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 Low 19/09/2016 1131718 1-6 Kirton Gardens Bethnal Green E2 7LS William icholson 07/07/2016 John Herbison MIFireE FCABE (IFE Registered Assessor) 19/09/2019 Property Photograph Insert Photograph Executive Summary Responsible Person: Property Designation Management Extent o of Floors = 2 o of Flats (if applicable) = 6 Ground floor Area (m2) = #REF! Total Area of all Floors (m2) = #REF! Recommendation count: = 12 Priority counts: U - Urgent = 0 H - High = 4 M - Medium = 0 L - Low = 2 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 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 Low Tower Hamlets Homes Refer to Master Property List 19 September 2016 Vers:- 160510 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) 1131718 1-6 Kirton Gardens Bethnal Green E2 7LS William icholson 07 July 2016 John Herbison MIFireE FCABE (IFE Registered Assessor) 19 September 2019 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 Building Construction i. approx. age / year built ii. building structure, floors, walls and roof 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 2 6 An attached two storey purpose built block of flats. Six flats - three per floor. Flats are accessed/egressed via one block door leading into a communal garden area. 1st floor flats are accessed by a semi-enclosed common area stairway leading to a one way travel open balcony approach. Ground floor flats are accessed via footpath in communal garden. One electrical mains cupboard located under common area stairway. o lift. Level access to communal garden. Circa 1960's built building with facing brick and rendered façade. Common area staircase and balcony are of concrete construction and walls are masonry. Flat roof which appears to be weathered with mineral felt. Communal garden, electrical mains cupboard, common area staircase and balcony. All area's accessed. 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 ot known. Occupants of 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 apparent and no information provided. one. 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 test sticker displayed to indicate when common area fixed electrical equipment was last inspected and tested. 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) Man2 A3 Is there a policy for personal electrical appliances? o portable appliances noted in the common area. A4 Is the use of adapters and leads limited? o personal electrical appliances noted in the common area. one noted in the common area. 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? Smoking is not permitted in the common area and assumed to be limited to individual flats. Evidence of smoking in communal garden where ashtray was noted. However, owing to location externally there is no action required. Arson C1 Are premises secure against arson by outsiders? (Please state how) Fob actuated secure door entry system fitted to communal garden entrance door.
Fire Risk Assessment 4 C2 Are bins secured / stored in a suitable location? (Please state bin type, location, if and how it is secured) C3 Is fire load close to the premises minimised? Paladin type bin is located in bin store, however bin store doors were not locked shut. Recommend bin store doors are locked shut and kept locked shut. 1 L Assortment of bins were noted on ground floor pathway beneath balcony. Recommend that the bins noted are removed a safe distance away from the exterior walls of the building 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 noted at time of inspection. o common heating system noted. Lightning F1 Does the building have a lightning protection system? o lightning protection system appears to be provided. 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? Building was unsatisfactory at time of inspection. Electrical mains cupboard was clear of combustible storage at time of inspection. Assortment of filled refuse bags, shopping caddies and other combustible items were noted on ground floor pathway beneath balcony and in communal garden area. Chairs and tables noted outside of ground floor flats are not considered a hazard. Recommend combustible items noted are removed from the common area and the area kept clear. Man1 G4 G5 Escape routes kept clear of any trip hazards? Any hazardous materials are stored correctly? Refer to question G3.
Fire Risk Assessment 5 o evidence to suggest otherwise. G6 Are all other house-keeping issues satisfactory? Mop and bucket and plants noted on common area balcony are not considered a hazard in current locations and quantities. Hazards introduced by Outside Contractors H1 Are fire safety conditions imposed on outside contractors? H2 H3 Is there satisfactory control over works carried out in the building by outside contractors (e.g. hot work permits)? Is there satisfactory control over works carried out in the building by in-house contractors (e.g. hot work permits)? /K /K /K o information available with reference to fire safety conditions imposed on outside or in-house contractors at time of assessment. Management to confirm that fire safety conditions are imposed on outside and in-house contractors including hot work permits. Refer to H1. Refer to H1. Man2 Other Significant Hazards J1 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [1] Other than deficiencies highlighted in this report no other significant hazards were noted at time of inspection. J2 J3 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [2] Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [3] /K General Fire Protection Measures Means of Escape K1 Is escape route design deemed satisfactory? (Consider current design codes) 1st floor flats discharge onto balcony leading to common area stairway which leads to communal gardens final exit door and away from the building. Ground floor flats discharge directly into communal gardens leading to final exit door and away from the building.
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) Lobby protection is not considered a requirement in this building. Communal gardens final exit door provided is considered adequate for number of flats in the building. Lever handle fitted to communal gardens final exit door is considered satisfactory. Communal gardens final exit door opens in direction of escape. K8 Are there suitable precautions for all inner rooms? Horizontal and vertical travel distances are deemed satisfactory. K9 Are escape routes separated where appropriate? o inner rooms noted within the common area. K10 K11 K12 K13 Are corridors sub-divided where appropriate? Do escape routes lead to a place of safety? Are the stairs and/or lobbies provided with adequate ventilation? (If considered satisfactory, please state provision) Are there suitable arrangements in the building for means of escape for disabled persons? /K Communal gardens final exit door leads directly to outside and away from the building. Open balcony and semi-enclosed stairway. o information available at time of inspection however it is expected that residents and visitors are able to selfevacuate.
