Fire safety risk assessment: theatres, cinemas and similar premises

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Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Theatres, cinemas and similar premises This guide is for employers, managers, occupiers and owners of theatres and cinemas. It tells you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, helps you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place. Other guides in the series: Guide Main use Offices and shops Offices and retail premises (including individual units within larger premises, e.g. shopping centres). ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 815 0 Factories and warehouses Factories and warehouse storage premises. theatres, cinemas and similar premises ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 816 7 Sleeping accommodation All premises where the main use is to provide sleeping accommodation, e.g. hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, hostels, residential training centres, holiday accommodation ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 817 4 and the common areas of flats, maisonettes, HMOs and sheltered housing (other than those providing care – see Residential care premises), but excluding hosptials, residential care premises, places of custody and single private dwellings Residential care premises Residential care and nursing homes, common areas of sheltered housing (where care is provided) and similar premises, which are permanently staffed ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 818 1 and where the primary use is the provision of care rather than healthcare (see Healthcare premises). Educational premises Teaching establishments ranging from pre-school through to universities, except the residential parts (see Sleeping accommodation). ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 819 8 Small and medium places Smaller public houses, clubs, restaurants and cafés, village halls, community of assembly centres, libraries, marquees, churches and other places of worship or study accommodating up to 300 people. ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 820 4 Large places of assembly Larger premises where more than 300 people could gather, e.g. shopping centres (not the individual shops), large nightclubs and pubs, exhibition and conference ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 821 1 centres, sports stadia, marquees, museums, libraries, churches, cathedrals and other places of worship or study. Theatres, cinemas and Theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises used primarily for similar premises this purpose. ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 822 8 Open air events and venues Open air events, e.g. theme parks, zoos, music concerts, sporting events (not stadia – see Large places of assembly), fairgrounds and county fairs. ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 823 5 Healthcare premises Premises where the primary use is the provision of healtcare (including private), e.g. hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dentists and other similar healthcare premises. ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 824 2 Transport premises Transportation terminals and interchanges, e.g. airports, railway stations and facilities (including sub-surface), transport tunnels, ports, bus and coach stations and similar premises but excluding the the means of transport (e.g. trains, buses, ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 825 9 planes and ships). HM Government ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 822 8 ISBN-10: 1 85112 822 0 Price: £12

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ISBN-13: 978 1 85112 822 8

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This guide is divided into two parts:

•Part 1 Explains what fire risk assessment is and how you might go about it. Fire risk assessment should be the foundation for all the fire precautions in your premises.

•Part 2 Provides further guidance on fire precautions. The information is provided for you and others to dip into during your fire risk assessment or when you are reviewing your precautions.

The appendices provide example checklists, some detailed technical information on fire-resisting elements and advice on historic buildings.

This guide is one from a series of guides listed on the back cover.

The rest of this introduction explains how the law applies.

Technical terms are explained in the glossary and references to other publications listed at the end of this book are identified by a superscript number in the text.

Those operating existing theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises should already be aware of their legal obligations with regard to safety issues and may wish to also refer to the Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.⁸⁷

In this guide reference is made to British Standards and standards provided by other bodies. The standards referred to are intended for guidance only and other standards could be used. Reference to any particular standard is not intended to confer a presumption of conformity with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Order).¹

The level of necessary safety (or service) must be dictated by the findings of your risk assessment so you may need to do more or less than that specified in any particular standard referred to. You must be prepared to show that what you have done complies with any requirements or prohibitions of the Order¹ irrespective of whether you have relied on a particular standard.

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This guidance gives advice on how to avoid fires and how to ensure people’s safety if a fire does start. Why should you read it? Because:

•Fire kills. In 2004 (England and Wales) fire and rescue services attended over 33,400 fires in non-domestic buildings. These fires killed 38 people and injured over 1,300.

•Fire costs money. The costs of a serious fire can be high and afterwards many businesses do not reopen. In 2004, the costs as a consequence of fire, including property losses, human casualties and lost business, were estimated at £2.5 billion.

This guide applies to England and Wales only. It does not set prescriptive standards, but provides recommendations and guidance for use when assessing the adequacy of fire precautions in theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises. Other fire risk assessment methods may be equally valid to comply with fire safety law. The guide also provides recommendations for the fire safety management of the premises.

Your existing fire safety arrangements may not be the same as the recommendations used in this guide but, as long as you can demonstrate that they meet an equivalent standard of fire safety, they are likely to be acceptable. If you decide that your existing arrangements are not satisfactory there may be other ways to comply with fire safety law. This means there is no obligation to adopt any particular solution in this guide if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement in some other way.

Where the building has been recently constructed or significantly altered, the fire detection and warning arrangements, escape routes and facilities for the fire and rescue service should have been designed, constructed and installed in accordance with current building regulations. In such cases, it is likely that these measures will be satisfactory as long as they are being properly maintained and no significant increase in risk has been introduced.

Similarly, for premises currently licensed for regulated entertainment, it is likely that the fire safety arrangements will be satisfactory as long as they are being properly maintained and no significant increase in risk has been introduced.

This guide should not be used to design fire safety in new buildings. Where alterations are proposed to existing premises, they may be subject to building regulations. However, it can be used to develop the fire safety strategy for the building.

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WHO SHOULD USE THIS GUIDE?

This guide is for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners, both professional and amateur, of theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises. Details of other guides in the series are listed on the back cover. It tells you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, helps you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place.

This guide is intended for premises where the main use of the building or part of the building is a theatre, cinema, concert hall or combination of these. As well as purpose- built premises, this incudes buildings converted for use as cinemas or theatres.

For temporary structures and marquees/tents used as a theatre or cinema, reference should be made to the guides for places of assembly.

For theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises that are part of educational facilities or shopping complexes, or include sleeping accommodation, other places of assembly and/or outdoor facilities, reference should also be made to the guide for these premises.

This guide may also be suitable where the premises adjoin other complexes, such as shopping centres, where consultation with the centre managers will be necessary as part of an integrated risk assessment for the complex.

Also, where you handle and store flammable materials and substances, this guide will help you take account of these in your risk assessment and help you determine the necessary precautions to take to minimise the likelihood of them being involved in a fire.

It has been written to provide guidance for a responsible person, to help them to carry out a fire risk assessment in less complex premises. If you read the guide and decide that you are unable to apply the guidance, then you should seek expert advice from a competent person. More complex premises will probably need to be assessed by a person who has comprehensive training or experience in fire risk assessment. However, this guide can be used for multi-occupied buildings to address fire safety issues within their individual occupancies.

It may also be useful for:

•employees;

•employee-elected representatives;

•trade union-appointed health and safety representatives;

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•enforcing authorities; and

•all other people who have a role in ensuring fire safety in theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises.

If your premises are listed as of historic interest, also see Appendix C.

Fire safety is only one of many safety issues which management must address to minimise the risk of injury or death to staff or the public. Unlike most of the other safety concerns, fire has the potential to injure or kill large numbers of people very quickly. This guidance is concerned only with fire safety but many of the measures discussed here will impact upon other safety issues, and vice versa; it is recognised that these various differing safety demands can sometimes affect one another and management should consult other interested agencies (e.g. Local Authority) where necessary to confirm that they are not contravening other legislation/guidance.

You can get advice about minimising business fire losses from your insurer.

THE FIRE SAFETY ORDER

Previous general fire safety legislation

The Order¹ replaces previous fire safety legislation. Any fire certificate issued under the Fire Precautions Act 1971² will cease to have any effect. If a fire certificate has been issued in respect of your premises or the premises were built to recent building regulations, as long as you have made no material alterations and all the physical fire precautions have been properly maintained, then it is unlikely you will need to make any significant improvements to your existing physical fire protection arrangements to comply with the Order.¹ However, you must still carry out a fire risk assessment and keep it up to date to ensure that all the fire precautions in your premises remain current and adequate.

If you have previously carried out a fire risk assessment under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997,³ as amended 1999,⁴ and this assessment has been regularly reviewed then all you will need to do is revise that assessment taking account of the wider scope of the Order¹ as described in this guide.

Your premises may also be subject to the provisions of a licence or registration, e.g. under the Licensing Act 2003,⁴⁷ and the fire authority may wish to review your risk assessment as part of the licensing approval process. Fire safety conditions within your premises licence should not be set by a licensing authority where the Order¹ applies.

Introduction

The Order¹ applies in England and Wales. It covers ‘general fire precautions’ and other fire safety duties which are needed to protect ‘relevant persons’ in case of fire in and around most ‘premises’. The Order requires fire precautions to be put in place ‘where necessary’ and to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances of the case.

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Responsibility for complying with the Order¹ rests with the ‘responsible person’. In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, e.g. the occupier or owner, professional or amateur. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises (e.g. a complex), all must take all reasonable steps to co-operate and co-ordinate with each other.

If you are the responsible person you must carry out a fire risk assessment which must focus on the safety in case of fire for all ‘relevant persons’. It should pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as disabled people, those who you know have special needs and children, and must include consideration of any dangerous substance liable to be on the premises. Your fire risk assessment will help you identify risks that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and extent of the general fire precautions you need to take.

If your organisation employs five or more people, your premises are licensed or an alterations notice is in force, you must record the significant findings of the assessment. It is good practice to record your significant findings in any case.

There are some other fire safety duties you need to comply with:

•You must appoint one or more ‘competent persons’, depending on the size and use of your premises, to carry out any of the preventive and protective measures required by the Order¹ (you can nominate yourself for this purpose). A competent person is someone with enough training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to be able to implement these measures properly.

•You must provide your employees with clear and relevant information on the risks to them identified by the fire risk assessment, about the measures you have taken to prevent fires, and how these measures will protect them if a fire breaks out.

•You must consult your employees (or their elected representatives) about nominating people to carry out particular roles in connection with fire safety and about proposals for improving the fire precautions.

•You must, before you employ a child, provide a parent with clear and relevant information on the risks to that child identified by the risk assessment, the measures you have put in place to prevent/protect them from fire and inform any other responsible person of any risks to that child arising from their undertaking.

•You must inform non-employees, such as temporary or contract workers, of the relevant risks to them, and provide them with information about who are the nominated competent persons, and about the fire safety procedures for the premises.

•You must co-operate and co-ordinate with other responsible persons who also have premises in the building, inform them of any significant risks you find and how you will seek to reduce/control those risks which might affect the safety of their employees.

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•You must provide the employer of any person from an outside organisation who is working in your premises (e.g. agency providing temporary staff) with clear and relevant information on the risks to those employees and the preventive and protective measures taken. You must also provide those employees with appropriate instructions and relevant information about the risks to them.

•If you are not the employer but have any control of premises which contain more than one workplace, you are also responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the Order¹ are complied with in those parts over which you have control.

•You must consider the presence of any dangerous substances and the risk this presents to relevant persons from fire.

•You must establish a suitable means of contacting the emergency services and provide them with any relevant information about dangerous substances.

•You must provide appropriate information, instruction and training to your employees, during their normal working hours, about the fire precautions in your workplace, when they start working for you, and from time to time throughout the period they work for you.

•You must ensure that the premises and any equipment provided in connection with firefighting, fire detection and warning, or emergency routes and exits are covered by a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained by a competent person in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

•Your employees must co-operate with you to ensure the workplace is safe from fire and its effects, and must not do anything that will place themselves or other people at risk.

The above examples outline some of the main requirements of the Order.¹ The rest of this guide will explain how you might meet these requirements.

Who enforces the Fire Safety Order?

The local fire and rescue authority (the fire and rescue service) will enforce the Order¹ in most premises. The exceptions are:

•Crown-occupied/owned premises where Crown fire inspectors will enforce;

•premises within armed forces establishments where the defence fire and rescue service will enforce;

•certain specialist premises including construction sites, ships (under repair or construction) and nuclear installations, where the HSE will enforce; and

•sports grounds and stands designated as needing a safety certificate by the local authority, where the local authority will enforce.

The enforcing authority will have the power to inspect your premises to check that you are complying with your duties under the Order.¹ They will look for evidence that you have carried out a suitable fire risk assessment and acted upon the significant findings of that assessment. If, as is likely, you are required to record the outcome of the assessment, they will expect to see a copy.

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If the enforcing authority is dissatisfied with the outcome of your fire risk assessment or the action you have taken, they may issue an enforcement notice that requires you to make certain improvements or, in extreme cases, a prohibition notice that restricts the use of all or part of your premises until improvements are made.

If you are making changes to your premises, you should also consult your local licensing authority.

If your premises are considered by the enforcing authority to be or have potential to be high risk, they may issue an alterations notice that requires you to inform them before you make any changes to your premises or the way they are used.

Failure to comply with any duty imposed by the Order¹ or any notice issued by the enforcing authority is an offence. You have a right of appeal to a magistrates court against any notice issued. Where you agree that there is a need for improvements to your fire precautions but disagree with the enforcing authority on the technical solution to be used (e.g. what type of fire alarm system is needed) you may agree to refer this for an independent determination.

If having read this guide you are in any doubt about how fire safety law applies to you, contact the fire safety office at your local fire and rescue service.

If your premises were in use before 2006, then they may have been subject to 2 3,4 the Fire Precautions Act and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations and/ or your premises may have been subject to a previous licence or registration regime which may have imposed fire safety requirements. Where the layout (means of escape) and other fire precautions have been assessed by the fire and rescue service to satisfy the guidance that was then current, then it is likely that your premises already conforms to many of the recommendations here, providing you have undertaken a 3,4 fire risk assessment as required by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations.

New buildings or significant building alterations should be designed to satisfy current building regulations²⁴ which address fire precautions. However, you will still need to carry out a risk assessment, or review your existing one (and act on your findings), to comply with the Order.¹

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MANAGING FIRE SAFETY

Good management of fire safety is essential to ensure that fires are unlikely to occur; that if they do occur they are likely to be controlled or contained quickly, effectively and safely; or that, if a fire does occur and grows out of hand, everyone in your premises is able to escape to a place of total safety easily and quickly.

The risk assessment that you must carry out will help you ensure that your fire safety procedures, fire prevention measures, and fire precautions (plans, systems and equipment) are all in place and working properly, and the risk assessment should identify any issues that need attention. Further information on managing fire safety is available in Part 2 on page 43.

WHAT IS A

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

?

A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried on there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.

The aims of the fire risk assessment are:

•To identify the fire hazards.

•To reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm to as low as reasonably practicable.

•To decide what physical fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary to ensure the safety of people in your premises if a fire does start.

The term ‘where necessary’ (see Glossary) is used in the Order,¹ therefore when deciding what fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary you will need to take account of this definition.

The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ are used throughout this guide and it is important that you have a clear understanding of how these should be used.

•Hazard: anything that has the potential to cause harm.

•Risk: the chance of that harm occurring.

If your organisation employs five or more people, or your premises are licensed or an alterations notice requiring it is in force, then the significant findings of the fire risk assessment, the actions to be taken as a result of the assessment and details of anyone especially at risk must be recorded. You will probably find it helpful to keep a record of the significant findings of your fire risk assessment even if you are not required to do so.

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HOW DO YOU CARRY OUT A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

A fire risk assessment will help you determine the chances of a fire starting and the dangers from fire that your premises present for the people who use them and any person in the immediate vicinity. The assessment method suggested in this guide shares the same approach as that used in general health and safety legislation and can be carried out either as part of a more general risk assessment or as a separate exercise. As you move through the steps there are checklists to help you.

Before you start your fire risk assessment, take time to prepare, and read through the rest of Part 1 of this guide.

Much of the information for your fire risk assessment will come from the knowledge your employees, colleagues and representatives have of the premises, as well as information given to you by people who have responsibility for other parts of the building. A tour of your premises will probably be needed to confirm, amend or add detail to your initial views.

It is important that you carry out your fire risk assessment in a practical and systematic way and that you allocate enough time to do a proper job. It must take the whole of your premises into account, including outdoor locations and any rooms and areas that are rarely used. You may find it helpful to divide them into a series of assessment areas using natural boundaries, e.g. assembly spaces, process areas (such as projection rooms and scenery workshops), public areas, offices, stores, as well as corridors, stairways and external routes.

If your premises are in a multi-use complex then the information in this guide on hazard and risk reduction will still be applicable to you. However, any alterations to the use or structure of your individual unit will need to take account of the overall fire safety arrangements in the building.

If your premises form part of a building with different occupancies, then the measures provided by other occupiers may have a direct effect on the adequacy of the fire safety measures in your premises, and you should consider this as part of your risk assessment.

Under health and safety law (enforced by the HSE or the local authority) you are required to carry out a risk assessment in respect of any work processes in your workplace and to take or observe appropriate special, technical or organisational measures. If your health and safety risk assessment identifies that these processes are likely to involve the risk of fire or the spread of fire then you will need to take this into account during your fire risk assessment under the Order,¹ and prioritise actions based on the level of risk.

You need to appoint one or more ‘competent persons’ (this could be you) to carry out any of the preventive and protective measures needed to comply with the Order.¹ This person could be you, or an appropriately trained, full-time employee or technician or, where appropriate, a third party.

Your fire risk assessment should demonstrate that, as far as is reasonable, you have considered the needs of all relevant persons, including disabled people.

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You should regularly review your risk assessment to ensure that it is kept up to date.

Figure 1 shows the five steps you need to take to carry out a

fire risk assessment

.

FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT

Identify fire hazards

Identify:

1Sources of ignition Sources of fuel Sources of oxygen

Identify people at risk

Identify:

2People in and around the premises People especially at risk

Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

Evaluate the risk of a fire occurring

3Evaluate the risk to people from fire Remove or reduce fire hazards Remove or reduce the risks to people

•Detection and warning

•Fire-fighting

•Escape routes

•Lighting

•Signs and notices

•Maintenance

Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

Record significant finding and action taken

4Prepare an emergency plan Inform and instruct relevant people; co-operate and co-ordinate with others Provide training

Review

Keep assessment under review

Revise where necessary

Remember to keep to your fire risk assessment under review.

Figure 1: The five steps of a fire risk assessment

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For a fire to start, three things are

FUEL

needed: Flammable gases Flammable liquids

•a source of ignition; Flammable solids

•fuel; and

•oxygen.

If any one of these is missing, a fire cannot start. Taking measures to avoid the three coming together will therefore reduce the chances of a fire occurring.

OXYGEN IGNITION SOURCE

The remainder of this step will advise on Al Additional sources from w ays present in the air Electrical equipment Hot surfaces how to identify potential ignition sources, oxidising substances Static electricity the materials that might fuel a fire and Smoking/naked lights the oxygen supplies that will help it burn.

1.1Identify sources of ignition

You can identify the potential ignition sources in your premises by looking for possible sources of heat which could get hot enough to ignite material found in your premises. These sources could include:

•faulty or misused electrical equipment (including projectors, lasers, rewinding machines), including equipment brought in by visiting companies;

•luminaires and lighting equipment, e.g. halogen lamps, display lighting or projectors;

•hot surfaces and obstruction of equipment ventilation;

•central heating boilers;

•naked flames, e.g. candles or gas or liquid-fuelled open-flame equipment;

•special effects, such as fireworks and pyrotechnics;

•arson;

•cooking and catering appliances and equipment including hot ducting flues and filters;

•smokers’ material, e.g. cigarettes, matches and lighters; Figure 3: Sources of ignition

•electrical, gas or oil-fired heaters (fixed or portable), room heaters; and

•hot processes, e.g. welding by contractors.

Indications of ‘near-misses’, such as scorch marks on furniture or fittings, discoloured or charred electrical plugs and sockets, cigarette burns etc., can help you identify hazards which you may not otherwise notice.

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1.2Identify sources of fuel

Anything that burns is fuel for a fire. You need to look for the things that will burn reasonably easily and are in enough quantity to provide fuel for a fire or cause it to spread to another fuel source. Some of the most common ‘fuels’ found in theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises are:

•flammable-liquid-based products, such as paints, varnishes, thinners and adhesives;

•flammable liquids and solvents, such as alcohol (spirits), white spirit, methylated spirit, cooking oils and disposable cigarette lighters;

•flammable chemicals, such as certain cleaning products, photocopier chemicals and dry cleaning products that use hydrocarbon solvents;

•flammable gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene;

•displays and stands;

•costumes, untreated drapes and hangings, scenery and banners;

•packaged foodstuffs;

•packaging materials, stationery, advertising material and decorations;

•plastics and rubber, such as video tapes, polyurethane foam-filled furniture and polystyrene-based display materials;

•upholstered seating and cushions, textiles and soft furnishings;

•litter and waste products, particularly finely divided items such as shredded paper and wood shavings, off cuts, and dust accumulation amongst lubricated equipment; and

•fireworks and pyrotechnics.

You should also consider the materials used to line walls and ceilings, e.g. polystyrene or carpet tiles, the fixtures and fittings and brought-in materials, and how they might contribute to the spread of fire. Further information is available in Part 2, Section 1.

1.3Identify sources of oxygen

The main source of oxygen for a fire is in the air around us. In an enclosed building this is provided by the ventilation system in use. This generally falls into one of two categories: natural airflow through doors, windows and other openings; or mechanical air conditioning systems and air handling systems. In many buildings there will be a combination of systems, which will be capable of introducing/extracting air to and from the building.

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Additional sources of oxygen can sometimes be found in materials used or stored at premises such as:

•some chemicals (oxidising materials), which can provide a fire with additional oxygen and so help it burn. These chemicals should be identified on their container (and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health data sheet, see Figure 4) by the manufacturer or supplier who can advise as to their safe use and storage;

•oxygen supplies from cylinder storage, e.g. oxygen used in welding processes; and

•pyrotechnics (fireworks), which contain oxidising materials and need to be treated with great care.

