UPP Residential Services Fire Risk Assessment TS11151-R02-DRAFT1 15 August 2011 for: Keynes College University Road Canterbury Kent Recommended latest review date 14 August 2011
Executive summary This report documents the fire risk assessment carried out at Keynes College, University Road, Canterbury by Andrew Addinsell of Tenos Ltd on 15 August 2011. Issues requiring immediate action Items Preparation / implementation of fire safety policies and procedures Obtaining comprehensive handover package from design/construction team Tenos recommends that a review of this Fire Risk Assessment is carried out at intervals no greater than 12 months, or earlier if significant changes occur. TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 2 of 14
Issue and amendment record Issue Date Author Amendment details D1 14 September 2011 A Addinsell First draft Important information The Fire Risk Assessment does not include any areas, activities or processes on the premises that the assessor was not made aware of or could not view whilst on site. The assessment is based on a visual assessment of the escape routes and general fire precautions in the premises. The assessment has not (unless specifically stated otherwise in this report) involved the inspection of hidden areas such as ceiling and floor voids or other areas that cannot be accessed without special equipment. This risk assessment reflects the observations made and information received on the date of inspection. Any subsequent changes to the building may alter the findings and recommendations. Various factors can impact on the level of fire risk that cannot be established from a visual inspection. Examples of these items include, but are not limited to: Holes in fire resisting walls above ceilings or below floors Absence or inoperability of fire dampers in ductwork Movement gaps at joints between fire resisting elements (e.g. floors & walls) Missing or damaged cavity barriers Damaged or missing structural fire protection When there is any concern regarding the potential for hidden defects of this type it is recommended that consideration be given to carrying out a detailed survey. This Fire Risk Assessment presents the opinion of the assessor regarding the general fire precautions in the building and relates to statutory requirements for life safety only. It does not constitute a Fire Risk Assessment for the purposes of business continuity or loss prevention. We recommend that this report is kept within the premises to which it relates and is available for review by the enforcing authorities, with a further copy retained off site. This report is copyright of Tenos Limited and applies only to Keynes College. It must not be used in relation to any other premises without the written agreement of Tenos Ltd. This report may only be forwarded to a third party if reproduced in full and without amendment to the content or presentation. TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 3 of 14
Contents: 1 Introduction 5 2 Details of assessment 7 3 Description of premises and occupancy 8 4 Fire strategy 9 5 Fire safety management 10 6 Action plan 12 TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 4 of 14
1 Introduction 1.1 This Fire Risk Assessment has been prepared by Tenos to assist the Responsible Person in fulfilling the duties imposed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 1.2 The purpose of the Fire Risk Assessment is to provide information to assist the Responsible Person in implementing and maintaining fire safety measures for the premises that are appropriate to the Fire Risk. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 1.3 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect on 1st October 2006 and required that the responsible person (i.e. person or organisation in control of fire safety arrangements in the premises) carries out and maintains a Fire Risk Assessment as defined in Article 9 of the Order. 1.4 Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment is only one of the requirements of the Order 1.5 To fully comply with the Order, the Responsible Person must review the Fire Risk Assessment and establish an Action Plan based on the findings of the Fire Risk Assessment. 1.6 The order stipulates the following requirements in respect of keeping the Fire Risk Assessment up to date: Any such assessment must be reviewed by the Responsible Person regularly so as to keep it up to date and particularly if there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid; or there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates including when the premises, special, technical and organisational measures, or organisation of the work undergo significant changes, extensions or conversions. 1.7 The Order requires that there is cooperation and coordination between persons who control different parts of the premises. This is particularly important where escape relies on routes that pass through parts of the building under the control of others. 1.8 Effective coordination requires that the Responsible Persons ensure that fire protection measures are compatible and that any significant findings of their Fire Risk Assessments are shared where they may impact on others. 1.9 The Responsible Person must ensure that: general fire precautions are provided and maintained within the premises to ensure as far as is reasonable practicable the safety of employees and any other persons; a fire risk assessment is carried out to determine the general fire precautions necessary to ensure the safety of all persons; additional consideration is given to the safety of any employees under the age of 18; risks from dangerous substances are minimised; TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 5 of 14
