This procedure applies to all SHA properties and employees, including the SHA office, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Transcription

1 Fire Safety Plicy 1 Purpse The purpse f this dcument is t demnstrate hw Sh Husing (SHA) will ensure cmpliance with bth the letter and spirit f all relevant statutry requirements and guidance dcuments and details the measures in place relating t fire safety and emergency prcedures. Fire safety is gverned by legislatin which requires that SHA cntrl the risks t staff, residents, members f the public and any ther persn wh uses, r is expsed t, SHA s peratins and services. The Regulatry Refrm (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a statutry duty n SHA t take such general fire precautins as will ensure, s far as is reasnably practicable, the safety f any SHA emplyees and, in relatin t the relevant persns wh are nt SHA emplyees, take such general fire precautins as may reasnably be required in the circumstances f the case t ensure that the premises are safe. This prcedure applies t all SHA prperties and emplyees, including the SHA ffice, s far as is reasnably practicable. 2 Legislatin The fllwing dcuments are the principal statutry requirements applicable t fire safety management: Health and Safety at Wrk etc. Act 1974 Management f Health and Safety at Wrk Regulatins 1999 Regulatry Refrm (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulatins 1996 The Cnstructin (Design and Management) Regulatins 2015 The Husing Act Definitins and Key Terms Cmpetent Persn Fire Risk Assessment Any persn with the necessary skills, training, infrmatin and equipment required t adequately cmplete a task r activity. A methd f identifying fire hazards, and peple that are at risk, s that apprpriate general fire precautins can be implemented t, eliminate, r reduce as far as reasnably practicable the risk f the identified hazards causing harm, and t determine what fire safety measures are necessary t ensure the safety f peple in the building shuld a fire ccur. Page 1 f 9

2 Autmatic Fire Detectin System Fire Suppressin System Emergency Lighting Mbility Impaired RRO PEEPs An electrical system fr detecting the early signs f fire and/r smke and giving warning f that phenmenn t building ccupants. Detectin devices culd include, but are nt necessarily limited t, smke detectrs, heat detectrs, beam detectrs, aspirating detectin, r multi-criteria detectin. An installed system which, when activated manually r autmatically in respnse t a fire, discharges and delivers a fire extinguishing media at the seat f the fire. Typically a wet sprinkler system. Part f the cmmunal area lighting system that prvides sufficient illuminatin f escape rutes when the mains lighting system fails r is islated in the event f a fire, allwing peple t reach a place f safety. Persns wh wuld be unable t, r have difficulty in, respnding t a fire r fire alarm cnditin withut assistance frm a third party. The Regulatry Refrm (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) which amalgamated and replaced many previus fire regulatins. This is the primary fire safety regulatin. Persnal Emergency Evacuatin Plans. A persn specific plan that details what arrangements will be implemented t ensure the safety f a persn in a fire situatin. Nrmally arranged fr a persn wh is unable t evacuate withut the assistance f a third party in the event f a fire. 4 Rles and Respnsibilities In cmpliance with the requirements f the RRO, the Chief Executive assumes the psitin and respnsibilities f the Respnsible Persn, as defined within the Order. The Chief Executive is respnsible fr ensuring that fire related issues are cnsidered by the Asset Management team, as relevant, and that sufficient resurces are prvided t enable fire safety t be effectively managed. The Asset Manager is respnsible fr ensuring the cmpliance and implementatin f statutry requirements and relevant guidance in all premises, excluding ffices, in respect f Fire Safety. The Asset Manager is respnsible fr ensuring that: A system f testing, planned, preventative maintenance f Fire Alarm Systems, Emergency Lighting, Autmatic Opening Vents (AOV) / Smke Vents, Dry Risers Sprinkler Systems and Fire-fighting Equipment is implemented and that apprpriate recrds are kept. Ensuring that SHA prperties are kept in a suitable, fire safe cnditin thrugh liaisn with the Building Surveyr, Maintenance Surveyr, Lcal Authrities and residents. Fire risks have been adequately cnsidered prir t any new build, structural change r alteratins t buildings. Page 2 f 9