Further guidance on identifying hazards is given in Part 2, Section 1.

Checklist

•Have you identified all potential ignition sources?

•Have you identified all potential fuel sources?

•Have you identified all potential sources of oxygen?

•Have you made a note of your findings?

STEP 2 IDENTIFY PEOPLE AT RISK

As part of your fire risk assessment, you need to identify those at risk if there is a fire. To do this you need to identify where you have people working, either at permanent locations (such as workstations) or at occasional locations around the building, and to consider who else may be at risk, such as audiences, visitors, visiting companies, including visiting contractors, children etc., and where these people are likely to be found.

You must consider all the people who use the premises but you should pay particular attention to people who may be especially at risk such as:

•employees who work alone and/or in isolated areas, e.g. cleaners, maintenance staff, security staff, cinema technicians and production crew;

•people who are unfamiliar with the premises, e.g. visitors and customers;

•unaccompanied children and young persons, particularly at performances for children or where children comprise a large percentage of the audience;

•people with disabilities* (including mobility impairment, or hearing or vision

*Visit the Disability Rights commission website on www.drc-gb.org for more information.

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•people who may have some other reason for not being able to leave the premises quickly, e.g. elderly customers, pregnant women or parents with children;

•sensory impaired due to alcohol, drugs or medication;

•people with language difficulties; and

•other persons in the immediate vicinity of the premises.

In evaluating the risk to people with disabilities you may need to discuss thier individual needs with them. In doing so you may need to seek professional advice.

Further guidance on help for people with special needs is given in Part 2, Section 1.13.

Checklist

•Have you identified who is at risk?

•Have you identified why they are at risk?

•Have you made a note of your findings?

STEP 3 EVALUATE, REMOVE, REDUCE AND PROTECT FROM RISK

The management of the premises and the way people use it will have an effect on your evaluation of risk. Management may be your responsibility alone or there may be others, such as the building owners or managing agents, who also have responsibilities. In multi-occupied buildings all those with some control must co- operate and you need to consider the risk generated by others in the building.

3.1Evaluate, the risk of a fire occuring

The chances of a fire starting will be low if your premises has few ignition sources and combustible materials are kept away from them.

In general, fires start in one of three ways:

•accidentally, such as when smoking materials are not properly extinguished or when curtains or drapes are pushed against hot luminaires;

•by act or omission, such as when electrical equipment is not properly maintained, or when waste packaging is allowed to accumulate near a heat source; and

•deliberately, such as a vandalism or arson attack involving setting fire to external rubbish bins placed too close to the building.

Look critically at your premises and try to identify any accidents waiting to happen and any acts or omissions which might allow a fire to start. You should also look for any situation that may present an opportunity for a vandal or arsonist.

Further guidance on evaluating the risk of a fire starting is given in Part 2, Section 1.

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3.2Evaluate the risk to people

In Step 2 you identified the people likely to be at risk should a fire start anywhere in the premises and earlier in Step 3 you identified the chances of a fire occurring. It is unlikely that you will have concluded that there is no chance of a fire starting anywhere in your premises so you now need to evaluate the actual risk to those people should a fire start and spread from the various locations that you have identified.

While determining the possible incidents, you should also consider the likelihood of any particular incident; but be aware that some very unlikely incidents can put many people at risk.

To evaluate the risk to people in your premises, you will need to understand the way fire can spread. Fire is spread by three methods:

•convection;

•conduction; and

•radiation.

Convection

Fire spread by convection is the most dangerous and causes the largest number of injuries and deaths. When fires start in enclosed spaces such as buildings, the smoke rising from the fire gets trapped by the ceiling and then spreads in all directions to form an ever-deepening layer over the entire room space. The smoke will pass through any holes or gaps in the walls, ceiling and floor into other parts of the building. The heat from the fire gets trapped in the building and the temperature rises.

Conduction

Some materials, such as metal shutters and ducting, can absorb heat and transmit it to the next room, where it can set fire to combustible items that are in contact with the heated material.

Radiation

Radiation transfers heat in the same way as an electric bar heater heats a room. Any material close to a fire will absorb the heat until the item starts to smoulder and then burn.

Figure 5: Smoke moving through a building

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Smoke produced by a fire also contains toxic gases which are harmful to people. A fire in a building with modern fittings and materials generates smoke that is thick and black, obscures vision, causes great difficulty in breathing and can block the escape routes (see Figure 5).

It is essential that the means of escape and other fire precautions are adequate to ensure that everyone can make their escape to a place of total safety before the fire and its effects can trap them in the building.

In evaluating this risk to people you will need to consider situations such as:

•fire starting within a large auditorium where very many people could be affected;

•fire starting on a lower floor affecting the escape route(s) for people on upper floors or the only escape route for people with disabilities;

•fire on a stage affecting people at a high level;

•fire developing in an unoccupied space that people have to pass by to escape from the building;

•fire spreading through the building because of combustible structural elements or linings;

•fire or smoke spreading through a building via routes such as vertical shafts, service ducts, ventilation systems, poorly installed, poorly maintained or damaged walls, partitions and ceilings, and affecting people remote from the fire;

•fire and smoke spreading through a building due to poor installation of fire precautions, e.g. incorrectly installed fire doors (see Appendix B2 for more information on fire doors) or incorrectly installed services penetrating fire walls;

•fire and smoke spreading through the building due to poorly maintained and damaged fire doors or fire doors being wedged open; and

•fire starting in a service room and affecting hazardous materials (such as pyrotechnics or stocks of solvent-based cleaning products) which then create an additional hazard for people.

Further guidance on fire risks is given in Part 2, Section 1.

3.3Remove or reduce the hazards

Having identified the fire hazards in Step 1, you now need to remove those hazards if reasonably practicable to do so. If you cannot remove the hazards, you need to take reasonable steps to reduce them if you can. This is an essential part of

fire risk assessment

and as a priority this must take place before any other actions.

Ensure that any actions you take to remove or reduce fire hazards or risk are not substituted by other hazards or risks. For example, if you replace a flammable substance with a toxic or corrosive one, you must consider whether this might cause harm to people in other ways.

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Remove or reduce sources of ignition

There are various ways that you can reduce the risk caused by potential sources of ignition, for example;

•Wherever possible replace a potential source by a safer alternative.

•Avoid the use of portable heaters and ensure that fixed heaters, especially radiant heaters, are properly guarded. Replace naked flame and radiant heaters with fixed convector heaters or a central heating system.

•Restrict and control the use of naked flames, e.g. candles.

•Operate a safe smoking policy in designated smoking areas, ensuring sufficient ashtrays are provided and cleaned appropriately and prohibit smoking elsewhere.

•Ensure that sources of heat are kept away from flammable materials such as curtains, scenery and displays.

•Ensure electrical, mechanical and gas equipment is installed, used, maintained and protected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

•Ensure cooking and catering equipment is installed, used, maintained and protected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

•Ensure that flares and fireworks are not brought into the premises by members of the public.

•Ensure that all pyrotechnics, fireworks and other special effects are used, protected and stored in accordance with the Explosives Regulations⁸⁸ 52,87 and Technical Standards and the manufacturer’s instructions.

•Check all areas where hot work (e.g. welding) has been carried out to ensure that no ignition has taken place or any smouldering materials remain that may cause a fire. Control hot work by operating a permit to work scheme (see Part 2, Section 1.7).

•Control or prevent introduction of portable electrical or gas heating and/or cooking equipment by employees, service or repair engineers, hot food vendors, or show organisers and promoters.

•Ensure that no one carrying out work on gas fittings which involves exposing pipes that contain or have contained flammable gas uses any source of ignition such as blow-lamps or hot-air guns.

•Ensure that no one uses any source of ignition while searching for an escape of gas.

•Take precautions to avoid arson or vandalism.

Remove or reduce sources of fuel

There are various ways that you can reduce the risks caused by materials and substances which burn, for example:

•Ensure that all upholstered furniture, curtains, drapes and other soft furnishings, are fire retardant, or have been treated with a proprietory fire retardant treatment designed to enhance their fire performance.

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•Ensure that display materials, scenery, props and exhibition stands, are fire retardant, or have been treated with a proprietory fire retardant treatment designed to enhance their fire performance.

•Reduce amount of flammable materials, liquids and gases on display in public areas to a minimum. Keep remaining stock in dedicated storerooms or storage areas, preferably outside, where the public are not allowed to go, and keep the minimum required for the operation of the business.

•Do not keep flammable solids, liquids and gases together.

•Ensure flammable materials, liquids and gases, are kept to a minimum, and are stored properly with adequate separation distances between them.

•Ensure that large deliveries of stock are stored away quickly and are not left in public areas.

•Develop a formal system for the control of combustible waste by ensuring that waste materials and rubbish are not allowed to build up and are carefully stored until properly disposed of, particularly at the end of the day.

•Ensure that foam used for seating, props or similar equipment is combustion- modified and is in good repair.

•Do not keep scenery or props which are not in current use on a stage other than in an approved scenery store or property store.

•Ensure that quantities of all materials introduced by visiting companies are kept to a minimum.

•Remove or treat large areas of highly combustible wall and ceiling linings, e.g. polystyrene or carpet tiles, to reduce the rate of flame spread across the surface.

•Ensure that all pyrotechnics, fireworks and other special effects are kept to a minimum.

•Ensure that quantities of nitrocellulose film are kept to a minimum and stored in appropriate containers.

•Take action to avoid any parts of the premises, and in particular storage areas, being vulnerable to arson or vandalism.

Figure 6: Storage of flammables Further guidance on removing and reducing hazards is given in Part 2, Section 1.

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Remove or reduce sources of oxygen

You can reduce the potential source of oxygen supplied to a fire by:

•closing all doors, windows and other openings not required for ventilation, particularly out of working hours;

•shutting down ventilation systems out of hours and when not required for the function of the premises;

•not storing oxidising materials near or within any heat source or flammable materials;

•controlling the use and storage of pyrotechnics and fireworks; and

•controlling the use and storage of oxygen cylinders, ensuring that they are not leaking, are not used to ‘sweeten’ the atmosphere, and that where they are located is adequately ventilated.

3.4Remove or reduce the risks to people

Having evaluated and addressed the risk of fire occuring and the risk to people, it is unlikely that you will be able to conclude that there is no risk of fire starting.

You now need to reduce any remaining fire risk to people to as low as reasonably practicable by ensuring that adequate fire precautions are in place to warn people in the event of fire and allow them to escape safely.

The rest of this section describes the fire protection measures you may wish to adopt to reduce the remaining fire risk to people (see Sections 3.4.1 to 3.4.6).

The level of fire protection you need to provide will depend on the level of risk that remains in the premises after you have removed or reduced the hazards and risks. Part 2, Section 4.1 can help you decide the level of risk that you may still have.

Flexibility of fire protection measures

Flexibility will be required when applying this guidance; the level of fire protection should be proportional to the risk posed to the safety of the people in the premises. Therefore, the objective should be to reduce the remaining risk to a level as low as reasonably practicable. The higher the risk of fire and risk to life, the higher the standards of fire protection will need to be.

Your premises may not exactly fit the solutions suggested in this guide and they may need to be applied in a flexible manner without compromising the safety of the occupants.

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For example, if the travel distance is in excess of the norm for the level of risk you have determined (see Part 2, Table 2 on page 77), it may be necessary to do any one or a combination of the following to compensate:

•Provide earlier warning of fire using automatic fire detection.

•Revise the layout to reduce travel distances.

•Reduce the fire risk by removing or reducing combustible materials and/or ignition sources.

•Control the number of people in the premises.

•Limit the area to trained staff only (no public access).

•Increase staff training and awareness.

Note: The above list is not exhaustive and is only used to illustrate some examples of trade-offs to provide safe premises.

If you decide to significantly vary away from the benchmarks in this guidance then you should seek expert advice before doing so.

3.4.1Fire detection and warning systems

In theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises, particularly those with more than one floor, an alarm from any single point is unlikely to be heard (or sensed) throughout the building. In such circumstances, an electrical system incorporating manually operated call points (break-glass boxes) and sounders (and visual alarms) is likely to be required. This type of system, which depends upon staff or the public to discover a fire, is only likely to be acceptable where all parts of the building are occupied at the same time and it is unlikely that a fire could start without somebody noticing it quickly, and appropriate management procedures are in place.

However, where there is a complex layout, or any unoccupied areas, or common corridors and circulation spaces in multi-occupied buildings, in which a fire could develop to the extent that escape routes could be affected before the fire is discovered, an automatic fire detection and warning system is likely to be necessary in parts or all of the premises.

Adequate provision for manually operated call points (break-glass boxes) should be made, in suitable locations, for use by staff. In addition, manually operated call points may be fitted in areas not used by the public (e.g. staff rooms or offices), and in public areas where they are not likely to be abused.

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You may need to consider special arrangements for times when there are disabled people present or people are working alone or when your normal occupancy patterns are different, e.g. when maintenance staff or other contractors are working at the weekend.

In many premises you may wish to have a staged alarm (staff alerting system) which allows staff to be aware of an incident in advance of the public, to confirm (or extinguish) the fire and to be prepared for an evacuation. You may wish to use code words to warn of an evacuation, or of other actions required. It is important, however, that such communications should not result in a significant reduction in the time available evacuation of the public. Further information is given in Part 2, Sections 2.4 and 2.5. Your procedures are likely to need to be different during performances, during rehearsals and fit-ups, and out-of-hours, and for public areas and non-public areas.

In complex premises, particularly those accommodating large numbers of people, such as multi-screen cinemas, phased evacuation may be appropriate, where some areas are evacuated while others are alerted but not evacuated until later. Such evacuation procedures require an integrated alarm system, staff training, and an appropriate level of fire protection between the separated areas.

If you have an alarm system then it is desirable to have an alarm repeater panel at the building entrance and a means of briefing the fire and rescue service when they arrive.

False alarms from electrical fire warning systems are a major problem and result in many unwanted calls to the fire and rescue service each year. To help reduce the number of false alarms, the design and location of activation devices should be reviewed against the way the premises are currently used.

If you are not sure whether your current arrangements are adequate, see the additional guidance on fire warning systems in Part 2, Section 2.

Further detailed recommendations are given in the Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.⁸⁷

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3.4.2Firefighting equipment and facilities

Firefighting equipment can reduce the risk of a small fire, e.g. a fire in a waste-paper bin, developing into a large one. The safe use of an appropriate fire extinguisher to control a fire in its early stages can also significantly reduce the risk to other people in the premises by allowing people to assist others who are at risk.

This equipment will need to comprise enough portable extinguishers that must be suitable for the risk (see Figure 8).

Main types of portable extinguishers, their uses and colour coding.

The contents of an extinguisher is indicated by a zone of colour on the red body. Halon extinguishers are not shown since no new Halon production is permitted in the UK

Figure 8: Types of fire extinguishers

A number of portable extinguishers should be provided for staff use and they should be sited in suitable locations, such as on the escape routes at each floor level, but where they will be under supervision and not readily accessible by the public. It may also be necessary to indicate the location of extinguishers by suitable signs.

Some premises will also have permanently installed firefighting equipment such as hose reels for use by trained staff or firefighters.

People with no training should not be expected to attempt to extinguish a fire. However, all staff should be familiar with the location and basic operating procedures for the equipment provided, in case they need to use it. If your fire safety strategy means that certain people, e.g. fire marshals, will be expected to take a more active role, then they should be provided with more comprehensive training. Portable extinguishers should not be intended for public use.

Other fixed installations and facilities to assist firefighters, such as dry rising mains and access for fire engines, or automatically operated, fixed fire suppression systems such as sprinklers and gas or foam flooding systems, may also have been provided.

Where these have been required by law, e.g. the Building Regulations or local Acts, such equipment and facilities must be maintained.

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Similarly, if provided for other reasons, e.g. insurance, it is good practice to ensure that they are properly maintained.

In most cases it will be necessary to consult a competent service engineer. Further information is given in Part 2, Section 3. Keeping records of the maintenance carried out will help you demonstrate to the enforcing authority that you have complied with fire safety law.

Appendix A.1 provides a sample fire safety maintenance checklist you can use.

For further guidance on portable fire extinguishers see Part 2, Section 3.1, for fixed firefighting installations, Part 2, Section 3.2 and other facilities (including those for firefighters) see Part 2, Section 3.3.

Once a fire has started, been detected and a warning given, everyone in your premises should be able to escape to a place of total safety unaided and without the help of the fire and rescue service. However, some people with disabilities and others with special needs may need help from staff who will need to be designated for the purpose.

Escape routes should be designed to ensure, as far as possible, that any person confronted by fire anywhere in the building should be able to turn away from it and escape to a place of reasonable safety, e.g. a protected stairway. From there they will be able to go directly to a place of total safety away from the building.

Those who require special assistance (e.g. very young children and some people with disabilities) could be accommodated on the same level as the final exit from the premises to facilitate escape. Where they need assistance to evacuate, you should make sure that there are sufficient staff to ensure a speedy evacuation.

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The level of fire protection that should be given to escape routes will vary depending on the level of risk of fire within the premises and other related factors. Large multi- storey buildings require a complex and inter-related system of fire precautions.

When determining whether your premises have adequate escape routes, you need to consider a number of factors, including:

•the type and number of people using the premises;

•escape time;

•the age and construction of the premises;

•the number and complexity of escape routes and exits;

•the use of phased or delayed alarm evacuation;

•assisted means of escape/personal evacuation plans;

•whether lifts can or need to be used; and

•assembly points.

The type and number of people using the premises

The people present in your premises (in the auditorium but also in other parts of the building) will sometimes just be employees (out of opening hours), but most of the time will be a mixture of employees and members of the public (including disabled people and unaccompanied children). Employees can reasonably be expected to have an understanding of the layout of the premises, while members of the public, particularly in larger premises, will be unlikely to have knowledge of alternative escape routes.

The number and capability of people present will influence your assessment of the escape routes. You must ensure that your existing escape routes are sufficient and capable of safely evacuating all the people that your premises can accommodate. New cinemas and theatres will have been designed with adequate escape routes, but older buildings may not have sufficient escape routes (especially if there has been a change of use) and you may need to either increase the capacity of the escape routes or restrict the number of people in the premises.

In considering the numbers of people using your premises, you may also need to take account of anyone who may need assistance to use the escape routes (e.g. people with disabilities, young children, older people, and people with special needs) and the possible effects of intoxicants (alcohol, illegal drugs, etc.) on how people may react in a fire. You should also consider monitoring the number of public entering the premises (e.g. audience entering the theatre or cinema), controlling entry numbers or controlling the numbers within specific areas, and/or preventing migration and overcrowding. You may also wish to consider other behavioural issues such as parents seeking their children and people reluctant to abandon their property.

In most premises entry to the premises and access to the internal areas will be controlled by ticket sales and staff monitoring. However, there may be occasions

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where events are non-ticketed, e.g. promotions or corporate events. In such circumstances, control and monitoring arrangements may need to be put in place to prevent overcrowding and in particular to ensure that the capacity of the escape routes from any individual area is not exceeded.

Restricting numbers will require stringent management controls.

Escape time

In the event of a fire, it is important to evacuate people as quickly as possible from the premises. Escape routes in a building should be designed so that people can escape quickly enough to ensure they are not placed in any danger from fire. The time available will depend on a number of factors, including, how quickly the fire is detected and the alarm raised, the number and widths of escape routes available, the nature of the occupants (e.g. age or mobility) and the speed of fire growth. For simplicity the travel distances in Part 2, Table 2 on page 77 take these factors into account. Part 2, Section 4.1 will help you decide the level of risk in your premises for escape purposes.

The age and construction of the premises

Older buildings may comprise different construction materials from newer buildings, and may be in a poorer state of repair. The materials from which your premises are constructed, the quality of building work and state of repair could contribute to the speed with which any fire may spread, and potentially affect the escape routes the occupants will need to use. A fire starting in a building constructed mainly from combustible material will spread faster than one where fire-resisting construction materials have been used.

If you wish to construct internal partitions or walls in your premises, perhaps to create a separate performance space, you should ensure that any new partition or wall does not obstruct any escape routes or fire exits, extend travel distances or reduce the sound levels of the fire alarm system. Any walls that affect the means of escape should be constructed of appropriate material. Additional or alternative signage may also be needed. (Further technical information on fire-resisting construction is provided in Appendix B.)

Depending on the findings of your fire risk assessment, it may be necessary to protect the escape routes against fire and smoke by upgrading the construction of the floors, ceiling and walls to a fire-resisting standard. You should not have combustible wall and ceiling coverings in your escape routes. For further information see Appendix B. You may need to seek advice from a competent person. Any structural alterations may require building regulation approval or the approval of the licensing authority.

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The number of escape routes and exits

In general there should normally be at least two escape routes from all parts of the premises but a single escape route may be acceptable from small individual premises within the building (e.g. a premises or part of a premises accommodating less than 60 people) where the travel distance is limited.

Where two escape routes are necessary and to further minimise the risk of people becoming trapped, you should ensure that the escape routes are completely independent of each other. This will prevent a fire affecting more than one escape route at the same time.

When evaluating escape routes, you should build in a safety factor by discounting the largest exit from your escape plan, then determine whether the remaining escape routes from a room, floor or building will be sufficient to evacuate all the occupants within a reasonable time. Escape routes that provide escape in a single direction only may need additional fire precautions to be regarded as adequate.