suitable fire fighting and fire detection and warning arrangements are in place; adequate means of escape are provided, maintained and usable at all material times; emergency procedures are developed, implemented and communicated to all relevant persons; effective fire safety arrangements are implemented by competent person(s); information is provided to all persons to ensure their safety whilst on the premises; training is provided to all employees; and effective co-ordination and co-operation takes place in shared buildings. Fire risk assessment methodology 1.10 Tenos was appointed by UPP Residential Services Ltd to conduct a pre-occupation fire risk assessment of the Keynes College accommodation prior to the occupation of the premises. 1.11 As part of the Fire Safety Management arrangements we recommend that an audit be carried out following handover to UPP and occupation by students. 1.12 The site inspection was carried out by Andrew Addinsell of Tenos Ltd on 15 August 2011. At the time of inspection, construction work (including installation of passive and active fire protection) was not yet completed and therefore a detailed survey of the fire safety arrangements within the premises was not carried out. 1.13 Instead, a general inspection of the premises confirmed that the buildings have been constructed in accordance with the principles of the documented fire strategy (TS10187-R02- Issue 1) and assuming that all fire safety systems are installed properly by the contractor, the building should provide a safe environment for students and staff. TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 6 of 14
2 Details of assessment Assessment information Objective Assessor Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment Andrew Addinsell Assessment date 15 August 2011 Client information Client Client contact Client address UPP Residential Services Doug Allen 40 Gracechurch Street London EC3V 0BT Workplace information Premises assessed Responsible person on site Position Normal operating hours Keynes College University of Kent Canterbury Janet James / Neil Langmaid Business Manager UPP staff are based at Woolf College from: 07:30-17:30 Monday - Friday 09:00-14:00 Saturday UPP staff are on 24 hr standby University Security available 24/7 Assembly point Rothford car park, off Giles Lane TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 7 of 14
3 Description of premises and occupancy 3.1 The table below describes the different buildings within Keynes College. Block Description Number of floors Number of bedrooms 1a 2 x 9 bed dwellinghouses 3 18 1b 2 x 9 bed dwellinghouses 3 18 1c 1 x 9 bed dwellinghouse 2 x disabled access flats 4 x one bed flats 3 15 2 Cluster flats (2 x accessible flats) 4 126 3 Cluster flats (2 x accessible flats) 4 126 4 Cluster flats 4 128 5 Cluster flats 4 64 6 Hub pavillion 1 n/a TOTAL NUMBER OF BEDROOMS 495 3.2 Outside of term time, it is possible that bedrooms may be let for conferences. During this time, the occupancy arrangements will be similar to that of a hotel. The existing cause and effect strategy is suitable for this type of usage. 3.3 It is possible that rooms will be let to under 18 s. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires that additional consideration be made, taking into account: a) the inexperience, lack of awareness of risks and immaturity of young persons; b) the nature, degree and duration of exposure to physical and chemical agents; c) the form, range, and use of work equipment and the way in which it is handled; d) the organisation of processes and activities; e) the extent of the safety training provided or to be provided to young persons; and f) risks from agents, processes and work listed in the Annex to Council Directive 94/33/EC on the protection of young people at work. 3.4 In the case of Keynes College, the applicable considerations are a) and e). TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 8 of 14
4 Fire strategy 4.1 The fire strategy for the Keynes College extension was prepared by Tenos. The fire strategy report reference is TS10187-R02-Issue 1. The table below outlines a summary of the key points. Provision B1 - Means of warning and escape Travel distances Exit widths Protected corridors Wheelchair refuges Evacuation strategy Comments Compliant with ADB Compliant with ADB Dead ends and common corridors Not necessary Complete evacuation of the fire affected block (i.e. all accommodation served by a single stair) upon activation of a single device. Electrical fire alarm system Traditional sounders to BS 5839-1 Automatic fire detection system Analogue addressable: Category L1 to BS 5839-1 Escape lighting Throughout building in accordance with BS 5266-1 N-M3 Exit signage In accordance with BS 5499-1 & 4 B2 - Internal fire spread (linings) Wall and ceiling linings B3 - Internal fire spread (structure) Fire resistance of structure Compartment floors Compliant with ADB 60 minutes Provided between every level. Enclosure of places of special fire hazard 30 minutes fire resistance. Cavity barriers and fire stopping In accordance with ADB sections 9 & 10 B4 - External fire spread Unprotected areas Roof coverings External wall surfaces B5 - Facilities for the fire service Fire tender access Dry risers Compliant with ADB AA, AB or AC No provision To within 45m of all points in a townhouse. To within 18m of dry riser inlet points. Provided to all cluster flats TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 9 of 14
