Question 1

Fire risk and asbestos

Accepted Answer

Q: We have been asked to supply Fire Procedure Notices in our communal areas following our recent fire risk and asbestos assessments. Is this something you could provide us with? Alternatively, can you please advise where we can get such notices from. We need to display our fire procedure plus “In the Case of Fire…..” signs explaining what the residents need to do if this emergency arises. We also need to show evacuation routes and signs detailing exits in the event of a fire. I understand that we also need to inform residents of a designated fire assembly point outside of the building where residents should go to in the event of a fire. Finally, we need to ensure all our legal obligations are met with reference to fire drills and procedures, so any additional information or advice would be greatly appreciated. FPRA Bob Smytherman replies: With regards the notices, the only ones we have are the no smoking in communal areas available from our website or from the office. Other statuary signage needs to be obtained from a reputable supplier. Your local council should be able to assist finding one near you or there are many available online. It is worth discussing with your local fire service your specific requirements as they are responsible for enforcing the fire safety legislation so it is useful to get a steer from them first. In addition, there is an extensive guide available on our members’ website about fire safety in blocks of flats which we contributed to and covers all the areas of relevance for your own circumstances. The most important area for you to consider is the 'means of escape' in the event of a fire and ensure this is kept clear at all times. For the vast majority of blocks of flats where you have the latest fire doors installed a 'staying put' is usually advisable. Essentially this means, as the name suggests, that residents stay in their flat in the event of a fire and call 999 even if the fire is in their flat, providing the resident can get to another room and shut the doors. The fire is unlikely to spread before the fire service arrive to take control of the situation. If this is the case in your block then notices on notice boards and/ or newsletters is usually sufficient to alert residents. The fire service will be able to assist you with making a plan and as to which signs are required and where these should be located. Again, for most small blocks like yours there is usually only one, possibly two, fire exits. They need to be adequately lit and may need emergency lighting in the event of a fire cutting the power supply to the lighting. It is usually not advisable to have firefighting equipment (extinguishers or blankets) unless you have people on site, trained to use them 24 hours a day, again unlikely in most blocks of flats. Regular drills are not usually required for blocks of flats with no staff as they tend to be low risk premises but your fire safety advisor will be able to offer a professional view on this once they have read the fire risk assessment, which would usually set out clear recommendations for your directors to follow. Once all this in place the law requires your directors to keep a 'watching brief' to ensure standards are maintained. I suggest a regular item on your directors’ agenda to report on this which can then be used to raise issues and be minuted to ensure you are meeting your statuary obligations under the Fire Safety Order. [Submitted January 2017]

Question 2

Fire risk and asbestos

Accepted Answer

Q: We have been asked to supply Fire Procedure Notices in our communal areas following our recent fire risk and asbestos assessments. Is this something you could provide us with? Alternatively, can you please advise where we can get such notices from. We need to display our fire procedure plus “In the Case of Fire…..” signs explaining what the residents need to do if this emergency arises. We also need to show evacuation routes and signs detailing exits in the event of a fire. I understand that we also need to inform residents of a designated fire assembly point outside of the building where residents should go to in the event of a fire. Finally, we need to ensure all our legal obligations are met with reference to fire drills and procedures, so any additional information or advice would be greatly appreciated. FPRA Bob Smytherman replies: With regards the notices, the only ones we have are the no smoking in communal areas available from our website or from the office. Other statuary signage needs to be obtained from a reputable supplier. Your local council should be able to assist finding one near you or there are many available online. It is worth discussing with your local fire service your specific requirements as they are responsible for enforcing the fire safety legislation so it is useful to get a steer from them first. In addition, there is an extensive guide available on our members’ website about fire safety in blocks of flats which we contributed to and covers all the areas of relevance for your own circumstances. The most important area for you to consider is the 'means of escape' in the event of a fire and ensure this is kept clear at all times. For the vast majority of blocks of flats where you have the latest fire doors installed a 'staying put' is usually advisable. Essentially this means, as the name suggests, that residents stay in their flat in the event of a fire and call 999 even if the fire is in their flat, providing the resident can get to another room and shut the doors. The fire is unlikely to spread before the fire service arrive to take control of the situation. If this is the case in your block then notices on notice boards and/ or newsletters is usually sufficient to alert residents. The fire service will be able to assist you with making a plan and as to which signs are required and where these should be located. Again, for most small blocks like yours there is usually only one, possibly two, fire exits. They need to be adequately lit and may need emergency lighting in the event of a fire cutting the power supply to the lighting. It is usually not advisable to have firefighting equipment (extinguishers or blankets) unless you have people on site, trained to use them 24 hours a day, again unlikely in most blocks of flats. Regular drills are not usually required for blocks of flats with no staff as they tend to be low risk premises but your fire safety advisor will be able to offer a professional view on this once they have read the fire risk assessment, which would usually set out clear recommendations for your directors to follow. Once all this in place the law requires your directors to keep a 'watching brief' to ensure standards are maintained. I suggest a regular item on your directors’ agenda to report on this which can then be used to raise issues and be minuted to ensure you are meeting your statuary obligations under the Fire Safety Order. [Submitted January 2017]

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