the assumption that all or the greater part of the recommendations will be implemented within the given timeframes.

Where recommendations are not implemented it is suggested that the Fire Risk Assessment is noted as to the reasons for not taking any action or what alternative actions were taken instead.

It is recommended that the Fire Risk Assessment is comprehensively reviewed every year. It will also require to be reviewed if:

a) There are alterations to the building including any internal layout changes.b) Substantial changes to furniture and fittings.c) Changes to work activities or the way that you organise them, including the introduction

of new equipment.d) The introduction, change of use or increase in the storage of hazardous materials.e) The failure of fire precautions e.g. fire detection systems and alarm system, life safety

sprinklers systems or smoke ventilation systems.f) Significant changes to displays or quantities of stock or similar materials.g) Significant increase in the numbers of people present.h) The presence of people with some form of disability and who would require assistance

to evacuate.i) If a fire or a “near-miss” incident occurs.




Priority Rating TablePriority Ratings Description

AUrgent - Needs to be completed urgently as the hazard represents a high risk to all occupants and represents a significant threat to the continuity of the business.

BMedium - The risk is less than that of “A” but still a risk to occupants and a threat to the continuity of the business. Action is required in the short to medium term.

C Low - Work that is desirable or work that would be part of a servicing regime.

Priority Recommended Actions Comments Person ResponsibleDate

Completed

A

Ensure that there are procedures in place that make provision for the evacuation of any disabled persons that doesn’t rely on fire service intervention

Vulnerable persons PEEP register policy in place. All staff should be aware. Usually the Fire Warden is the BUDDY.

Due to build fire lifts are DDA ready

12/06/2009

2



Completed

A

Have a competent sprinkler system engineer carry out an audit on the sprinkler system to ensure that the recessed heads are correctly aligned to the ceiling levels, and that any painted caps have been replaced.

Ensure that there is an integrity test carried out on all gas flood rooms.

Ensure that in all areas no goods are stored within half a metre of the sprinkler heads.

Maintenance logs are up to date. A full programme of works is in place under the current contract regime

All logs with Bill Neeves

Offending core 1 stationery stores now compliant

N TILLEY – Follow-up actions in green

12/06/2009

A

Replace the AFFF foam extinguisher inside the third floor kitchen with a wet chemical extinguisher

The AFFF extinguisher is a 9 L. The concern is weight. Chef assures his team are competent and the extinguisher is fit for purpose

12/06/2009



2



Completed

A

Atrium Exit Doors: Change the door hardware to allow for the doors to open in the direction of escape

As the final exit doors are electronically alarmed/control it is important that these are tested regularly (monthly) to ensure there correct operation

These glass doors are historically left locked open for that very reason. Common practice

This is the case

12/06/2009

B

Have a competent person check all fires door to ensure they are fully compliant.

Fit an approved fire door hold open device to the kitchen area fire door that is persistently being wedged open.

tba

Retraining and advice to staff

12/06/2009

B

Ensure there is a suitable testing regime in place for electrical equipment. Particular attention should be paid to the kitchen equipment that are thermostatically controlled such as deep fat fryers.

PAT testing on a three year rolling plan. Home and external electricals are prohibited. Bespoke new work equipment should be assessed by PME

12/06/2009



2



Completed

B

Check the smoke detector in core 3 9th floor photocopying area where the unit dopes not appear to be sitting in its bracket.

Addressed 12/06/2009

B

Ensure that within the back of house area of the third floor kitchen that escape routes should clearly identified and routes kept clear

Advice given to staff 12/06/2009

B

Check the smoke detector in core 3 9th floor photocopying area where the unit does not appear to be sitting in its bracket.

Addressed 12/06/2009

B

Service the CO2 extinguishers in the Costa coffee bars and instruct staff on there safe handling to prevent this being a continuous problem.

On schedule. Staff spoken to. Compass asked to join in on the Fire Officer training

12/06/2009

BI would recommend that a periodic (monthly) visual check is scheduled to be made of all extinguishers

NT as competent person 31/03/2009



2



Completed

B

Ensure all staff receive appropriate fire safety training as outlined within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Ensure kitchen staff receive adequate fire safety training including the practical use of fire extinguishers.

Company Policy sets the pace

Chef assures staff competent

12/06/2009



2


2.2 REVIEW SUMMARY OF BUILDING DETAILS/OCCUPANCY PROFILE AND HISTORY

Item Findings Comments

Building Details The only significant changes have been to floor layouts and this principally means the removal of internal glass partitions.

Staff OccupancyStaff occupancy numbers have been reduced

.

Public UseAs per the previous FRA access to the building is strictly controlled.

Summary of Building Observations

The buildings is in good condition and appears well maintained

History Since the previous FRA there have been no significant incidents



2


2.3. REVIEW OF ANY OCCUPANTS AT SPECIAL RISK


Sleeping No provision for sleeping on site

Disabled/others who may require assistance to evacuate

As per previous FRA there lacks formalised procedures for the evacuation of disable persons although the building has good provision for this in the form of evacuation lifts. This procedure must be able to be carried out by staff and not rely on fire service intervention.

This lack is a management failing. A full plan is in place but is either mis-understood or not known. N Tilley to redress this balance

Working in remote areas

Given the fixed and active fire protection measures within the building along with access controls then working in remote areas is not a significant risk.

Young persons There would normally be young persons employed within the building. Where this may occur such as for work experience then a separate and suitable risk assessment is carried out.

Compliance is via N Tilley, M Dumbura, BU involved & HR

Contractors (non-employees)

There are contractor controls in place by the building management.



2


2.4. REVIEW OF HAZARDS


Control of Ignition Sources The site management team responsible for the 250 Bishopsgate appear to take all reasonable steps to ensure the control of ignition sources.