Exit doors on escape routes and final exit doors should normally open in the direction of travel, and be quickly and easily openable without the need for a key. Checks should be made to ensure final exits are wide enough to accommodate the number of people who may use the escape routes they serve.

In some circumstances you may also wish to use lifts to evacuate disabled people (see Part 2, Section 4.1).

Management of escape routes

It is essential that escape routes, and the means provided to ensure they are used safely, are managed and maintained to ensure that they remain usable and available at all times when the premises are occupied. Inform staff in training sessions about the location of escape routes within the premises.

Corridors and stairways that form part of escape routes should be kept clear and hazard free at all times. Items that may be a source of fuel or pose an ignition risk should not normally be located on any corridor or stairway that will be used as an escape route. Further guidance on escape routes is given Figure 9: A blocked escape route in Part 2, Section 4. (courtesy of the Association of British Theatre Technicians)

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Emergency evacuation of persons with mobility impairment

The means of escape you provide must be suitable for the evacuation of everyone likely to be in your premises. This may require additional planning and allocation of staff roles – with appropriate training. Provisions for the emergency evacuation of disabled persons may include:

•stairways;

•evacuation lifts;

•firefighting lifts;

•horizontal evacuation;

•refuges; and

•ramps.

Use of these facilities will need to be linked to effective management arrangements as part of your emergency plan. The plan should not rely on fire and rescue service involvement for it to be effective.

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3.4.4Emergency escape lighting

People in your premises must be able to find their way to a place of total safety if there is a fire by using escape routes that have enough lighting. You therefore should have a comprehensive system of automatic emergency escape lighting to illuminate all the escape routes if the normal lighting fails. Similarly, where a switch is fitted to rapidly bring up normal lighting and exit signs in a darkened auditorium, emergency escape lighting will also be necessary.

Where people have difficulty seeing conventional signs, a ‘way-guidance’ system may need to be installed.

If you have areas in your building, particularly corridors or stairways from the stage or dressing rooms, projection or rewinding rooms, where there is insufficient daylight to see the means of escape, then the normal lighting should be maintained continuously while people are present.

In areas occupied by the public, the lighting is normally kept on at all times, though it may be reduced to low levels if it would interfere with the entertainment. The emergency escape lighting must be provided with a secondary power supply in case the primary power supply (usually the public electricity supply) fails. The emergency escape lighting should be an independent system from the normal lighting and may always be on (maintained) or arranged to turn on automatically (non-maintained) if the primary supply fails. Emergency escape lighting should be in addition to your normal and any decorative lighting.

Further guidance on emergency escape lighting is given in Part 2, Section 5.

Checklist

•Are all your escape routes covered by an acceptable form of emergency escape lighting?

•Will there always be sufficient lighting to safely use escape routes?

•Do you have back-up power supplies for your emergency escape lighting?

3.4.5Signs and notices

Signs

Signs must be used, where necessary, to help people identify escape routes, find firefighting equipment and emergency fire telephones. These signs are required 5, 6 under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 and must comply with the provisions of those Regulations.

A

fire risk assessment

that determines that no escape signs are required (because, for example, trained staff will always be available to help visitors to escape routes), is unlikely to be acceptable to an enforcing authority.

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For a sign to comply with these Regulations it must be in pictogram form (see Figure 10). The pictogram can be supplemented by text if this is considered necessary to make the sign more easily understood, but you must not have a safety sign that uses only text.

Where the locations of escape routes and firefighting equipment are readily apparent and the firefighting equipment is visible at all times, then signs in these locations are not necessary. In all other situations it is likely that the fire risk assessment will indicate that signs will be necessary.

Escape signs must be illuminated at all times the public are on the premises, including when the normal lighting may be dimmed or extinguished.

Figure 10: Typical fire exit sign

Notices

Notices must be used, where necessary, to provide the following:

•instructions on how to use any fire safety equipment;

•the actions to be taken in the event of fire; and

•help for the fire and rescue service (e.g. location of sprinkler valves or electrical cut-off switches).

All signs and notices should be positioned so that they can be easily seen and understood.

Further guidance on signs and notices is given in Part 2, Section 6.

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Checklist

•Where necessary, are escape routes and exits, the locations of firefighting equipment and emergency telephones indicated by appropriate signs?

•Have you provided notices such as those giving information on how to operate security devices on exit doors, those indicating doors enclosing fire hazards that must be kept shut and fire action notices for staff and other people?

•Are you maintaining all the necessary signs and notices so that they continue to be correct, legible and understood?

•Are you maintaining signs that you have provided for the information of the fire and rescue service, such as those indicating the location of water suppression stop valves and the storage of hazardous substances?

3.4.6Installation, testing and maintenance

Fire precaution systems should be installed and maintained by a competent person.

You must keep any existing equipment, devices or facilities that are provided in your premises for the safety of people, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, lighting, signs, fire exits and fire doors, in effective working order, and maintain fire separating elements and prevention of smoke into escape routes.

You must ensure regular checks, periodic servicing and maintenance are carried out whatever the size of your premises and any defects are put right as quickly as possible.

You, or a person you have nominated, can carry out certain checks and routine maintenance work. Further maintenance may need to be carried out by a competent service engineer. Where contractors are used, third party certification is one method where a reasonable assurance of quality of work and competence can be achieved (see Part 2, Section 8).

You may employ a qualified electrician on your staff. If so, the nominated person should carry out checks before each performance.

The following are examples of checks and tests that should be carried out. You should determine the appropriate period for these checks from your risk assessment. The examples of testing and maintenance given are not intended to be prescriptive and other testing regimes may be appropriate.

Daily checks (and/or checks before a performance)

Remove bolts, padlocks and security devices from fire exits, ensure that doors on escape routes swing freely and close fully, and check escape routes to ensure they are clear from obstructions and combustible materials (including seating) and in a good state of repair. Check the fire alarm panel to ensure the system is active

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and fully operational. Visually check that emergency lighting units are in good repair and apparently working. Check that all safety signs and notices are legible. (See Appendix B3 for more details on bolts, padlocks and security devices.)

Model conditions require that the safety curtain be tested immediately before a performance. Test (lower and raise) the safety curtain (if you have one) and ensure that it is not obstructed.

Weekly tests and checks

Test fire detection and warning systems and manually operated warning devices weekly following the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions. Check that fire extinguishers and hose reels are correctly located and in apparent working order (you may wish to seal your extinguishers with security tags so that it is immediately evident if they have been tampered with).

Fire pumps and standby diesel engines should be tested for 30 minutes each week.

Monthly tests and checks

Test all emergency lighting systems to make sure they have enough charge and illumination according to the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions. This should be at an appropriate time when, following the test, they will not be immediately required.

Check that fire doors are in good working order and close correctly and the frames and seals are intact.

Three-monthly tests and checks

Test haystack ventilators (haystack lantern-lights) to ensure that they are operating correctly. A competent person should test and maintain generator(s) provided for fire system back-up systems.

Six-monthly tests and checks

A competent person should test and maintain the fire detection and warning system.

Annual tests and checks

The emergency lighting and all firefighting equipment, fire alarms, drenchers and other installed fire systems should be tested and maintained by a competent person.

All structural fire protection and elements of fire compartmentation should be inspected and any remedial action carried out. Specific guidance on the maintenance of timber fire-resisting doors is given in Appendix B2.

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Further guidance on maintenance and testing of individual types of equipment and facilities can be found in the relevant section in Part 2.

Appendix A.1 provides an example of a fire safety maintenance checklist. You will find it useful to keep a log book of all maintenance and testing.

•Do you regularly check all fire doors and escape routes and associated lighting and signs?

•Do you regularly check all your firefighting equipment?

•Do you regularly check your fire detection and alarm equipment?

•Are those who test and maintain the equipment competent to do so?

•Are ventilation systems working satisfactorily?

•Do you keep a log book to record tests and maintenance?

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STEP 4 RECORD, PLAN, INFORM, INSTRUCT AND TRAIN

In Step 4 there are four further elements of the risk assessment you should focus on to address the management of fire safety in your premises. In some premises, with simple layouts, this could be done as part of the day-to-day management; however, as the premises or the organisation get larger it may be necessary for a formal structure and written policy to be developed. Further guidance on managing fire safety is given in Part 2, Section 7.

4.1Record the significant findings and action taken

If you or your organisation employ five or more people, your premises are licensed, or an alterations notice requiring you to do so is in force, you must record the significant findings of your fire risk assessment and the actions you have taken.

Significant findings should include details of:

•The fire hazards you have identified (you do not need to include trivial things like a small tin of solvent-based glue in a scenery production area).

•The actions you have taken or will take to remove or reduce the chance of a fire occurring (preventive measures).

•Persons who may be at risk, particularly those at greatest risk.

•The actions you have taken or will take to reduce the risk to people from the spread of fire and smoke (protective measures).

•The actions people need to take in case of fire including details of any persons nominated to carry out a particular function (your emergency plan).

•The information, instruction and training you have identified that people need and how it will be given.

For further information see Part 2.

You may also wish to record discussions you have had with staff or staff representatives (including trade unions).

Even where you are not required to record the significant findings of your risk assessment, it is good practice to do so.

In some very simple premises record keeping may be no more than a few sheets of paper (possibly forming part of a health and safety folder), containing details of significant findings, any action taken and a copy of the emergency plan.

The record could take the form of a simple list which may be supported by a simple plan of the premises (see Figure 12).

In larger and more complex premises, it is best to keep a dedicated record including details of significant findings, any action taken, a copy of the emergency plan, maintenance of fire-protection equipment and training. There is no one ‘correct’ format specified for this. Further guidance is given in Part 2, Section 7.1.

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You must be able to satisfy the enforcing authority, if called upon to do so, that you have carried out a suitable and sufficient

fire risk assessment

. Keeping records will help you do this and will also form the basis of your subsequent reviews. If you keep records, you do not need to record all the details, only those that are significant and the action you have taken.

It might be helpful to include a simple line drawing to illustrate your fire precautions. This can also help you check your fire precautions as part of your ongoing review.

Figure 12: Example of a line drawing showing general fire safety precautions

The findings of your fire risk assessment will help you to develop your emergency plan, the instruction, information and training you need to provide, the co-operation and co-ordination arrangements you may need to have with other responsible people and the arrangements for maintenance and testing of the fire precautions. If you are required to record the significant findings of your fire risk assessment then these arrangements must also be recorded.

Further guidance about fire safety records with an example is given in Part 2, Section 7.1.

Checklist

•Have you recorded the significant findings of your assessment?

•Have you recorded what you have done to remove or reduce the risk?

•Are your records available for inspection by the enforcing authority?

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4.2Emergency plans

You need to have an emergency plan for dealing with any fire situation. The purpose of an emergency plan is to ensure that your staff know what to do if there is a fire and that the premises can be safely evacuated.

If you or your organisation employ five or more people, or your premises are licensed or an alterations notice requiring it is in force, then details of your emergency plan must be recorded. Even if it is not required, it is good practice to keep a record.

Your emergency plan should be based on the outcome of your fire risk assessment and be available for your employees, their representatives (where appointed) and the enforcing authority. There is likely to be a requirement for different procedures before and during a performance.

In very simple premises the emergency plan may be no more than a fire action notice.

In multi-occupied, larger and more complex premises, the emergency plan will need to be more detailed and compiled only after consultation with other occupiers and other responsible people, e.g. owners, who have control over the building. In most cases this means that your plan should be part of an emergency plan covering the whole building. It will help if you can agree on one person to co-ordinate this task.

Further guidance on emergency plans is given in Part 2, Section 7.2.

Checklist

•Do you have an emergency plan and, where necessary, have you recorded the details?

•Does your plan take account of other emergency plans applicable to the same building?

•Is the plan readily available for staff to read?

•Is the emergency plan available to the enforcing authority?

4.3Inform, instruct, co-operate and co-ordinate

You must give clear and relevant information and appropriate instructions to your staff and the employers of other people working in your premises, such as contractors, about how to prevent fires and what they should do if there is a fire.

If you intend to employ a child, you must inform the parents of the significant risks you have identified and the precautions you have taken. You must also co-operate and co-ordinate with other responsible people who use any part of the premises. It is unlikely that your emergency plan will work without this.

Information and instruction

All staff should be given information and instruction as soon as possible after they are appointed and regularly after that. Make sure you include staff (including part- time staff) who work outside normal working hours, such as contract cleaners or

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All other relevant persons should be given information about the fire safety arrangements as soon as possible, e.g. performers. Information should be available for the public, e.g. fire action notices.

The information and instructions you give must be in a form that can be used and understood. They should take account of those with disabilities such as hearing or sight impairment, those with learning difficulties and those who do not use English as their first language.

The information and instruction you give should be based on your emergency plan and must include:

• the significant findings from your

fire risk assessment

;

•the measures that you have put in place to reduce the risk;

•what staff should do if there is a fire;

•the identity of people you have nominated with responsibilities for fire safety; and

•any special arrangements for serious and imminent danger to persons from fire.

In simple premises (e.g. comprising a single auditorium with no upper level or balconies with separate means of escape, seating up to 300 people), where no significant risks have been identified and there are limited numbers of staff, information and instruction may simply involve an explanation of the fire procedures and how they are to be applied. This should include showing staff the fire-protection arrangements, including the designated escape routes, the location and operation of the fire-warning system and any other fire-safety equipment provided, such as fire extinguishers. Fire action notices can complement this information and, where used, should be posted in prominent locations.

In complex premises, particularly those in multi-occupied buildings, you should ensure that written instructions are given to people who have been nominated to carry out a designated safety task, such as calling the fire and rescue service or checking that exit doors are available for use at the start of each working day.

Further guidance on information and instruction to staff and on working with dangerous substances is given in Part 2, Section 7.3.

Co-operation and co-ordination

In premises that are not multi-occupied you are likely to be solely responsible. However, in buildings owned by someone else, or where there is more than one occupier, and others are responsible for different parts of the building, it is important that you liaise with them and inform them of any significant risks that you have identified. By liaising you can co-ordinate your resources to ensure that your actions and working practices do not place others at risk if there is a fire, and a co-ordinated emergency plan operates effectively.

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Where two or more responsible persons share premises in which an explosive atmosphere may occur, the responsible person with overall responsibility for the premises must co-ordinate any measures necessary to protect everyone from any risk that may arise.⁸ Employees also have a responsibility to co-operate with their employer so far as it is necessary to help the employer comply with any legal duty.

Further guidance on co-operation and co-ordination is given in Part 2, Section 7.3.

4.4Fire safety training

You must provide adequate fire safety training for your staff. The type of training should be based on the particular features of your premises and should:

•take account of the findings of the fire risk assessment;

•explain your emergency procedures;

•take account of the work activity and explain the duties and responsibilities of staff;

•take place during normal working hours and be repeated periodically where appropriate;

•be easily understandable by your staff and other people who may be present; and

•be tested by fire drills.

In simple premises this may be no more than showing new staff the fire exits and giving basic training on what to do if there is a fire. In more complex premises

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(e.g. those with more than one auditorium and those with upper tiers, levels and balconies with separate means of escape) and/or with a high staff turnover and many shift patterns, the organisation of fire safety training will need to be planned.

Your staff training should include the following:

•causes of fire and how to prevent them;

•what to do on discovering a fire;

•how to raise the alarm and what happens then;

•what to do upon hearing the fire alarm (including lowering the safety curtain, if you have one);

•the procedures for alerting members of the public and visitors including, where appropriate, directing them to exits;

•the arrangements for calling the fire and rescue service;

•the evacuation procedures for everyone (including the public and contractors) in your premises to reach an assembly point at a place of total safety;

•the location and, when appropriate, the use of firefighting equipment;

•the location of escape routes, especially those not in regular use;

•how to open all emergency exit doors;

•the importance of keeping fire doors closed to prevent the spread of fire, heat and smoke;

•where appropriate, how to stop machines and processes and isolate power supplies in the event of a fire;

• the reason for not using lifts (except those specifically installed or nominated, following a suitable

fire risk assessment

, for the evacuation of people with a disability);

•the safe use of and risks from storing or working with highly flammable and explosive substances;

•the importance of general fire safety, which includes good housekeeping; and

•testing the effectiveness of your training by periodic fire drills.

All the staff identified in your emergency plan that have a supervisory role if there is a fire (e.g. heads of department, fire marshals or wardens and, in more complex premises, fire parties or teams), should be given details of your fire risk assessment and receive additional training.

Further guidance on training and how to carry out a fire drill is given in Part 2, Section 7.4.

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Checklist

•Have your staff received fire safety training?

•Have you carried out a fire drill recently?

•Are employees aware of specific tasks if there is a fire?

•Are you maintaining a record of training sessions?

•Do you carry out joint training and fire drills in multi-occupied buildings?

•If you use or store hazardous or explosive substances have your staff received appropriate training?

•Have you trained and rehearsed staff in the procedures for raising the alarm and how staff are to be alerted?

STEP 5 REVIEW

You should constantly monitor what you are doing to implement the fire risk assessment, to assess how effectively the risk is being controlled.

If you have any reason to suspect that your fire risk assessment is no longer valid or there has been a significant change in your premises that has affected your fire precautions, you will need to review your assessment and if necessary revise it. Reasons for review could include:

•changes to work activities or the way that you organise them, including the introduction of new equipment;

•production changes;

•alterations to the building, including the internal layout;

•substantial changes to scenery and equipment, furniture and fixings;

•the introduction, change of use or increase in the storage of hazardous substances;

•the failure of fire precautions, e.g. fire-detection systems and alarm systems, life safety sprinklers or ventilation systems, safety curtain or drenchers;

•significant changes to displays or quantities of stock;

•a significant increase in the number of people present (compared with the normal average attendance); and

•a significant increase in the number of people with some form of disability present (compared with the usual average attendance).

You should consider the potential risk of any significant change before it is introduced. It is usually more effective to minimise a risk before introducing it to your premises, e.g. arranging appropriate storage for a large quantity of scenery material that is being brought into the building.

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Do not amend your assessment for every trivial change, but if a change introduces new hazards you should consider them and, if significant, do whatever you need to do to keep the risks under control. In any case you should keep your assessment under review to make sure that the precautions are still working effectively. You may want to re-examine the fire prevention and protection measures at the same time as your health and safety assessment.

If a fire or ‘near miss’ occurs, this could indicate that your existing assessment may be inadequate and you should carry out a re-assessment. It is good practice to identify the cause of any incident and then review and, if necessary, revise your

fire risk assessment

in the light of this.

Records of testing, maintenance and training etc. are useful aids in a review process. See Appendix A.1 for an example.

Alteration notices

If you have been served with an ‘alterations notice’ check it to see whether you need to notify the enforcing authority about any changes you propose to make as a result of your review. If these changes include building work, you should also consult a building control body.

END OF PART 1

You should now have completed the five-step fire risk assessment process, using the additional information in Part 2 where necessary. In any review you may need to revisit Steps 1 to 4.

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assessment and fire precautions

More detailed technical information on fire precautions in theatres, cinemas, concerthalls and similar premises may be found in the Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.⁸⁷ Should you wish to call upon the recommendations in this standard then they should be applied flexibly as part of your risk assessment.

Managing fire safety

Good management of fire safety in your premises is essential to ensure that any fire safety matters that arise are always effectively addressed. In simple premises this can be achieved by the manager or owner maintaining and planning fire safety in conjunction with general health and safety.

In larger premises it is good practice for a senior manager to have overall responsibility for fire safety. It may be appropriate for this responsibility to be placed with the manager designated with overall responsibility for health and safety.

An organisation’s fire safety policy should be flexible enough to allow modification. This is particularly important when local managers have to function daily with other businesses in the same building. It should be recognised that fire safety operates at all levels within an organisation and therefore local managers should be able to develop, where necessary, a local action plan for their premises.

The organisation’s policy should be set out in writing and may cover such things as:

•who will hold the responsibility for fire safety at board level;

•who will be the responsible person for each of their premises (this will be the person who has overall control, usually the manager, but may be a part-time or shift manager) – in premises licensed for the sale of alcohol, this may be the licence holder;

•the arrangement whereby those responsible for fire safety will, where necessary, nominate in writing specific people to carry out particular tasks if there is a fire; and

•arrangements to monitor and check that individual persons responsible for fire safety are meeting the requirements of the fire safety law.

You should have a plan of action to bring together all the features you have evaluated and noted from your fire risk assessment so that you can logically plan what needs to be done. It should not be confused with the emergency plan, which is a statement of what you will do if there is a fire.

The plan of action should include what you intend to do to reduce the hazards and risks you have identified and to implement the necessary protection measures.

You will need to prioritise these actions to ensure that any findings which identify people in immediate danger are dealt with straight away, e.g. unlocking fire exits. In other cases where people are not in immediate danger but action is still necessary, it may be acceptable to plan this over a period of time.

You (or a designated manager) should be in charge of and be present on the premises during the whole time that the premises are open to the public and kept free from work which would prevent you from being available immediately in the event of an alarm of fire.

Before admitting the public to your premises you need to ensure that all of your fire safety provisions are in place and in working order, or, if not, that alternative arrangements are in place. Constant checks are needed while the public are present, and again after they have left. Detailed recommendations are given in BS 5588-12.⁵¹

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It is important that the manager ensures that where, for operational reasons, staff are transferred to another part of the premises, they are made aware of the means of escape and fire procedures of the new work area (including any additional responsibilities) if this differs from their permanent duty station.

For theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises, the fire and rescue service should be called to every outbreak of fire.

