Fire Risk Assessment Guide Thank you for your interest in the Fire Risk Assessment for your block. All of our blocks have had a recent Fire Risk Assessment in line with regulatory requirements and we are now able to publish the findings. Please read this introduction as it tells you all about the process and how to understand the assessment for your block. A Fire Risk Assessment covers common parts of your block but not the inside of your flat or any cladding - it s important to remember that no council-owned block has the same cladding as used on Grenfell Tower. We do however review other parts of the block when major works are being scoped. The format we use is a Publically Accessible Specification (PAS79) and is considered by the Chief Fire Officers Association to be a suitable way to record Fire Risk Assessments. The Fire Risk Assessment recommends what s needed to improve fire safety and the priority for each item. Many of the recommendations are routinely carried out for example, testing and maintaining communal lighting, completing day-to-day repairs and regularly removing items that obstruct communal areas. Please note that the Fire Risk Assessment is intended to highlight not only identified hazards but also to direct landlords and building managers to conduct further more detailed investigations into specific areas of the building and to consider the best course of action. This means that the Fire Risk Assessment in itself is not a final view on all the actions that are required. Final decisions on the works that will be carried out on any building are made once a detailed survey and assessment of the building has been carried out Where work is needed, we are reviewing the Fire Risk Assessment recommendations and building them into a variety of works programmes. Our resources and capacity mean we cannot do all the work at once. The PAS79 guidance advises that the time limits on recommendations may be altered to allow programming of works and to group works with other properties. This means that sometimes the works will be completed outside the recommended timescales.
The Decent Homes programme reduced a lot of fire risk and we have already made a start on the priority items for groups of tower blocks. We will publish the full programme of works on our website later in the year. After any major works are completed to a building, we carry out another Fire Risk Assessment to check that the block is as safe as possible. We will also continue to complete Fire Risk Assessments on an ongoing basis with the timing dependent on risk using professionally accredited and independent fire safety engineers. The Fire Risk Assessment for your block has a summary page which contains: General Information about the block before the assessor s visit is made and a desk-top risk is applied due to its construction and other factors such as height and occupancy. This risk is either High, Medium or Low and never changes. The executive summary gives the assessment risk rating for the block following the site visit by the assessor and what the rating would be once recommended works are complete. The standard risk ratings (in order of increasing risk) are: Trivial, Tolerable, Moderate, Substantial and Intolerable. A total of nine blocks have been identified as having substantial risks with the rest being rated as having moderate risks. There are no blocks having an intolerable risk rating. Our focus at present (October 2017) is to carry out all necessary works to the nine substantial risk blocks and works on these blocks have started. The long-term aim is to complete enough works so all blocks are rated as tolerable - but this will not be achieved until every significant fire safety action is completed for the block. The next section of the Fire Risk Assessment reviews various components in the block and identifies any areas that should be under a regularly inspected such as the block electrics, emergency lighting. The assessor usually recommends that we check and test these regularly and we do, via an inspection programme. On the right-hand side of the page, the assessor gives a rating on any risk or action identified. The Man1 recommendation is a management action which includes things such as removing bulky items and dumped rubbish. The Man2 recommendation refers to our management policies and procedures, for example they may recommend that we carry out more frequent servicing or inspections.
Have any questions? Visit our fire safety section on our website www.towerhamletshomes.org.uk which has lots of information, links to and essential information from the London Fire Brigade and answers to the most frequently asked questions. Alternatively, you can contact us via contactus@thh.org.uk or by phoning 020 7364 5015.
