Blog Posts

Fire Doors

7/7/2019

An article published by Inside Housing, a weekly trade publication that covers the UK's social housing sector, has reported that there are tens of thousands of inadequate fire doors in council homes across the UK.

A Freedom of Information Act request by the publication has revealed data on 326,863 doors from 98 councils, which together own well over half of the nation’s local authority housing stock.

The data reveals that councils believe that 33,522 doors do not provide the minimum 30 minute protection against flames and smoke. This means that 1 in 10 flat entrance fire doors installed in their blocks may not be fit for purpose.

Furthermore, only 8% of the doors identified as non-compliant have been replaced, and 44 of the councils questioned have yet to replace a single one.

Councils blamed the slow progress on a lack of clarity from government and the fire door industry about which products to trust.

Do I need Fire Doors?

Building Regulations set-out the following requirements:

Domestic Dwellings

In homes over two storeys high, every door of a habitable room leading to a stairwell must be a fire door (not including WCs or bathrooms). Fire doors are also required between the house and integral garage (if applicable).

Mixed Use Buildings

Fire doors are also required at the joining points between business and habitual residences.

Non-Domestic Buildings

There is no ‘one size fits all' approach to fire doors for non-domestic buildings due to the huge variation in size and structure. Fire door guidance is divided into two sections, based on vertical and horizontal escape routes. Find out more about Building Regulations for Buildings other than Dwelling houses here.

Unsure about fire doors?

Contact BBFS now to discuss a fire door survey.

Get ahead of the curve.

28/6/2019

Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Housing 2019 conference on this week, the deputy director of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) building safety programme, has advised landlords NOT to wait for the Government to legislate new fire safety regulations before implementing fire safety programmes.

The government has already published a consultation, which will run until July 31st, on plans for implementing the Hackitt Review recommendations on fire safety and building regulations; commissioned in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Recommendations include the introduction of a regulator for building safety and the requirement to designate ‘dutyholders’ to assume responsibility for building safety.

Dutyholder?
So who is currently responsible?

Dame Judith Hackitt has suggested her system should only apply to buildings above 30 metres. However, the government has proposed the regulations should also include buildings above 18 metres.

Recommendations include ... the requirement to designate
‘dutyholders’ to assume responsibility for building safety.

In a nutshell: Don't wait for new legislation to be responsible on fire safety!

Contact BBFS now to find out what you need to do.

Fire Risk Assessments: The Hackitt Review

13/6/2019

...the need for independently accredited fire risk assessors has never been greater.

Every non-domestic premises must have a 'responsible person' whose duty it is to identify fire risks and hazards in the building.

If five or more people work at your premises, you'll need to keep a written record of your fire risk assessments.

Take a look at the diagram below. The vast majority of fire risk assessments carried out in the UK are 'Type 1'.
This is a non-destructive survey that only requires assessment of common areas within a building; not including cladding, or inside walls.

Types of Fire Risk Assessment

Basic FSO Requirement

Non Destructive

TYPE 1

Destructive

TYPE 2

Beyond FSO Requirement

Non Destructive

TYPE 3

Destructive

TYPE 4

More information about Fire Risk Assessment types can be found on my SERVICES page.

The Hackitt Review, commissioned in response to the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, does not recommend any changes to this practice. However, the review has highlighted the importance of ensuring FRAs are conducted by qualified fire risk assessors.

The current regulations states that Fire Risk Assessments are meant to be carried out by 'competent persons'. However, there is little guidance within the regulations to define this competency.

According to the Fire Protection Association (FPA), this means there are hundreds of unregistered fire risk assessors operating across the UK.

It is clear that the need for independently accredited fire risk assessors has never been greater.

The Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council (FRACC) has issued advice (which you can download here) that recommends landlords ensure their FRAs are conducted by assessors with independent registration with, or certification from, a professional body.

According to the Fire Protection Association (FPA)... there are hundreds of unregistered fire risk assessors operating across the UK.

FRACC lists four bodies which can approve individual assessors:

Institution of Fire Engineers
Institute of Fire Safety Managers
Warrington Certification
Institute of Fire Protection Officers

BBFS is THIRD PARTY ACCREDITED by ALL 4.

To view my accreditation details, click here.

Forward>>

The bigger picture...

Fire Doors

Do I need Fire Doors?

Get ahead of the curve.

Fire Risk Assessments: The Hackitt Review

Types of Fire Risk Assessment

Bryn Bashford

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