The guidance in Part 2 provides additional information to:

•ensure good fire safety management by helping you establish your fire prevention measures, fire precautions and fire safety procedures (systems equipment and plans); and

•assist you to carry out your fire safety risk assessment and identify any issues that need attention.

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Section 1 Further guidance on fire risks

and preventative measures

This section provides further information on evaluating the risk of a fire and its prevention in your premises. You should spend time developing long-term workable and effective strategies to reduce hazards and the risk of a fire starting. At its simplest this means separating flammable materials from ignition sources.

You should consider:

•housekeeping;

•storage;

•dangerous substances – storage and use (including pyrotechnics and nitrocellulose film);

•equipment and machinery;

•electrical safety;

•smoking;

•managing building work and alterations;

•existing layout and construction;

•particular hazards in corridors and stairways used as escape routes;

•insulated core panels;

•restricting the spread of fire and smoke;

•arson; and

•help for people with special needs.

1.1Housekeeping

Good housekeeping will lower the chances of a fire starting so the accumulation of combustible materials in all premises should be monitored carefully. Good housekeeping is essential to reduce the chances of escape routes and fire doors being blocked or obstructed.

Figure 13: Bins under stairway (courtesy of Cheshire fire and rescue service)

Refuse The accumulation of waste and litter (such as programmes and food and drink packaging, wood shavings and textile offcuts) should be avoided. All parts of the premises should therefore be regularly checked before, during and after each performance or period open to the public. Any accumulation of waste or litter (including in bins) should be removed without delay or kept in a fire-resistant container or room, pending removal.

Sufficient waste and litter bins should be provided and arrangements made for their frequent emptying.

Keep waste material in suitable containers before it is removed from the premises. If bins, particularly wheeled bins, are used outside, secure them in a compound to prevent them being moved to a position next to the building and set on fire. Never place skips against a building (Figure 13). They should normally be a minimum of 6m away from any part of the premises.

If you generate a considerable quantity of combustible waste material then you may need to develop a formal plan to manage this effectively.

In high risk areas you need to make sure arrangements are in place for safe close down, e.g. checking all appliances are turned off and combustible waste has been removed.

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1.2Storage

Many of the materials found in your premises will be combustible. If your premises have inadequate or poorly managed storage areas then the risk of fire is likely to be increased (see Figure 14). The more combustible materials you store the greater the source of fuel for a fire. Poorly arranged storage could prevent equipment such as sprinklers working effectively.

Combustible materials are not just those generally regarded as highly combustible, such as polystyrene, but all materials that will readily catch fire. However, by carefully considering the type of material, the quantities kept and the storage arrangements, the risks can be significantly reduced.

Figure 14: An example of poor storage

Stacks of combustible materials (e.g. seating or props) or, in the scene dock, the retention of large quantities of timber), can increase the fire hazard. Such readily available combustible material makes the potential effect of arson more serious.

Many premises will take great care to present an efficient and attractive image in the public areas, while storage areas are neglected and allowed to become dumping areas for unused material.

Do not pile combustible material against electrical equipment or heaters, even if turned off for the summer, and do not allow smoking in areas where combustible materials are stored.

To reduce the risk, store excess materials in a dedicated storage area, storeroom or cupboard. Do not store excess materials in areas where the public would normally have access.

Consider how materials are stored and evaluate any additional risk of fire that they generate.

Your fire risk assessment should also consider any additional risk generated by seasonal products such as Christmas decorations or temporary display stands.

Consider the following to reduce these risks:

•ensure storage and display areas are adequately controlled and monitored;

•use fire-retardant display materials wherever possible (suppliers should be able to provide evidence of this); and

•ensure electrical lighting used on stage or in displays is unlikely to become a source of ignition.

Furnishings, upholstered seating and cushions, costumes and props When stored in bulk, certain types of upholstered seating, cushioning and foam used in props pose a risk of a rapid fire growth and should therefore be stored in a fire-resisting container or room. Care should be exercised with storage of old furniture which may not meet modern standards of flame retardancy.

Voids Voids (including roof voids and voids under seating) should not be used for the storage of combustible material. Such voids should be sealed off or kept entirely open to allow easy access for inspection.

Scenery store, storage enclosures and open stage storage Because scenery often comprises combustible materials, you need to take particular care with the storage of scenery and, in particular storage, on an open stage. Similar care is needed with costumes, especially in large quantities.

Only materials which you know are not combustible should be stored on an open stage; otherwise such materials should be stored in a 30-minute fire-resisting storage enclosure when they are not in current use. If in doubt you should seek specialist advice.

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You need to take particular care with the storage of scenery. Although metal scenery and inherently and durably treated textiles are not readily combustible, treated fabrics may lose their flame retardancy unless it is renewed regularly. When not in current use, combustible scenery should be stored away from the stage in a purpose-designed scenery store. Doors or shutters should be secured closed whilst the public are present except when in use.

1.3Dangerous substances: storage, display and use

Specific precautions are required when handling and storing dangerous substances to minimise the possibility of an incident. Your supplier should be able to provide detailed advice on safe storage and handling, however, the following principles will help you reduce the risk from fire:

•substitute highly flammable substances and materials with less flammable ones;

•reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to the smallest reasonable amount necessary for running the business or organisation;

•correctly store dangerous substances, e.g. in a fire-resisting enclosure. All flammable liquids and gases should ideally be locked away in a secure well-ventilated area, especially when the premises are unoccupied, to reduce the chance of them being used in an arson attack; and

•ensure that you and your employees are aware of the fire risk the dangerous substances present and the precautions necessary to avoid danger.

Additional general fire precautions may be needed to take account of the additional risks that may be posed by the storage and use of these substances.

Certain substances and materials are, by their nature, highly flammable, oxidising or potentially explosive. These substances are controlled by other legislation in addition to fire safety law, in particular the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002⁷ (also see the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice and guidance⁸) and also the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations.⁸⁸

Case study

A chief electrician in a theatre ordering equipment for the Christmas pantomime with a run of 14 weeks realised that he would need to store quite a large quantity of pyrotechnics. After looking at the Dangerous Substances Regulations he decided that it would be safer to have the pyrotechnic supplies delivered every week and thus reduce the hazard on the premises. Supplies would be stored in an enclosure in accordance with the HSE Code of Practice.

Flammable liquids Highly flammable liquids present a particularly high fire risk. For example, a leak from a container of flammable solvents, such as acetone, may produce large quantities of heavier-than-air flammable vapours. These can travel large distances, increasing the likelihood of their reaching a source of ignition well away from the original leak, such as a basement containing heating plant and/or electrical equipment on automatic timers. Flammable liquids stored in plastic containers can be a particular problem if involved in fire because they readily melt, spilling their contents and fuelling rapid fire growth.

The risk is reduced by ensuring the storage and use of highly flammable liquids is carefully managed, that materials contaminated with solvent are properly disposed of (see Figure 15) and when not in use, they are safely stored. Up to 50 litres may be stored in a fire-resisting cabinet or bin that will contain any leaks (see Figure 16).

Figure 15: A fire-resisting pedal bin for rags

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Figure 16: A 50-litre flammable storage bin

There should be no potential ignition sources in areas where flammable substances are used or stored and flammable concentrations of vapours may be present. Any electrical equipment used in these areas, including fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, needs to be suitable for use in flammable atmospheres. In such situations, it is recommended that you seek advice from a competent person.

Particular care may be needed if flammable substances are used to repair film in enclosed spaces such as projection rooms or rewinding rooms.

LPG storage Where LPG in cylinders or cartridges is present, you need to take particular care to minimise the possibility of its involvement in a fire. The total amount of LPG should be kept to the minimum necessary to meet your needs. Keep LPG cylinders, both full and empty, separate from other flammable materials, in a safe and secure location, either in the open air or in a properly constructed and adequately ventilated store room.

Where there are retail premises within the building, holding LPG cylinders and cartridges, the maximum stock should not exceed 70kg, which should be kept upright in a safe place where they cannot be interfered with, and away from stairways, exit doors and places where they might obstruct means of escape.

Stock in excess of 70kg should be kept in a properly designed and located storage area away from the building, or in a building that is dedicated for LPG. Advice on the use of LPG for heating is given in Section 1.4.

Bulk storage tanks and bulk cylinder stores should be designed, installed and located in accordance with industry guidance.

Further guidance on the safe storage of LPG is available from your supplier or the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association’s Code of Practice.⁹

Piping Piping conveying gas or flammable liquid should be, as far as practicable, of rigid metal. Any necessary flexible piping should consist of material suitable for the gas or liquid being conveyed; it should be adequately reinforced to resist crushing and withstand the maximum internal pressure to which it may be subjected. Any connections to the flexible piping should be of an approved pattern (i.e. screwed or otherwise secured with a patent design device to prevent accidental disconnection). If in doubt you you should seek advice from a competent person.

Storage and use of cylinders Only those compressed gas cylinders or gas vessels containing flammable liquids or gas under pressure required for immediate use should be kept within the premises. Any spare cylinders should be stored in a safe and secure location outside the building away from public areas. Refer to the Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment⁸⁷ for more information.

Hazardous materials Where it is necessary to use hazardous materials, such as fuels (whether in containers or within fuel tanks and machinery), fertilisers, weed killers, paints or gas cylinders, they should be stored in a secure and safe location, for example a properly ventilated fire-resistant store room. Care should also be taken to ensure that incompatible materials are not stored together. If in any doubt you should seek the advice of your supplier.

Explosives and flammable substances, pyrotechnics and special effects You should adopt and enforce a clear policy prohibiting people from bringing flares or fireworks into the premises.

Explosive or highly flammable substances, pyrotechnics, special effects and firearms should only be brought onto the premises under specified and monitored conditions.

Pyrotechnics intended for use in the open air should not be used inside your premises.

Pyrotechnics should only be used by a person(s) who is trained and competent to handle them.

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All pyrotechnics and similar substances must be operated safely and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. ‘Home-made’ pyrotechnics or those with a doubtful origin should not be used.

Issues that need to be considered include:

•siting of the pyrotechnic devices;

•type of firing device to be employed;

•use of bomb tanks;

•storage, storage receptacles and enclosures; and

•general safety and security.

Detailed recommendations on the use and storage of explosives and flammable substances are given by the Association of British Theatre Technicians52,89 and the HSE.⁵³

Real flame Real flame (including candles) should not be used in an entertainment unless your risk assessment shows that it can be done safely. Where real flame is used, a trained member of your staff (the duty fire officer, if there is one) should monitor the activity and have an appropriate fire extinguisher readily available.

Smoke and vapour effects, lasers and strobes, firearms and fire effects Such equipment should be operated safely and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. The recommendations regarding the use of pyrotechnics (see above), equipment and machinery and electrical safety should be applied as appropriate. However, such devices can create an illusion of the presence of fire (and/or smoke) and consequently some additional measures (such as heightened staff awareness) may need to be taken to avoid unnecessary alarm and also to ensure that the use of such devices does not disguise the presence of a real fire.

When smoke effects are in use it may be necessary to isolate the smoke detectors in the area to prevent false alarms. Isolation should be carefully controlled to limit both the area and the duration of isolation.

Detailed recommendations on the use of smoke and vapour effects, lasers and strobes and firearms are given by the HSE.⁵³

Premises licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 may have conditions prohibiting or restricting the use of explosives, flammable substances, real flame, smoke and vapour effects, lasers and strobes or firearms. You may need to consult the local licensing authority on this matter.

1.4Equipment and machinery

Lack of preventative maintenance increases the risk of fire starting in machinery.

Common causes of fire in equipment are:

•misuse or lack of maintenance of cooking equipment and appliances;

•allowing ventilation points to become clogged or blocked, causing overheating;

•allowing extraction equipment in catering environments to build up excessive grease deposits;

•loose drive belts or lack of lubrication leading to increased friction;

•disabling or interfering with automatic or manual safety features and cut-outs; and

•leaking valves, glands or joints allowing oils and other flammable liquids to contaminate adjacent floors or goods.

Competent person(s) should adequately and regularly maintain machinery, equipment and plant, including suspended (flown) equipment, projectors and rewinders, cooking and heating equipment, and office equipment such as photocopiers. Appropriate signs and instructions on safe use may be necessary.

Suspension equipment can be a particular problem as it may fall down during a fire. Equipment and constructions in grids and galleries (e.g. lighting galleries and perches) should be as far as practicable non-combustible, i.e. metal. In general, all lighting equipment suspensions should be of wire rope or chain. Grids and galleries may be made of timber of substantial size.

Firefighters should be alerted to any suspended scenery or equipment which could fall during a fire.

Heating Individual heating appliances require particular care if they are to be used safely, particularly those which are kept for supplementary

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heating during severe weather. The greatest risks arise from lack of maintenance and staff unfamiliarity with them. Heaters should be secured in position when in use and fitted with a fire guard if appropriate.

As a general rule, convector or fan heaters should be preferred to radiant heaters because they present a lower risk of fire and injury. The following rules should be observed:

•All heaters should be kept well clear of combustible materials and where they do not cause an obstruction.

•Heaters which burn a fuel should be sited away from draughts.

•Portable fuel burning heaters (including LPG or bottled gas) should only be used in public areas in exceptional circumstances, when the public are not present, and if shown to be acceptable in your risk assessment.

All gas heating appliances should be used only in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and should be serviced annually by a competent person.

In general, staff should be discouraged from bringing in their own portable heaters and other electrical equipment (e.g. kettles) into the premises.

1.5Electrical safety

Poorly installed and maintained electrical installations and equipment can be a significant cause of accidental fires in theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises. The main causes are:

•overheating cables and equipment e.g. due to overloading circuits, bunched or coiled cables or impaired cooling fans;

•incorrect installation or use of equipment;

•damaged or inadequate insulation on cables or wiring;

•combustible materials being placed too close to electrical equipment which may give off heat even when operating normally or may become hot due to a fault;

•arcing or sparking by electrical equipment; and

•lack of maintenance or testing.

All electrical equipment should be installed and maintained in a safe manner by a competent person. If portable electrical equipment is used, including items brought into a workplace by staff, then your fire risk assessment should ensure that it is visually inspected and undergoes portable appliance testing (‘PAT’) at intervals suitable for the type of equipment and its frequency of use (see guidance by Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT)⁹¹ and HSE guidance¹⁰). If you have any doubt about the safety of your electrical installation then you should consult a competent electrician.

Issues to consider include:

•overloading of equipment;

•correct fuse ratings;

•PAT testing and testing of the fixed installation;

•protection against overloading of installation;

•protection against short circuit;

•insulation, earthing and electrical isolation requirements;

•frequency of electrical inspection and test;

•temperature rating and mechanical strength of flexible cables;

•portable electrical equipment, including lanterns;

•ventilation of equipment;

•physical environment in which the equipment is used (e.g. wet or dusty atmospheres); and

•suitable use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

All electrical installations should be regularly inspected by a competent electrical engineer appointed by you, or on your behalf, in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations (EAW Regulations).⁵⁵ The use of low voltage equipment should conform to the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations,⁵⁶ including the requirement to be CE marked.

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Generators, transformers and heat producing equipment Electricity generating plant and main supply transformers should be placed in a room which is not used by the public, and does not communicate directly with any other part of the building to which the public are admitted, and which is of fire-resisting construction throughout (except where there are windows, skylights and openings communicating directly with the open air).

Guards for lamps, luminaires, etc. Guards may be necessary to prevent luminaires and other apparatus which is liable to become hot from coming into contact with combustible material. Luminaires should generally comply with the relevant parts of BS 4533-1.⁹⁰ Luminaires and other equipment that may reach high temperatures should be spaced well away from any combustible material such as curtains or drapes so as to avoid any risk of fire. Where necessary a non-combustible guard should be fitted to prevent any combustible material touching the equipment.

1.6Smoking

Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials are major causes of fire. A cigarette can smoulder for several hours, especially when surrounded by combustible material. Many fires are started several hours after the smoking materials have been emptied into waste bags and left for future disposal.

Operate a safe smoking policy in the designated smoking area and prohibit smoking elsewhere. Display suitable signs throughout the premises informing people of the smoking policy and the locations where smoking is permitted. You may wish to make public address announcements about your smoking policy.

You should adopt and enforce a clear policy on smoking, for both staff and the public. Stewards and safety personnel should not smoke while on duty. Smoking should be discouraged or even prohibited in those parts of the premises which are constructed of, or contain, combustible or flammable items or materials (e.g. stands or displays), and prohibited in back-stage areas where there are combustible scenery, drapes, costumes or properties.

In those areas where smoking is permitted, provide deep and substantial metal ashtrays to help prevent unsuitable containers being used. Empty all ashtrays daily into a metal waste bin and take it outside. It is dangerous to empty ashtrays into plastic waste sacks which are then left inside for disposal later.

Where smoking on stage is required by the performance, this should be adequately monitored.

1.7Managing building work and alterations

Fires are more frequent when buildings are undergoing refurbishment or alteration.

You should ensure that, before any building work starts, you have reviewed the fire risk assessment and considered what additional dangers are likely to be introduced. You will need to evaluate the additional risks to people, particularly in those buildings that continue to be occupied. Lack of pre-planning can lead to haphazard co-ordination of fire safety measures.

You should liaise and exchange information with contractors who will also have a duty under the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 199611, 12 to carry out a risk assessment and inform you of their significant findings and the preventive measures they may employ. This may be supported by the contractors’ agreed work method statement. The designer should also have considered fire safety as part of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (the CDM Regulations).⁵⁷

You should continuously monitor the impact of the building work on the general fire safety precautions, such as the increased risk from quantities of combustible materials and accumulated waste and maintaining adequate means of escape. You should only allow the minimum materials necessary for the work in hand within or adjacent to your building.

Additional risks can include:

•hot work such as flame cutting, soldering, welding or paint stripping;

•temporary electrical equipment;

•additional fire load;

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•blocking of escape routes including external escape routes;

•introduction of combustibles into an escape route;

•loss of normal storage facilities;

•fire safety equipment, such as automatic fire-detection systems, becoming affected;

•fire-resisting partitions being breached or fire doors being wedged open (see Appendix B1 for information on fire-resisting separation); and

•additional personnel who may be unfamiliar with the premises.

Activities such as welding, flame cutting, use of blow lamps or portable grinding equipment can pose a serious fire hazard and need to be strictly controlled when carried out in areas near flammable materials. This can be done by having a written permit to work for the people involved (whether they are your employees or those of the contractor).¹²

A permit to work is appropriate in situations of high hazard/risk and, for example, where there is a need to:

•ensure that there is a formal check confirming that a safe system of work is being followed;

•co-ordinate with other people or activities;

•provide time limits when it is safe to carry out the work; and

•provide specialised personal protective equipment (such as breathing apparatus) or methods of communication.

You must notify the fire and rescue service about alterations in the premises if an alterations notice is in force.

Further guidance on fire safety during 58,59 construction work is available from the HSE and the Fire Protection Association.⁶⁰

1.8Existing layout and construction

Traditionally, occupants are advised to shut doors when escaping from a fire but in open- plan areas there are few doors to shut. In these areas the fire, and especially the smoke, may spread faster than expected.

To assess the risk in your premises you need to evaluate the construction and layout of your building. This does not mean a structural survey, unless you suspect that the structure is damaged or any structural fire protection is missing or damaged, but rather an informed look around to see if there are any easy paths through which smoke and fire may spread and what you can do to stop that. In general, older buildings will have more void areas, possibly hidden from view, which will allow smoke and fire to spread away from its source. Whatever your type of building, you may need to consider typical situations that may assist the spread of fire and smoke such as:

•vertical shafts, e.g. open stairways, dumb waiters or holes for moving stock around;

•the open area formed by the auditorium, stage, flies and associated areas;

•false ceilings, especially if they are not fire- stopped above walls;

•voids behind wall panelling;

•voids forming, or formed by, sound proofing;

•unsealed holes in walls and ceilings where pipe work, cables or other services have been installed; and

•doors, particularly to stairways, which are ill-fitting or routinely left open.

1.9Particular hazards in corridors and stairways used as escape routes

Items that are a source of fuel, pose an ignition risk, or are combustible and likely to increase the fire loading or spread of fire, should not be located on any corridor, stairway or other circulation space that will be used as an escape route. Such items include:

•portable heaters, e.g. LPG (bottled gas) or electric radiant heaters and electric convectors or boilers;

•gas cylinders for supplying heaters;

•cooking appliances; and

•unenclosed gas pipes, meters, and other fittings.

However, where more than one escape route is available and depending on the findings of your risk assessment, items such as those

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below may be acceptable if the minimum exit widths are maintained and the item presents a relatively low fire risk:

•non-combustible lockers;

•vending machines;

•small items of electrical equipment (e.g. photocopiers); and

•small coat racks and/or small quantities of upholstered furniture which meets BS 7176⁸³ or the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.⁶⁴

You should consider whether the escape route(s) will be used by staff, performers or the public.

1.10Insulated core panels

Some buildings have insulated core panels (see Figure 17) as exterior cladding or for internal structures and partitions. Insulated core panels are easily constructed, which enables alterations and additional internal partitions to be erected with minimum disruption to business.

They normally consist of a central insulated core, sandwiched between an inner and outer metal skin. The central core can be made of various insulating materials, ranging from virtually non-combustible through to highly combustible. Fire can grow unnoticed in the core and only become apparent when it is well developed.

Figure 17: Insulated core panels – internal panel

It is difficult to identifty the type of core the panels have, therefore best practice can help you reduce any additional risk.

•Do not store highly combustible materials, or install heating appliances, such as baking ovens, against the panels.

•Control ignition sources that are adjacent to, or penetrating the panels.

