A Holborn Office Caught Fire, Which Became Complex Due to the Layout of the Building

A Holborn Office Fire appears to have started within a ceiling void on the third floor and subsequently spread throughout the voids. 150 Firefighters were call to the scene as this was a complex Fire due to the age and layout of the building.

London Fire Brigade reported on their incident page that the roof of the six-storey building and a staircase from the third to the fifth floor were destroyed by the Fire. Half of the third and fourth floor were also damaged. Around twenty-eight people left the building before the London Fire Brigade arrived and 11 people were evacuated from nearby flats as a precaution. There were no reports of any injuries.

"Firefighters worked throughout the night in very challenging and arduous conditions to prevent the Fire from spreading to key areas of the historic building, while also trying to prevent water damage.

"Crews remained on scene throughout Sunday damping down and cutting away. They also carried out salvage work to minimise damage to the building.”

Fire investigators have now completed their examination at the scene and believe the cause of the Fire to be accidental, although the exact cause has currently been recorded as undetermined.

The Fire appears to have started within a ceiling void on the third floor and subsequently spread throughout the voids, increasing the challenge for our Firefighters with both Firefighting and protecting the contents of the building. To read more click here

London Fire Risk Assessments comments:

The compartmentation of a building is crucial, if it is not intact a Fire can spread rapidly through a Building. A good Fire Risk Assessment for a Building will identify any deficiencies within the compartmentation and these will be recorded in the Fire Safety Management Plan – Significant Findings. It is vital that the identified ‘Responsible Persons’ acts on these findings to ensure the safety of the occupants and the Building itself.

If you need help, then contact London Fire Risk Assessments – they are a Fire Safety Consultancy based in London and are completely independent. They are not affiliated to any Fire Protection Services Company, so their advice is totally unbiased. All their Fire Safety Assessors are retired London Fire Brigade Fire Safety Officers and they are all qualified with the Institution of Fire Engineers. Call now on 0781 8888626 and chat to one of their friendly team alternatively click here.

Have You Considered Fire Safety Rules While Converting Residential Flats into Open Plan Living

Converting Residential Flats and Houses into open plan living is the latest design trend, but has Fire Safety been considered? You may find that a you need to get advice or even permission from a London based Fire Safety Consultancy or Building Control.

Sometimes the ‘Dream’ Cannot Always Cecome ‘Reality’.

Before you go to the significant cost of knocking down walls and redesigning your kitchen/lounge/diner it may be money well spent to send your proposed plans to a Fire Safety Consultancy for advice or Building Control.

It is better to know at planning stage if there are any issues rather than completing the works and then finding that the Fire protection is not adequate.

Fire compartmentation is there to protect you – to keep you safe from a Fire for as long as possible. Taking the compartmentation away creates a high-risk environment. 

It is not always bad news – there are compensatory measures that sometimes can be used such as a full Automatic Fire Alarm and Detection system and/or a Fire Suppression System.

Getting the right advise is imperative and once your plans are approved (if that is required) it will be up to you to ensure that the Fire Suppression System and/or the Fire Alarm and Detection System is inspected and maintained to regulations.

London Fire Risk Assessments are a London based Fire Safety Consultancy, they have been serving clients for over 12 years. Their Fire Risk Assessors are qualified with the Institution of Fire Engineers and they are all retired London Fire Brigade Fire Safety Officers, so they are experienced in both sides - putting Fires out and preventing them! 

To discuss your plans or for Fire Safety advice contact London Fire Risk Assessments on 01689 890879 they will be happy to take a brief look at your plans and advise you on the way forward.

LFRA introduces a dual package that helps property owners in London carry out a fire safety inspection

London Fire Risk Assessments ‘Dual’ package has been introduced to help the ‘Responsible Person’ satisfy their obligation to Fire Safety and Health and Safety. It saves time and money as the inspections are carried out simultaneously and is the ideal solution for any Commercial premise. 

The first step is the Fire, Health & Safety inspections/audits, once the Assessor has completed this a ‘Dual’ package is compiled which includes; 

A ‘Standard’ Fire Risk Assessment 

· Fire Safety Risk Assessment 

· Fire safety Management Plan – Significant Findings 

· Fire Safety Policy 

· Fire Safety Emergency Plan 

All the ‘parts’ that makes up a ‘suitable and sufficient’ Fire Risk Assessment as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

Health & Safety Risk Assessment: 

· Health & Safety Risk Assessment 

· Health & Safety Management Plan – Managing Hazards 

· Health & Safety Management Plan – Managing People 

· Health & Safety Policy 

So, if you are looking for a one stop shop then contact London Fire Risk Assessments on 01689 890879 their friendly team will be happy to help! Alternatively, click here to arrange an appointment.

Christmas Festivities 2016 – London Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants now is the time to make sure all your Staff knows the premise Fire Safety Emergency Plan!!

It’s the time to celebrate and enjoy the festivities and to make sure that everyone has a fun packed time - all Responsible Persons need to double check their Fire Safety!

If you are having candles, check that they are positioned safely away from any combustible materials such as curtains or cushions. They will be easily knocked over when people are dancing and having fun – it may be best to replace them with LED lights.

Double check the occupancy numbers for your premise and make sure that you don’t squeeze more people in than you are licensed for!

Most importantly – take a little time out to make sure your Staff know the Fire Emergency Plan – they will need to know how to calmly react and quickly in a time of Fire or any other emergency.  You may have carry out a specific Fire Safety Assessment if you have candles.

Make sure your Staff knows how to use the Fire protection equipment such as Fire Blankets and Extinguishers and of course you must double check that all the equipment is up to date!

Once all your Fire Safety checks have been completed – open the doors and enjoy the Festivities!!!

London Fire Risk Assessments wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2017!!!! Please remember we are always there if you have any Fire Safety concerns – just give us a call 01689 890879 or to email click here