3 A suitable emergency respnse and prcedures plan is drawn up and maintained fr each building, which clearly sets ut the fire respnse prcedures fr staff and residents as is apprpriate. The Fire prcedures and fire safety infrmatin fr the building is effectively disseminated t all ccupant, initially upn taking up ccupatin r cmmencing wrk in the building, and peridically thereafter. A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is cmpleted by a cmpetent persn fr all cmmunal parts f SHA prperties and the ffice at 120 Charing Crss Rad, and all reasnable steps are taken t remve r reduce any risks that have been identified in a reasnable timescale. A system is develped and maintained t mnitr Fire Risk t ensure the effectiveness f the preventative and prtective measures are managed and understd by SHA emplyees, cntractrs and residents. A peridic review is undertaken f all Fire Risk Assessments. A wrking relatinship is develped with the Lndn Fire Brigade. The HR Manager is respnsible fr Ensuring that fire prcedures and systems are prvided and maintained within 120 Charing Crss Rad. Identifying and ensuring the training f Fire Marshals Ensuring that all staff are prvided with fire safety infrmatin during their inductin and subsequently at regular intervals Prviding building specific infrmatin t staff and visitrs t 120 Charing Crss Rad C-rdinating Fire Drills within the ffice Cntractrs engaged by SHA are respnsible fr ensuring that they wrk safely at all times whilst n SHA prperty and that they reprt any fire related issues t the Asset Manager. SHA has identified the respnsible persn under the RRO and als nminated cmpetent peple within the rganisatin, as well as utside, t ensure its respnsibilities under the legislatin are met with regard t all prperties that they wn and manage. There shuld be apprpriate cperatin and c-rdinatin between SHA and all relevant parties t ensure that bligatins and respnsibilities under the RRO are met. 5 Prcedure details Within husing, sheltered husing and leased prperties managed by SHA, the Husing Act 2004 regulates fire safety in existing residential premises by way f the Husing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This is the principle legislatin designed t assess and regulate fire safety standards within premises that are dmestic residences. Guidance fr fire safety within these Page 3 f 9

4 residential prperties is given by Lcal Authrities Crdinatrs f Regulatry Services (LACRS) in its publicatin Husing Fire Safety and als Gvernment guidance n fire risk assessments in sleeping accmmdatin. In the case f shps, cmmercial premises and ffices, the relevant Gvernment guidance dcuments n fire risk assessments will be used. The Regulatry Refrm (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) came int effect n the 1st April 2006 and applies t all premises, with few exceptins, f which dmestic premises are ne. Within flats, apartments, maisnettes and sheltered accmmdatin that d nt prvide persnal care, the RRO nly applies t the cmmn/cmmunal areas and excludes resident s accmmdatin. Residents within their individual accmmdatin will be prtected by the level f structural fire precautins implemented during the cnstructin f the building. Within the cmmunal areas, the RRO requires the prvisin f General Fire Precautins apprpriate t the risks as determined by a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. At the frefrnt f these precautins is an rganisatinal culture that fcuses n the preventin f fires whilst ensuring, shuld they ccur, their impact is minimised. General fire precautins will include the prvisin f an apprpriate emergency plan t ensure that all residents in their hmes, r thse wh have t traverse the cmmunal area(s), take apprpriate actin and can, if required t d s, escape safely in an emergency. 5.1 Fire Risk Assessments The Regulatry Refrm (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment is undertaken t all cmmn areas in blck f flats and maisnettes; refuges; student halls f residence; the cmmn areas f HMOs and sheltered accmmdatin where care is nt prvided. These assessments must be undertaken by a cmpetent persn. The Asset Manager will, in accrdance with the Regulatry Refrm (Fire Safety) Order 2005, ensure that: Fire Risk Assessments are cmpleted fr all premises wned and/r managed by SHA. A priritised list f all wrks identified t reduce the risk is prduced annually. Fire Risk Assessments are reviewed annually r as sn as pssible fllwing: A fire. Change f use, Majr Wrk s invlving structural changes, replacement f cmpnents affrding fire prtectin r changes t the layut f the premises. The installatin f new plant and/r equipment prcesses r prcedures which invlve, r are likely t invlve, fire hazards. All Fire Risk Assessment reviews will be cmpleted by the designated Cmpetent Persn. Fire Risk Assessment reviews will either require the cmpetent persn t revisit the prperty r cmplete a desk tp review. All Fire Risk Assessments will be held electrnically n the server, accessible by all relevant SHA staff. 5.2 Managing Fire in blcks Page 4 f 9

