FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT

Transcription

1 Gauntlet Health & Safety FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT GAUNTLET HOUSE 30 September 2015 Produced for Gauntlet Health and Safety By Gauntlet Health and Safety, Gauntlet House, Unit 15, Acorn Business Park, Killingbeck, Leeds LS14 6UF. Tel: Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety

2 Fire Risk Assessment Details Name Gauntlet Health and Safety Business Description Property Management Company Business Address Killingbeck Drive Leeds West Yorkshire PostCode LS14 6UF Telephone Number Contact Gauntlet Health and Safety Gauntlet Consultant Gauntlet Consultant Assessment Date 30/09/2015 Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 2 of 38

3 Disclaimer This Fire Risk Assessment is based on information gathered during the site visit from observations made, documents reviewed and from conversations with people on site. The assessment only covers the areas of the property and/ or activities as detailed within the report. The client is advised that there may be activities of the client s business that have not been covered by this assessment and may require assessing separately. The responsibility for making a suitable and sufficient risk assessment lies ultimately with the Employer. As such, the client is advised to read the report in detail and advise Gauntlet Health Safety of any errors or omissions in the assessment. The Fire Risk Assessment report has been produced in good faith by a consultant familiar with the risk assessment process and competent to assess the fire risk associated with the client s premises and business activities when working in conjunction with the client s employees and other competent people as necessary. However, there is no guarantee that inspectors with statutory powers will not find other non- compliant issues. Although Gauntlet Health Safety s consultants are competent to undertake the assessment; the Acts, the Regulations and the Approved Codes of Practice can only be authoritatively interpreted by the courts of law. Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 3 of 38

4 Property Description Property and Business Activity Description Gauntlet house is situated just off Killingbeck Drive in Leeds and construction of the high-rise block was completed in The development is made up of two blocks, each building has large sections of glass and clad in a distinctive patterned orange material. Gauntlet House is primarily 11 floors above ground of a residential development however; currently unoccupied commercial units line the ground floor. Jointly both blocks compromise of 249 contemporary residential apartments. Residents have access to facilities and services that include; 24 Hour Concierge, Gymnasium, Zen Garden and Car Parking located on two levels. CTTV is installed and monitored at the concierges desk. The residents also have access to the Health & Fitness facilities located on the 18th floor and health & safety recommendations for this facility can be found on the Ground floor. The concierge team and cleaners have access and use of the staff rest room facilities located on the First Floor. Externally vehicular entrance opening to the residence car park is to the rear of the site and is integrated with the design of the building development. Access The entrance to the block is via video/call, fob and controlled (concierge) entry system and secure. To exit the building a suitable press to exit button and a green break glass override device are provided which satisfies current statutory requirement. On entry to the reception the concierge s desk is located. Apartment postal boxes are located within the post room; access to the ground floor apartments, fire escape stairways and car park are through further fire doors from the lift lobby. A disable platform stairiser lift is located at the entrance to the car park. Access to each upper floor apartments is by means of three lifts, two of which are located in the entrance lobby, leading to protected lift lobbies and common apartment corridors on each floor to the left and right of the lift lobbies. Lift (A) gives access to Levels 2 (car park levels) to 11 and is a fire-fighting lift, with lift (B) giving access to all levels, Levels 0 (ground floor reception) to 11. Another lift (C) is located at the other end of the residential block giving access to Levels 0 7. To the rear of the ground floor are located the valet parking office, now used as a cleaners cupboard and a store room. Externally to the front of the block and with its own entrance is located the estate office, which are currently unoccupied. Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 4 of 38

5 Car Park The residence car park is located on two Levels, - 1 and - 2. Residence access is gained through fire doors from within the main entrance lift lobby common stairways. Vehicular access/egress is through one opening by inward opening automatic gates at the rear of the block on Mason St and a car park traffic control system is in place. Residence access is via remote operation by the driver whilst sitting in the car. An access ramp gives access to the lower car park area (- 2)and traffic movement incorporates a one-way circulatory movement. The car park is also installed with a fume extraction system. Pedestrian routes are defined and are separate from vehicle routes. Fire detection & alarm systems The common parts compromise the entrance reception and lift lobby, the stairways and the landings, apartment corridors and lift lobbies on each upper floor, the Gymnasium located on the 7th floor and car parking arrangements. Doors to risers, electric meter cupboards and plant rooms opening onto apartment corridors and service corridors are fire-resisting. Automatic fire detection and alarm systems are installed and there are smoke detection units located within apartment corridors and stairways on every floor level. Automatic detection is also installed in all plant rooms, the Gymnasium and the car park. There is a smoke control & ventilation system installed with vents located at the head of the stairways on floor levels 11 and 7, which are operated automatically (AOV s) and within apartment corridors smoke ventilation windows installed on every upper floor level and are operated by smoke detectors. Emergency lighting is provided at appropriate locations on fire exit routes. Some fire escape route signs are displayed to ensure that the exit route is clear for residents and those unfamiliar with the building layout. There are firefighting provisions to assist the Fire Service with facilities provided include fire mains with dry riser outlets located in the corridors where apartments are located and a fire-fighting lift. Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 5 of 38