Print all sheets REGULATOR REFORM (FIRE SAFET) ORDER 2005 FIRE RISK ASSESSMET General Information 'Desktop' Risk Profile Date of FRA Issue to Client UPR Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 (street) Address 4 (area) Postcode Fire Risk Assessor Date of inspection QA carried out by: Suggested review date Medium 05/04/2017 1101770 1-12 Adriatic House Earnest Street London E1 4RA John Dixon 27/02/2017 John Herbison MIFireE FCABE (IFE Registered Assessor) 04/04/2020 Property Photograph Insert Photograph Executive Summary Responsible Person: Property Designation Management Extent o of Floors = 3 o of Flats (if applicable) = 12 Ground floor Area (m2) = Total Area of all Floors (m2) = Recommendation count: = 11 Priority counts: U - Urgent = 0 H - High = 2 M - Medium = 2 L - Low = 1 R - Recommended = 0 Man1 = 2 Man2 = 4 Recommended evacuation strategy: Assessment Risk Rating: Stay Put Moderate On satisfactory completion of all remedial works the risk rating of this building may be reduced to: Limitation of Report CEO Tower Hamlets Homes G 5 Storeys and under Partially Managed Building - Manager or Senior Staff not onsite regularly Tolerable This fire risk assessment report represents Savills' understanding for the current building designs and use, the fire strategy and proposed evacuation procedures. It is to provide an assessment of the risk to life from fire and does not address building or property protection or business continuity. The report is not an assurance against risk and is based on the best judgement of the consultant involved. The assessment may rely on information given by others and no liability is accepted for the accuracy of such information. Should any of the buildings (or their operations) change in any way the risk assessments should be updated accordingly. In addition, it is recommended that this fire risk assessment is reviewed at least annually. Each fire risk assessment identifies areas to which access was not available during the inspection. In certain instances we may have made recommendations for further inspection in the report, however as a general guidance we would recommend that the no access areas are inspected as soon as possible.
Fire Risk Assessment 2 Fire Risk Assessment 'Desktop' Risk Profile for Premises Responsible Person: BAFE SP205-1 Certificate umber Date of FRA Issue to Client Medium Tower Hamlets Homes Refer to Master Property List 05 April 2017 V-160918 G General Information UPR Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 (street) Address 4 (area) Postcode Fire Risk Assessor Date of inspection (enter as - dd/mm/yy) Checked by: Rec. review date (subject to appropriate interim management) 1101770 1-12 Adriatic House Earnest Street London E1 4RA John Dixon 27 February 2017 John Herbison MIFireE FCABE (IFE Registered Assessor) 04 April 2020 The Premises Property Designation o of Floors o of Flats (if applicable) Ground floor area (m2) (if applicable) Total area of all floors (m2) (if applicable) Building Description I. no of staircases, storeys ii. no of entrances/exits iii. lifts iv. stepped/level access v. ancillary usage Building Construction I. approx. age / year built Extent of common areas (please describe common areas assessed) Areas of the building to which access was not available If applicable, state which flats were sample inspected G 5 Storeys and under 3 12 Purpose built property which has open deck balconies, 3 floors and 12 flats. The building is accessed from a ground floor entrance/exit door at the rear. There are 4 flats on the 2nd floor and 4 flats on the 1st floor accessed from a single staircase and dead end open balconies. The 4 flats on the ground floor are accessed direct externally from the rear. In the ground floor entrance area there is an electrical cupboard and on each upper level there are bin chutes. There are no lifts or lift lobbies. Bins are stored in a designated area at the rear of the building. Purpose built, brick built property with a low pitched tiled roof. Concrete stairs and landing. Built in the early 1950's Ground floor entrance area, staircase and dead end open balconies. All flats excluding, Electrical cupboard. The Occupants Management Extent Details of any onsite management (hours onsite etc. if known) Person managing fire safety in premises (and position in Coy.) Person consulted during the fire risk assessment umber of occupants (maximum estimated) umber of employees umber of members of the public (maximum estimated) Identify any people who are especially at risk -sleeping occupants Partially Managed Building - Manager or Senior Staff not onsite regularly one on site however occasional staff attendance assumed William Manning Person from consulted Assumed to be two residents per flat one on site however occasional staff attendance assumed General eeds premises - low number of visitors expected at any one time o information available however this is a 'General eeds' premises so occupants are assumed to be typical of the general population
