BUILDING FIRE STRATEGY

Transcription

1 UCL ESTATES Fire Safety UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON BUILDING FIRE STRATEGY Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, BS 9999: 2008 (Annex H) & BS PAS 911 Name & Address of Building: DEVELOPMENT PLANNING UNIT University College London 34 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ Occupying Department(s) / School(s) / Institute(s): Department of the Bartlett School of Architecture Baseme nt Lower Groun d Groun d 1st Floor 2nd Floor 3rd Floor 4th Floor 5th Floor Roof Level Roof Plant Roof Plant General Building Information: (NB: Height to top floor level & all measurements approx) Building Construction: Evacuation Time: Building Height: Class B* 2½ Minutes* <18 m Fire Brigade Reference Number: N/A Purpose Group(s) Guidance: Educational (PG 5) Approximate Floor Areas: Gross: 720 m 2 Lower Floors: 100 m 2 Upper Floors: 80 m 2 Previous Significant Fire Incidents: Occupants: None UCL Staff / Students / Visitors General Building Occupancy Building Ownership: Property Tenants: A UCL Property UCL Departments Sleeping Accommodation: Occupant Numbers: None Approx: 150 Variable depending on Lectures etc BS Risk Profile(s): [Para 6.4] Risk profile Level: A2 BS Management Level: [Para 8.3. (Clause 2-10)] Management Level: 3 Date Last Amended: Jul 16 1 of 13.

2 Fire Action Development Planning Unit 34 Tavistock Square On discovering a fire - operate the nearest fire alarm call point. Dial extension '222' on a UCL internal telephone giving the building name and this FIRE ZONE Number 377 Only attempt to fight the fire, if it is safe and practical to do so - using the most appropriate fire extinguisher for the type of fire you intend to tackle. Do not use WATER on ELECTRICAL or FLAMMABLE LIQUID fires. On hearing the fire alarm - leave the building by the nearest AVAILABLE FIRE EXIT. CLOSE - all doors and windows as you leave. Do NOT - stop to collect belongings. Do NOT - use the lift. Do NOT - re enter the building until instructed to do so by the Senior Fire Officer present. When clear of the building - proceed to your designated FIRE ASSEMBLY POINT at: TAVISTOCK SQUARE Issued by Fire Safety Manager, UCL Estates, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT.

3 Contents: 1.0. Record of Fire Brigade Equipment & Facilities General Building Information Legislative Requirements Risk Profile Level (BS ) Construction and Compartmentation Means of Escape (MoE) Means Of Warning in Case of Fire Means Of Securing the Means of Escape Fire Brigade Access and Facilities Disability Provision and Facilities Fire Incidents & Departmental Cooperation on Fire Safety Issues Fire Safety Management Landlord Responsibilities General Information / Conclusion General Statement A1. General Fire Alarm Cause & Effect Arrangements for the Premises B1. UCL Building Fire Alarm Aide Memoir to the Fire Alarm System FIRE ALARM INFORMATION & DEFINITIONS (To Assist with Annex B) 1. In buildings (other than dwellings) where shouting fire or ringing a manual gong would not be heard by all occupants in the building is required to have fire alarm meeting BS 5839: Part The law requires that there is the following basic provision of fire alarm systems: A means for raising the alarm to give warning to occupants (e.g. Manual Call points) A means of giving warning of fire to all occupants (bells or electronic sounders that can be heard in all parts f the building) 3.. Automatic Fire Detection (smoke detectors etc) are not a legal requirement but help offset certain risk conditions and may provide other protection to valuable or essential property etc (a). (b). (c). (d). (e). (f). (g). (h). (i). MCP - Manual Call Points (break glass units raising the alarm manually instead of raising the alarm automatically though smoke or heat detection. AFD - Automatic Fire Detection or smoke, flame or heat detection FAP - Fire Alarm Panel FADE - Fire Alarm Activated Do not Enter illuminated warning signs located at building internal / external boundaries Category M - manual systems and, therefore, incorporate no automatic fire detectors. Category L1 - systems installed throughout all areas of the building - the objective of a L1 system is to offer the earliest possible warning of fire, so as to achieve the longest available time for escape. Category L2 - systems installed only in defined parts of the building - the objective of a L2 system is identical to that of a L3 system, with the additional objective of affording early warning of fire in specified areas of high fire hazard level and/or high fire risk. Category L3 - systems designed to give a warning of fire at an early enough stage to enable all occupants, other than possibly those in the room of fire origin, to escape safely, before the escape routes are impassable owing to the presence of fire, smoke or toxic gases. To achieve the above objective it will normally be necessary to install detectors in rooms, which open onto an escape. Category L4 - systems installed within those parts of the escape routes comprising circulation areas and circulation spaces, such as corridors and stairways. The objective of a L4 system is to enhance the safety of occupants by providing warning of smoke within escape routes. Date Last Amended: Jul 16 2 of 13.