•Have damaged panels or sealed joints repaired immediately and make sure that jointing compounds or gaskets used around the edges of the panels are in good order.

•Check where openings have been made for doors, windows, cables and ducts that these have been effectively sealed and the inner core has not been exposed.

•Ensure there has been no mechanical damage, e.g. caused by mobile equipment.

•Ensure that loads are supported by such panels only if they have been designed and installed to perform this function.

•Check that inner and outer skins are adhering tightly to the core.

The use of combustible panels in areas of buildings with a high life risk, e.g. where large numbers of people are present, should be carefully considered. Your fire risk assessment may need to be revised to ensure that any increased risk resulting from this type of construction is accounted for.

The potential for fire development involving mineral fibre cores is less than that for panels containing polymeric cores. Therefore in areas where there is a considerable life risk, it may be appropriate to: consider replacing combustible panels; provide a fire suppression system; or install non-combustible fire breaks within or between the panels at suitable intervals.

Insulated core panels should be installed by a competent person in accordance with industry guidance.⁶³

1.11Restricting the spread of fire and smoke

To reduce the risk to people if there is a fire, you need to consider how to control or restrict the spread of fire and smoke. The majority of people who die in fires are overcome by the smoke and gases.

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Case study

Technicians realised that whenever there was a TV outside broadcast from the theatre many cables were run throughout the building, causing fire doors to be left open. Even though the public were not present, staff, performers and the invited audience were at risk as smoke could spread easily. Protected hatches were installed to by pass the need to leave doors open and to provide more direct access for cabling. To ensure that the cable routes did not themselves present a smoke hazard, top-hung flaps and intumescent bags were provided. As intumescent stopping will not prevent the spread of flame in the early stages of a fire, sand bags were also provided for packing around the cables to ensure that the necessary protection was maintained.

It is important to ensure that, in the event of fire, the rate of fire growth is restricted in its early stages. It should also be noted that most measures which restrict the rate of fire growth in its early stages will also serve to restrict the fire spread in its later stages.

Roofs Where the roofs of buildings are close together or connected to each other, flame or smoke can easily spread. This risk may be reduced by fire prevention measures, or by fire separation. For some roof configurations, venting systems may offer a means of reducing the spread of fire (including the movement of flames under the roof) and the spread of smoke and toxic gases. Specialist advice should be sought on whether venting systems would be advantageous in a particular case. Where a roof contains combustible materials these should be replaced by non-combustible materials; where this is not practicable, the roof should be lined with non- combustible board.

Catering facilities Wherever possible, any extensive catering facilities, particularly those with deep fat fryers, should be located in seperate buildings. If located within other buildings they should be separated from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction and provided with adequate ventilation. Where flues pass through any part of the structure, they should be protected by fire-resisting construction, and the flue should terminate at a point where

emissions can disperse in the open air. Where fire shutters are used these should be capable of operating both manually and by fusible link. Where a fire detection and warning system is installed, the fire shutter should also be designed to close on the activation of the system. Any automatic shutter should operate via a controlled geared mechanism.

Flues, extract ducting and filters should be cleaned regularly.

Combustible contents Your premises will contain a range of combustible contents. All materials used in finishing and furnishing the premises should, as far as reasonably practicable, be difficult to ignite and provide a low surface spread of flame and low rates of heat release and smoke emission.

These are likely to include:

•costumes, scenery and props used for stage presentations;

•furnishings, upholstered seating, furniture and cushions;

•curtains, drapes and other textile hangings;

•artificial and dried foliage;

•decorative textile fabrics (e.g. on the stage); and

•items containing cellular foam, e.g. props.

The use of properties, furnishings and other materials which are easily ignited or have rapid spread of flame characteristics should be avoided.

All fabrics, curtains, drapes and similar features should either be non-combustible or be of durably or inherently flame-retardant fabric. Any fabrics used in escape routes, other than foyers, entertainment areas or function rooms should be non combustible. Drapes and curtains should not be provided across escape routes or exits.

You should note that materials treated with flame-retardant treatments may have a limited ‘wash life’ before the effectiveness of the flame-retardant is diminished. To maintain the protection you should follow the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions.

Similarly, scenery and properties used for stage presentations often comprise combustible

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materials, so you need to take particular care with their use and, in particular, when they are on an open stage. You should seek to only use materials which you know are not combustible.

Upholstered seating, carpets and other textile floor coverings and underlays should be resistant to ignition.

Specifications for the fire performance and testing of furniture and furnishings can be found in the following standards:

•ignitability of upholstered furniture (including composites of cover material and infill) and loose covers: BS 5852;⁸²

•resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic use: BS 7176⁸³ fabric type B;

•flammability of fabrics for curtains and drapes (including nets and linings): BS 5867-2;⁶⁶

•burning behaviour (ignitability and flame spread) of curtains and drapes: BS EN 1101 84 85 (igntability) and BS EN 1102 (flame spread); and

•assessment and labelling of textile floor 92 coverings: BS 5287 (‘low’).

Antique furniture is not likely to meet these requirements but flame retardancy treatments or providing (temporary) coverings may reduce the risk.

Where curtains, drapes and hangings are temporarily installed, for instance for a play with a limited run of three months, temporarily flame-retarded fabrics are acceptable provided checks are made to ensure that the treatment is maintained.

Foam for props and similar equipment should ideally contain only combustion modified high resilience foam. Further guidance is available in 83 67

BS 7176 and BS 1892-2.

If in doubt you should seek specialist advice concerning the treatments and tests for these materials which can reduce their flammability and/or combustibility.

Decorations and display materials You should evaluate what material could ignite first and what would cause the fire to develop and spread, and assess how materials used in temporary or permanent displays would interact with surface linings and position them accordingly.

In particular, displays such as paper, textiles, Christmas decorations and trees or other flimsy materials should not be located in stairways or corridors. However, such materials may be acceptable in other locations if treated with an appropriate fire-retardant product.

Staff information should be confined to appropriately located display boards in areas away from escape routes. Display boards may be used on escape routes as long as they are no bigger than 1m² or have been enclosed in a sealed display case.

Vehicles Vehicles should only be brought into the premises if:

•they are almost empty of fuel and other flammable liquids, and, wherever possible, battery removed;

•suitable fire extinguishers are placed in close proximity to the vehicle whilst it is in the building; and

•competent staff are in attendance.

Further advice can be found in guidance produced by the Association of Theatre 93

Technicians.

Ad-hoc flame tests Ad-hoc flame tests can be used on a small sample to screen out some materials. Simple match tests, or using a cigarette lighter, can be used to assess ease of ignition, but any such tests must be carried out in a safe place (such as the open air), away from combustible materials, and with a fire extinguisher to hand.

Do not use a flame test to determine whether film is made of nitrocellulose; once ignited such film cannot be extinguished.

Fire-resisting structures Many buildings are divided into different areas by fire doors and fire-resisting walls and floors. These are partly designed to keep a fire within one area, giving people more time to escape, and to provide barriers to fire spread. You will need to identify which doors, walls and floors in your building are fire-resisting. There may be information available from when the building was built, if alterations have been made, or from a previously held fire certificate.

High-risk areas (e.g. extensive catering facilities) should be separated from the rest of the premises by 30-minute fire-resisting construction.

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If your cinema uses nitrocellulose film, the projection rooms and rewinding rooms should be separated from the rest of the building, and in particular the auditorium, by fire-resisting construction.

Dressing rooms should be enclosed by fire- resisting construction. Scenery stores should be separated from the stage by fire-resisting construction.

Normally, if there are fire doors in a wall, then the wall itself will also need to be fire-resisting. (See Appendix B for more information about fire-resisting walls and doors, and upgrading doors.) If a wall or floor is required to be fire- resisting then you should not make any holes in it, e.g. for extra doors or pipe ducts, without consulting a competent person.

Where you have a stage, which is separated from the remainder of the premises (other than the auditorium) by fire-resisting construction (a separated stage), then the proscenium opening should be protected by the safety curtain which provides protection to the audience. It is important to ensure that the descent of a fire-resisting safety curtain is not obstructed.

Where a proscenium arch is provided as part of the fire precautions for a theatre it should generally be provided with a safety curtain. It is important that the line of descent of a safety curtain is not obstructed.

If you are operating a ‘staged’ fire alarm system, where staff are notified of an alarm in advance of the audience, then the safety curtain should be lowered immediately a fire is confirmed. Otherwise the safety curtain should be lowered immediately the fire alarm operates.

Smoke control In larger buildings and some units in multi- purpose complexes, there may be some form of smoke control provided for the safety of the occupants and to assist firefighting (e.g. Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems (SHEVS)). These systems are designed to restrict the spread of fire and smoke usually by venting the heat and smoke through the roof or via other routes to the outside. Inlet air is essential for the operation of SHEVS and all openings for this purpose should not be obstructed.

Special down-stands may have been installed to create a reservoir which will contain the

smoke and hot gases at roof level, while vents allow the smoke to escape.

If your theatre has a separated stage then your stage may be equiped with haystack lantern light ventilators, stage fire ventilation or powered ventilation systems for this purpose. All systems should be maintained and regularly tested. If no such arrangement is in place you should consider the need during your risk assessment and, if necessary, consult a competent person.

Overhead extract smoke ventilation is regarded as essential for open stages. It is important that any stage extract ventilation is maintained fully functional and is operated and kept running in the event of a fire on stage unless otherwise decided by the fire brigade.

It is important that any smoke can flow easily into the reservoirs and that nothing which could cause an obstruction, e.g. large advertising displays, is fixed near the vents.

If your building has smoke vents fitted, or any other form of smoke control, then you may need to seek advice from someone who is competent in such systems.

Further information on smoke control can be found from CIBSE Guide E⁷³ or from the Building Research Establishment (BRE).⁷⁴

Ventilation systems Where ventilation systems might assist the spread of flames or smoke and hot gases from a fire it will be necessary to take steps to safeguard the means of escape against this hazard, e.g. by the fitting of smoke dampers in the ducts.

Smoke dampers are not normally fitted in extract ducts. Expert advice should be taken before installing smoke dampers.

1.12Arson

Recent studies indicate that, across all non- domestic premises, over 2,100 deliberately set fires, resulting in two deaths and 55 injuries, occur every week. All premises can be targeted either deliberately or just because they offer easy access.

Be aware of other small, deliberately set fires in the locality, which can indicate an increased risk to your premises. Be suspicious of any

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small ‘accidental’ fires on the premises and investigate them fully and record your findings.

Fires started deliberately can be particularly dangerous because they generally develop much faster and may be intentionally started in escape routes.

Measures to reduce arson may include the following:

•ensure the outside of the premises is well lit and, if practical, secure the perimeter of the premises;

•thoroughly secure all entry points to the premises, including windows and the roof, but make sure that this does not compromise people’s ability to use the escape routes;

•make sure you regularly remove all combustible rubbish;

•do not place rubbish skips adjacent to the building and secure waste bins in a compound separated from the building;

•do not leave combustible scenery outside the scene dock unattended;

•do not place vehicles, caravans or other portable structures adjacent to the building;

•encourage staff to report people acting suspiciously;

•ensure that toilet and cloakroom areas are thoroughly checked by staff before vacating the building at the end of the evening’s performance, to ensure that no one is hiding in these areas;

•consider using CCTV to monitor vulnerable areas;

•remove automatic entry rights from staff who have been dismissed;

•ensure that your security alarm/fire- detection system is monitored and acted on;

•secure flammable liquids so that intruders cannot use them;

•secure all storage areas and unused areas of the building that do not form part of an escape route against unauthorised access, ensure access to keys to those areas is restricted; and

*Visit www.arsonpreventionbureau.org.uk for more information.

•fit secure metal letterboxes on the inside of letter flaps to contain any burning materials that may be pushed through, or remove letter flaps.

Further guidance on reducing the risk of arson has been published by the Arson Prevention Bureau.*

1.13Help for people with special needs

Of all the people who may be especially at risk you will need to pay particular attention to people who have special needs, including those with a disability. The Disability Rights Commission estimates that 11 million people in this country have some form of disability, which may mean that they find it more difficult to leave a building if there is a fire. Under the Disability Discrimination Act,¹³ if disabled people could realistically expect to use the service (or premises) you provide, then you must anticipate any reasonable adjustments that would make it easier for that right to be exercised.

The Disability Discrimination Act¹³ includes the concept of ‘reasonable adjustments’ and this can be carried over into fire safety law. It can mean different things in different circumstances. In some premises with simple layouts it may be considered reasonable to provide contrasting colours on a handrail to help people with vision impairment to follow an escape route more easily. However, it might be unreasonable to expect that same premises to install an expensive voice-alarm system. Appropriate ‘reasonable adjustments’ for a large cinema or theatre complex may be much more significant.

If disabled people are going to be in your premises then you must also provide a safe means for them to leave if there is a fire. You and your staff should be aware that disabled people may not react, or can react differently, to a fire warning or a fire. You should give similar consideration to others with special needs such as parents with young children or the elderly.

In premises with a simple layout, a common sense approach, such as offering to help lead a blind person or helping an elderly person down steps may be enough. In more complex

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premises, more elaborate plans and procedures will be needed, with trained staff assigned to specified duties. In this case, you may also wish to contact a professional consultant or take advice from disability organisations.

Whilst the majority of people with special needs wish to and are able to make their own escape, there may be a number who are only able to move or react adequately with assistance from staff.

Consider the needs of those with mental disabilities or spatial recognition problems. The range of disabilities encountered can be considerable, extending from mild epilepsy to complete disorientation in an emergency situation. Many of these can be addressed by properly trained staff, discreet and empathetic use of the ‘buddy system’ or by careful planning of colour and texture to identify escape routes.

Where people with special needs use or work in the premises, their needs should, so far as is practicable, be discussed with them. These will often be modest and may require only changes or modifications to existing procedures. You may need to develop individual ‘personal emergency evacuation plans’ (PEEPs) for disabled persons who frequently use a building. They will need to be confident of any plan/PEEP that is put in place after consultation with them. As part of your consultation exercise you will need to consider the matter of personal dignity.

For members of the public who use your building you may need to develop a range of standard PEEPs which can be provided on request to a disabled person or others with special needs.

You should also consider the particular needs of children and the elderly who may be using your premises. Additional attendants or staff may be needed. Similarly, special consideration may be needed if members of the public are likely to be intoxicated. Advice on performances given especially for children and on performances by children is given by the Association of British Theatre Technicians.⁸⁹

Guidance on removing barriers to the everyday needs of disabled people is in BS 8300.¹⁴ Much of this advice will also help disabled people during an evacuation.

Further advice can be obtained from the Disability Rights Commission at www.drc-gb.org.

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Section 2 Further guidance on

fire detection and warning systems

General Your theatre, cinema or concert hall generally should have an electrical fire warning system, which may include the following:

•manual call points (break-glass call points) at storey exit and final exit doors;

•electronic sirens, bells, or voice alarms (i.e. giving warning messages) and flashing lights; and

•a control and indicator panel.

Your cinema, theatre or concert hall should be fitted with a fire warning system which incorporates automatic fire detection if it is likely that a fire in the building could threaten the safe escape of the occupants before the fire is detected by people in the building. You need to consider, as part of your risk assessment, whether your premises has areas where a fire could develop undetected (such as store rooms, a roof void or basement) or where people work alone and might not see a fire.

Exceptionally, if your risk assessment shows that all parts of your premises are likely to be always occupied at the same time, that it is unlikely that a fire could start without somebody noticing it quickly, and that appropriate management procedures are in place, then appropriately located manually operated call points (break-glass boxes) may be all that you need.

If, for any reason, your detection and/or alarm system develops a fault you must still ensure that people in your premises can be warned and escape safely. A temporary arrangement, such as whistles or air horns, combined with suitably trained staff located in key positions (to ensure the whole premises are covered), may be acceptable for a very short period, pending repair of the system.

The public should generally not be admitted to your premises if you know that the detection and alarm system is not working.

The fire warning sound levels should be loud enough to alert everyone, taking into account background noise. Any sound system should

be muted when the fire alarm sounds. In areas with uncontrollable high background noise the audible warning should be supplemented, e.g. with a visual alarm.

People with hearing difficulties Where people have hearing difficulties, particularly those who are profoundly deaf, then simply hearing the fire warning is likely to be the a major difficulty. If these persons are accompanied while on the premises then this may not be a serious problem, as it would be reasonable for their companion/assistant to let them know that the building should be evacuated. If a person with hearing difficulties is likely to be alone, then consider additional means of raising the alarm. Among the most popular are visual beacons and vibrating devices or pagers that are linked to the existing fire alarm.

Voice alarms Research has shown that some people, and in particular members of the public, do not always react quickly to a conventional fire alarm. Voice alarms are therefore becoming increasingly popular and can also incorporate a public address facility. The message or messages used must be intelligible, audible and carefully considered to control the evacuation effectively. This will apply equally to recorded or live messages. It is therefore essential to ensure that voice-alarm systems are designed and installed by a person with specialist knowledge of these systems.

Schematic plan You should consider displaying a schematic plan showing fire alarm zones in a multi-zoned system adjacent to the control panel. Such a plan should show indicate any pre-agreed detectors which have been isolated (e.g. because of smoke special effects).

Further detailed recommendations are given in the Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment.⁸⁷

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2.1Manual call points immediately operate the Stage 2, full evacuation, alarm (see Section 2.4).

Manual call points, often known as ‘break- glass’ call points or break-glass boxes, enable The siting and frequency of call points should a person who discovers a fire to immediately be based on a risk assessment taking note of raise the alarm and warn other people in the the fire risk, occupancy and layout of the premises of the danger. premises. Call points should be located so that it is not necessary to deviate from the direct

People leaving a building because of a fire route to an exit in order to operate the nearest will normally leave by the way they entered. manual call point. Consequently, manual call points are normally positioned at all exits and storey exits that people may reasonably be expected to use in 2.2 Automatic fire detection case of fire, not just those designated as fire exits. However, it may not be necessary to Automatic fire detection may be needed for a provide call points at every exit. number of reasons. These can include:

•if you have areas where people are

Manual call points should normally be isolated or remote and could become positioned so that, after all fixtures and fittings, trapped by a fire because they are unaware scenery and displays are in place, no one of its development, such as lone workers; should have to travel more than 45m to the nearest alarm point. This distance may need • if you have areas where a fire can develop to be less if your premises cater for people unobserved (e.g. storerooms); of limited mobility or there are particularly

•as a compensating feature, e.g. for inadequate

hazardous areas. Manual call points should be structural fire protection, in dead ends or where conspicuous (red), fitted at a height of about there are extended travel distances; and

1.4m(or less for premises with a significant number of wheelchair users), and not in an • where smoke control and ventilation area likely to be obstructed. systems are controlled by the automatic fire detection system.

Conventionally sited call points that operate an immediate general alarm are not always If you have an automatic fire detection system, desirable in a theatre or cinema. To reduce the the system should: risk of malicious or accidental operation which

•be designed to accommodate the

may promote panic you should consider as emergency evacuation procedure;

part of your management plan alternative

arrangements such as: • give an automatic indication of the fire warning and its location. If the indicator

•locating the majority of manual call points panel is located in a part of the premises in staff areas (e.g. dressing rooms, other than the control point (if you have projection rooms); one – for example, the duty manager’s

•a delayed alarm for investigation purposes office), there should ideally be a repeater before any general alarm is given panel sited at the control point; (see below); and

•be maintained and tested by a competent

•the guarding of manual call points person; (e.g. with a simple, easily removed, cover).

•communicate with a central control room (if you have one); and

Areas that are well stewarded or regularly checked and patrolled may have less need for • ensure that any loud music being played or a manual call point. For these approaches to noisy performances taking place are, where be effective, robust management procedures possible, silenced on actuation of the alarm. should be in place around a staff alarm system. If you have a staged alarm system or staff

If you have a staged alarm system or staff alerting system then the actuation of a single alerting system then call points in public areas detector head may activate only the Stage 1 may activate only the Stage 1 alarm which alarm, which allows staff to investigate before allows staff to investigate before the Stage 2 the Stage 2 is initiated (see 2.4 below). The is initiated. Call points in staff areas may

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actuation of more than one detector head should operate the Stage 2, full evacuation, alarm.

Where the public address system is part of the fire warning system it should be connected to an auxiliary power source to ensure the continued availability of the system in the event of fire or other emergency.

The use of smoke effects on the stage should be risk-assessed and where appropriate, smoke detectors in the vicinity should be capable of being isolated. They should be reactivated immediately the presence of smoke has passed.

Whichever warning or detection systems are in place, if a fire occurs the fire and rescue service should always be called immediately.

New automatic fire detection systems should be designed and installed by a competent person. Further guidance on fire alarms encorporating automatic detection systems is given in BS 5839-1.¹⁶

2.3Fire warning systems

Your fire warning system should display the location of the activated device (break-glass alarm or detector head) on a control panel. The repeater panel in the control room (if you have one) should run silently, or have a mute facility, so that if it goes off it will illuminate a prominent red or flashing light rather than provide an audible alarm. This will ensure no extra noise to disrupt communications within the control room. If the repeater panel is located elsewhere, it will require a designated individual to monitor it constantly during events.

The fire alarm master control panel should be in a location that is both accessible and visible to the fire and rescue service, usually in the main entrance/reception area. If the master control panel is not sited in the main entrance/ reception area then a repeater panel should also be located in the main entrance/reception area or the intended entry point for the fire and rescue service.