Fire Risk Assessment 3 Other Information Fire loss experience (since last FRA) Any other relevant information one reported. one reported. Fire Safety Legislation The following fire safety legislation applies to these premises: Other key fire safety legislation (other than Building Regs 2000): Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 The Housing Act 2004 Elimination or Reduction of Fire Hazards Electrical Ignition Sources A1 Is fixed installation periodically inspected and tested? /K Date of last fixed electrical installation inspection A2 Is PAT testing in common areas carried out (annually)? o access to electrical cupboard, unable to confirm electrical installation test label date. Refer to Q5. We are informed that there is a programme in place to ensure all common area fixed electrics are to be inspected and tested periodically Recommend management confirm that the common area fixed electrical system has been inspected and tested within the last five years in accordance with BS 7671:2008 (as amended) 1 Man2 A3 Is there a policy for personal electrical appliances? o portable appliances identified in common areas. A4 Is the use of adapters and leads limited? o electrical adaptors or leads identified in common areas. Smoking Policies B1 Are there suitable arrangements for those who wish to smoke? (state what the arrangements are) B2 Does the policy in relation to smoking appear to be observed? o designated areas, no smoking signs identified, persons appear to be aware that smoking is not permissible in common area's o evidence of smoking in common areas. Arson C1 Are premises secure against arson by outsiders? (Please state how)
Fire Risk Assessment 4 C2 Are bins secured / stored in a suitable location? (Please state bin type, location, if and how it is secured) Front entrance door fitted with internal handle, push to open device and access control. C3 Is fire load close to the premises minimised? Bins identified at the rear of the building not in the designated bin store, possibly collection day. Bin chute store door found unlocked. Recommend that a keypad lock is fitted to the bin store door and bins are stored in the designated area provided. Combustible items stored outside the ground floor flats in close proximity Recommend that the combustible items noted are disposed of or removed a safe distance away from the exterior walls of the building 1 237, 240, 333 M 1 330, 331 Man1 Portable Heaters and Heating Installations D1 If used, is the use of portable heaters regarded as safe? D2 Are fixed heating systems maintained (annually)? Date of last fixed heating system inspection o portable heaters identified in common areas. Lightning F1 Does the building have a lightning protection system? o lightning conductor identified on this inspection. House-Keeping G1 Is the property regularly cleaned to prevent the build up of combustibles? G2 Combustible materials not kept near sources of ignition? G3 Escape routes kept clear of items combustible materials or waste? /K /K o cleaning rotor notice identified in the ground floor entrance area. Common areas however appear clean and tidy. o access to electrical cupboard. Incorrect keys supplied, unknown if combustible materials or waste are stored inside. Refer to Q5 1 Timber shelving, plastic containers, child's toys, shoes, bikes, clothes identified on the 1st and 2nd floor balconies. Recommend combustible items noted are removed from the common area and the area kept clear. 1 269, 282 Man1 G4 Escape routes kept clear of any trip hazards?
Fire Risk Assessment 5 Refer to G3 G5 Any hazardous materials are stored correctly? G6 Are all other house-keeping issues satisfactory? Hazards introduced by Outside Contractors H1 Are fire safety conditions imposed on outside contractors? H2 Is there satisfactory control over works carried out in the building by outside contractors (e.g. hot work permits)? H3 Is there satisfactory control over works carried out in the building by in-house contractors (e.g. hot work permits)? See H3 See H3 We are informed that fire safety conditions are imposed on contractors and there is satisfactory control over works carried out in the building by in-house and external contractors (e.g. hot works permits) Other Significant Hazards J1 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [1] J2 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [2] J3 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [3] General Fire Protection Measures Means of Escape K1 Is escape route design deemed satisfactory? (Consider current design codes) Open balconies leading to a single staircase which leads to a ground floor entrance area and to a front final exit door.
