FIREX International 2018 Responsible maintenance


FPA head of training John Briggs noted that the responsible person (RP) does not have to be appointed, as you ‘either are or not’ by default, so identification is ‘one of the hardest things’ for fire and rescue services (FRSs). In the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 [FSO], the RP is defined and duties imposed on anyone with ‘to any extent’ control of the premises, as well as responsibility for fire safety maintenance or repair. They are responsible ‘to the extent that [their] obligation extends’, and must be competent, established by ‘sufficient training and experience’ and ‘knowledge and other qualities’. Article 8 of the FSO notes that the RP should take general precautions for fire ‘as far as reasonably practicable’, protecting relevant persons (anyone who could be at risk). Article 9 covers the need to undertake a fire risk assessment (FRA), review it regularly, study hazards and risks, mitigating steps and precautions taken and dangerous substances identified. Article 12 covers eliminating, reducing and managing risks, while Article 13 covers firefighting and detection, ensuring that appropriate equipment, alarms and detectors are easily accessible and shown with signs. A competent person needs to be nominated and trained ‘to assist with firefighting’. Next, Article 14 covers emergency routes


and exits, and ensuring that both are kept clear at all times, while Article 15 discusses procedures for imminent danger, a ‘sufficient number’ of competent persons to be appointed to assist with evacuation and drills. Dangerous substances are covered in Article 16 (relevant persons in the building and neighbouring buildings to be notified about risks), and Article 17 covers maintenance. Article 18 reflects on competent persons and their assistance in implementing measures, while Article 19 covers information provision on risks, measures, tasks and competent persons. Article 20 notes that the RP must tell everyone in the building about risks and measures in place; Article 21 covers employee training when starting and when circumstances change; and Article 23 establishes the need for all on site to have a duty of care to everyone else. Mr Briggs later covered maintenance, and the


need for a ‘suitable system’ in ‘efficient working order and good repair’. An initial FRA must be kept under review ‘as appropriate’, while standards and maintenance programmes establish a regime. Alarm and detection systems are subject


to BS 5839 part 1: call points should be tested weekly and monthly (day and night), while a false alarm reduction policy should be devised and records kept. Detectors and call points should be


FOCUS


unobstructed and periodically inspected, and every six months the site, logbook, control panel and one device per zone need to be inspected. Connections to receiving centres should be


confirmed, and annual inspections, plus quarterly visits from manufacturers’ engineers, should test all detectors, operate all call points, check cables and confirm programming as well as review analogue levels and audibility. The FRS or water authority will test and inspect


public hydrants above or below ground, while private owners must maintain and test risers annually under BS 5306. A leak check is required, alongside a 15 minute pressure check and tests of pumps and tanks for wet risers, while dry risers require a six month visual inspection. Sprinklers are subject to BS EN 12845: 2015, the LPC Sprinkler Rules and TB 203, with weekly, monthly and yearly 30 minute diesel pump tests required. An annual ‘failure to start’ test of the motor should be undertaken alongside quarterly, half yearly and annual maintenance, while a percentage of heads should be sent away for testing after five, ten and 25 years. Extinguishers should be inspected monthly and companies or contractors should test them annually, with refills every five years. Emergency lights should be inspected daily under BS 5266-8: 2016; a monthly test should turn off power and test activation; and the system should be fully discharged annually to recharge. There is no written standard covering all fire doors, but BS 8214 covers installation of wooden doors. Doors and routes should be checked for security and blockages, and closers checked weekly alongside alarm activation, a monthly physical check and logging of hinges and door furniture.


www.frmjournal.com JULY/AUGUST 2018 33


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