5 Fire safety management Documentation to be prepared by Responsible Persons Documentation Check when prepared Fire safety logbook Emergency evacuation procedures Fire extinguisher inventory Control of contractors policy Smoking policy Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for disabled persons Processes to be implemented Process Check when implemented Fire evacuation drills Escape routes inspections Planned preventative maintenance for plant and equipment Faults to fire safety equipment, identified, recorded and rectified Engineers certificates recorded and stored Periodic inspection and testing of electrical installation Alterations to the electrical installation carried out to BS 7671 Portable electrical appliances testing Controls on the introduction of electronic equipment by staff Annual servicing of lightning protection Hot work controlled by a permit to work or method statement safe system of work Nominated members of staff appointed to assist implementation of fire safety arrangements TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 10 of 14
Process Check when implemented Regular meetings with other employers and/or responsible persons to discuss fire safety matters Fire safety procedures brought to the attention of other employers and the self-employed from outside undertakings Fire safety related documentation to be provided by design team under Regulation 38 of Building Regulations 2010. Documentation Check when provided Documented fire strategy O&M Manuals Health and safety file from CDM co-ordinator TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 11 of 14
6 Action plan 6.1 The table in this section reports the findings of the Fire Risk Assessment. 6.2 The final four columns of the table have been left blank intentionally. They are provided solely for use by the Responsible Person in implementing an action plan based on the findings of the Fire Risk Assessment. Recommendations 6.3 When the term consideration has been used, this is indicative of one possible solution to address the hazard. 6.4 Where recommendations make reference to British Standards, the British Standard appertaining to the time of design and installation should be used for testing and maintenance. Where new work is recommended to replace or upgrade existing systems the current edition should be used. 6.5 Where recommendations are made for improvements or remedial works to fire resisting elements the period of fire resistance recommended is in line with the recommendations of the Fire Safety Strategy for the premises. 6.6 Any action taken to remove or reduce the risk identified should be recorded on the following pages in the Action taken column, dated and signed. When the item is completely closed the final column should be marked as complete. 6.7 The ranking of identified hazards ranges from Immediate Action (RED) through to Recommendation (GREEN) as depicted in the table below. Immediate action Significant finding Recommendation An issue that is sufficiently serious to represent an imminent threat to life safety and which, if subject to inspection by the Enforcing Authority, may result in the issuing of a Prohibition Notice (i.e. immediate closure of the premises). Immediate action required to rectify the issue. A finding that needs to be addressed in the Responsible Person s Action Plan and which, if left unactioned and subject to inspection by the Enforcing Authority, may result in the Enforcing Authority issuing an Enforcement Notice. Actions to address Significant Findings should be prioritised, taking account of the risk involved and the practicality of implementation. Advisory, to reflect best practice. TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 12 of 14
Action Plan Ref. Rank Action required Timescale Action Taken Date Name Item Closed? Ignition Hazards No specific action required, on the 1.01 assumption that building works are completed satisfactorily by the contractor Propagation Hazards No specific action required, on the 2.01 assumption that building works are completed satisfactorily by the contractor Fire Safety Arrangements 3.01 Prepare / implement fire safety policies and procedures. Responsible Person to complete Section 5 of this report. 3.02 Obtain comprehensive handover package from design/construction team. Responsible Person to complete Section 5 of this report. n/a n/a by first day of occupation by residents by first day of occupation by residents TENOS issued: 14/09/11 Page 13 of 14
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