COVER SHEET
Employer or other Responsible Person:
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Person(s) Consulted:
University of Kent
Vice Chancellor; Director of Kent Hospitality
Park Wood Flats (Bossenden, Kemsdale, Nickle & Stock Courts)
University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7WS / 7WW / 7WU / 7WT
Karen Keen, David Reason, Jenny Fuller, Nigel Futter, Housekeeping Staff
Assessor:
Andrew Briggs, TechIFSM, MIIRSM
Date of Fire Risk Assessment:
14th - 29th August 2007
Date of Previous Fire Risk Assessment:
N/A
Suggested Date for Review:
August 2009, or as per UoK SHEU official schedule, or in event of significant change
Address of Property:
Fire Risk Assessment in accordance with Publicly Available Standard PAS 79 (British
Standards Institute): Fire Risk Assessment - Guidance and a recommended methodology
GENERAL BUILDING DESCRIPTION
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
1.0 The Building
1.1 Number of floors
3
1.2 Approximate floor area:
Kemsdale total 1757 sq m per storey; Nickle 1722; Bossenden 973; Stock 665
(top floor Stock only 288)
Predominantly concrete & brick
1.3 Construction Details:
1.4 Occupancy etc:
4 to 6 students per flat; in each core, 2 or 3 flats per storey
Small social area; small housekeeping storage area; small detached laundry facility
2.0 The Occupants
2.1 Approximate maximum number:
As above
2.2 Maximum number of staff at any one time:
N/A
2.3 Maximum number of members of public:
Unknown visitors
3.0 Occupants at Special Risk
3.1 Sleeping occupants:
All occupants
3.2 Occupants with disabilities:
3.3 Occupants in remote areas:
Hearing disabled in some rooms e.g. B7A, B8A, B14E; some disabled on ground floors;
wheelchair users' accommodation in Kemsdale 1 - 6
N/A
3.4 Others:
N/A
4.0 Fire Loss Experience
4.1 Fires in past 10 years:
10 Fire Accident reports since March 2006 (6 in last 12 months), all cooking related
GENERAL BUILDING DESCRIPTION
4.2 Cost of fire losses:
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Minor - minimal repairs etc to cookers, microwaves and décor
5.0 Other Relevant Information
5.1 Detail:
Considerable abuse of firefighting equipment noted - water extinguishers frequently
discharged, and occasionally thrown down stairwells
6.0 Relevant Fire Safety Legislation
6.1 Statutory provisions:
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
FIRE HAZARDS
INDEX
DETAIL
7.0 Electrical Sources of Ignition
7.1 Reasonable measures taken to prevent fires of
electrical origin?
7.2 Fixed installation periodically inspected and
tested? PATesting carried out?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
YES NO N/A
1
1
8.0 Smoking
8.1 Reasonable measures taken to prevent fires as a
result of smoking?
1
9.0 Arson
9.1 Does basic security against arson by outsiders
appear reasonable?
1
10.0 Cooking
10.1 Are reasonable measures taken to prevent fires
as a result of cooking?
10.2 Are filters changed and ductwork cleaned
regularly?
10.3 Are suitable extinguishing appliances available?
CONTROL MEASURES
1
All appliances inspected were lacking evidence of PAT testing. Introduce a
programme of Portable Appliance Testing by a competent electrician (should
include appliances provided in accommodation, and appliances used by
Housekeeping). Recommendation to consider PAT testing of student-owned
appliances.
Ensure University smoking policy is implemented, communicated and enforced.
Ensure ban on additional cooking and other appliances is implemented,
communicated and enforced.
1
1
11.0 Lightning
11.1 Does the building have a lightning protection
system?
1
12.0 Other Significant Ignition Sources
12.1 Are there other significant ignition sources
present?
1
Ensure ban on candles, joss sticks etc is implemented, communicated and
enforced.
FIRE HAZARDS
13.0 Housekeeping
13.1 Is the standard of housekeeping adequate?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
1
13.2 Are combustible materials separated from ignition
sources?
1
13.3 Is there an avoidance of unnecessary
accumulation of combustible materials or waste?
1
13.4 Is there appropriate storage of combustible
materials?
13.5 Is there avoidance of inappropriate storage of
combustibles materials?
1
14.0 Outside Contractor and Building Works
Hazards
14.1 Is there satisfactory control over works carried out
in the building by outside contractors?
14.2 Are adequate fire safety conditions imposed on
outside contractors?
15.0 Dangerous Substances
15.1 Have the hazardous properties of dangerous
substances been considered?
