The Home Office show that approximately 30% of the Schools inspected up to the year ending March 2022 had an unsatisfactory rating during Fire Safety audits.
A Fire is unlikely to start in two different
places in a building it is most likely to start in accommodation areas such as
an office. This may be different in the Educational sector due to the much
higher threat of arson which may include the setting of multiple Fire’s or the
igniting of items within escape routes such as displays and storage areas.
The following are just a sample of high-risk areas
that require regular Fire Safety checks.
Escape routes
Travel distance should be as recommended
Guidance for education premises maximum of 18 metres for on direction of travel
and 45 metres where there are two directions of travel. All final exits should
be operational and checked regularly.
Compartmentation
Many buildings are old with poor
compartmentation including large voids above false ceilings. Fire Doors are
often damaged through wear and tear and service areas have penetrations
normally caused by service providers these are should be regularly checked. Protected
staircase and high-risk areas such as kitchens, science labs and plant rooms
should be a high priority when carrying out Fire Safety checks.
Fire Alarms
Regular checks of the Alarm Panel for faults
and a process in place for swift replacement of any faulty detector heads.
Regular inspection, testing and maintaining is essential.
Extinguishers
Tampering of Extinguishers by Students may be a
problem, relocating the extinguishers to staff-only areas could be considered
if they are still accessible within the recommended travel distances. Regular
inspection, testing and maintaining of the Extinguishers plus Staff training is
essential.
Combustible Materials
There is often conflict between wall-mounted
displays of Students work and Fire Safety mainly in areas such as Art
Classrooms, Drams and Design and Technology rooms. “Notice boards should not be
more that 3m wide, and there should be a gap between notice boards on the same
wall of at least 1m” this is outlined in BB100. Plant Rooms and Electrical
cupboards or risers should not be used for storage and regular checks should be
made of these areas.
Emergency Escape Plan
The Emergency Escape Plan should be regularly
tested and any deficiencies identified within the Fire Drill should be
addressed immediately.
Fire Safety Training
All Staff should have regular Fire Safety
Training which should be recorded. The appropriate number of Fire Marshals
should be in place at all times.
Fire Safety Risk Assessment
Every Education premise should have a current
Fire Safety Risk Assessment carried out by a competent Assessor. The
deficiencies identified within the Fire Safety Risk Assessment for the Building
should be actioned on within the timescales outlined and the Fire Safety
Management Action Plan – Significant Findings should be kept up to date at all
times.
London Fire Risk Assessments are completely independent of any companies offering Fire Safety Protection Services therefore their advice is unbiased. They have been established for over 16 years and all their Fire Safety Risk Assessors have qualified with the Institution of Fire Engineers the Fire Protection Association, CS Todd Associates and the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. They are on the IFSM Register of accredited Fire Risk Assessors and the National Register of Accredited Fire Risk Assessors. They are fully insured, and all their Assessors are retired Fire Brigade Fire Safety Officers, so they know how to put Fires out and how to prevent them!
If you
are a School, College or University in London or Manchester and don’t have a
current Fire Risk Assessment for your Building you are in breach of the Fire
Safety Laws. If you wish to arrange a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit by an
accredited Fire Risk Assessor then contact London Fire Risk Assessments now on 0781
8888626 London or 07824 185293 Manchester alternatively click here