5 All fire detectin systems will cmply with BS 5839 parts 1 and 6 as is apprpriate. SHA s evacuatin plicy fr each categry f premises will be reflected in the emergency plans that are prepared fr each premises. Wherever apprpriate and supprted by the building design and efficacy f the fire cmpartmentatin, a stay put plicy will be adpted. The applicatin f this plicy will be in accrdance with, and driven by, the result f the fire risk assessments. Residential Prperties These prperties cnsist f wide and varied risks including ccupancy and ccupancy arrangements. Within all individual residential units where the RRO des nt apply, there still needs t be adequate fire precautins within thse units. Fire safety slutins will be based n a mixture f the type f prperty and level f fire risk presented. Where flats/apartments etc. have been built t current Building Regulatins r equivalent, then it may be that the evacuatin is based n the stay put plicy where residents can stay in their wn hme in reasnable safety. In ther types f residential prperty, the strategy will be t prvide an early warning f fire t ccupants s that they can evacuate ut f the building t a place f safety. All private accmmdatin shuld be fitted with an apprpriate smke detectin and alarm system t BS 5839 Part 6 (cde f practice fr the design, installatin and maintenance f fire detectin and alarm systems in dwellings). The type f system will depend n the findings f the fire risk assessment but will take int accunt such things as:- Fire risk within the residence as well as in the cmmunal area(s). Each individual rm within the residence. Occupancy. SHA will ensure that residents are made aware f the fire safety prvisins in their hme as well as the scheme, and that they must d nthing t interfere directly with thse prvisins. SHA will maintain gd fire safety practice, by arranging (where pssible) visits by the lcal Fire and Rescue Service Cmmunity Fire Safety departments at schemes t talk t residents. SHA will remind residents f their respnsibilities at the issuing f new cnditins f tenancy Sheltered Husing (Pargiter Curt) Fire detectin systems will be installed in all sheltered hmes and cmmunal areas within Pargiter Curt. The installatin f the fire detectin system will be based n the findings f the fire risk assessment. Where a fire detectin system is installed it will cmply with BS 5839 Part 6. The grade f system installed will be selected taking int accunt the passive fire precautins within the premises as these will vary due t the building age and design. Due regard will als be taken f the ccupants PEEPs as well as any ther assciated risks frm fire. A testing and maintenance prgramme will be intrduced and all activity suitably recrded. SHA Office Page 5 f 9