15.2 Is there adequate information on safety provided
by the supplier on any relevant safety data sheet?
15.3 Has account been taken regarding:
● the special, technical and organisational
measures and the substances used and their
possible interactions.
● the amount of the substance involved
● where the work will involve more than one
dangerous substance, the risk presented by such
substances in combination
Ensure that housekeeping programme continues to include prompt removal of
combustible materials and waste.
Combustible items stored in corridor of Housekeeping area in Nickle Core K
(below N1 to N4) are within 0.5m of light fitting and should be removed (also
obstructing escape route).
1
See 13.1 above - obstructions and combustible items must not be present in
escape routes, and should be removed.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
FIRE HAZARDS
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
● the arrangements for the safe handling, storage
and transport of dangerous substances and of
waste containing dangerous substances
1
● any other measures introduced as a result of the
RRO
15.4 Are there safe systems of work for maintenance,
where there is the potential for a high level of
risk?
15.5 Are sufficient control measures in place to counter
the likelihood that an explosive atmosphere will
occur and its persistence including adjacent
areas?
15.6 Are sufficient control measures in place to counter
the likelihood that ignition sources, including
electrostatic discharges, will be present and
become active and effective
15.7 Has account been taken regarding the scale of
the anticipated effects?
15.8 Is sufficient additional safety information available
to enable the assessment to be completed?
1
1
1
1
1
1
FIRE PROTECTION
INDEX
DETAIL
16.0 Means of Escape
16.1 Is it considered that the building is provided with
reasonable means of escape in case of fire?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
YES NO N/A
1
CONTROL MEASURES
Assembly point locations are not ideal in that they are relatively close to the
buildings, and are in areas where Emergency Services vehicles will pass
(building occupants are likely to stand in roadways) - should consider relocating.
16.2 Is there adequate provision of exits?
16.3 Are exits easily and immediately openable where
necessary?
16.4 Do escape exits open in the direction of escape
where necessary?
16.5 Are there satisfactory means for securing exits?
1
1
Acceptable in view of numbers present and familiarity
1
Acceptable in view of numbers present and familiarity
16.6 Are there reasonable travel distances where there
is a single direction of travel?
16.7 Are there reasonable travel distances where there
is an alternative means of escape?
16.8 Is there suitable protection of escape routes?
16.9 Are all escape routes unobstructed?
16.10 Is the building provided with reasonable
arrangements for means of escape for occupants
with disabilities?
1
1
1
1
1
1
See 13.5, otherwise OK throughout accommodation
Emergency egress through Kemsdale 1 & 2 bedroom, kitchen and flat doors is
difficult for wheelchair users due to strength of self closers and current layout of
kitchens (positioning of refrigerators and fire extinguishers - minor adjustments
necessary).
Ensure appropriate allocation of rooms to persons with hearing
disabilities (only certain rooms are fitted with flashing beacons).
NB Kemsdale 1 & 2 (wheelchair users') final exit doorway is only marginally over
guidance width at 830mm.
17.0 Fire Spread and Development Limitation
17.1 Is it considered that there is compartmentation of
a reasonable standard?
17.2 Is it considered that there is reasonable limitation
of linings that may promote fire spread?
1
1
Designated fire doors must not be propped or wedged open at any time.
FIRE PROTECTION
17.0 Escape Lighting
17.1 Is a reasonable standard of escape lighting
provided?
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
1
18.0 Fire Safety Signs and Notices
18.1 Does the building have a reasonable standard of
fire safety signs and notices?
19.0 Fire Warning Arrangements
19.1 Is a reasonable manually operated electrical fire
alarm system provided?
19.2 Is automatic fire detection provided in building?
19.3 Is the fire alarm system audible or perceptible
throughout the building?
19.4 Is there a remote transmission of alarm signal?
20.0 Portable Fire Extinguishing Appliances
1
1
Various signs are missing, mostly fire action notices (e.g. Bossenden Court
appears to have none at all), and one "do not use lift in event of fire" sign
(Kemsdale 1-6) - all to be replaced.
Some existing fire action notices do not
fully specify assembly points (e.g. reading "car park" only) - to be marked.
Staircases/landings/lobbies are lacking directional fire escape signs - to be
provided.
Some final exits (including Nickle Core K social area) are lacking
fire exit signs - to be provided.
All final exits are missing "fire exit - keep clear"
signs outside - to be provided.
Locations are not marked on K3-6 disabled
refuge point action signs - to be marked.