4 1.0. Record of Fire Brigade Equipment & Facilities: ITEMS FIRE BRIGADE PROVISION IN THIS BUILDING REMARKS INTERNAL FIRE HOSE REELS: DRY RISING / DROPPING FIRE FIGHTING MAINS: FOAM INLETS: FIRE FIGHTING LIFT: FIRE FIGHTING STAIRS: FIRE SHUTTERS: Internal Dropdown Fire Shutters Provided SPRINKLERS: Basement Only Other Areas GAS SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS Fixed Gas Fire Suppression System Inergen / Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Room Flood System SPECIFIC BASEMENT MECHANICAL SMOKE EXTRACT MEASURES: SMOKE CONTROL MEASURES ELSEWHERE: Smoke Control and Venting Equipment Natural smoke venting using window and doors only Natural smoke venting using window and doors only FIREMAN S SWITCHES: Fireman s Switches to isolate High Voltage Hazards by the Fire Brigade EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES OR CONDITIONS: Bulk Storage Facility / Other Locations: FIRE ENGINEERING DESIGN & SOLUTIONS PROVIDED: This single escape arrangement for the 4 th floor to ground floor final exit. This is achieve by using the Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) to give early warning to occupants in each room and utilise the large smoke reservoirs within rooms leading directly off the staircase to enhance the detection/early warning Date Last Amended: Jul 16 3 of 13.

5 2.0. General Building Information 2.1. General Building Description Built as a private house, this building has been used as an education establishment for many years by the University of London before transferring occupancy. UCL have occupied the premises since the beginning of summer of Tavistock Square is situated on the west side of the Square, at the centre of a terrace of seventeen houses dating from c that where designed by Lewis Vulliamy and built by G Anstey & JA Frampton in darkened stock brick with stucco ground floors and belong to either UCL or the University of London. 34 Tavistock Square is a four-storey town house consisting of a lower ground / basement level; ground, first, second, third and fourth floors around a core single stair enclosure leading to a final exit to street level. UCL Development Planning Unit (DPU) occupy the premises using it as office and research / teaching space. The occupancy is approximately 30 academic or admin staff for the whole building. Currently students will use the first floor seminar room. The fire strategy for the building is similar to other buildings, served by a single staircase, of this height in the area. The strategy is an engineered solution, which allows a single staircase condition without lobby protection serving the fourth floor. Account has been taken of the provision of automatic detection in all rooms, high ceilings providing effective smoke reservoirs and small, low risk rooms throughout the building. The lower ground floor level has lobby protection from the ground floor. The fire strategy has taken into account some existing doors that protect the staircase enclosure being upgraded due to the listed status of the building. There was an historic roof escape arrangement from fourth floor, but this has been deemed unsuitable for use in July 2016 due to concerns for safety of occupants exiting via the roof (there was no escape via this route to a place of ultimate safety anyway). The basement has an alternative exit up to street level via the light well. The building has undergone a major refurbishment prior to being occupied 3.0. Legislative Requirements 3.1. Building Regulations - any works undertaken in this building is subject to the statutory requirements of the latest edition of Part B of the Building Regulations Guidance to satisfying these requirements is provided in the Approved Document B (ADB) Fire Engineering - there are no fire engineering design or strategies current used in these premises Section 20, London Building Act - the premises are of such a size that they have features and design requirements that are not subject to Section 20 of the London Building Acts. Date Last Amended: Jul 16 4 of 13.

