FOCUS
Public/complex buildings
against modern guidance expectations and the requirements of relevant legislation – primarily building regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Unsurprisingly, very little UK fire safety guidance exists specifically for pleasure piers, thus references were drawn from international guidance (eg NFPA 307) and known work completed on other UK piers. By methodically considering each of the buildings on the pier as well as the substructure holistically, a full fire strategy was developed, forming the foundation from which fire risk assessments have been completed. Key features included: • an available safe egress time/required safe egress time (ASET/RSET) assessment, considering the evacuation of up to 1,000 people – the worst case involved a fire scenario at the landward end of the structure, with people having to travel up to 350m to an ultimate place of safety
• a review of the pier wide automatic fire detection and alarm systems, with opportunities identified to enhance system coverage and utilise a voice alarm system (including external sounders on the pier deck)
• a review of a historic sprinkler system installed in the Pavilion Theatre, with opportunities identified to potentially modernise this and extend protection to the other buildings, providing key life safety and property protection benefits
• consideration of the cast iron supporting structure, timber decking and overall unique environment/use of the pier
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review with the local fire and rescue service of firefighting access and the existing horizontal fire main infrastructure
30 JULY/AUGUST 2018
www.frmjournal.com
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identifying opportunities to improve passive fire protection measures in the buildings on the pier, cognisant of sensitivities relating to them being of historic and heritage value
• examining the circumstances surrounding the cause of the most recent fire incident, introducing additional control measures to reduce the risk of a repeat incident (eg designated smoking areas, creation of an imperforate zone on top of the timber decking around the main buildings to prevent the accumulation of debris)
• improving cooperation and coordination between all relevant stakeholders in relation to fire safety matters
By working alongside the councils, a risk based programme of improvement works has been undertaken, with continual monitoring and review processes put in place to further address any other fire safety matters that arise during this period, and to capture any changes to the pier’s risk profile. Ultimately, the risk from fire will be significantly reduced on this iconic seafront attraction, which continues to be enjoyed by thousands of local residents and tourists year round.
Alexandra Palace
Built in 1873, Grade II listed Alexandra Palace was destroyed 16 days after opening by a fire caused by work undertaken in the dome. Two years later a new palace opened, centred on the Great Hall, home to the steam driven Willis Organ. In 1980, another fire that started under the organ led to the destruction of half of the building. With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Haringey Council, significant refurbishment and repair of the East Wing,
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