Staff alarms, voice evacuation systems and public address systems In many cinemas and theatres it will be beneficial to provide staff alarms (delayed alarms) which allow staff to be aware of an incident in advance of the public and be prepared for an evacuation (and potentially

Voice evacuation systems and public address systems can give staff and the public explicit information about the emergency. You should consider what information to provide, and how to communicate it succinctly. In some premises you should consider which languages to use.

It is good practice to provide information to building users regarding warning signals, escape routes, muster points or other pertinent information, e.g. to audiences before a performance starts, or to visiting companies before rehearsals start, and in particular to selected groups such as disabled people.

If your evacuation procedures depend upon an audible alarm then the fire warning sound levels should be loud enough to alert everyone, taking into account any background noise. In some premises the audible warning for the public should be supplemented with visual alarms. In cinemas, the sound system should mute; in theatres, any amplification system should be over-ridden, if this is possible. Any extraneous sound on the public address system should be muted automatically if a microphone announcement is made. The evacuation of a theatre or concert hall may be aided by a speech from the stage, which may or may not be amplified. Emergency plans should take into account who should do this, and the message text prepared for this eventuality.

Staff and/or performers should be instructed (and, if necessary, trained) to turn down any stage amplifiers used for music or effects in the event of an emergency.

You or your staff should have direct control of the public address system.

Further guidance on the design and installation of voice communication systems for use during an emergency evacuation is given in BS 5839-9.⁹⁶ 16 68

Also see BS 5839-1 and BS 5588-6.

Interface with building management system Building management systems and controls includes a variety of systems, designed for the control, monitoring and optimisation of various functions and services provided in a building, including heating and cooling, ventilation and lighting. In premises with a building management system there can be benefits in having links between the building management system and the fire detection and alarm system to ensure that the operation (or non-operation) of essential services is not detrimental to the

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2.4Staged fire alarms

In many premises sounding the fire warning system should trigger the immediate and total evacuation of the building. However, in some large or complex premises this may not be necessary as alternative arrangements may be in place.

These alternative arrangements broadly fall into two groups. Firstly, those people potentially most at risk from a fire, usually those closest to where the alarm was activated, will be immediately evacuated, while others in the building are given an alert signal and will only evacuate if it becomes necessary. This is generally called a phased evacuation and the initial movement, depending on the layout and configuration of the premises, can be either horizontal or vertical.

The second alternative is for the initial alert signal to be given to certain staff, who then carry out pre-arranged actions to help others to evacuate more easily (see staff alarms in

Section 2.3 above). It requires able, fully-trained

staff to be available at all times and should not be seen as a simple means of reducing disruption to working practices.

You may wish to have different procedures for performances (where the public are present), during rehearsals and preparation, and out-of- hours, and different procedures for public and non-public areas. In order not to alarm an audience unnecessarily it may be advisable to replace the Stage 1 audible warning with a visual one so that the Stage 1 alarm is not audible on stage or in the auditorium.

Where staged alarms are being used, disabled people should be alerted on the first stage to give them the maximum time to escape or move to a refuge, and to implement evacuation procedures involving your staff. If you have well-protected refuges and appropriate management procedures, you may wish to delay the evacuation of non-ambulant people from the auditorium until after the able bodied have left since the total evacuation time may be reduced if the disabled people are likely to impede the speed of the able bodied evacuees.

These arrangements both require fire warning systems capable of giving staged alarms, including an ‘alert signal’ and a different ‘evacuate signal’ and should only be considered after consultation with specialist installers and, if necessary, the relevant enforcing authority.

Such systems also require a greater degree of management input to ensure that the appropriate numbers of staff are available and in the correct locations at the necessary times, and that staff and other relevant persons are familiar with the system and action required. Recommended staffing levels for cinemas are included in the Model National and Standard Conditions for Places of Public Entertainment.⁸⁹

2.5Reducing false alarms

False alarms from automatic fire detection systems are a major problem and result in many unwanted calls to the fire and rescue service every year. Guidance on reducing false alarms has been published by ODPM/ CFOA/BFPSA.15

If there are excessive false alarms in your premises, people may become complacent and not respond correctly to the warning of a real fire. In such circumstances, you may be failing to comply with fire safety law. All false alarms should be investigated to identify the cause of the problem and remedial action taken.

To help reduce the number of false alarms, the system design and location of detection and activation devices should be reviewed against the way the premises are currently used. For example, if a smoke detector is used in a staff area with cooking facilities (e.g. a microwave and toaster), the likelihood of false alarms is increased. A heat detector may therefore be more suitable, provided the findings of a fire risk assessment show this to be appropriate. Similarly, if a manual call point is placed in a storage area where there is continual movement of equipment, the call point is likely to be accidentally damaged. In this case a simple, fabricated hinged metal guard around the call point is likely to solve the problem.

Occasionally people set off a manual call point in the genuine, but incorrect, belief that there is a fire. Nothing should be done to discourage such actions; the number of false alarms generated this way is not significant.

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If you use smoke effects on the stage then where the risk assessment allows, those smoke detectors in the vicinity should be capable of being isolated.

Further detailed guidance on reducing false alarms is available in BS 5839-1.¹⁶

2.6Testing and maintenance

Your fire warning and/or detection system should be supervised by a named responsible person, given enough authority and training to manage all aspects of the routine testing and scrutiny of the system.

The control and indicating equipment should be checked at least every 24 hours to ensure there are no specific faults. All fire warning systems should be tested once a week. For electrical systems a manual call point should be activated (using a different call point for each successive test), usually by inserting a dedicated test key (see Figure 18). This will check that the control equipment is capable of receiving a signal and, in turn, activating the warning alarms. Manual call points may be numbered to ensure they are sequentially tested.

Figure 18: Using a test key

It is good practice to test the alarm at the same time each week, but additional tests may be required to ensure that staff or people present outside normal working hours are given the opportunity to hear the alarm.

Where systems are connected to a central monitoring station, arrangements should be made prior to testing to avoid unwanted false alarms.

Six-monthly servicing and preventive maintenance, including testing of every automatic detector, should be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire-warning and automatic detection systems. This task is normally fulfilled by entering into a service contract with a specialist fire alarm company.

Testing and maintenance of the system should be carried out by a competent person. Further guidance on testing and maintenance of fire warning systems can be found in BS 5839-1.¹⁶

It is good practice to record all tests, false alarms and any maintenance carried out.

2.7Guaranteed power supply

Generally premises covered by this guide will need an electrical fire warning system and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996⁵ requires it to have a back-up power supply.

Whatever back-up system is used, it should normally be capable of operating the fire- warning and detection system for a minimum period of 24 hours and sounding the alarm signal in all areas for 30 minutes.

2.8New and altered systems

Guidance on the design and installation of new systems and those undergoing substantial alterations is given in BS 5839-1.¹⁶ If you are unsure that your existing system is adequate you will need to consult a competent person.

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Section 3 Further guidance on

firefighting equipment and facilities

All theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises should be provided with appropriate firefighting equipment. For the majority of premises, first aid firefighting equipment should be sufficient. However, at some larger or more complex premises (e.g. cinema complexes) it may be necessary to provide a suitable water supply for firefighting, in the form of hydrants.

You have responsibility for the provision of appropriate firefighting equipment. It is also your responsibility to check that all firefighting equipment is in the correct position and in satisfactory order before the premises are used. Appropriate staff should be trained in the use of all such equipment. Firefighting equipment is not generally provided for use by the public.

Table 1: Class of fire

3.1Portable firefighting equipment

Fires are classed according to what is burning. Fire extinguishers provided should be appropriate to the classes of fire found in your premises in accordance with Table 1.

Number and type of extinguishers Typically for the Class A fire risk, the provision of one water-based extinguisher for approximately every 200m² of floor space, with a minimum of two extinguishers per floor, will normally be adequate.

Note: If there is a possibility of a fire in your premises involving material in the shaded boxes then you should seek advice from a competent person.

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Where it is determined that there are additionally other classes of fire risk, the appropriate type, number and size of extinguisher should be provided. Further information is available in BS 5306-8.¹⁸

Where the fire risk is not confined to a particular location, e.g. Class A fires, the fire extinguishers should be positioned on escape routes, close to the exit from the room or floor, or the final exit from the building. Similarly, where the particular fire risk is specifically located, e.g. flammable liquids, the appropriate fire extinguisher should be near to the hazard, located so that it can be safely used. They should be placed on a dedicated stand or hung on a wall at a convenient height so that employees can easily lift them off (at about 1m for larger extinguishers, 1.5m for smaller ones, to the level of the handle). Ideally no one should have to travel more than 30m to reach a fire extinguisher. If there is a risk of malicious use you may need to use alternative, and more secure, locations.

Consider the implications of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992¹⁷ when selecting and siting firefighting equipment.

In self-contained small premises within larger premises, multi-purpose extinguishers which can cover a range of risks may be appropriate. Depending on the outcome of your fire risk assessment, it may be possible to reduce this to one extinguisher in very small premises with a floor space of less than 90m².

Extinguishers manufactured to current standards (BS EN 3-7)⁸⁶ are predominately red but may have a colour-coded area, sited above or within the instructions, denoting the type of extinguisher. Most older extinguishers, manufactured to previous standards, have bodies painted entirely in a single colour which denotes the type of extinguisher. These older extinguishers remain acceptable until they are no longer serviceable. However, it is good practice to ensure that old and new style extinguishers are not mixed on the same floor of a building.

The following paragraphs describe the different types of extinguisher. The colour referred to is the colour of the extinguisher or the colour- coded area.

It is good practice to have one or two spare extinguishers in a theatre which can be mounted to hand, e.g. on the back of scenery, to ensure that there are extinguishers within easy reach if there is not ready access to an installed extinguisher. These will also serve as spares if any extinguisher is accidentally (or deliberately) discharged.

Water extinguishers (red) This type of extinguisher can only be used on Class A fires. They allow the user to direct water onto a fire from a considerable distance. A 9-litre water extinguisher can be quite heavy and some water extinguishers with additives can achieve the same rating, although they are smaller and therefore considerably lighter. This type of extinguisher is not suitable for use on live electrical equipment.

Water extinguishers with additives (red) This type of extinguisher is suitable for Class A fires. They can also be suitable for use on Class B fires and where appropriate, this will be indicated on the extinguisher. They are generally more efficient than conventional water extinguishers.

Foam extinguishers (cream) This type of extinguisher can be used on Class A or B fires and is particularly suited to extinguishing liquid fires such as petrol and diesel. They should not be used on free- flowing liquid fires unless the operator has been specially trained, as these have the potential to rapidly spread the fire to adjacent material. This type of extinguisher is not suitable for deep-fat fryers or chip pans.

Powder extinguishers (blue) This type of extinguisher can be used on most classes of fire and achieve a good ‘knock down’ of the fire. They can be used on fires involving electrical equipment but will almost certainly render that equipment useless. Because they do not cool the fire appreciably it can re-ignite. Powder extinguishers can create a loss of visibility and may affect people who have breathing problems, and they are not generally suitable for confined spaces.

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Carbon dioxide extinguishers (black) This type of extinguisher is particularly suitable for fires involving electrical equipment as they will extinguish a fire without causing any further damage (except in the case of some electronic equipment, e.g. computers). As with all fires involving electrical equipment, the power should be disconnected if possible.

Class ‘F’ extinguishers This type of extinguisher is particularly suitable for commercial catering establishments with deep-fat fryers.

Selection, installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers All portable fire extinguishers will require periodic inspection, maintenance and testing. Depending on local conditions such as the likelihood of vandalism or the environment where extinguishers are located, carry out brief checks to ensure that they remain serviceable. In normal conditions a monthly check should be enough. Maintenance by a competent person should be carried out annually.

New fire extinguishers should comply with BS EN 3-7.⁸⁶ Guidance on the selection and installation of fire extinguishers is given in BS 5306-8,¹⁸ for maintenance BS 5306-3¹⁹ and for colour coding in BS 7863.²⁰

Fire blankets Fire blankets should be located in the vicinity of the fire hazard they are to to be used on, but in a position that can be safely accessed in the event of a fire. They are classified as either light duty or heavy duty. Light-duty fire blankets are suitable for dealing with small fires in containers of cooking oils or fats and fires involving clothing. Heavy-duty fire blankets are for industrial use where there is a need for the blankets to resist penetration by molten materials. They are only suitable for specific areas in a cinema or theatre.

3.2Fixed firefighting installations

These are firefighting systems which are normally installed within the structure of the building. They may already be provided in your premises or you may be considering them as a means of protecting some particularly dangerous or risk-critical area as part of your risk-reduction strategy.

Hose reels Permanent hose reels (see Figure 19) installed in accordance with the relevant British Standard (BS EN 671-3: 2000²¹) provide an effective firefighting facility. They may be in addition to portable firefighting equipment. A concern is that untrained people will stay and fight a fire when escape is the safest option, because of the unlimited suppy of water. Where hose reels are installed, and your fire risk assessment expects relevant staff to use them in the initial stages of a fire, they should receive appropriate training.

Hose reels are particularly appropriate for large open areas such as the stage, workshops and foyers. They are not appropriate where there are many doors which would inhibit the running out of hose and would be wedged open by the hose and so allow smoke to circulate through escape routes.

Maintenance of hose reels includes visual checks for leaks and obvious damage and should be carried out weekly. More formal maintenance checks should be carried out at least annually by a competent person.

Figure 19: Hose reel

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Sprinkler systems Sprinkler systems can be very effective in controlling fires. They can be designed to protect life and/or property and may be regarded as a cost-effective solution for reducing the risks created by fire. Where installed, a sprinkler system is usually part of a package of fire precautions in a building.

Sprinkler protection could give additional benefits, such as a reduction in insurance premiums, the amount of portable firefighting equipment necessary, and the relaxation of restrictions in the design of buildings.

Guidance on the design and installation of new sprinkler systems and the maintenance of all systems is given in the Loss Prevention Council (LPC) Rules or BS EN 12845²² or BS 5306-2⁶⁹ and should only be carried out by a competent person.

Routine maintenance by on-site personnel may include checking of pressure gauges, alarm systems, water supplies, any anti-freezing devices and automatic booster pump(s), for example diesel fire pumps should be given a test run for 30 minutes each week.

A competent maintenance contractor should provide guidance on what records need to be completed.

Following a sprinkler operation, the sprinkler system should be reinstated by a competent person. A stock of spare sprinkler bulbs should be available on site for replacements, preferably in a separate building, e.g. the pumphouse.

If a sprinkler system forms an integral part of your fire strategy it is imperative that adequate management procedures are in place to cater for those periods when the sprinkler system is not functional. This should form part of your emergency plan. Although the actual procedures will vary, such measures may include the following:

•Restore the system to full working order as soon as possible.

•Limit any planned shutdown to low-risk periods when numbers of people are at a minimum (e.g. at night) or when the building is not in use. This is particularly important when sprinklers are installed to a life safety standard or form part of the fire safety engineering requirements.

•You may need to isolate the area without the benefit of working sprinklers from the rest of the premises by fire-resisting material.

•Avoid higher-risk processes such as ‘hot-work’.

•Extra staff should be trained and dedicated to conducting fire patrols.

•Any phased or staged evacuation strategy may need to be suspended. Evacuation should be immediate and complete. (Exercise caution as the stairway widths may have been designed for phased evacuation only.)

•Inform the local fire and rescue service.

If, having considered all possible measures, the risk is still unacceptable then it will be necessary to close all or part of the building.

If in doubt you should seek advice from a competent person.

Other fixed installations There are a number of other fixed installations including water mist, gaseous, deluge and fixed powder systems. Drenchers may be provided to protect the safety curtain. If your premises have a fixed firefighting system that you are unfamiliar with, then seek advice. Where a fixed firefighting system forms an integral part of your fire safety strategy, it should be maintained in accordance with the relevant standard by a competent person.

3.3Other facilities (including those for firefighters)

Building Regulations and other Acts, including local Acts, may have required fire fighting equipment and other facilities to be provided for the safety of people in the building and to help firefighters. Fire safety law places a duty on you to maintain such facilities in good working order and at all times.

These may include:

•access for firefighters and fire engines;

•firefighting shafts and lifts;

•fire suppression systems, e.g. sprinklers, water mist and gaseous;

•smoke-control systems;

•dry or wet rising mains and firefighting inlets;

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•information and communication arrangements, e.g. fire telephones and wireless systems and information to brief the fire and rescue service when they arrive; and

•firefighters’ switches.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992²³ also require that systems provided for safety within a workplace are maintained.

Access for fire engines and firefighters Buildings that have been constructed to modern building regulations or in accordance with certain local Acts will have been provided with facilities that allow fire engines to approach and park within a reasonable distance so that firefighters can use their equipment without too much difficulty.

These facilities may consist of access roads to the building, hard standing areas for fire engines and access into the building for firefighters. It is essential that where such facilities are provided they are properly maintained and available for use at all relevant times.

Where a building is used by a number of different occupants you will need to ensure co-operation between the various ‘responsible people’ to maintain fire and rescue service access. In exceptional cases, where access is persistently obstructed, you may need to make additional arrangements.

See Approved Document B to the Building Regulations for more information.²⁴

Firefighting shafts and lifts Firefighting shafts (see Figure 20) are provided in larger buildings to help firefighters reach floors farther away from the building’s access point. They enable firefighting operations to start quickly and in comparative safety by providing a safe route from the point of entry to the floor where the fire has occurred.

Figure 20: Firefighting shaft

Entry points from a stairway in a firefighting shaft to a floor will be via a lobby, through two sets of fire and smoke-resisting doors and walls. Many people will use the stairway for usual movement through the building and it is important that the safety features are not compromised by doors being wedged open.

Most firefighting shafts will also incorporate a firefighting lift which opens into the lobby. The lift will have a back-up electrical supply and car control overrides. The primary function of the lift is to transport firefighting personnel and their equipment to the scene of a fire with the minimum amount of time and effort. It may also be used to help evacuate less mobile people.

Alterations that might affect the shaft should not be made without first liaising with other responsible persons, any owners or managing agents and the enforcing authority. Any proposed changes will require Building Regulation approval from a building control body.

Where a firefighting shaft is provided, it should be maintained by a competent person.

Fire suppression systems Fire suppression systems can include sprinklers and other types of fixed installations designed to automatically operate and suppress a fire. Such systems should be maintained in accordance with the guidance in Section 3.2.

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Smoke control systems in taller buildings. It consists of an inlet box These are complex systems that are provided where firefighters can connect their hoses, a for life safety of occupants, assistance to pipe running up or through the building, outlet firefighters and property protection by clearing valves on each floor level and an air vent at hot smoke and gases from the building. Your the top. theatre may have haystack lantern light ventilators or some other form of stage ventilation to It is important that fire mains remain in good help control smoke. If you have one of these working order. Issues to be considered can systems provided in your premises you should include the following: ensure you understand how it operates and

•The physical approach to the inlet box

that it is maintained in full working order. If should be such that a fire engine can park your system is part of a larger system then you within 18m with the inlet box in view. should liaise with other occupiers and building managers. Guidance on haystack and other • Prohibit car parking in front of the inlet box. stage ventilators may be found in the Technical

•Secure the inlet box in such a way that

Standards.⁸⁷ firefighters can open the door without too much difficulty.

The smoke control system should be maintained by a competent person who is familiar with the • It is advisable to lock the landing valves in fire engineering performance specifications of the closed position, usually with a leather that specific system. Where these systems are strap and padlock. installed in addition to a sprinkler system then the design and installation of each system should Foam inlets not act detrimentally on one another. A competent Foam inlets are special inlets usually fitted to person should be employed to confirm this. provide an efficient way of extinguishing a fire in a basement or other area of high risk such

Dry and wet rising fire mains as plant room. In many respects they look the The rising fire main (see Figure 21) is an same as rising main inlet boxes, but the door important facility for the fire and rescue service should be clearly marked ‘foam inlet’.

Figure 21: Rising main

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The risk area should be kept clear of obstructions to allow the foam to spread into the compartment.

Maintenance of rising mains and foam inlets All types of rising mains and foam inlets together with associated valves should be maintained and tested on a regular basis by a competent person. Although there are no recommended periods between maintenance checks, it would be prudent to arrange for an annual service by a competent person.

Firefighters’ switches Safety switches are normally provided to isolate high-voltage luminous signs or to cut off electrical power. In the case of existing installations, if they have been provided in accordance with previous legislation (e.g. the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982²⁵), then it is likely that they will comply with the Order. If this is not the case, then you may need to consult the enforcing authority regarding the suitability of its location and marking. Testing should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have no such instructions then an initial test should be carried out by a competent electrician.

Other firefighting facilities As well as those already mentioned, other facilities to assist firefighters may have been installed in your premises and should be properly maintained by a competent person. Your maintenance audit (see Appendix A1 for an example checklist) should include these. Such facilities may include:

•information signs for firefighters;

•static water supplies, private hydrants, meter bypass valves and underground tanks;

•standby fire pumps, electrical generators, air pumps and hydraulic motors; and

•manual/self-closing devices for roller shutter doors in fire compartment walls.

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Section 4 Further guidance on

escape routes

Introduction This section provides further guidance on the general principles that apply to escape routes and provides examples of typical escape route solutions for a range of common building layouts. The guidance is based on premises of normal risk so, if your premises (or part of your premises) are higher (or lower) risk you should adapt the solution accordingly.

You are not obliged to adopt any particular solution for escape routes in this section if you prefer to meet the relevant requirement in some other way. If you decide to adopt some alternative arrangement it will need to achieve at least an equivalent level of fire safety.

Refer to the glossary (Appendix D) for the definitions of any terms you may not be familiar with.