6 Smke detectin, fire alarm and emergency lighting at the 120 Charing Crss Rad ffices is managed by CBRE (the Landlrd s managing agent). Fire Actin Ntices are displayed at exits and fire call pint lcatins. Fire extinguishers are prvided thrughut the ffice which are maintained by SHA. Offices all perate an evacuatin plicy. Trained Fire Marshals are designated and the names and pictures displayed n nticebards. 5.3 Husekeeping and waste dispsal SHA staff will mnitr waste dispsal and recycling areas under their cntrl t ensure that waste des nt accumulate t unreasnable levels, which all waste is prperly cntained in skips / bins r bags and that, surces f ignitin are as far as pssible kept away. Residents will be discuraged frm placing waste items in nn-designated areas such as emergency staircases. 5.4 Arsn cntrl Wherever pssible, surces f fuel such as quantities f cardbard bxes r plastic packaging will be remved frm site as sn as pssible. If nt pssible, these items shuld nt be stred clse t any buildings r structures. 5.5 Surces f ignitin Smking and/r carelessly discarded smking materials are a well-knwn cause f fire. Smking is strictly prhibited in cmmunal areas and SHA s ffice at 120 Charing Crss Rad. Electrical instillatins and equipment prvided r managed by SHA will be maintained, checked and inspected (as applicable) n a scheduled basis and by a cmpetent persn. This is detailed in the Electrical Testing Plicy. 5.6 Flammable Liquids Flammable liquids pse a fire and/r explsin risk and must nt be stred n any SHA premises unless apprved in writing by the Prperty Services Department and a suitable fire risk assessment has been undertaken. 5.7 Detectrs and Alarms The Asset Manager is respnsible fr the installatin, cmmissining and planned preventative maintenance f fire alarms. The Asset Manager will make arrangements t ensure that all fire alarms are maintained annually and a recrd f these checks is kept. The Fire Safety Lgbk will utline wh will undertake these tests. 5.8 Signage, fire drs and means f escape (including internal and external escape stairs) Fire signage will be lcated t ensure that; fire escapes rutes, fire drs, fire alarm call pints and, where apprpriate, fire-fighting equipment are all clearly marked. The Fire Risk Assessment will identify any areas where additinal, replacement r relcatin f signage is deemed necessary. Page 6 f 9

7 Fire drs, prvided with either smke seals r intumescent strips, will be prvided thrugh SHA prperties. It is the respnsibility f the Asset Manager, Maintenance Surveyr, Building Surveyr and Husing Officers (as applicable) t ensure that fire drs are undamaged and clse crrectly. Where necessary, fire drs can be held pen using a magnetic hld pen device, cnnected t the fire alarm system, which will allw the dr t clse autmatically. These devices shuld be checked during Fire Drills and alarm maintenance perids. Fire drs that are illegally held pen shuld be released and actin taken against repeat ffenders. All Fire Escape rutes, crridrs and escape drs MUST be kept clear f bstructins and maintained in a safe manner. Fire escape drs must be checked n a regular basis, preferably weekly, t ensure they are nt bstructed r fail t pen. Nthing may be stacked in frnt f r behind a fire escape dr. 5.9 Emergency Lighting In areas where lw lighting cnditins culd exist shuld the artificial lighting fail (such as in stairwells, enclsed crridrs r plant rms and passenger lifts), SHA will prvide battery back-up emergency lighting. Emergency lighting will be checked mnthly and the results recrded. An annual drain dwn test will be cnducted n battery back-up lighting. Where applicable, illuminated fire escape signs will be prvided t ensure safe egress in a fire situatin Means f Extinguishment SHA d nt cnsider it apprpriate t prvide fire extinguishers within the cmmunal areas in blck f flats and sheltered accmmdatin where care is nt prvided. SHA cannt guarantee that residents have had the apprpriate training and will use the equipment crrectly. In additin, the issues f theft and vandalism have t be taken int cnsideratin. Cntractrs wrking n site will prvide their wn extinguishers suitable t the size and nature f the wrk undertaken. Where necessary, hazardus wrk will be subject t a Permit t Wrk system. The prvisin f firefighting equipment will be guided by the recmmendatins f the Fire Risk Assessr, Insurance Assessr and lcal Fire Authrity Fire Wardens Fire Wardens are required t prvide assistance and guidance t peple wh may be unable t evacuate in the event f a fire situatin as well as t ensure that the building r flr is clear f peple. In the SHA ffice, Fire Wardens will be nminated frm staff wh wrk within the ffice and there will ideally be at least 2 wardens. Training fr Fire Wardens will be prvided annually. Page 7 f 9