6 Means of Escape The residential block has two escape stairways, one at each end of the residential block. The common vertical escape is via a stairway from 11th floor level and leading to a final exit at ground floor. The alternative emergency escape stairway is from 7th floor level to final exit; only in the event of an emergency evacuation is the protected stairs used. Both stairways terminate at ground floor level and do not continue down to the Lower Ground (- 1) and Basement (- 2), where the enclosed car park is located. Both escape stairways lead directly to a final exit, or to a protected route leading to a final exit. The final exits are to the front of the block, one to the right of the main entrance and the other near the Zen Garden at the far left of the residential block. The two escape stairways are separated from each other by protected common apartment corridors. The common corridors that connect the two escape stairways are sub-divided by self closing fire-resisting doors to ensure smoke will not affect access to more than one stairway. The common parts compromise the entrance reception and lift lobby, the stairways and the landings, corridors and lift lobbies on each ground and upper floors, the gymnasium and balcony on the 7th floor level and external balconies on 8th and 7th floors and the 5th floor external decking area. Plant rooms & Waste Storage The main electric meter room is located at lower ground level with further electric cupboards at ground and first floors. A generator room and an external balcony plant room located on the 7th floor. Bin storage room with emergency exit onto Mason St, the water pump room and the penthouse store are located at lower ground level (- 1). Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 6 of 38

7 Property Activities The building is wholly occupied as residential apartments. People at risk The occupants of the apartments, their visitors and guests together with any contractor who might carry out work at the premises periodically. Fire Safety History There have been no known fires at the building. Heat Sources Sources of fire associated with residential property primarily for heating, lighting and cooking. Fuel Sources Fuel sources are those which one would normally associate with private housing. No flammable liquid or gases appeared to be stored within the communal areas of the property. The common areas of the property were devoid of any significant combustible materials. Ignition Sources Sources of ignition associated with the activities at this property are: - Electrical equipment (fixed and portable). - Arson. - Hot works. - Ignition from neighbouring properties. Fire Alarm and Detection A fire alarm and detection system is installed within the block. There are a sufficient number of detection units and sounders provided. Emergency lighting is also installed which is positioned to illuminate escape routes. Fire Fighting There are firefighting provisions to assist the Fire Service with facilities provided include fire mains with dry riser outlets located in the corridors where apartments are located and a fire-fighting lift. It is unknown if there are any within the individual apartments. Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 7 of 38

8 Photographs Fire exit doors are clearly labelled and can be opened easily Stairs on escape routes are well maintained There are firefighting provisions to assist the Fire Service with facilities provided include fire mains with dry riser outlets located in the corridors where apartments are located and fire-fighting lifts Electrical Cupboards are free from unnecessary combustible materials Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 8 of 38

9 Fire Risk Assessment Summary Gauntlet Health & Safety was instructed to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment at Gauntlet House. This assessment was to be suitable and sufficient and to satisfy the requirements of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 regulation 3 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order This risk assessment was to assess how fire risks are controlled through preventative and protective measures. It is not intended to be a defect spotting exercise and examples of defects identified are cited as examples of bad practice and not as a comprehensive list of features requiring attention. Where an issue requiring attention is raised, the client should review all areas of the property where the issue raised may be relevant. The areas assessed included the common parts of the apartment block including the stairways and landings, waste stores, car parking area and landscaped areas. Individual apartments are excluded from the risk assessment. The consultant visited the property on 30/09/2015. The consultant was unaccompanied during the tour. At the time of the consultant s visit the communal areas of the property were in good repair. The property was found to contain a satisfactory standard of positive fire resisting form of construction. The building would be classed as a low/medium fire risk due to the layout and activities within the building. Any fire is likely to spread only slowly allowing occupants to reach a place of safety. In addition the use and contents of the building are unlikely to present a serious risk to the occupants in the event of a fire. Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 9 of 38

10 Fire Risk Assessment Format Guidance Notes The format used for the Fire Risk Assessment is taken from BS 18004:2008 Guide to Achieving Effective Occupational Health and Safety Performance. This format assesses risk based on factors of likelihood and severity to produce a risk level. Actions and timescales are then provided for each risk level as shown in the tables below. Trivial risks are not recorded within this report, as only significant findings need to be recorded. Risk Level Estimator Highly Unlikely Unlikely Likely Slightly Harmful Trivial Risk Satisfactory Risk Harmful Satisfactory Risk Moderate Risk Extremely Harmful Moderate Risk Substantial Risk Moderate Risk Substantial Risk Unsatisfactory Risk Satisfactory means that risk has been reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 10 of 38

