SAFETY & SECURITY 77


COMPETENCE, COORDINATION & COMPLIANCE


As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve for residential building duty holders on fi re door safety, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK reviews the importance of competence and coordination in a more rigorous environment


hen fi re safety fails, lives are put at risk. n all buildings, reasonable steps must be made to reduce the likelihood and impact of fi re, yet, many people remain unsure towards fi re safety practice and the roles and responsibilities associated with fi re door safety.


W n view of this, in ctober , new


fi re safety legislation was introduced to non-domestic properties in ngland and Wales. ection  of the uilding afety ct   has made a number of amendments to the egulatory eform ire afety rder  , with the latest improvements forming a new framework designed to improve fi re safety in all regulated buildings, including workplaces, educational, healthcare and leisure premises and the shared areas of ouses in ultiple ccupation s.


n short, Phase  of the fi re safety reform programme further strengthens fi re safety in all  regulated premises by • mproving cooperation and coordination between esponsible Persons Ps


• ncreasing reuirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fi re safety information thus creating a continual record throughout a building’s lifespan


• aking it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against non-compliance


• nsuring residents have access to comprehensive information about fi re safety in their building.


he latest updates are comprehensive and aim to eliminate any ambiguity associated with fi re safety compliance. nd so, with greater emphasis being placed on accountability and all round


coordination, how should responsible persons approach fi re doors and their hardware


COMPETENCE & COORDINATION ire doors are a key element of a building’s passive fi re protection system and an area that Ps must possess a robust knowledge of, if they are to comply with the latest regulations. ually, to keep buildings and occupants safe, responsible persons are reuired to perform various duties under the egulatory eform ire afety rder , which include • ndertaking regular fi re risk assessments


• mplementing appropriate fi re safety measures


• reating and maintaining a fi re safety plan


• Providing relevant fi re safety information


• egular testing and maintenance of fi re safety euipment and systems


• oordination with relevant authorities and other responsible persons


• Provision of information to a new responsible person when departing the role.


unctional fi re doors and clear eit routes are critical in ensuring appropriate precautions and preventive measures are in place. dding to this, responsible persons are reuired to review the condition of their fi re doors when conducting, recording and keeping written records of fi re risk assessments, which consist of • dentifying fi re haards • dentifying people at risk • valuating, removing or reducing the risks


• ecording fi ndings, preparing an emergency plan and providing training


• eviewing and updating the fi re risk assessment regularly.


ire doors are often the fi rst line of defence against fi re. When closed, they compartmentalise and delay the spread of fi re and smoke whilst protecting property and providing occupants with an opportunity to escape. n contrast, duty holders must recognise that a building’s fi re doors will not perform as intended unless essential hardware has been correctly specifi ed, installed and maintained.


REDUCING THE GAPS ncorrect hardware specifi cation is a common problem associated with fi re door safety. When selecting fi re door


IF FIRE DOOR HARDWARE IS CORRECTLY SPECIFIED, INSTALLED AND TESTED, YOU’RE MITIGATING AS MUCH OF THE RISK AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN


WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84