6 3.4. Heritage Listing and Grading - the premises are listed Grade 2* by English Heritage Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order the premises are subject to the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and a Fire Risk Assessment regime required under these regulations. A formal RRO Audit is carried out every three years or after any subsequent change Passive fire protection (Fire Stopping) - has a passive Fire Protection Survey consisting of an examination of firewalls in fire escape corridors and stairwells, service risers and other fire separation components in various areas of the building been undertaken? Completely refurbished during at the time of the refurbishment Other Statutory Measures - none identified or applicable Risk Profile Level (BS ) 4.1. Under BS 9999: Part 6 the following risk profile is given to this building subject to the information available at the time. This profile should always be checked by fire engineers, consultants and architects prior to its use in supporting any building design, resulting in changes to the premises overall fire strategy: Occupancy Characteristics: Level AB (Awake & Familiar) Estimated Fire Growth Rate: Level 2 Medium Risk Profile: A2 Minimum Management Level: Level 3 Overall o Para Planning = Level 3 o Para Resources & Authority = Level 3 o Para Staffing Levels = Level 3 o Para Fire Training = Level 3 o Para Work Control = Level 3 o Para Communications Procedures: = Level 3 o Para Maintenance & Testing = Level 3 o Para Liaison with Fire Brigade = Level 3 o Para Contingency Planning = Level Construction and Compartmentation The premises comprises of a lower ground & ground floor with four floors (above ground level), with the approximate height of the fourth floor being approximately 15m above street level. It has a single staircase (900 mm width) between ground floor and fourth floor. Generally, the fire compartmentation comprises of a single protected stair enclosure running from ground to fourth floor. All rooms are fire separated by 30 minutes Fire Resisting (30FR) construction including 30 minute fire doors, smoke seals and self closing [FD30(S)SC] from the main stair enclosure. The basement is separated from the ground floor by a notional 60 minutes fire separation including a lobby arrangement of two x FD30 fire doors. Date Last Amended: Jul 16 5 of 13.

7 The fire resistance of materials and general original construction is subject to the age of the premises and therefore may not meet current BS 476 standards (i.e. walls and ceilings constructed of plaster lathe). The compartment floors notionally 30 minutes fire resistance subject to construction and materials at all levels of the building Means of Escape (MoE) 6.1. Time of Evacuation - time of evacuation is dependent on the building construction and occupancy. The construction of buildings is divided into three basic types: Class B - traditional construction, i.e. non-combustible walls with combustible floors; 6.2. Based on the classes arbitrary evacuation times were decided upon and the times that are generally accepted as: Class 'B' construction minutes Note: This is not a hard and fast time, and can be extended or reduced according to the particular circumstances The Means of Escape strategy for this building is based on simultaneous evacuation of all occupants using the main stair (Stair A) and is summarised as follows: Occupants using Stair A from upper floors leave by single protected stair and discharge out of the main entrance on the ground floor, to safety at street level. This arrangement will provide sufficient time for occupants on the fourth floor to leave the building without being effected by smoke from any fire developing in rooms off the stair enclosure due to the early warning that AFD provides, and size of the smoke reservoirs above the top of the doors and the ceiling. This arrangement will provide sufficient time for occupants on the fourth floor to leave the building without being effected by smoke from any fire developing in rooms off the stair enclosure due to the early warning that AFD provides, and size of the smoke reservoirs above the top of the doors and the ceiling. The travel distance is approximately 40m from fourth floor landing to final entrance at ground floor street level. Fire drills in similar premises have indicated that this type of building can be evacuated within 2 to 3 minutes or so, of the alarm being activated. Furthermore, there is likely to be no more than four occupants using the fourth floor of the building at any time, which due to the construction, age and general arrangement would need to be fairly fit and able. Ground & Upper Floors - rooms discharge onto protected stair enclosure and entrance lobby with extended travel distance for third and fourth floors. Date Last Amended: Jul 16 6 of 13.

8 Lower Ground Floor / Basement - the basement escape route is via Stair A1 to the protected main entrance lobby at ground level and out to street level via the main entrance. There is no escape from the rear enclosed garden area or via the front lightwell. General - travel to a place of safety from final exits is adequate with discharge onto Tavistock Square. There is no escape from the rearenclosed garden and limited escape to the front light well Means of Warning in Case of Fire This building is equipped with a single stage addressable fire alarm system which when activated, emits a continuous alarm throughout the building, Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) - heat & smoke detecting devices are provided to Life Risk 1 (L1) Standard, Fire alarm manual call points are found in routes leading from the building (including corridors, landings, staircases & final exits), The fire alarm system is monitored on 24-hour basis by UCL Security Control Room, The fire alarm system is being maintained and tested in accordance with: BS 5839: Part 1 through the UCL Director of Estates and the Head of Engineering & Maintenance, 8.0. Means of Securing the Means of Escape: 8.1 Emergency lighting is provided in accordance with current standards and conventions and is in working condition The emergency lighting is being maintained in accordance with BS 5266: Part 1, through the UCL Director of Estates and the Head of Engineering & Maintenance Fire Brigade Access and Facilities 9.1. The Fire Brigade have vehicular / other access to 34 Tavistock Square via the following: Main Entrance, Basement via front light well 9.2. Dry Riser - dry rising valves are not provided in the premises Smoke Ventilation Provision - is not provided no mechanically vented or Automatic Opening Vents (AOV) provided on stairs or basement. However, natural smoke ventilation procedures can be applied to most areas including stairs and lower ground floor/basement Fire Hose Reels - fire hose reels are not provided in the premises Sprinklers - sprinklers are not provided in the premises Gas Fire Suppression Systems (Inergen General Overview Only) - a gas system is not provided in the premises. Date Last Amended: Jul 16 7 of 13.