Fire Risk Assessment 7 Recommend residents are encouraged to contact building management if they require assistance in developing a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) or other fire safety advice. Recommend that a contact reference for this assistance is added to the fire action notices for the block. Man2 K14 Are all other means of escape issues satisfactory? K15 Are all other means of escape issues satisfactory? Key operated security gate fitted to is considered to potentially impede or prevent flat occupants means of escape. Recommend noted gate is removed. 1 H 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 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 Are fire rated flat entrance doors in good condition - not in need of repair? Is all glazing to flat entrance doors appropriately fire rated? Are fan lights above flat entrance doors appropriately fire rated? Are side panels to flat entrance doors appropriately fire rated? Are flat entrance doors fitted with adequate selfclosing devices? (From sample inspection) Are flat entrance doors fitted with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals? (From sample inspection) has fitted a cat flap to their door. However, doors do not appear to be fire resisting and the flats are passed by occupants on their escape route. All other flat doors are not required to be fire rated owing to their locations. Recommend flat entrance door(s) as noted are replaced with FD30 self-closing fire doors 2 H Fan lights are not required to be fire resisting as they are located above 1.1m from FFL in this open balcony and footpath approached building. side panels do not appear to be fire resisting. All other side panels are not required to be fire rated owing to their locations. Recommend the side panel(s) to flat entrance door(s) as noted are replaced with 30 minute fire resisting material extending to a minimum of 1.1m from FFL of balcony. 2 H
Fire Risk Assessment 8 L8 Are letterboxes satisfactory? (State only if missing, damaged or upvc) L9 Are all other flat entrance door issues satisfactory? L10 Are all other flat entrance door issues satisfactory? Common Area Fire Doors M1 Are all common area fire doors and/or frames appropriately fire rated? M2 Are all common area fire rated fire doors in good condition - and not in need of repair? M3 Is all glazing to common area fire doors appropriately fire rated? M4 Are fan lights/side panels to common area fire doors appropriately fire rated? M5 Are self-closing devices on common area fire doors adequate? (Where appropriate) M6 Are intumescent strips and smoke seals provided to common area fire doors? M7 M8 Are common area fire doors adequate otherwise? (Ironmongery, hold open hooks etc.) Are all other fire door issues satisfactory? Electrical mains cupboard appears to be fitted with an original type fire resisting door blank. Electrical mains cupboard door appears to be in satisfactory condition. one fitted. Electrical mains cupboard door is not required to self-close as door should be kept locked shut. o intumescent strips and cold smoke seals are fitted to electrical mains cupboard door. However, deemed satisfactory for this block. Electrical mains cupboard door was locked shut at time of inspection.
Fire Risk Assessment 9 Emergency Lighting 1 If emergency lighting is provided, is it in good working order? 2 If emergency lighting is provided, is coverage sufficient? (Internal and external) 3 If EL not provided, is borrowed/artificial lighting sufficient for escape? (Internal and external) one provided. Borrowed and artificial lighting are considered sufficient for escape in this two storey block. 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 fire action notice displayed in common area. Recommend that a fire action notice advising of the 'Stay Put' evacuation policy be provided in the common areas 1 H o 'Fire door keep locked' signage displayed on electrical mains cupboard door. Provide 'Fire door keep locked' signage to the electrical cupboard fire door 1 L 'o Smoking' signage is clearly displayed in common area. 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? P3 If installed, is the common area AFD adequate for the occupancy and fire risk? one fitted.
Fire Risk Assessment 10 P4 P5 P6 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? Are all other AFD and alarm system issues satisfactory? A common area fire alarm system is not considered a requirement in this purpose built block designed for a Stay Put policy. Sample is provided with a suitably installed hardwired smoke alarm sited in entrance hallway and hardwired heat alarm sited in kitchen. Recommend that all other flats be checked to confirm provision and working condition of at least Grade D LD3 smoke alarm systems to BS5839-6:2013 0 (5) Man2 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? As far as could ascertain from a visual inspection of the common area. o hidden voids noted. one noted. Q5 Q6 Q7 Are electrics enclosed in fire rated construction? (Where necessary) Is compartmentation maintained at electrical meter cupboards in flat walls? If required, are dampers provided? (Base of refuse chute, ductwork etc.) Flat roof. Fire resisting walls and ceiling in electrical mains cupboard. one noted in common area. o fire damper is fitted at base of refuse chute. However, owing to bin chute and bin store location in detached block within communal garden a fire damper is not deemed a requirement.
Fire Risk Assessment 11 Q8 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? Facing brick walls and non-gloss painted ceilings and walls are considered satisfactory. Upholstered chair noted in ground floor common area are not considered a hazard. Low level vents noted on common area balcony are considered satisfactory. on-fire resisting flat windows/glazing fitted on open balcony are considered satisfactory as they are located above 1.1m from FFL of balcony. Any Other Information X1 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [1] X2 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [2] X3 Are all issues deemed satisfactory? [3] 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