Alarm call points are considerably over-provided. If malicious activations
escalate further, covering and/or reducing call points should be considered.
1
1
1
Note: CO2 extinguishers are provided in all landings/lobbies to cover IT
equipment risks).
FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
20.1 Is the provision of portable fire extinguishers
reasonable?
1
20.2 Are hose reels provided?
1
21.0 Automatic Fixed Systems
21.1 Is there a suitable sprinkler or water based
system that is adequate for the risk present?
21.2 Is there a suitable gaseous local application or
total flooding provided that is adequate for the
risk?
22.0 Other Fixed Systems
22.1 Are there suitable smoke control facilities for the
risk present?
23.0 Luminous Discharge Tubes
23.1 Has notice been given notice to the fire and
rescue authority regarding luminous discharge
tubes cut-off switch, its colouring and marking.
CO2 extinguishers in some kitchens should be moved nearer to the risks
present, or adjacent to the kitchen doorway (but not obstructing wheelchair users'
egress as at present in K1 & K2).
Relative to official guidance, Class A fire
extinguishers are considerably under-provided by floor area throughout the
premises.
Nickle Core K social area: CO2 extinguisher to be wall-mounted or
a fire point providing; and according to guidance, Class A extinguishers should be
provided as above.
Laundry: CO2 extinguishers should be moved to a
position adjacent to fire exit; and according to guidance, Class A extinguishers
should be provided as above.
NOTE: re additional Class A extinguishers
variousy referred to above, existing units are frequently abused and there are no
persons present who are trained in their safe use; provision of further water
extinguishers would therefore appear inappropriate, and with careful
consideration it may be desirable to reduce the provision still further. However,
such decisions require enforcing body approval - dialogue to be taken up with
local FRS.
1
1
Y
1
MANAGING FIRE SAFETY
INDEX
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
DETAIL
YES NO N/A
24.0 Procedures and Arrangements
24.1 Appropriate fire procedures in place (including
calling the fire service)?
25.0 Training and drills
25.1 Are all staff given instruction on induction?
25.2 Are all staff given periodic “refresher training” at
suitable intervals?
26.0 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
26.1 Adequate maintenance and checking of
workplace and fire safety features?
26.2 Weekly testing and periodic servicing of fire
detection and alarm system?
26.3 Monthly, six-monthly and annual testing routines
for emergency lighting?
26.4 Annual maintenance of fire extinguishing
appliances?
26.6 Weekly testing and periodic inspection of
sprinkler installations?
26.7 Other relevant inspections or tests:
Provide a comprehensive fire emergency plan covering all appropriate
procedures, responsibilities and features of the building.
1
1
Various (& increasing) fire safety awareness inputs (ref. activities of Fire
Safety Steering Group) - & in particular, Kent Hospitality "Student Life"
handbook. Further specific training would be highly desirable (almost
essential) but extremely difficult to provide & enforce etc.
1
Yearly evacuation drills held. Brief records kept by SHEU.
Ensure that housekeeping programme continues to include regular checks
& inspections of fire safety provisions.
1
Records inspected.
1
Records verified but not yet inspected - AB will follow up.
1
Records inspected.
1
1
N.B. very few records of "training", limited to fire drill observation notes
only (due to "training" limitations noted above).
27.0 Records
27.1 Are appropriate records kept for fire training?
CONTROL MEASURES
1
MANAGING FIRE SAFETY
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
27.2 Are appropriate records kept for fire alarm tests?
1
27.3 Are appropriate records kept for escape lighting
tests?
27.4 Are appropriate records kept for the maintenance
and testing of other fire protection systems?
1
1
28.0 Young Persons
28.1
28.2
28.3
28.4
28.5
28.6
28.7
28.8
Have the following matters been taken into
particular account in risk assessment in respect
of young persons:
the inexperience, lack of awareness of risks and
immaturity of young persons
the fitting-out and layout of the premises
the nature, degree and duration of exposure to
physical and chemical agents
the form, range, and use of work equipment and
the way in which it is handled;
the organisation of processes and activities
the extent of the safety training provided or to be
provided to young persons
risks from agents, processes and work listed in
the Annex to Council Directive 94/33/EC on the
protection of young people at work
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
This simple risk level estimator is based on a more general health and safety risk level estimator in BS 8800:
Potential consequences of fire ►
Slight harm
Moderate harm
Extreme harm
Trivial risk
Tolerable risk
Moderate risk
Tolerable risk
Moderate risk
Substantial risk
Moderate risk
Substantial risk
Intolerable risk
Fire hazard ▼
Low
Medium
High
Taking into account the fire prevention measures observed at the time of this risk assessment, it is considered that the
hazard from fire (probability of ignition) at this building is:
Low / highly unlikely
Medium / unlikely
*
High / likely
Taking into account the nature of the building and the occupants, as well as the fire protection and procedural arrangements
observed at the time of this risk assessment, it is considered that the consequences for life safety in the event of fire would be:
Slight harm
*
Moderate harm
Extreme harm
In this context, a definition of the above terms is as follows:
Slight harm:
Moderate harm:
Extreme harm:
Outbreak of fire unlikely to result in serious injury or death of any occupant (other than an occupant
sleeping in a bedroom in which a fire occurs).