An audit of electrical equipment noted that whilst some electrical had been subjected to recent testing this was not all inclusive. Particular attention should be paid to the kitchen equipment that are thermostatically controlled such as deep fat fryers.

Ensure there is a suitable testing regime in place for electrical equipment. Particular attention should be paid to the kitchen equipment that are thermostatically controlled such as deep fat fryers.

Control of Fuels The site management team appear to take all reasonable steps to control flammable materials within the building.



2


2.5 REVIEW OF MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING MEASURES


Fire-fighting Equipment There are fire extinguishers located through out the floor areas. Recently installed extinguishers in the Costa coffee bars were found to have damaged anti-tamper tags and/or pins partly removed. These units require urgent servicing

The Foam extinguisher is still in the kitchen. If this extinguisher was to be operated in and around the deep fat fryers or other hot oil this could present a significant threat to the user or other staff and could spread the fire. The extinguisher should be replaced with a wet chemical extinguisher.

Given the number of extinguishers missing anti-tamper tag and pins removed or partly removed I would recommend that a periodic (monthly) visual check is scheduled to be made of all extinguishers.

Service the CO2 extinguishers in the Costa coffee bars and instruct staff on there safe handling to prevent this being a continuous problem.

I would recommend that a periodic (monthly) visual check is scheduled to be made of all extinguishers

Fire Suppression, Detection and Evacuation Alarms Systems

As per previous risk assessment concerns have been expressed regarding the recessed sprinkler heads. There was not evidence on hand to show the system has been checked and in fact in the kitchen area on the third floor a head was missing a cover-plate and the head was poorly aligned to the ceiling. It was not possible to determine that

Check the smoke detector in core 3 / 9th floor photocopying area where the unit dopes not appear to be sitting in its bracket.



2




this was a”drop-down” head.

The site representative did inform me that a large number of the existing glass walls were to be removed, this should help with the both the location of the smoke detectors as well as the spray pattern o f the sprinkler heads.

Within the photocopying area on the 9th floor core 3 the existing smoke detector is not sitting correctly in its bracket

As per previous fire risk assessment goods are still being stored within 0.5m of sprinkler heads. (L5)

Means of Escape At the time of the review all exits from the floors were found to be in good order. Again my concern is that there are a number of doors leading to exits which have key locks. Again I reiterate that any exit door (including doors access the exit route) should be able to be opened without the use of a key.

With proposed works being planed on some floors the design should be such not to restrict access to the exit routes. In some case access ways are less than 800mm.

Atrium Exit Doors: Change the door hardware to allow for the doors to open in the direction of escape

As the final exit doors are electronically alarmed/control it is important that these are tested regularly (monthly) to ensure there correct operation

These door locks definitely have no key available.



2




The area at the rear of the main client kitchens was again found to have a trolleys and other equipment blocking the exit ways

Within the atrium the exit doors, which would be the escape route for large numbers of people open inwards. I believe it would be a simple operation to change these to double swung doors therefore allowing the doors to open in the direction of the escape route.

As the final exit doors are electronically alarmed/control it is important that these are tested regularly (monthly) to ensure there correct operation. This could be done by security officer after hours and during regular building checks

Fire Separation As per the previous fire risk assessment some key fire doors were found to be wedged open.

N Tilley has suitable ROSPA signage and is to reiterate instruction

Signage Signage is as found on previous FRAs.

Emergency Escape Lighting The emergency lighting appears to be adequate throughout, although this was based on a visual



2




inspection at the time of the visit and no test was carried out on the luminance level or the verification of compliance with British Standards.

Housekeeping At the time of the review apart from the client kitchen area, housekeeping was better

Equipment/Information Provided for Fire Brigade

As per the Fire Risk assessment.

Limited information is held for Fire-fighters but there is security on site 24/7

Records Records showing the maintenance of all safety systems were limited

Co-operation and Co-ordination

This is basically a single occupied building but a number of the services are contracted out



2




Emergency Planning There is a basic emergency plan in place but no formal arrangements for the evacuation of any disabled persons. Whilst the building has good safety features a formalized plan is need to ensure the safe evacuation of all persons without fire service intervention.. This may require the assistance of the security staff

Formal plans for DDA compliance is not visible. N Tilley to address this 12/06/2009

Staff Training Key staff continue to be trained but general staff training appears to be limited.

It should also be noted that as the operation of the kitchen is outsourced it is important that these staff members receive adequate fire safety training including the practical use of fire extinguishers.

Ensure all staff receive appropriate fire safety training as outlined within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Ensure kitchen staff receive adequate fire safety training including the practical use of fire extinguishers.




3. OTHER OBERSERVATIONS

Records

Records should be kept to demonstrate compliance with Fire Safety law particularly records showing the maintenance of all fire-protection equipment and training.

I suggest that a Fire Safety log book be introduced and within this should be:

a) A copy of the FRA.

b) A copy of the emergency plan plus identification of key staff and their roles.

c) Records showing the maintenance of all fire safety systems within the building.

d) Details of staff training.

e) Incident reposts showing details of any fire, false alarms or near miss incidents.

It is recommended that within the Fire Safety log book is kept a line drawing covering each floor detailing general fire precautions measures for that floor. This could include:-

Fire Warden Evacuation zones.

Break glass call points.

Emergency lighting units.

Fire extinguishers (including types).

Emergency exits.

Fire doors with self closures.

Fire resistant constructions such as protected escape routes.

2


9) Photo Library: Sprinkler head with the kitchen area ceiling. Not the large build up of dust and other material on the head. The head is also not centred on the ceiling hole. There are some obvious electrical faults. Overloaded adaptors, multiple extension ganging.Obstructions to fire corridor.



2




Documents

My Fire Risk Assessment Template