Levels of risk In order to apply the guidance in this section, you need to understand that in any fire situation, the time that people have to escape before they could become affected by the fire is limited. Providing them with sufficient time usually means that as well as having an appropriate way of detecting and giving warning in case of fire, the distance that people have to travel to make their escape to a place of reasonable or total safety must be restricted.

The travel distances which are usually appropriate for this purpose (and are suggested later in this section) vary according to the level of risk in the premises (or part of them). To check your escape routes you will need to form a judgement about the level of risk that people may be at after you have taken other risk reduction (preventative and protective) measures.

In premises where there is a likelihood of a fire starting and spreading quickly (or a fire could start and grow without being quickly detected and a warning given) and affect the escape routes before people are able to use them then the risk should normally be regarded at ‘higher’. Such premises could include those where significant quantities of

flammable materials are used or stored; ready sources of ignition are present, e.g. heat producing machinery and processes; premises where significant numbers of the people present are likely to move slowly or be unable to move without assistance; and premises where the construction provides hidden voids or flues through which a fire could quickly spread.

In premises where there is a low occupancy level and all the occupants are able bodied and capable of using the means of escape without assistance; very little chance of a fire; few if any highly combustible or flammable materials or other fuels for a fire; fire cannot spread quickly; and will be quickly detected so people will quickly know that a fire has occurred and can make their escape, then the risk can usually be regarded as ‘lower’.

In most cases however, the risk will usually be ‘normal’.

The travel distances suggested are not hard and fast rules and should be applied with a degree of flexibility according to the circumstances. For example in premises where the risk might otherwise be considered ‘normal’ but where there are a significant number of people who move slowly or may need assistance to evacuate, it would usually be appropriate to consider this a ‘higher’ risk. However, where other measures are in place to mitigate this, such as the availability of extra assistance and this has been planned for in your emergency plan, it may be that the risk level can be regarded as ‘normal to higher’.

Equally, in premises where the risk category would otherwise be ‘lower’ but for the fact that a small number of occupants may move slowly or need assistance, it may be appropriate to categorise the risk as ‘normal’ in these circumstances.

If you are not sure about the level of risk that remains in your premises, you should seek advice from a competent person.

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4.1General principles

Suitability of escape routes You should ensure that your escape routes are:

•suitable;

•easily, safely and immediately usable at all times;

•adequate for the number of people likely to use them;

•generally usable without passing through doors requiring a key or code to unlock;

•free from any obstructions, slip or trip hazards; and

•available for access by the emergency services.

In multi-occupied premises (e.g. theatres or cinemas which are part of a shopping complex), escape routes should normally be independent of other occupiers, i.e. people should not have to go through another occupier’s premises as the route may be secured or obstructed. Where this is not possible, then robust legal agreements should be in place to ensure their availability at all times.

All doors on escape routes should open in the direction of escape and ideally be fitted with a safety vision panel. This is particularly important if more than 60 people use them or they provide an exit from an area of high fire risk.

Escape routes for use in emergencies may need to be provided in addition to normal exits. In all cases, the following points should be considered:

•There should be a least two emergency evacuation routes available from any auditorium whilst the public are present.

•The premises should be designed in such a way that the loss of one emergency evacuation route does not prevent access to an alternative.

•Emergency escape routes should lead to a place of total safety, e.g. in the open air.

•Where means of escape is possible only by passing through an enclosed concourse (for example, from the cinema balcony), consideration should be given to the provision of fire separation to individual routes of escape.

While not usually acceptable, the use of ladders, floor hatches, wall hatches or window exits may be suitable for small numbers of able-bodied, trained staff in exceptional circumstances.

In historic buildings you may have difficulties achieving these recommendations and your risk assessment should address any implications, for example through your management system. Further information on listed and historic buildings is given in Appendix C.

Seating and gangways Audiences seated in rows will first have to make their way to the end of the row before being able to use the escape routes provided. Seating and gangways in an auditorium should therefore be arranged in order to allow free and ready access direct to the exits.

In fixed seats there should be a clear space of at least 305mm between the back of one seat to the front of the seat behind it (or the nearmost point of the seat behind it, for automatic tip-up seats, see Figure 22). Gangways should be adequate for the number of seats served and at least 1.05m wide. There should be no projections which diminish these widths. If temporary seating is provided, these should be secured in lengths of not fewer than four seats (and not more than 12). Each length should be fixed to the floor.

Detailed information of seating layout is given

6887 in BS 5588-6 and in the Technical Standards.

Standing in the auditorium during a performance should be limited to approved standing areas and numbers of people.

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Figure 22: Clear space between seating

Booster seats or cushions for small children should only be provided if they do not prevent tip-up seats from functioning and cannot form a trip hazard in the seatway if dislodged.

Number of people using the theatre or cinema As your escape routes need to be adequate for the people likely to use them you will need to consider how many people, including employees and the public, may be present at any one time. Where premises have been subject to building regulations approval for use as either a theatre or cinema, the number and width of escape routes and exits will normally be enough for the anticipated number of people using the building. In such buildings where the risk has changed or buildings were constructed before national building regulations, it will be necessary to confirm the provision.

For most premises, the maximum numbers of staff, visitors and contractors liable to be in the building at the same time will be known by the responsible person. For most cinemas and theatres the responsible person will be aware of the maximum number of people liable to be present from a personal knowledge of use patterns. There will also be an appreciation of the use of the building by those with special needs, such as disabled people.

Where you have fixed seating then the maximum numbers of people in the auditorium will be known from the number of seats provided. If you are providing temporary seating then this may be limited by the maximum numbers your escape routes can accommodate (see below). In foyers, concourses or bars you may estimate

the maximum numbers based on a value of 0.3 to 0.5m² per person. Further guidance may be found in the Technical Standards.⁸⁷

For certain performances involving large numbers of people, you may need to monitor the number of people entering the premises. If the numbers of people entering the premises may be too great then procedures may be needed to limit entry numbers, control numbers within specific areas and/or prevent migration and overcrowding. Similarly, you should manage the movement of people during intervals, when there may be overcrowding around the bar or other serveries, and at the end of a performance, when overcrowding may occur in the foyer.

If you propose to make changes to the use or layout of the building which may increase the number of people, you should check the design capacity by referring to guidance given 68 24 in BS 5588-6 and Approved Document B and consult the building control body.

Case study

A cinema had problems when there was a full house since the people waiting to enter were not queuing correctly and were delaying the full house waiting to come out. The cinema arranged for rails to be fitted outside the entrance to help manage the queue.

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Widths, capacity and number of escape routes and stairways Once you have established the maximum number of people likely to be in any part of the premises, the next step is to establish that the capacity of the escape routes is adequate for people to escape safely in sufficient time to ensure their safety in case of fire.

The capacity of a route is determined by a number of factors including the width of the route, the time available for escape and the ability of the persons using them.

The effective usable width of an escape route is the narrowest point, normally a door or other restriction such as narrowing of a corridor due to fixtures and fittings. The capacity of an escape route is measured by the number of persons per minute that can pass through it, so, to establish the capacity of the route, it is first necessary to measure the width of the route at the narrowest point. The effective width of a doorway is the clear unobstructed width through the doorway when the door is open at right angles to the frame. The effective width at any other point is the narrowest clear unobstructed width through which people can pass.

The time available for escape depends on several factors including the distance that has to be travelled to reach a place of safety and the risk rating of the premises. Established reasonable escape times are two minutes for higher risk premises, two-and-a-half minutes for normal risk premises and three minutes for lower risk premises. For calculation purposes these times are allowed for in the travel distances suggested in Table 2. Guidance on establishing the risk rating of your premises is given earlier in this section.

The following guide can be used to determine the general capacities of escape routes.

A width of at least 750mm can accommodate up to:

•80 people in higher risk premises;

•100 people in normal risk premises; or

•120 people in lower risk premises.

A width of at least 1050mm can accommodate up to:

•160 people in higher risk premises;

•200 people in normal risk premises; or

•240 people in lower risk premises.

An additional 75mm should be allowed for each additional 15 persons (or part of 15).

Note: The minimum width of an escape route in your premises should ideally be 1050mm but in any case not less than 750mm (unless it is for use by less than five people in part of your premises) and, where wheelchair users are likely to use it, 900mm.

The aggregate width of all the escape routes should be not less than that required to accommodate the maximum numbers of people likely to use them.

When calculating the overall available escape route capacity for premises that have more than one way out, you should normally assume that the widest is not available because it has been compromised by fire. If doors or other exits leading to escape routes are too close to one another you should consider whether the fire could affect both at the same time. If that is the case, it may be necessary to discount them both from your calculation.

As a general rule stairways should be at least 1050mm wide and in any case not less than the width of the escape routes that lead to them. In all cases the aggregate capacity of the stairways should be sufficient for the number of people likely to have to use them in case of fire.

Stairways wider than 2100mm should normally be divided into sections, each separated from the adjacent section by a handrail, so that each

section measured between the handrails is not

less than 1050mm wide.

Mirrors Any mirrors situated on escape routes should be sited so that persons escaping from fire will not be confused by any reflected image of the route they are using, or be misled as to the direction they should take to reach fire exits.

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Mobility impairment Effective management arrangements need to be put in place for those that need help to escape.

Consider the following points:

•A refuge is a place of reasonable safety in which disabled people can wait either for an evacuation lift or for assistance up or down stairs (see Figure 23). Disabled people should not be left alone in a refuge area whilst waiting for assistance with evacuation from the building. Depending on the design and fire resistance of other elements, a refuge could be a lobby, corridor, part of a public area or stairway, or an open space such as a balcony or similar place which is sufficiently protected (or remote) from any fire risk and provided with its own means of escape and a means of communication.

•Where refuges are provided, they should be enclosed in a fire-resisting structure which creates a protected escape route which leads directly to a place of total safety and should only be used in conjunction with effective management rescue arrangements. Your fire safety strategy should not rely on the fire and rescue service rescuing people waiting in these refuges.

•If firefighting lifts (provided in high buildings as firefighting access) are to be used for evacuation, this should be co- ordinated with the fire and rescue service as part of the pre-planned evacuation procedures.

•Normal lifts may be considered suitable for fire evacuation purposes, subject to an adequate fire risk assessment and development of a suitable fire safety strategy by a competent person.

•Since evacuation lifts can fail, having reached a refuge a disabled person should also be able to gain access to a stairway (should conditions in the refuge become untenable). An evacuation lift with its associated refuge should therefore be located adjacent to a protected stairway.

•Enough escape routes should always be available for use by disabled people. This does not mean that every exit will need to be adapted. Staff should be aware of routes suitable for disabled people so that they can direct and help people accordingly.

•Stairways used for the emergency evacuation of disabled people should comply with the requirements for internal stairs in the building regulations. Specialist evacuation chairs or other equipment may be necessary to negotiate stairs.

•Plans should allow for the careful carrying of disabled people down stairs without their wheelchairs, should the wheelchair be too large or heavy. You will need to take into account health and safety manual handling procedures in addition to the dignity and confidence of the disabled person.

•Stairlifts should not be used for emergency evacuation. Where installed in a stairway used for emergency evacuation, no parts of the lift, such as its carriage rail, should be allowed to reduce the effective width of the stairway or any other part of an emergency evacuation route.

•Where ramps are necessary for the emergency evacuation of people in wheelchairs they should be constructed in accordance with Approved Document M.⁶²

Further guidance is available in BS 5588-8⁷² and BS 5588-12.⁵¹

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Figure 23: An example of a refuge

Fire-resisting construction Where an escape route needs to be separated The type and age of construction are crucial from the rest of the premises by fire-resisting factors to consider when assessing the adequacy construction, e.g. a dead-end corridor or of the existing escape routes. To ensure the protected stairway (refer to Figure 31), then safety of people it may be necessary to protect you should ensure the following: escape routes from the effects of a fire. In older

•Doors (including access hatches to

premises (see Appendix C for more information cupboards, ducts and vertical shafts linking on historical properties) it is possible that the floors), walls, floors and ceilings protecting type of construction and materials used may escape routes should be capable of resisting not perform to current fire standards. Also the passage of smoke and fire for long changes of occupier and refurbishment may enough so that people can escape from have led to: the building.

•cavities and voids being created, allowing

•Where suspended or false ceilings are

the potential for a fire to spread unseen; provided, the fire resistance should extend

•doors and hardware worn by age and up to the floor slab level above. For means movement being less likely to limit the of escape purposes a 30-minute fire-resisting spread of smoke; rating is usually enough.

•damaged or lack of cavity barriers in • Cavity barriers, fire stopping and dampers modular construction; and in ducts are appropriately installed.

•breaches in fire compartment walls, floors If there is any doubt about the nature of the and ceilings created by the installation of construction of your premises, seek advice new services, e.g. computer cabling. from a competent person.

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Travel distance Having established the number and location of people and the exit capacity required to evacuate them safely, you now need to confirm that the number and location of existing exits is adequate. This is normally determined by the distance people have to travel to reach them.

Table 2 gives guidance on travel distances. It should be understood, however, that these distances are flexible and may be increased or decreased depending upon the level of risk after you have put in place the appropriate fire-prevention measures (Part 1, Step 3.3).

In new buildings which have been designed and constructed in accordance with modern building standards the travel distances will already have been calculated, and in premises licensed for entertainment the travel distances should already be satisfactory. Once you have completed your fire risk assessment you need to confirm that those distances are still relevant.

Table 2: Suggested travel distances

When assessing travel distances you need to consider the distance to be travelled by people when escaping allowing for walking along seating rows around furniture or display stands, etc. The distance should be measured from all parts of the premises to the nearest place of reasonable safety which is:

•a protected stairway enclosure (a storey exit);

•a separate fire compartment from which there is a final exit to a place of total safety; or

•the nearest available final exit.

The travel distances given in Table 2 are based on those recommended in Approved Document B of the Building Regulations²⁴ and are intended to complement the other fire safety recommendations in Approved Document B. Your current escape route travel distances may be different from these since they may be based on recommendations made in alternative guidance.

Note 1:

Where there are small high-risk areas this travel distance should apply. Where the risk assessment indicates that the whole building is high risk

(see earlier), seek advice from a competent person. Note 2:

The travel distance for lower risk premises should only be applied in exceptional cases in the very lowest risk premises where densities are

low, occupants are familiar with the premises, have excellent visual awareness, and very limited combustibles.

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Where your route leads to more than one final exit, but only allows initial travel in a single direction (e.g. from a room or dead end, see Figures 28 and 29), then this initial travel distance should be limited to that for a ‘single escape route’ in Table 2. However, your total travel distance should not exceed that for ‘more than one escape route’.

Measuring travel distance The figures that follow are schematic only and are intended to represent part of a larger building.

Figure 24: Measuring travel distance

The route taken through a room or space will be determinted by the layout of the contents e.g. work stations, aisle layout (Figure 24). It is good practice to ensure routes to the exits are kept as direct and short as possible. In a small room there may be only one exit but in a larger room or area there may be many exits.

In some cases where the contents are moved around or the space is liable to frequent change, e.g. in a storage area or where racking is moveable, you should ensure that the exits, or the routes to them, do not become blocked or the length of the route is not significantly extended.

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Inner rooms In addition, the following points should also be Where the only way out of a room is through considered: another room (Figure 25), an unnoticed fire in

•Restrict the number of people using an

the outer room could trap people in the inner inner room to 60. room. This layout should be avoided where possible. If, however, this cannot be achieved • Access rooms should be under the control then adequate warning of a fire in the outer of the same person as the inner room. room should be provided by at least one (and

•The travel distance from any point in the

preferably two) of the following means: inner room to the exit from the access

•a vision panel between the two rooms room should be restricted to escape in one providing adequate vision to give an direction only (see Table 2 on page 77), indication of the conditions in the outer unless there are alternative exits from the room and the means of escape; access room.

•a large enough gap between the dividing • No one should have to pass through more wall and the ceiling, e.g. 500mm, so that than one access room while making their smoke will be seen; and escape.

•an automatic smoke detector in the outer • The outer room should not be an area of room that will sound a warning in the high fire risk. inner room.

Figure 25: Inner rooms

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Alternative exits Where alternative exits from a space or room are necessary they should wherever possible be located at least 45° apart (see Figure 26) unless the routes to them are seperated by fire- resisting construction (see Figure 27). If in doubt consult a competent person.

Figure 26: Alternative exits

Figure 27: Alternative exits seperated by fire-resisting construction

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Measuring travel distances for initial dead-end travel Where the initial direction of travel in an open area (see Figure 28) or within an inner room (see Figure 29) is in one direction only, the travel distance (A–B) should be limited to that for a ‘single escape route’ in Table 2.

Any alternative exits should be positioned to ensure a fire will not compromise both exits. The maximum total travel distance recommended in Table 2 should apply to the nearest exit (Figures 28 and 29, distance A–C). However, since you have two exits, your total travel distance should not exceed that for ‘more than one escape route’ in Table 2.

Figure 28: Measuring travel distance from initial dead end (open plan)

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Figure 29: Measuring travel distance from initial dead end (inner room)

Escape routes with dead-end conditions If your premises has areas from which escape can be made in one direction only (a dead end), then an undetected fire in that area could affect people trying to escape. To overcome this problem, limit the travel distance (see Table 2) and use one of the following solutions:

•Fit an automatic fire detection and warning system in those areas where a fire could present a risk to the escape route (see Figure 30).

•Protect the escape route with fire-resisting construction to allow people to escape safely past a room in which there is a fire (see Figure 31).

•Provide an alternative exit (see Figure 32).

Alternative approaches may be acceptable, although expert advice may be necessary.

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Figure 30: Dead-end condition with automatic fire detection

Figure 31: Dead-end condition with fire-resisting construction

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Figure 32: Dead-end condition provided with an alternative exit

Basements, escape and protection In all premises with basements (other than very small basements), stairways serving upper floors should not extend to the basement and in any case should not do so where they are the only stairway serving the upper floors. Any stairway that extends from the basement to the upper floors should be separated at basement level by a fire-resisting lobby or corridor between the basement and the stairway. All basements used by more than 60 people or where there are no exits directly to a place of total safety should have at least two protected escape stairways.

In high risk premises there should be an alternative stairway from the basement to ground level, unless there is a suitable alternative route to the final exit from the basement.

Wherever possible all stairways to basements should be entered at ground level from the open air, and should be positioned so that smoke from any fire in the basement would not obstruct any exit serving the other floors of the building.

Where any stairway links a basement with the ground floor, the basement should be separated from the ground floor, preferably by two 30-minute fire doors, one at basement and one at ground floor level (see Figure 33).

As a minimum, any floor over a basement should provide 60 minutes’ fire resistance. Where this is impractical, and as long as no smoke can get through the floor, automatic smoke detection linked to a fire-alarm system which is audible throughout the premises could, as an alternative, be provided in the basement area. If in doubt, consult a competent person for more detailed advice.

Any stage basement which may be used in conjunction with a stage presentation may be regarded as part of the stage and need not be separated from the stage. Any area under a stage used for any purpose not forming part of the stage presentations should be separated from the stage by a fire-resisting construction.

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Figure 33: Basement protection

Subdivision of corridors If your premises has corridors more than 30m long, then generally these corridors should be subdivided near the centre of the corridor with fire doors and, where necessary, fire- resisting construction to limit the spread of fire and smoke and to protect escape routes if there is a fire.

Where a corridor serves two exits from a floor, generally these corridors should be subdivided with fire doors to separate the two exits (see Figure 34).

Doors that are provided solely for the purpose of restricting the travel of smoke need not be fire doors, but will be suitable as long as they are of substantial construction, are capable of resisting the passage of smoke, and are self- closing. Smoke should not be able to bypass these doors, e.g. above a false ceiling, or via alternative doors from a room, or adjoining rooms, opening on either side of the subdivision.

Generally, false ceilings should be provided with barriers or smoke stopping over any fire doors. Where the false ceiling forms part of the fire- resisting construction this may not be necessary.

If you have doubts about subdivision of corridors, seek advice from a competent person.

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Figure 34: Subdivision of corridor between two stairways or exits

Stairway enclosures Stairways if unprotected from fire can rapidly become affected by heat and smoke, cutting off the escape route and allowing fire spread to other floors. However, if adequately protected, escape stairways can be regarded as places of reasonable safety to enable people to escape to a place of total safety.

In most premises served by more than one stairway, it is probable that these stairways will be protected by fire-resisting construction and lead to a final exit. If any floor has an occupancy of over 60 each storey should have at least two exits i.e. protected routes. The figure of 60 can be varied in proportion to the risk, lower risk slight increase, higher risk lower numbers of persons.

It is possible that you may have some stairways which have no fire protection to them. In this case they are not designed for escape and are usually known as accommodation stairways (see accommodation stairways on page 93).

If you have a protected stairway(s) then it is essential that you maintain that level of fire protection.

The benefit of protecting stairways from the effects of fire allows you to measure your travel distance from the farthest point on the relevant floor to the nearest storey exit rather than the final exit of the building.

If you do not have a protected stairway, depending on the outcome of your fire risk assessment, it may be that you can achieve an equivalent level of safety by other means. However, before doing so you should seek advice from a competent person.

If the building you occupy has floors which are occupied by different organisations to your own you need to consider, as part of your fire risk assessment, the possibility that a fire may occur in another part of the building over which you may have no control and which may affect the protected stairway if allowed to develop unchecked. If your fire risk assessment shows that this may be the case and people using any floor would be unaware of a developing fire, then additional fire-protection measures may be required, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system. If this is required you will need to consult and co-operate with other occupiers and building managers.