Fire Risk Assessment 6 K2 K3 K4 K5 K6 K7 Are the escape routes adequately protected? (Consider lobby protection to staircase, if needed) Is there adequate provision of exits, for the numbers who may be present? Is there adequate exit width, for the numbers who may be present? Are doors on escape routes easily opened? (and are sliding or revolving doors avoided?) Do final exits open in the direction of escape where necessary? Are travels distances satisfactory? (consider single direction and more than one direction) One exit from the building, deemed satisfactory for the number of people that may be present. Front entrance/exit door to an adequate width. Block front entrance/exit door fitted with internal handle and push to open device. We are informed that any magnetic locks on door entry systems are failsafe in the event of power failure Block front entrance/exit door opens in the opposite direction of escape. Deemed satisfactory for the number of persons that may be present at any one time. 252 252 K8 Are there suitable precautions for all inner rooms? K9 Are escape routes separated where appropriate? K10 Are corridors sub-divided where appropriate? K11 Do escape routes lead to a place of safety? K12 Are the stairs and/or lobbies provided with adequate ventilation? (If considered satisfactory, please state provision) K13 Are there suitable arrangements in the building for means of escape for disabled persons? Escape route leads to a rear car park area. Open staircase leads onto open balconies.
Fire Risk Assessment 7 It is understood that residents are encouraged to contact building management if they require assistance in developing a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) or other fire safety advice. This is currently being developed and will be done via circular newsletters, the website and via new fire action signage. K14 Are all other means of escape issues satisfactory? K15 Are all other means of escape issues satisfactory? K16 Recommended evacuation strategy for this building is: Stay Put Flat Entrance Doors L1 Are flat entrance doors or doors / frames appropriately fire rated? L2 Are fire rated flat entrance doors in good condition - not in need of repair? L3 Is all glazing to flat entrance doors appropriately fire rated? L4 Are fan lights above flat entrance doors appropriately fire rated? L5 Are side panels to flat entrance doors appropriately fire rated? Flat entrance inspected which appeared to be to an adequate fire resistant standard. Other than flat entrance doors appeared visually to be to an adequate fire resistant standard. The door to was located at the end of a dead end balcony. (deemed satisfactory) Other than flat entrance doors to a good standard. The glazed door panels fitted to the door of did not appear to be to an adequate fire resistant standard and requires replacing. Recommend 30 minute fire resisting glazing (and associated glazing channel and beading) be installed in the flat entrance door(s) as noted. Mixture of glazed fan lights on the open dead end balconies. ot all of the fan lights fire resistant (Deemed satisfactory, above 1.1m from floor level. Unable to confirm if the lower side panels to are to an adequate fire resistant standard. 1 293, 294 H L6 Are flat entrance doors fitted with adequate selfclosing devices? (From sample inspection) Unless otherwise confirmed recommend the side panel(s) to flat entrance door(s) as noted are replaced with 30 minute fire resisting material Flat inspected fitted with 2 x Perko type door closers which closed the door effectively. We are informed that there is a rolling programme for upgrading flat entrance doors and self-closers to flat entrance doors will be checked as part of this programme 4 308 M 0 (3) 318
Fire Risk Assessment 8 L7 L8 L9 Are flat entrance doors fitted with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals? (From sample inspection) Are letterboxes satisfactory? (State only if missing, damaged or upvc) Are all other flat entrance door issues satisfactory? Flat entrance inspected had intumescent strips and seals fitted to the door. L10 Are all other flat entrance door issues satisfactory? had a security gate fitted in front of the door Recommend tenants are advised that security gates fitted in front of flat entrance doors could compromise their escape. 4 Man2 Common Area Fire Doors M1 Are all common area fire doors and/or frames appropriately fire rated? M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 Are all common area fire rated fire doors in good condition - and not in need of repair? Is all glazing to common area fire doors appropriately fire rated? Are fan lights/side panels to common area fire doors appropriately fire rated? Are self-closing devices on common area fire doors adequate? (Where appropriate) Are intumescent strips and smoke seals provided to common area fire doors? Are common area fire doors adequate otherwise? (Ironmongery, hold open hooks etc.) o access to electrical cupboard, the door did not appear visually to be to an adequate fire resistant standard and requires replacing. (Steel construction) Refer to Q5 Recommend common area fire door(s) as noted are replaced with lockable FD30S fire doors 1 253 L Refer to M1 for electrical cupboard door. Refer to M1 for electrical cupboard door.
