FIRE SAFETY & DISASTER RECOVERY
FIRE SAFETY ACT 2021: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Simon Molloy, Senior Consultant and National Fire Risk Assessment Manager at JLA, explains what measures must be put in place by businesses in order to comply with the new regulations.
The Fire Safety Act (2021) has now received its Royal Assent and is now enshrined in law. Among the new rules included in the Act, accountability for managing and reducing the risk of fire outbreaks in the workplace, is now placed on a ‘Responsible Person’ who must be identified by the business. There is a requirement for them to focus on the structure and external walls throughout the building, as well as entrance doors that open into communal areas.
Enforcement action is expected to rise as a result of the Act, and duty-holders can expect to face severe penalties if prosecuted. It is therefore crucial for businesses to ensure that the review and upkeep of their premises’ fire safety solutions maintain high priority status despite the recent disruption caused by COVID-19.
What key measures must be put in place by businesses in order to comply with these new regulations?
Adopt a thorough Fire Risk
Assessment A Fire Risk Assessment continues to be a legal requirement and promotes the long-term safety of both a building’s occupants and the building itself against potential harm from fire and smoke. Businesses can either conduct an assessment themselves or bring in specialist risk assessors to provide this extra peace of mind.
Fire Risk Assessments should also be detailed, step-by- step documents which identify the on-site activities and areas of a building that present a fire risk with itemised actions to help prevent incidents.
Invest in barriers to minimise the
spread of smoke and fire Physical barriers that prevent the spread of fire and smoke are essential for businesses that operate in premises containing multiple rooms and passageways.
Fire doors provide an immediate defence in the event of an uncontrolled combustion and, depending on the type of door, can give between 30 and 120 minutes protection - critical time in which a building’s occupants can be evacuated to a safe location.
Choosing an appropriate fire door and managing its usage are important considerations. Fire doors are manufactured with the sole purpose of halting a blaze and are thus usually heavier than standard doors. Opting for lighter varieties is advisable in premises such as care homes and primary schools where some occupants might struggle with the added weight.
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It is also recommended that fire doors are inspected at least every six months to check that door handles operate correctly, that the doors close in a controlled manner and that all doors have the correct signage displayed. Using a provider that is able to manufacture, install and carry out inspections, is also recommended for a continued service.
Make sure your smoke ventilators are fit for purpose Finally, it is both a vital and a legal requirement to ensure smoke can clear quickly from hallways, stairwells, lobbies, and other access routes in the event of a fire. Ensuring so allows people to evacuate a premises safely and means emergency services can manoeuvre, rescue, and recover more efficiently.
Automatic opening vents (AOVs) are a highly effective means of allowing smoke to escape from a building thereby reducing injurious or fatal smoke inhalation. Usually, a combination of smoke vent windows, roof smoke vents, and automated hatches, AOVs also help to reduce heat build-up and maintain a smoke-free layer above floors to aid safer evacuations.
Historically, it was deemed adequate to simply install a suitable device that could turn a standard window into an automatic smoke vent. However, in 2013, the Construction Products Directive stipulated that all automatic opening vents must be covered by a European standard and be tested by a recognised third party.
As the threat of fire is a constant worry for any business owner, it is essential that all designated Responsible Persons ensure premises are compliant with the recent Fire Safety Act 2021. Acting now, investing in the right equipment and ensuring that fire plans and systems are regularly checked and updated, will ensure businesses are in the best position possible.
https://jla.com/
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