1 Sources of ignition The main sources of ignition in Cass building are: PAF arrange for the fixed electrical installation to be tested in accordance with the British Standards. Test certificates are kept at Cass Safety Office and SLO to carry out quarterly inspection of the building to ensure control measures are maintained effectively. In addition daily inspection is done by general assistants in each floor. Fault in fixed electrical installation. Electrical cupboards are fitted with smoke detectors. Faulty office electrical equipment. Electrical equipment is tested by a contractor managed by PAF. Equipment is labelled after the test. Faulty equipment is taken out of circulation. Staff are asked to report equipment which has missed the test to their DSLO. Faulty electrical equipment Catering Kitchen Ground and 3 rd floor The equipment in the kitchen area is checked and maintained by the catering contractor. Boiler plant and chillers on Roof Maintained by PAF contractor Arson 2 Sources of fuel Standard sources of fuel such as furniture, carpets, paper and packaging material are present in the building. All Occupants Good security system in place. Swipe access for entry and exit of building. This is supported by CCTV surveillance and 24hrs security. Sources of fuel are kept away from sources of ignition. Posters are stored behind glass. Therefore, the risk of fire starting is remote. The building is fitted with smoke detection system complying with BS. Constant monitoring of security arrangements Safety Office and SLO to carry out quarterly inspections to ensure sources of fuel are well managed. Diesel stored in basement Diesel stored in accordance with HSG 176. Page 1 of 7
Gas in kitchen 3 rd Floor Cooking fats in kitchens (ground and 3 rd floorpackaging material) Gas supply pipes and connections are inspected annually by a Gas Safe registered contractor organized by PAF. Cooking fats are well stored and managed Catering ensure that such materials are removed in a timely manner Blocked extraction systems. 6 monthly deep cleaning of cooker extraction system 3 Special hazards Large lecture theatres on 2 nd, 3 rd, ground and lower ground floor. The largest occupancy being on lower ground floor (180 persons) All four theatres have 2 exits on either sides of each room. Allowing up to 95 people out per minute. Reception keeps a log of wheelchair users on site and their locations. Evacuation of persons on wheelchair from lower ground floor need to be considered when booking the lower ground rooms Special evacuation needs to be assessed at time of initial room booking. Hot work Poor management of contractors The University runs a permit to work system. No hot work is allowed without a hot work permit. Cass Facilities manage its own hot work permit system. Contractor management system is enforced. New contractors are inducted and provided with a safety leaflet. All contractors to report to Facilities before undertaking work. Page 2 of 7
4 Limiting fire and smoke spread Breaches in fire and smoke containment arrangements. The building is mainly glass and mortar with solid concrete floor. All rooms are fitted with BS compliant fire doors. There are ventilations ducts within the building. These are fitted with automatic dampers to stop the spread of smoke. Safety Office to arrange quarterly inspection of the building to identify ands shortcoming and to report these to PAF for action. This building is also fitted with smoke vents The building is fitted with an extensive smoke and heat detection system to give early warning. The system is maintained by PAF under a contract. Cass facilities maintain records. At the time of assessment there were no visible gaps in the structural fire containment in the building. Lift shafts run from basement to level 6. The shafts are contained within fire doors in case a fire started within these shafts. Page 3 of 7
5 Fire exits, escape routes Blocked or unclear escape routes All The Building is well served by 3 final double width exit doors. Cass Facilities are responsible for ensuring all doors are kept in working order. All escape routes are marked and equipped with emergency lighting. Emergency lighting in staircase 4 needs to be replaced Ongoing lighting replacement by PAF and Cass. 6 Fire detection and warning Lack of early warning Facilities staff regularly walks around the building to ensure escape routes are not compromised. SLOs and DSLOs also regularly inspect their area of responsibility. Staff are generally co-operative and report problems to Facilities or the SLO. The area is served with an extensive smoke and heat detection system to provide early warning. PAF are responsible for maintenance of the detection and warning system. The system is tested on a weekly basis and records are kept by PAF. 7 Vulnerable persons (disabled, elderly, young etc.) Vulnerable persons are not able to leave the building in an emergency The University operates a support system for evacuating people who may need assistance in an emergency. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) procedure details the arrangements for both staff and students. Safety Office and SLOs to carry out assessments when departments are notified that a student or staff with disabilities is attending the University. Page 4 of 7