8 5.12 Fire drills Fire drills are an imprtant part f fire safety t test fire evacuatin prcedures in rder t ensure staffs knw hw t react in the event f discvering a fire r hearing the alarm. All members f staff must take part in at least ne fire evacuatin drill per year, including mbility impaired staff. CBRE is be respnsible fr arranging fire drills at 120 Charing Crss Rad in cnjunctin with SHA s nminated Fire Wardens. In residential prperties with an immediate evacuatin plicy, fire drills must be carried ut alng with residents. In schemes where a stay put plicy is in frce, the Asset Manager may pt nt t hld fire drills prvided ALL residents are clearly infrmed n what t d in the event f a fire and this arrangement is apprved by the lcal Fire Authrity. The details f all fire drills, alng with names f all staff invlved in the fire drill shuld be recrded. Any prblem arising frm the drill shuld be addressed by the relevant respnsible persn and all staff frmally advised f the issue and resultant actin in writing. Nte: A false alarm / activatin is NOT a fire drill and may nt be cnsidered as such Site Fire Prcedures and Fire Actin Ntices Every SHA building will have a fire actin plan prduced in cnjunctin with, and as a result f, the findings f the fire safety risk assessment fr that building. The emergency plan will als cntain the evacuatin strategy fr that site. Thse persns wh find themselves within the cmmunal areas f any SHA building when the fire alarm sunds will evacuate t the designated assembly pint. SHA will maintain at Pargiter Curt an up t date list f all residents and their flat lcatin tgether with any special infrmatin that the Fire and Rescue Service Operatinal Cmmander might need r find useful. This infrmatin will frm the PEEPs fr any particular resident(s) and be available in a secure bx adjacent t the fire alarm panel Disabled persns and PEEPS Where staff r residents are physically unable t evacuate via the fire escape staircases, SHA staff will cmpile, with the resident r staff member, a Persnal Emergency Evacuatin Plan (PEEP). This will detail what actins SHA will take in the event f fire and what actins the resident / staff member must take and what is likely t ccur in the event f a fire. These PEEP s shuld be reviewed with the resident / staff member at least annually and cpies f the plans kept in the Fire Bx next t the alarm panel Training and Infrmatin Page 8 f 9

9 Fire Safety awareness training is t be prvided t all emplyees during inductin by a cmpetent persn. In additin, the SHA will ensure all emplyees cmplete Health and Safety training within three mnths f jining. A recrd f this training is t be kept. Where fire extinguishing equipment is prvided, selected staff members will be trained in the use f the fire equipment. N training n live firefighting will be prvided t residents r cntractrs. In additin, fire wardens are t be prvided with Fire Warden / Fire Awareness training annually Cntractrs n Site Only cntractrs apprved by SHA will be allwed nt any site t carry ut wrk. Part f the apprval will be the submissin f a risk assessment and methd statement prir t any wrk starting. This wrk methd statement will cntain the cntractrs wn fire safety risk assessment which will take accunt f the fire risk assessment carried ut by SHA fr that site. If any designated fire precautins are ignred, r any breach made f the fire risk assessment, cntractrs will be stpped r instructed t leave site immediately Reprting f Fire Related Incidents All live fires and serius fire related incidents must be reprted immediately t the lcal fire brigade / fire authrity. All fires, fire alarm activatins (irrespective f cause) and fire safety related events must be reprted t SHA management in the first instance. Instances f fire damage and pssible insurance implicatins shuld als be reprted t the Insurance Department. 6 Mnitring and Review Arrangements The Asset Manager will review this plicy annually r mre frequently as the law and best practice requires. The Chief Executive is respnsible fr ensuring that this prcedure is maintained, distributed t all staff and is cmplied with. Authr: Claire Hlbrk, Building Surveyr & Prject Manager Apprved by Bard: 18 July 2016 Issue date: 19 July 2016 Review date: July 2017 Page 9 f 9