FIRE SAFETY SERVICES

'Providing a legally compliant solution to meet the requirements of current fire safety legislation'

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) places a requirement on the “Responsible Person” of a building to undertake a suitable and sufficient fire safety risk assessment (this duty can be passed onto a Competent Person).

A Responsible Person is defined under the RRO as anyone who has control over a building or who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems within a building such as:

• The employer for those parts of a premises staff may go to;
• The managing agent or owner for shared parts of a premises;
• The occupier, such as self employed people or voluntary organisations if they have any control: or
• Any other person who has some control over a part of the premises.

The fire safety risk assessment must focus on the safety of all relevant persons, paying particular attention to those at special risk such as disabled persons. The assessment must also consider any dangerous substances likely to be used on site.

Positive Steps Fire Safety Risk Assessments cover all fire safety standards within the parts of the premises for which the client is responsible and includes both fire prevention and the provision to protect life. The fees for this service include:

• Fully comprehensive on site inspection which includes a detailed physical tour of the premises and discussions with relevant personnel.
• Preparation of a detailed report including an overall summary of fire safety standards on site, observations noted and colour coded action plans which are split into three priority levels red (high risk), amber (medium risk) and green (low risk).
• Practical recommendations with suggested timescales.
• Follow up consultation to discuss the findings of the fire safety risk assessment.

The result of this process is a detailed user friendly report which assists the client in preventing fire and protecting life. For more information please contact us.

'Designing out potential fire safety issues during planning and refurbishment stages'

The objective of a fire safety plan appraisal is to identify potential fire safety issues within premises during the planning or refurbishment stage. This service is mainly suited to any clients who are involved in the planning and commissioning of new buildings or refurbishments.

The Appraisal process is a relatively simple review of scale floor plans against a set criteria derived from Approved Document B of the Building Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Positive Steps Fire Safety Plan Appraisal reports include the following:

• A fully comprehensive report will be produced based on the plans provided which will identify where the current dimensions meet the recommended design criteria of the Building Regulations and where they fail.
• The report will provide recommendations on any changes to the planned design criteria in order to meet with the requirements of the RRO.
• Follow up consultation to discuss any recommended changes.

The Fire Safety Plan Appraisal can reduce the likelihood of expensive and unnecessary changes to the premises following the completion of the project. For more information please contact us.

'An essential document for any person in control of a premises'

The duty to prepare and document fire safety arrangements and procedures is a direct requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Persons responsible for fire safety need to have a suitable record of fire prevention and fire protection measures, once collated the various procedures become what is commonly known as a Fire Emergency Plan.

Positive Steps can produce Fire Emergency Plans on your behalf which meet the requirements of the RRO. Our Plans include:

• The production of a booklet which includes information on:
• Policies and procedures.
• Training provisions.
• Contacting the emergency services.
• Processes for machinery/power shut down.
• Specific arrangements for high risk areas.
• Evacuation procedures including those at special risk.
• Details on responsible persons.
• Liaison with the fire authority.
• Contingency plans.
• Re-entry to the building.

Such plans are essential in order to ensure the safe evacuation of the premises and all personnel in the event of an emergency situation and are different to fire action notices/policies. More detailed information can be provided by contacting us for a full list of the areas covered.