Outbreak of fire could result in injury of one or more occupants, but it is unlikely to involve multiple
fatalities.
Significant potential for serious injury or death of one or more occupants.
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Accordingly, it is considered that the risk to life from fire at this building is:
Trivial
Tolerable
*
Moderate
Substantial
Intolerable
A suitable risk-based control plan should involve effort and urgency that is proportional to risk. The following risk-based
control plan is based on one advocated by BS 8800 for general health and safety risks:
Risk Level
Trivial
Tolerable
Moderate
Action and Timescale
No action is required and no additional detailed records need be kept.
No major additional controls required. However, there may be a need for consideration
of improvements that involve minor or limited cost, and various corrective actions may
be required.
It is essential that efforts are made to reduce the risk. Risk reduction measures should
be implemented within a defined time period.
Where moderate risk is associated with consequences that constitute extreme harm, further
assessment may be required to establish more precisely the likelihood of harm as a basis
for determining the priority for improved control measures.
Substantial
Considerable resources may have to be allocated to reduce the risk. If the building is
unoccupied, it should not be occupied until the risk has been reduced. If the building is
occupied, urgent action should be taken.
Intolerable
Building (or relevant area) should not be occupied until the risk is reduced.
ACTION PLAN
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
University of Kent
Park Wood Flats (Bossenden, Kemsdale, Nickle & Stock Courts)
Canterbury
Kent
Andrew Briggs, TechIFSM, MIIRSM
16th - 29th August 2007
It is considered that the following recommendations should be implemented in order to reduce
fire risk to, or maintain it at, the following level: TOLERABLE
ACTION REQUIRED TO ELIMINATE OR CONTROL SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS
Electrical Sources of Ignition
All appliances inspected were lacking evidence of PAT testing. Introduce a
programme of Portable Appliance Testing by a competent electrician (should include
appliances provided in accommodation, and appliances used by Housekeeping).
Recommendation to consider PAT testing of student-owned appliances.
Smoking
Ensure University smoking policy is implemented, communicated and enforced.
Cooking
Ensure ban on additional cooking and other appliances is implemented,
communicated and enforced.
Other Significant Ignition Sources
Ensure ban on candles, joss sticks etc is implemented, communicated and enforced.
Housekeeping
PRIORITY * RESPONSIBILITY TARGET DATE COMPLETED
2A
Estates
2A
Kent Hospitality
N/A
2A
Kent Hospitality
N/A
2A
Kent Hospitality
N/A
ACTION PLAN
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Ensure that housekeeping programme continues to include prompt removal of
combustible materials and waste.
Combustible items stored in corridor of Housekeeping area in Nickle Core K (below
N1 to N4) are within 0.5m of light fitting and should be removed (also obstructing
escape route).
Means of Escape
Assembly point locations are not ideal in that they are relatively close to the buildings,
and are in areas where Emergency Services vehicles will pass (building occupants
are likely to stand in roadways) - should consider relocating.
Emergency egress through Kemsdale 1 & 2 bedroom, kitchen and flat doors is
difficult for wheelchair users due to strength of self closers and current layout of
kitchens (positioning of refrigerators and fire extinguishers - minor adjustments
necessary).
Ensure appropriate allocation of rooms to persons with hearing
disabilities (only certain rooms are fitted with flashing beacons).
Fire Spread and Development Limitation
Designated fire doors must not be propped or wedged open at any time.
Fire Safety Signs and Notices
Various signs are missing, mostly fire action notices (e.g. Bossenden Court appears
to have none at all), and one "do not use lift in event of fire" sign (Kemsdale 1-6) - all
to be replaced.
Some existing fire action notices do not fully specify assembly
points (e.g. reading "car park" only) - to be marked.
Staircases/landings/lobbies
are lacking directional fire escape signs - to be provided.