11 Risk Based Action Plan Risk Level Trivial Risk Satisfactory Risk Moderate Risk Action and Timescale No Action required and no documentary records need to be kept No additional controls are required. Consideration may be given to a more cost-effective solution or improvement that imposes no additional cost burden. Monitoring is reaquired to ensure that the controls are maintained. Efforts should be made to reduce the risk, but the costs of prevention should be carefully measured and limited. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined time period. Where the moderate risk is associated with extremely harmful consequences, further assessment may be necessary to establish more precisely the likelihood of harm as a basis for determining the need for improved control measures. Substantial Risk Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may have to be allocated to reduce the risk. Where the risk involves work in progress, urgent action should be taken. Unsatisfactory Risk Work should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced. If it is not possible to reduce risk even with unlimited resources, work has to remain prohibited. Satisfactory means that risk has been reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 11 of 38

12 Fire Risk Assessment Reviews This risk assessment should be seen as a living document and should be updated as workplace arrangements and the necessary control measures change. The fire risk assessment should be reviewed if: - a) There is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid; or b) There has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates Further Actions Where risks are identified as being unsatisfactory, further actions are recommended and guidance to achieve Health Safety improvements is provided. The Manager is always responsible to ensure further actions are completed. The Manager must complete the Target date boxes as soon as practicable after the risk assessment is completed. The Completion date box should be completed and signed when all actions have been implemented. The risk should be reassessed to ensure the corrective actions have reduced the risk rating to trivial or satisfactory and not introduced new risks in to the workplace, and the new risk rating recorded. The implementation of corrective actions should be carefully planned to ensure full implementation. For further help and advice on corrective actions, please contact the Health and Safety Responsible (Support Office). It is good practice to retain evidence of the actions taken, such as training records or examination certificates. This may assist an employer in defending any future criminal or civil liability claims. Records Where an employer employs five or more employees he should keep records of the significant findings of the fire risk assessment. The significant findings should be made known to interested parties such as employees, neighbouring employers, visitors, contractors etc. Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 12 of 38

13 Fire Risk Assessment Topic Contents Risk Assessed by: Date of risk assessments: Recommended risk assessment review date: Gauntlet Consultant 30/09/ /09/2016 Combustible Materials Fire Detection and Warning Fire Fighting Equipment Fire Safety Management Heat Sources Means of Escape Testing and Maintenance Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 13 of 38

14 Summary of Further Action Required ACTION REQUIRED Fire Fighting Equipment Fire fighting equipment should be suitably located Gauntlet House Risk level Comments and Target Date Completion Date Signature Moderate It is recommended suitable fire extinguishers are provided in plant room the staff room. Plant rooms are usually only accessed infrequently (e.g. t undertake works on the electrical systems) under strict control (permit t Because of the increased risk of electrical fires it is considered that all pl rooms should have CO2 extinguishers located at any entrances to the p room. / / Extinguishers should be wall- or stand- mounted and signs displayed th indicate the location of fire fighting equipment, the type of extinguishe and basic instructions regarding use of the extinguisher. Dry Riser / Fire Main should be maintained in accordance with recommendations. Moderate The consultant was informed by the duty concierge that no current mai / / operating test of the dry riser system is carried out and missing caps and chains, leather straps and padlocks (where applicable) are replaced. At t of the consultants visit the inlet and outlet fire doors and glass fronts we and correct signage in place. All fixed fire fighting equipment should be maintained Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 14 of 38

15 Fire Safety Management Procedures should be in place for the evacuation of disabled people. It is advised that suitable procedures should be implemented should a disabled person need to evacuate. This may be by designating a suitable refuge point within the fire escape stairway. It was unknown if there were any disabled residents at the time of the consultants visit. Risk level Moderate Comments and Target Date Completion Date Signature / / Fire Action notices should be displayed at the appropriate locations. No fire action notices were displayed within the building. Fire Action Notices should be displayed in the entrance area, which should inform residents of what to do in the event of a fire. Display Fire Action notices at all appropriate location. Moderate / / Suitable information and instruction should be been provided to residents regarding procedures in the event of a fire. If / When a fire occurs within a flat, the occupants alert others in the flat, make their way out of the building and summon the fire and rescue service. If a fire starts in the common parts, anyone in these areas can make their way out of the building and summon the fire and rescue service. All other residents not directly affected by the fire would be expected to stay put and remain in their flat unless directed to leave by the fire and rescue service. This information should be conversed to residents within the agreement contract and on property notice board / action notices Implement information and instruction to residents regarding action to take in the event of a fire. Moderate / / Copyright Gauntlet Health & Safety Page 15 of 38