9 9.7 Fire Extinguishers - fire-extinguishing equipment is provided and maintained in accordance with BS 5306: Parts 3 and 8, throughout the building for the use of the staff and fire brigade Fire fighters' Switches for Luminous Tube Signs etc - none provided in the premises Fire Brigade Contingency Plans - the fire brigade contingency plans are provided for this building in information boxes adjacent to the master fire alarm panel, in accordance with BS 9999: 2008: Annex M Maintenance - maintenance of fire brigade equipment and facilities is the responsibility of the UCL Director of Estates and the Head of Engineering & Maintenance Disability Provision and Facilities The premises are not designated as accessible due to there age, design and listing other arrangements should be made Fire Incidents & Departmental Cooperation on Fire Safety Issues General - Heads of Departments occupying the premises are required to liaise and cooperate when dealing with a fire incident with all other Departments, the Landlord if different to UCL Estates and should have suitable arrangements in place, as set out in the UCL fire safety standards at Fire Alarm Activation - on activation of the fire alarm system, (either manually or by automatic fire detection) the following arrangements are in place: The fire alarm system automatically sends a fire signal to the UCL Security Control Room who then dial 999 and call the fire brigade, directing them to the most appropriate building entrance depending on the location of the system (24/7 coverage), Additionally, an emergency phone call to be made on an internal Ext: 222 (or a 999 call on an internal phone extension) which is monitored by the UCL Security Control Room who dial then 999 and call the emergency services as appropriate (24/7 coverage), The UCL Security Control Room will contact the UCL Security to attend with appropriate master keys (24/7 coverage), The UCL Security Control Room will contact the UCL Estates Electrical Staff during normal working hours; and the on call Duty Maintenance staff of out of hours activation to request they attend to reset systems, call out specialist contractors or provided assistance to the Fire Brigade, Security or Departmental Staff as appropriate (24/7 coverage), Departmental Senior Fire Evacuation Marshals (SFEM) should liaise with each other and provided any assistance necessary to the Fire Brigade, Security and Duty Maintenance Staff etc on their arrival. In addition, they should provide specialist information to the fire brigade and the Local Authorities on the specific hazards related to the premises, laboratories and processes, Date Last Amended: Jul 16 8 of 13.

10 Note: Departmental staff will need to be self-reliant when dealing with a fire incident at the premises and will need to deal with the fire brigade until the incident is terminated, Fire Safety Management Fire Safety Management Policy: Statement of Fire Safety Management Policy, which reflects the importance University College London attaches to fire safety and is authorised by the Provost & President in his capacity as the Responsible Person, under the Fire Safety Order 2005 is provided. The statement and specific details for training provision can be viewed at the UCL Fire Safety Web Site: Fire Evacuation Marshals (FEMs) and Staff Training: Fire Evacuation Marshals - Heads of Departments shall designate sufficient staff to act as Fire Evacuation Marshals (FEMs), who are to be provided on a ratio of approximately three FEMs per floor or area occupied, during the Departments published opening or normal working hours. FEMs are necessary, as it is not practical to have a meaningful register of occupants. Formal Induction Safety Training (Staff and Postgraduate Research Students) - Heads of Departments shall ensure that all new members of staff and fulltime postgraduate research students must attend the Health and Safety Induction Course run by UCL Safety Services, which includes an element of fire safety training and information. Local Fire Induction Familiarisation (Staff and Contractors Employed by the Department) - Heads of Departments shall provide Local Fire Safety Induction familiarisation as part of their local safety arrangements for permanent new and temporary staff. Whether or not directly employed by UCL, but working in their department, to comply with the Fire Safety Order 2005 and Health & Safety requirements. Local Fire Annual Familiarisation (Staff and Contractors Employed by the Department) - Heads of Departments shall provide Local Annual Fire Safety Familiarisation as part of their local safety arrangements for permanent and temporary staff. Whether or not directly employed by UCL, but working in their department, to comply with the Fire Safety Order 2005 and Health & Safety requirements. Fire Evacuation Drills - a formal Annual Fire Evacuation Drill is carried out at the start of the Autumn Term (October) of each year by the UCL Fire Officer. Any unwanted alarm activations throughout the year should only be treated as supplementary evacuation drills to the annual supervised fire exercise. Heads of Departments, whose premises are not part of the fire drill schedule undertaken by the UCL Fire Officer, must carry out and record at least one annual fire drill. The route for making reasonable adjustment and formulating a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is a form called 'Assessment for Emergency Evacuation Planning of People with Restricted Mobility or Date Last Amended: Jul 16 9 of 13.