Staff who are injured are not picked up in PEEP arrangement There are refuge points in every floor in all four staircases. Two refuge Points on levels 6 and four on the other 5 floors. There are evac chair located in staircase 1 on Level 6 and Level 3 There are 4 persons trained in the use of the evac chair Use induction process to inform staff of need to inform SLO of any injury. This will enable the SLO to assess evacuation needs. If need it more Evac Chair operators will be trained. 8 Training and instruction Poor training may delay evacuation A number of fire wardens sweep the building during evacuation. Fire wardens have been trained in the last three years. Training is under review to ensure they are re-trained. SLO issues a daily fire warden and first aider provision Staff undergo Cardinus fire safety training. The training provides basic awareness of fire safety. This training is supplemented with 2 fire drills per year. Fire wardens are being re-trained to building specific arrangement in which they are located. SLO to arrange training with the safety office. Consider to schedule an evening drill in 2011 Student handbook provides general information which is supplemented with fire drills. Page 5 of 7
Staff who invite are responsible for their safety. Cass holds open days and open evenings. A dedicated team is responsible for ensuring fire precaution arrangements are in place and there is adequate number of stewards to help and ensure evacuations are carried out in an orderly manner. Events organiser go to the SLO for a delegates briefing Fire action notices and Evacuation maps are posted in all teaching rooms and on walls throughout the building. SLO to ensure suitable arrangements are in place prior to open day/evenings. Events Management to co-ordinate with external hirers 9 Emergency response plan Poor planning may cause delay and confusion There are fire action notices in classroom. Staff and students follow directional signs directions from fire warden. 10 Housekeeping Poor housekeeping may delay evacuation in an emergency 11 Means of fighting fire There are no or inadequate means of fighting fire The Building has a documented emergency evacuation plan. Escape route corridors are generally clear of any obstructions. SLO and Facilities Team carry out regular inspections of the premises to ensure escape routes are clear and combustible are not near sources of ignition. There are sufficient appropriate extinguishers The building is also fitted with a sprinkler system Safety Office and SLOs to carry out quarterly inspections. Staff to report poor housekeeping to Cass facilities. No further action required. Page 6 of 7
12 Maintenance and testing (e.g. detectors, emergency lighting, fire alarm system, extinguishers) 13 Co-operation and coordination Lack of co-ordination between schools may leave gaps in the system 14 Out of hours fire procedures No procedures in place for after 5/6 p.m. 15 Construction/refurbishment Construction and refurbishment add to the fire risks inherent in the building Staff, students Staff, students, and is test weekly. The card for Insurance purposes is with David Dobson PAF are responsible for maintenance and testing of all fire protection system. There is only one school in this building, therefore co-ordination is not an issue Currently the system relies on self-evacuation and lecturers initiating evacuation. No major problems have been reported. PAF project managers are responsible for contractors activities. All contractors are required to supply risk assessment prior to work commencing. Safety Office is consulted before work starts. PAF and Safety Office review the impact of work on fire protection system and put in place control measures. On completion of the work PAF and Safety Office review the situation. Consider to schedule an evening drill in 2011 Building Use: Educational premise Construction: Mostly glass with reinforced concrete floors Total Number of floors: 7 floors including a basement level. Size of building: 13,743 sq m GIA and 10,412 sq m NIA Detections and alarm system: The detection system comprises of a combination of smoke and heat detectors linked to a two-phase alarm system Number of final exits: 4 Maximum number of employees: Approximately 350 Maximum number of Students: Approximately 2500 during day, 2000 evening classes Review arrangements for summer works. Page 7 of 7