AGAR BOWLES
FIRE CONSULTANCY & TRAINING
Everyone knows the risks associated with fire, don't they? Whilst many are confident that they would know what to do, fires are unpredictable and in those situations, human nature can be to panic.
Legislation requires that businesses take certain steps to fulfill their duty when it comes to fire, and we can help meet those requirements.
Fire Management - Your Responsibilities
The Legal Summary
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the legislation that is applicable to almost all buildings other than individual, private homes. This means that all commercial premises, HMOs, residential communual areas, places of education or worship - to name a few - are covered by the Order.
Your Responsibilities
Building Compliance
You need to make sure your premises are meeting the required standards. This will vary depending on the type of building; we can advise on what is relevant for your premises, or guidance can be found online.
Training
You also need to provide employees/responsible persons with adequate fire safety training. Again, this will look different to different roles; your responsible person will require a different level of training to your employee that works part time, two days per week. Induction training to fire awareness should be provided to all staff - and regularly refreshed. Your responsible person(s) should receive additional training relevant to their responsibilities, and again, receive regular refresher training.
Recorded Information
You must have a documented fire risk assessment - this is a mandatory requirement. Your fire risk assessment must be completed by someone that is competent to do so. Keeping records of maintenance on the building and its systems is best practice - you'll be asked for these as part of your fire risk assessment and it means the relevant maintenance is completed at the correct intervals.
Our Assessors & Trainers
Our assessors hold the relevant qualifications and have both a thorough understanding and suitable experience to complete a comprehensive assessment, so you can be confident that the assessments will be compliant with the relevant requirements.
Our assessors work in a manner to minimise disruption in your premises, working with you to ensure you achieve compliance, and our approach is the same across all of our services.
Our assessors and trainers are based in Kent, but we can also provide services in London and the Home Counties - please get in touch with our team for to discuss coverage.
Fire Risk Assessments
What is a fire risk assessment?
Fire risk assessments use a systematic approach to identify fire hazards within your premises or environment, evaluating the risks posed by those hazards, who's at risk and establish the control measures needed to eliminate or reduce the risks.
To break it down, an assessment will identify relevant hazards - things that could start or fuel a fire. These are possible ignition sources (such as electrical, heating or cooking equipment), fuel sources (such as flammable liquids, combustible/flammable stock or packaging) and oxygen sources (gas cylinders, as an example).
The assessment considers the building too - because the layout and structural features can impact how a fire may spread.
When conducting a fire risk assessment, we look at the people that could be affected too. This isn't just your daily workers, but also includes people such as:
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Shift workers
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Lone workers
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Visitors
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General public
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Contractors
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People with disabliities or impairments that may need additional support to exit the premises
During the assessment, our assessor will also look at your existing controls; what systems and procedures you have in place at the moment. Typically, this will include:
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Fire detection and warning systems - e.g. alarms, call points
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Means of escape - e.g. escape routes, signage, travel distances, exits
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Emergency lighting
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Fire doors and compartmentation
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Electrical safety and maintenance
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Fire safety management - e.g. training, drills, record keeping, responsible persons
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Housekeeping (including waste management)
What will you receive after the assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, you'll receive a comprehensive digital copy of the report that has been carried out in accordance with PAS79. At the end of our report is an action plan - this list will contain recommendationed actions that you should take to ensure compliance with the requirements and best practice. Actions are prioritised, so you can clearly see what needs to be done and in which order.
We can work with you to help understand, implement and embed required actions - we provide training and consultancy services so you can move forward with your system with confidence and the right support in place. It is important to note, we do not carry out physical remedial works on buildings and equipment.
Alongside completing fire risk assessments, we can also help create emergency evacuation plans. and provide training. This includes the new requirements for RPEEPS (residential personal protective evacuation plans) which are applicable for certain buildings.
Fire Marshal Training
Fire awareness in the form of training is crucial; the likelihood of panic is much greater in an emergency situation, and everyone needs to know what to do and where to go. Our Fire Marshal course is a 1/2 day course, and training is delivered within your premises, during which your staff will gain understanding of:
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Fire legislation within the UK
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Identifying and reporting fire hazards within your workplace
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Correct behaviours
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Fire protection measures
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Safe use of extinguishers
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Role of a fire marshal
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Evacuation plans
As part of our training (and only when completely safe to do so!), we also deliver practical fire extinguisher training. Of course, we risk assess this before any live training is completed on the day to make sure that the environment is suitable for the activity.
Fire extinguisher training typically covers:
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Different classes of fire and their behaviours
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Identifying and understanding extinguishers
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Steps to use an extinguisher
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When it's appropriate to use an extinguisher
If live training is safe to complete, staff will be able to take part in practical exercises using real extinguishers.
Fire Door Inspections
What is a fire door?
Fire doors are a vital component of a building's fire protection strategy and system. The doors act as a barrier for fire and smoke, creating safe exit routes and giving additional time to occupants to escape. Maintenance and inspection of fire doors is essential, ensuring that they are fit for purpose.
Fire door inspections are mandated under UK fire safety legislation, mainly:
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Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Article 17
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Fire Safety Act 2021
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Building Safety Act 2022
A fire door inspection is non-intrusive and non-destructive. Our inspectors complete visual inspections of the doors, inspecting the door leaf, the frame and hardware & fittings. The gap between the leaf and frame, the threshold gap and fire rated markings will also be checked.
Once complete, a detailed report will be issued for all doors including identification numbers, and recommended actions if required.
The laws require the “Responsible Person” (e.g. landlord, building owner, or employer) to ensure fire safety equipment (including fire doors) is maintained, carry out regular inspections and risk assessments and fix any faults promptly. The frequency of inspection will depend on the premises and it's use - there are different requirements for commercial, residential and high risk buildings (over 11m).
Recent data in the UK showed that 75% of fire doors failed to meet required safety standards during inspections. If you are due an inspection or need to talk through what you may need to do, contact us and our team will assist. Companies should also consider commercial insurances and potential limitations on coverage as most policies require documented evidence of fire safety maintenance - if your doors are due inspection, please get in touch for a quote.