Fire Risk Assessment 9 M8 Are all other fire door issues satisfactory? Emergency Lighting 1 If emergency lighting is provided, is it in good working order? 2 3 If emergency lighting is provided, is coverage sufficient? (Internal and external) If EL not provided, is borrowed/artificial lighting sufficient for escape? (Internal and external) Emergency lighting identified on staircase. Where emergency lighting is in place we are informed that it is tested and maintained in accordance with BS 5266-8:2004 Reasonable amounts of borrowed lighting. 259 Fire Safety Signs and otices O1 Is there adequate provision of fire safety signs and notices? (Consider directional, exits, stairs, fire action notices, fire equipment and 'do not use lift' signage) O2 O3 Is fire door signage adequate? (Consider 'Fire door keep shut' and 'Fire door keep locked shut' signage) Are other fire safety signs adequate and clearly visible? o Stay put fire action notice identified in common areas. Recommend that a fire action notice advising of the 'Stay Put' evacuation policy be provided in the common areas Electrical cupboard door and bin store door had no 'Fire door keep locked shut' signs fitted. Refer to M1 for electrical cupboard door. o smoking 'signs identified in common areas. 1 H 2 Means of Giving Warning in Case of Fire P1 Has the building got a manually operated electrical fire alarm system? P2 If common area AFD and/or alarm system is installed, is it in good working order? o manual fire alarm system identified in common areas. Deemed satisfactory for this type of building with a stay put policy.
Fire Risk Assessment 10 P3 P4 P5 If installed, is the common area AFD adequate for the occupancy and fire risk? If not installed, are the premises deemed safe without a common area AFD system? If applicable, is separate domestic hard-wired smoke/heat alarm within the flats installed to a suitable standard? inspected, had no Grade D type smoke alarm fitted in the entrance hallway. We are informed that THH check flats for working hard wired smoke alarms as part of a rolling programme. Recommend that a Grade D LD3 smoke alarm systems to BS5839-6:2013 is installed in the flats noted and that all other flats are checked for working smoke alarm systems of this standard 1 316 R P6 Are all other AFD and alarm system issues satisfactory? Limiting Fire Spread Q1 Is the level of compartmentation adequate? (Special consideration should be given to converted or non 'purpose built' premises) Q2 Are hidden voids appropriately enclosed and/or firestopped? (consider above suspended ceilings) Q3 Are risers (shafts, ducts and cupboards) in the common area appropriately enclosed and/or firestopped? Q4 Is compartmentation maintained in the roof space? /K Visual inspection only in common areas, compartmentation appears adequate. o access to roof space, high level access Recommend management check compartmentation within the roof space over the common area 1 Man2 Q5 Are electrics enclosed in fire rated construction? (Where necessary) /K o access to the ground floor electrical cupboard, (incorrect keys supplied) unable to confirm if compartmentation inside the cupboard is to an adequate level. Additionally unable to confirm if combustible materials or waste is stored inside.
Fire Risk Assessment 11 Q6 Q7 Q8 Is compartmentation maintained at electrical meter cupboards in flat walls? If required, are dampers provided? (Base of refuse chute, ductwork etc.) Are wall and ceiling linings appropriate to limit fire spread? Q9 Are soft furnishings in common areas appropriate to limit fire spread/growth? Q10 Are all other fire spread/compartmentation issues satisfactory? Q11 Are all other fire spread/compartmentation issues satisfactory? Q12 Are all other fire spread/compartmentation issues satisfactory? Q13 Are all other fire spread/compartmentation issues satisfactory? Recommend the electrical cupboard is inspected to confirm compartmentation inside the cupboard is to an adequate level. Additionally it should be confirmed that no combustible materials or waste is stored inside. Wall and ceiling linings painted/plastered, cement rendered, brick and concrete and appear to be appropriate to limit fire spread/growth 1 Man2 Any Other Information X1 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [1] X2 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [2] X3 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [3]
Fire Risk Assessment 12 Assessment Risk Ratings 1 Likelihood of Fire: Medium 2 Potential Consequences of Fire: Moderate Harm 3 Premises Risk Rating Moderate 4 On satisfactory completion of all remedial works the risk rating of this building may be reduced to: Tolerable