The LWF Blog
Fire Engineering Design and Risk Assessment – Fire Safety Management – Part 23
April 6, 2020 1:12 pmIn LWFs Fire Engineering blog series for Architects and others involved in building design, we have been looking at those activities of a company which can be classed as fire safety management. In part 22, LWF looked at those tasks that fall within the remit of the fire safety manager which are classified as housekeeping. In part 23, we discuss the fire safety manager’s responsibilities in terms of training and education, before considering security.
Fire Safety Training
One of the important undertakings for a fire safety manager (FSM) in an organisation is the training of all staff in fire safety, whether the FSM is qualified to prepare and run the training themselves or they choose to bring in an outside training provider.
All staff of the organisation, including part-time, security, cleaning and temporary staff should receive training in fire prevention and fire safety to ensure they are able to confidently take appropriate action in minimising the likelihood of a fire starting.
When the FSM is responsible for a complex, the training should include the tenants of every unit and other occupancy in the complex.
It is important that the fire safety training includes basic fire protection, fire risk awareness, an understanding and appreciation of the smoking policy, the necessities of process shutdown, good housekeeping practices and all necessary reporting procedures.
Fire safety training should start on the first day of a staff member’s employment and continue with regular refresher training, at least annually.
Fire Safety & Security
One of the areas in which fire safety and building security overlap is the potential for arson. Arson has the potential for damage to the building and contents, of course, but equally, an arsonist could set fires in several places at once, causing escape routes and alternative escape routes to be blocked.
Building management through security can manage the risk of fire through arson by various methods:
– Ensuring management is aware of the business’s vulnerability to arson
– Providing adequate security against intruders
– Ensuring intruders are detected at an early stage
– Efficient control of sources of ignition and potential fire fuel
– Fire detection provision throughout the building
– Fire suppression control throughout the building
– Segregation of risks
– Staff training to include potential for arson
– CCTV to deter potential arsonists
It is also important that the building’s security provision does not interfere with the means of escape provision for building occupants and does not hinder the entry of the Fire Service in case of a fire.
In part 24, LWF will look at the fire safety systems, which fall under the remit of the fire safety manager. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this blog, or wish to discuss your own project with one of our fire engineers, please contact us.
Lawrence Webster Forrest has been working with their clients for over 25 years to produce innovative and exciting building projects. If you would like further information on how LWF and fire strategies could assist you, please contact the LWF office on 0800 410 1130.
While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in LWF’s publications is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information.