11 Sensory Disabilities from UCL Premises' and is available from the fire safety web site ( under Disabilities Landlord Responsibilities The Landlord is the University of London and the UCL Director of Estates acts as the Landlord s representative General Information / Conclusion General Statement to Occupants Regarding Gaps under the Fire Doors The fire strategy is based on control of smoke and early warning allowing staff and visitors to escape as soon as either occupants or the automatic fire detection raises the alarm. The gaps under the door do look alarming but generally necessary due to the uneven floors and minor internal subsidence requiring doors to be able to close over peaks & troughs of the floor levels. The gaps under the doors do not have a bearing on the fire safety as smoke rises and the gaps under the doors only become an issue after a considerable time as the room fills with smoke and creeps under the door. Any significant office fire is likely to produce cool to medium hot fire conditions. Any hot smoke on contact with the upper part of the fire door and on filling the ceiling smoke reservoir will activate the intumescent seals around the door at about 100 C. This will seal the door gaps (except the bottom) preventing the smoke from entering the protected stair and allowing occupants to past the door. It is also likely that a significant fire would blowout the windows, and vent the room to air reducing the volume of smoke and fire which is then unlikely to allow the smoke to reach floor level. The fire loading in offices is low and is not likely to develop a rapid burning fire that you would associate with the use of flammable liquids or processes using accelerants etc. Therefore calm evacuation and keeping the fire doors shut along with early fire alarm warning (every room has a smoke detector) would ensure evacuation from the premises by your well trained staff. The escape strategy allows a 30-minute fire resistance however, the building in all realistic terms on activation of the fire alarm will have been completely vacated well in advance in a time or no more than 3 minutes on average going by previous fire drill times in similar properties. Any person with disabilities should have a risk assessment undertaken to consider the risk factors of employing a disabled person in the building. The fire brigade have an attendance time or around 3-6 minutes once the alarm has been raised General Statement The Fire Risk Assessment and Audit is to provide an assessment of the risk to life from fire in building, and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation. It focuses primarily on the building structural condition and the physical adequacy of the building s fire safety and fire brigade provision and responsibility for the maintenance of fire equipment and will generally be undertaken approximately every 3 years. This audit will look at general departmental fire safety management and training Date Last Amended: Jul of 13.

12 requirements, but may not be departmental specific or in sufficient depth for occupying Departments within buildings to satisfy the Enforcing Authority. Therefore, it will be necessary for additional simple local Fire Risk Assessments to be undertaken by the Head of Department for their areas of responsibility. See Technical Note TN077 at A generic Emergency Evacuation Plan for the premises is also provided as part of the Fire Risk Assessment with a general statement on the current disability egress provision. Date Last Amended: Jul of 13.

13 Annex A A1. General Fire Alarm Cause & Effect Arrangements for the Premises Without Mechanical & Electrical Interface: FIRE DETECTED Fire Alarm Raise Fire Alarm Sounds Throughout Building Signal to UCL Security Control Room Occupants Alerted & Evacuation Initiated 999 Call To Fire Brigade Use of Fire Extinguishers FEMs Assist Evacuation Fire Brigade Met at Bldg Escape Routes Clear of smoke or Fire Disable Occupants Assisted from Premises or into Disabled Refuges FB FB FIRE OUT! Professional Fire Fighting Intervention Professional Fire Fighters Aid Rescue PEOPLE OUT! Date Last Amended: Jul of 13.

14 B1. UCL Building Fire Alarm Aide Memoir to the Fire Alarm System: Annex B Bldg No: TAVISTOCK SQUARE, WC1H Manual Call Points (MCP) with Automatic Fire Detection to Life 2 (L2) Fire Alarm Design Fire Panel Locations Master Fire Alarm Panel: Panel Access Enable: Secondary Panels: Main Entrance 4 Digit Code N/A Is the system interfaced with any other fire alarm panels? Bldg Name: N/A Interconnected to Other Buildings Yes / No Are FADE signs provided? Fire Alarm Activated - Do Not Enter Signs (FADE) None Do Not Enter Signs Yes / No Is there a gas suppression system connected? Location: None Inergen Gas System Yes / No Is there an Impaired Hearing Pager transmitter connected? Impaired Hearing Pager System: Pager unit is interfaced with fire alarm system and should be tested weekly using a pager provided to maintenance staff Deaf Pager Yes / No Is the fire signal monitored? Fire signal monitored by the UCL Security Control Room 24/7 Fire Signal Monitored Yes / No Other Information: Date Last Amended: Jul of 13.