Some final exits
(including Nickle Core K social area) are lacking fire exit signs - to be provided.
All final exits are missing "fire exit - keep clear" signs outside - to be provided.
Locations are not marked on K3-6 disabled refuge point action signs - to be marked.
Fire Warning Arrangements
Alarm call points are considerably over-provided. If malicious activations escalate
further, covering and/or reducing call points should be considered.
2A
Kent Hospitality
2A
Kent Hospitality
4A
Estates
3A
Estates /
Kent Hospitality
2A
Kent Hospitality
2A
Estates
N/A,
comment
N/A
N/A
30/09/2007
12/09/2007
decided not to change see correspondence in
SHEU FRA file
First item to
general
spreadsheet
(common)
Nov 08
N/A
N/A
N/A
ACTION PLAN
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Portable Fire Extinguishing Appliances
CO2 extinguishers in some kitchens should be moved nearer to the risks present, or
adjacent to the kitchen doorway (but not obstructing wheelchair users' egress as at
present in K1 & K2).
Relative to official guidance, Class A fire extinguishers are
considerably under-provided by floor area throughout the premises.
Nickle Core K
social area: CO2 extinguisher to be wall-mounted or a fire point providing; and
according to guidance, Class A extinguishers should be provided as above.
Laundry: CO2 extinguishers should be moved to a position adjacent to fire exit; and
according to guidance, Class A extinguishers should be provided as above.
NOTE: re additional Class A extinguishers variousy referred to above, existing units
are frequently abused and there are no persons present who are trained in their safe
use; provision of further water extinguishers would therefore appear inappropriate,
and with careful consideration it may be desirable to reduce the provision still further.
However, such decisions require enforcing body approval - dialogue to be taken up
with local FRS.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER ACTION FOLLOWING LIAISON & AGREEMENT WITH FRS
14/09/2007: Disregard 20.1 actions above except those for laundry and Nickle Core K
social area - both STET as follows, but no water extinguishers necessary (since
available nearby, ref (A) below):
(1)
Nickle social area: CO2 extinguisher to be wall-mounted or a fire point provided.
(2) Laundry: CO2 extinguishers should be moved to a position adjacent to fire exit.
REVISED ACTIONS:
(A) move
all three 13A water extinguishers in each Core of flats (currently one on each storey
landing) to a readily openable cabinet just outside the final exit.
(B) remove the
CO2 extinguisher currently provided next to each water extinguisher as above.
(C) move all kitchen CO2 extinguishers outside the kitchen, to just inside each flat
exit (mounted under manual alarm call point) and add extinguisher covers.
(D)
move all fire blankets to more suitable position, between cooker & kitchen exit.
Procedures and Arrangements
Provide a comprehensive fire emergency plan covering all appropriate procedures,
responsibilities and features of the building.
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
2A
Liaison with FRS - Liaison with FRS FRS liaison &
A Briggs;
14/09/2007
agreement
changes to
14/09/2007,
extinguisher
see row
provisions - SEE
below for
ROW BELOW
revised action
2A
Estates
2A
A Briggs / Kent
Hospitality
12/10/2007
ACTION PLAN
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
Ensure that housekeeping programme continues to include regular checks &
inspections of fire safety provisions.
2A
Kent Hospitality
N/A
* PRIORITY (N.B. to Fire Service College Fire Safety Engineering Division scale, not PAS 79)
Category A. Fire Risk to Persons:
1A - A serious life safety risk and/or a [possible] major contravention of current fire safety legislation.
This matter requires immediate attention and must be given high priority.
2A - An important life safety issue and/or a [possible] contravention of current fire safety legislation & guidance that may lead to enforcement action if not addressed.
This matter requires attention with the minimum of delay.
3A - A significant life safety issue which, in combination with other significant findings, may result in an increased risk to persons.
Advised to implement programme of work or action in accordance with good fire safety practice.
4A - A life safety issue recommended for consideration in accordance with good fire safety practice.
Advised to implement action or programme of work as appropriate.
Category B. Fire Risk to Property, Business Continuity, Environment, Amenity, Heritage etc.
1B - A serious risk of damage by fire (with possible legal implications, depending on the enforcing authority involved).
This matter requires immediate attention and must be given high priority.
2B - An important potential fire damage issue (with possible legal implications, depending on the enforcing authority involved).
This matter requires attention with the minimum of delay.
3B - A significant potential fire damage issue which, in combination with other significant findings,may result in an increased risk to the property.
Advised to implement programme of work or action in accordance with good fire protection/prevention practice.