FAQs
I’M ONLY DOING A SMALL BUILDING PROJECT. DO I STILL NEED A POST CONSTRUCTION AUDIT?
It would depend on the scope of the works. We would recommend a fire safety audit is carried out after any construction work, small or large, to ensure your building is always safe and compliant.
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRE SAFETY IN NEW BUILDS?
The responsibility for fire safety in new build properties transfers to the new owners as the Responsible Person upon completion. During the build phase the principal contractor and Building Control officers are responsible to ensure the building is compliant before signing off, and this would include the Principal Designer who would be responsible for the...
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY FIRE DAMPERS SERVICED?
It would be recommended to have your fire dampers tested and serviced 1 year after installation, and at least every 4 years after that (with some exceptions such as hospitals). However, if these dampers are in areas exposed to high dust levels or soiling (such as cooking fats) more frequent servicing would be needed.
ARE FIRE DAMPER INSPECTIONS REQUIRED BY LAW?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is a requirement that your fire dampers are “maintained in an efficient working order and in good repair” for which reason these have to be inspected to demonstrate this.
IS A FIRE STRATEGY REQUIRED BY LAW?
Yes, Article 11 of the RRFSO requires the Responsible Person to provide “effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventative and protective measures”and “to record the arrangements”. Also Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations requires that a package of fire safety information must be assembled and given to the Responsible Person, and building...
IS A FIRE STRATEGY PRODUCED WHEN A BUILDING IS BUILT?
Yes, the majority of new build developments will have a fire strategy as part of the design process, which is typically reviewed and revised as necessary during the project, right up until completion. However, this fire strategy will need to be reviewed after the building is in use, and it may be necessary to tailor...
I HAVE DYNAMIC SIGNAGE IN MY BUILDING. DOES THIS AFFECT THE EVACUATION PLAN?
Yes, it does. The physical plan on paper would be the same in principle, but the actual evacuation would be different, primarily that persons would be directed intelligently away from the direction of the fire, not towards down a fire exit route where the fire may be. Also it has been proved to significantly increase...
WHY DO I NEED THESE DRAWINGS?
Fire strategy drawings play a vital part in managing the fire safety in any building. They not only help the occupants and owners understand the building, but they also help external organisations such as the Fire Service or contractors working in the building.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD FIRE DOORS BE CHECKED?
In most cases your fire doors should be checked as often as you should check your alarms, which is every 6 months. This can change depending on your building.
DO I HAVE COMPARTMENTATION IN MY BUILDING?
Simple answer: yes, you do. The idea of Passive Fire Protection has been around since the Great Fire of London in 1666, when it was recognised that the timber framed buildings joined to each other was what caused the catastrophic fire spread. It has of course been enhanced since then, with new laws and guidance...