You may find that stairways in your building are provided with protected lobbies or corridors at each floor level except the top floor (see Figure 35). Although these are not generally necessary for means of escape in multi-stairway buildings of less than 18m high, they may have been provided for other reasons (e.g. firefighting access). In all cases protected corridors, lobbies and stairways must be kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.

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Figure 35: Examples of a stairway with protected lobby/corridor approach

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Final Exit Ideally stairway enclosures should lead directly • provide a protected route from the foot to a final exit. If your premises has only one of the stairway enclosure leading to a final stairway from the upper floor(s) which does SC Final Exit exit (see Figure 36); or not lead directly to a final exit, adopt one of Fire door

•provide two exits from the stairway, each

the following arrangements: Fire-resisting wall giving access to a final exit via routes

SC Self-closing which are separated from each other by fire-resisting construction (see Figure 37).

Figure 36: Examples of a protected route from a stairway to a final exit

Figure 37: Examples of two escape routes from a stairway to final exits

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fire cannot affect more than one escape route at the same time (see Figure 38).

Figure 38: Seperation of protected stairways

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Creating a stairway bypass route No one should have to pass through a protected stairway to reach another stairway. Options to avoid this include:

•using intercommunicating doors between rooms adjacent to the stairway, such doors must be available at all times when the building is occupied (see Figure 39);

•using balconies and other features to bypass the stairway; or

•as long as there is enough space, create a bypass corridor around the stairway enclosure.

Figure 39: A stairway bypass route

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Exits from stages and associated areas, flies and grids You should have means of escape from all parts of the stage area as follows:

•There should be at least two exits from the stage (see Figure 40). One of these exits should lead directly to a place of safety, through an unventilated lobby of solid construction having a standard of fire resistance of not less than 30 minutes and having fire doors at each end. All exit doors from the stage should be free from fastenings other than panic bolts.

Figure 40: Example of exit arrangements – separated stage

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Figure 41: Example of exit arrangements – open stage

•If the stage basement (under-stage area) is to be used in connection with a performance it should have at least two exits, one of which should be independent of the stage. The doors should be free from fastenings other than panic bolts.

•Dressing rooms should be connected with two means of escape, one leading directly to a place of safety, and one of the means of escape should be independent of any means of escape by way of the stage.

•Two or more means of escape should be provided from scenery stores, property stores, wardrobes and painting rooms, and all escape doors should be free from fastenings other than panic bolts.

•Access from the stage to the flies (including the lighting flies and perches, other than lighting perches not more than 1.2m above or below a platform to which suitable access is provided) and to the grid should be provided by means of stairs, or, exceptionally, step-ladders with handrails. Where possible the use of cat ladders should be avoided.

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•The working fly gallery and grid should be provided with at least two means of escape either direct to the open air or to another part of the premises (other than the auditorium) through a protected lobby via two self-closing 30-minute fire doors.

Reception areas Reception or enquiry areas (including the stage door) should only be located in protected stairways where the stairway is not the only one serving the upper floors, the reception area is small (less than 10m²) and is of low fire risk.

Accommodation stairways If you have stairways that are used for general communication and movement of people in the premises, and they are not designated as fire escape stairs, then these are called ‘accommodation stairways’. They may not require fire separation from the remainder of the floor as long as they do not pass through a fire compartment floor or people do not have to pass the head of such a stairway to reach an escape route. However, experience shows that many people will continue to use these as an escape route.

Accommodation stairways, escalators and travelators should not normally form an integral part of the calculated escape route capacity; however, where your fire risk assessment indicates that it is safe to do so, then you may consider them for that purpose. In these circumstances it may be necessary to seek advice from a competent person to verify this.

External stairways To be considered a viable escape route, an external stairway (see Figure 42) should normally be protected from the effects of a fire along its full length. This means that any door, window (other than toilet windows) and walls within 1.8m horizontally and 9m vertically below any part of the stairway should be fire-resisting. Windows should be fixed shut and doors self-closing.

These should not normally be used for members of the public, particularly where large numbers are likely to use them.

Consider protecting the external stairway from the weather as the treads may become slippery, e.g. due to algae, moss or ice. If this is not possible, you must ensure that the stairway is regularly maintained. Consider fixing non-slip material to the treads.

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Figure 42: Protection to an external stairway

for a maximum of 50 people who are not members of the public. The stairway should not be more than 9m in total height and not less than 1.5m in diameter with adequate headroom. A handrail should be continuous throughout the full length of the stairway.

However, spiral and helical stairways may be used as means of escape by staff and may be used by the public if the stairways have been designed for the purpose. Further guidance is

Escalators and travelators Escalators and travelators should not be used as part of the escape route unless they become stationary immediately on actuation of the alarm; they should then only be used as a means of escape if they satisfy the recommendations given for accommodation stairways.

Escalators not within stairway enclosures may need to be separated from the remainder of the building by fire-resisting construction and by fire doors.

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To avoid a situation where persons are carried Lowering lines and other self-rescue towards a fire it is important that arrangements devices should be made to stop escalators and These are not acceptable as a means of escape travelators at the outset of an emergency. from theatres, cinemas, concert halls and similar premises.

Lifts Due to the danger of the power supplies to a Upward escape lift being affected by a fire, lifts not specifically Other than from a basement, people should designed as ‘firefighting’ or ‘evacuation’ lifts are not normally have to ascend more than one not normally considered acceptable as a means level to escape (e.g. from the top floor to use of escape. However, where a lift and stairway a roof exit). The upper level should not be an for a means of escape are incorporated in a area of a high fire risk. fire-resisting shaft which has a final exit from it at the access level and the lift has a separate Roof exits electrical supply to that of the remainder of the It may be reasonable for an escape route to building, than that lift subject to an agreed fire cross a roof (see Figure 43). Where this is the risk assessment, may be acceptable as a means case, additional precautions will normally be of escape in case of fire. necessary:

•The roof should be flat and the route

Lifts are housed in vertical shafts that interconnect across it should be adequately defined floors and compartments, therefore precautions and well-illuminated where necessary have to be taken to protect people from the risk with normal electric and emergency escape of fire and smoke spreading from floor to floor lighting. The route should be non-slip and via the lift shaft. Such precautions may include: guarded with a protective barrier.

•separating the lift from the remainder of • The escape route across the roof and its the storey using fire-resisting construction supporting structure should be constructed and access via a fire door; as a fire-resisting floor.

•ensuring the lift shaft is situated in a • Where there are no alternatives other than protected enclosure which may also be a to use a roof exit, any doors, windows, stairway enclosure; and roof lights and ducting within 3m of the escape route should be fire-resisting.

•providing ventilation of at least 0.1m² at the top of each lift well to exhaust any smoke. • The exit from the roof should be in, or lead to, a place of reasonable safety where

Portable ladders and throw-out ladders people can quickly move to a place of Throw-out ladders are not acceptable as a total safety. means of escape in premises such as theatres

•Where an escape route passes through or

or cinemas. Portable ladders are only acceptable across another person’s property, you will in exceptional circumstances where it will be need to have a robust legal agreement in reasonable for ladders of this kind to provide place to allow its use at all times when escape for one or two able-bodied people (e.g. people are on your premises. from a high-level plant room).

•These should not normally be used by

Fixed vertical or raking ladders members of the public. These are normally only suitable for use of a limited number of able-bodied staff where they form the only means of access to plant spaces, provided they are suitably guarded and the total descent does not exceed 9m without an intermediate landing. Where they are external they should be protected from the elements in the same way as external stairways.

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Figure 43: An escape route across a roof

External escape routes should receive routine inspection and maintenance to ensure they remain fit for use. You will need to ensure that any legal agreements in place cover access for maintenance of the escape route.

Revolving doors, wicket doors, sliding doors and roller shutters Revolving doors should not normally be considered as escape doors unless the leaves fold outward to form a clear opening upon pressure from within or standard outward- opening doors of the required exit width are provided next to the revolving door.

Ideally wicket doors or gates should have a minimum opening height of 1.5m. The bottom of the door should not be more than 250mm above the floor and the width should be preferably more than 500mm but not less than 450mm. Normally wicket doors will only be suitable for up to 15 members of staff; however, in areas of a higher fire risk, this should be reduced to a maximum of three.

Loading and goods delivery doors, shutters (roller, folding or sliding), up-and-over doors and similar openings are not normally suitable

for use as a final exit. However, they may be suitable for escape from areas of normal risk by small numbers of staff as long as they are not likely to be obstructed and can be easily and immediately opened manually, even if normally power-operated, and the staff are familiar with the escape routes.

Sliding doors are not normally suitable on escape routes unless they are for the sole use of members of staff. Where provided, a notice with the words ‘slide to open’, with an arrow pointing in the direction of opening, should be permanently displayed at about eye level on the face of the doors.

Fastenings on doors You should ensure that any exit door or gate which is required to be kept open whilst the public are on the premises should be provided with appropriate fastenings so that the door or gate is fastened in such a way that it will not cause an obstruction. Appropriate fastenings for the public are push bars and push pads; handles requiring a turning action, for example, should not be used on doors for the public. For further guidance see BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179.

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Doors used for means of escape should be kept unlocked at all times when people are in the premises and in no case should a door be so fastened that it cannot easily and immediately be opened from the inside without the use of a key. If the door has to be kept fastened while persons are in the building, the fastening should be by means of a panic latch or panic bar (or similar) so that the door can be readily opened by pressure applied by persons within.

For structural reasons some doors may not open in the direction of the exit. These, and all collapsible, sliding or roller gates, or shutters, should be locked (with a removable key) in the fully open position, at all times when the public are present. During such times, you should remove the key and keep it secure, e.g. on a keyboard in a manager’s office.

If you have doors, gates or shutters which need to be locked open, a notice or notices clearly visible on both sides of the door, gate or shutter (whether open or closed) should be prominently displayed. The notice should bear the words ‘This door (gate, shutter, etc.) to be secured open when the premises are occupied’.

You should ensure that security fastenings such as chains, bars, padlocks, etc. are removed from all doors, gates, shutters, etc. on exit routes at all times the public are in the premises and prior to the building being put to use.

No removable fastening should be replaced until the public have left the premises and sufficient and appropriate exits should remain available for staff who may be present.

Final exit doors All doors should be capable of being immediately opened by those using that route in an emergency.

All final exit doors for use by the public and that are not readily openable by the public should be staffed at all times while the premises are used by the public.

When open, no door should obstruct any gangway passage, stairway or landing.

All exit doors on an exit route should always be capable of opening outwards so that crowds can escape in an emergency without obstruction.

Sliding or roller-shutter gates and reversible turnstiles should not form any part of the

Good escape routes to a final exit will be of little benefit if the occupants are not able to get out of the building and quickly disperse from the area to a place of total safety. It is important to consider where people will go once they have evacuated the premises.

The matters that you should consider include the following:

•Final exit doors should be quickly and easily opened without a key or code in the event of a fire. Where possible, there should be only one fastening. See Appendix B3 for more information on security fastenings.

•Final exit doors should not lead people into an enclosed area from which there is no further escape.

•Where a final exit discharges into an enclosed area, further access to a place of total safety should be available by means of further doors or gates that can be easily opened in a manner similar to the final exit.

Security In determining the type of door latches and locks to use, you will need to consider the need to maintain security (in part, to prevent arson). Any security measures used on final exit doors must not restrict their use in an emergency.

4.2Escape route layout

The examples listed in Table 3 on page 98 show typical escape route solutions for a range of common building layouts. In each case the solution is for a normal risk building unless otherwise illustrated.

These are not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive but merely to help you understand how the principles of means of escape may be applied in practice.

They are illustrative of the key features of escape route layouts and not intended to be real building layouts or to scale.

You do not need to read all of this section, you only need to consider those figures and the accompanying text which most closely resemble your premises. If your premises do not resemble these then you should seek advice from a competent person. These examples are intended to represent your existing layout; they are not to be used as design guidance.

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In all of these examples the following basic • High-risk rooms do not generally open principles apply: directly into a protected stairway.

•The farthest point on any floor to the final • If your fire risk assessment shows that exit or storey exit to a protected stairway is people using any floor would be unaware within the overall suggested travel distance of a fire you may require additional fire- (see Table 2). protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system.

•The route to and the area near the exit are kept clear of combustibles and obstructions. • There should be more than one escape route from all parts of the premises (rooms

•The fire-resisting stairway is kept clear of or storeys) except for areas or storeys with combustibles and obstructions. an occupancy of less than 60. The figure

•The escape route leads to final exits. of 60 can be varied in proportion to the risk, for a lower risk there can be a slight

•Where the stairway is not a protected increase, for a higher risk, lower numbers stairway, the final exit is visible and of persons should be allowed. accessible from the discharge point of the stairway at ground floor level.

Table 3: Typical examples of escape route layouts

Single-storey buildings or the ground floor of larger buildings

Ground floor with more than one exit See Figure 44

Stage area (with more than one exit) See Figure 45

Multiplex (with more than one exit) See Figure 46

Single storey with a single exit (including a mezzanine) See Figure 47

Multi-storey buildings with more than one stairway

Two-storey (one protected and one open stairway) See Figure 48

Two-storey (ground and first floor) See Figure 49

Two-storey (ground and balcony) See Figure 50

Three-storey (basement, ground and first floor) See Figure 51

Tall building with a firefighting shaft See Figure 52

Multi-storey buildings (or parts of buildings) with a single stairway

Two-storey (ground and first floor) See Figure 53

Two-storey (basement and ground floor) See Figure 54

Three-storey (small basement, ground and first floor) See Figure 55

Three-storey (basement, ground and first floor) See Figure 56

Four storey, ground and up to three upper floors – protected by lobbies/corridors See Figure 57

Four-storey, ground and up to three upper floors

–protected with automatic fire detection See Figure 58

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If you do not have any of the stairway configurations given, and depending on the outcome of your fire risk assessment, it may be that you can achieve an equivalent level of safety by other means.

The green arrows on Figures 44–58 represent the travel distances given in Table 2 (page 77) which should be applied.

If your building has more than a ground floor and three upper storeys, seek advice from a competent person.

Single-storey buildings or the ground floor of larger buildings

Ground floor with more than one exit Figures 44, 45 and 46 show acceptable examples of a premises with more than one exit.

Figure 44: Ground floor with more than one exit

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Figure 45: Stage area (with more than one exit)

Figure 46: Multiplex (with more than one exit)

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Ground floor with a single exit (may include a mezzanine) Part of your premises may have only a single exit. The example shown in Figure 47 will be generally acceptable provided that part of the premises served only by a single exit (i.e. ground floor and mezzanine in total) accommodate no more than 60 people in total.

If your fire risk assessment shows that people using a mezzanine would be unaware of a fire, additional fire protection measures may be necessary, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system.

Note: A mezzanine covering more than half of the floor area may need to be treated as a separate floor (see two-storey buildings).

Figure 47: Single storey with a single exit (including a mezzanine)

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Multi-storey buildings with more than one stairway

Two-storey If your premises has a ground floor and one upper storey and these are served by more than one stairway, it is important to understand that you are unlikely to be able to meet the suggested travel distance to a final exit (see Table 2). Therefore stairways may need to be protected by a fire-resisting enclosure as shown. The layout shown in Figures 48, 49 and 50 will be generally acceptable as long as the farthest point on each of your floors to the storey exit (or to a final exit using an unprotected stair) is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2).

Figure 48: Two-storey (one protected and one open stairway)

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Figure 49: Two-storey (ground and first floor)

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Figure 50: Two-storey (ground and balcony)

Three storey (basement, ground and first floor) In premises with a basement (not a stage basement), ground and up to three upper floors, served by more than one stairway, the layout shown in Figure 51 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

•To overcome the restriction of travel distance the stairway has been completely enclosed in 30-minute fire-resisting construction and all doors onto the stairway are self-closing fire doors.

•The farthest point on all of the floors to the nearest storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2).

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•Where the building incorporates a basement, any stairway from the basement is separated by a fire-resisting lobby or corridor between that basement and the protected stairway.

•If the basement is served only by a single stairway then it should accommodate no more than 60 people.

These principles apply to taller buildings (up to 18m). However, where your building has more than three upper storeys, you should seek advice from a competent person.

If the building you occupy has floors which are occupied by different companies to your

Figure 51: Three storey (basement, ground and first floor)

own, you need to consider, as part of your fire risk assessment, the possibility that a fire may occur in another part of the building over which you may have no control and which may affect the protected stairway if allowed to develop unchecked. If your fire risk assessment shows that this may be the case and people using any floor would be unaware of a developing fire, you may require additional fire protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system. If this is required you will need to consult and co-operate with other occupiers and building managers.

Figure 51 shows distances to the nearest stairway (or final exit).

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Tall building with a firefighting shaft Figure 52 shows a multi-storey building more than 18m high fitted with a firefighting shaft which is required for specific types of buildings. If the premises you occupy are situated in a building like this, you should seek the advice of a competent person. Further information may be found in BS 5588-5⁷⁰ and Approved Document B.²⁴

Figure 52: Tall building with a firefighting shaft

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Multi-storey building with a single stairway

Two-storey (ground and first floor) In theatres, cinemas, concert halls, etc. public areas should normally be provided with a protected staircase(s). However, in a two-storey premises with a simple layout and a single open stairway, the layout in Figure 53 will be generally acceptable for ancillary areas such as offices provided:

•The upper floor should accommodate no more than 60 people.

•The farthest point on each of the floors to the final exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2).

•The ground floor should not be a high-risk area.

Figure 53: Two-storey (ground and first floor)

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Two-storey (basement and ground floor) In theatres, cinemas, concert halls, etc. public areas should normally be provided with a protected staircase(s). However, in premises with a basement and a simple layout and open stairway, the layout in Figure 54 will be generally acceptable for ancillary areas such as offices provided:

•The basement should accommodate no more than 60 people.

•The farthest point on all of the floors to the final exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2).

•The ground floor should not be a high-risk area.

Figure 54: Two-storey (basement and ground floor)

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Three-storey (small basement, ground • The first floor should accommodate no and first floor) more than 60 people. In theatres, cinemas, concert halls, etc. public

•The farthest point in the basement to the

areas should normally be provided with a door to the stairway is within the overall protected staircase(s). However, in premises suggested travel distance (see Table 2). with a ground floor and a small basement and first floor, each served by a single stairway, the • The stairways from the basement to ground layout in Figure 55 will be generally acceptable floor level is enclosed by fire-resisting for ancillary areas such as offices as long as the construction and leads to a final exit. following apply:

•The farthest point on the first floor to the

•The basement should accommodate no final exit is within the overall suggested more than 60 people. travel distance.

Figure 55: Three-storey (small basement, ground and first floor)

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Three-storey (basement, ground and first floor) In premises with a basement, ground and first floor, served by a single stairway, the layout shown in Figure 56 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

•The basement should accommodate no more than 60 people.

•The first floor should accommodate no more than 60 people.

•To overcome the restriction of travel distance the stairway has been completely enclosed in 30-minute fire-resisting construction and all doors onto the stairway are self-closing fire doors.

Figure 56: Three-storey (basement, ground and first floor)

•The farthest point on all of the floors to the storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2).

•The basement is separated by a fire- resisting lobby or corridor between the basement and the protected stairway.

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Four storey, ground and up to three upper floors Because of the higher risk posed by premises used as theatres, cinemas, concert halls or similar premises with a single stairway, to protect the escape route by preventing smoke from entering the stairway, a protected lobby or corridor approach between the stairway and all floors (other than the top floor) should be provided as shown.

The layout shown in Figure 57 will be generally acceptable as long as the following apply:

•The upper floors should each accommodate no more than 60 people.

•The farthest point on all of your floors to the lobbied storey exit is within the overall suggested travel distance (see Table 2).

•When a protected lobby or corridor approach to the stairway is employed, the travel distance is measured to the storey exit and not to the door to the lobby or corridor.

Exceptionally, for very low-risk premises (where densities are low, occupants are familiar with the premises, there is excellent visual awareness and very limited combustible material) automatic fire detection on all floors may be used instead of protected lobbies or corridors (see Figure 58); however, the stairway must still be protected.

If the building you occupy has floors which are occupied by different organisations to your own, you need to consider, as part of your fire risk assessment, the possibility that a fire may occur in another part of the building over which you may have no control and which may affect the protected stairway if allowed to develop unchecked. If your fire risk assessment shows that this may be the case and people using any floor would be unaware of a developing fire, you may require additional fire-protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system. If this is required you will need to consult and co-operate with other occupiers and building managers.

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Figure 57: Four-storey, ground and up to three upper floors – protected by lobbies/corridors

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Figure 58: Four-storey, ground and up to three upper floors – protected with automatic fire detection

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Section 5 Further guidance

on emergency escape lighting

The primary purpose of emergency escape lighting is to illuminate escape routes but it also illuminates other safety equipment.

The size and type of your premises and the risk to the occupants will determine the complexity of emergency escape lighting required.

A comprehensive system of fixed automatic escape lighting is likely to be needed in most cinemas, theatres, etc.

Single ‘stand-alone’ escape lighting units (self-contained luminaires) may be sufficient, in small premises and these can sometimes be combined with exit or directional signs (Figure 59). The level of general illumination should not be significantly reduced by the sign.

You will have identified the escape routes when carrying out your fire risk assessment and need to ensure that they are all adequately lit. Escape routes used by the public should be lit when the public are present. If there are escape routes used by staff only, such as back-stage stairways or external stairways, then switches, clearly marked ‘escape lighting’, or some other means of switching on the lighting, should be provided at the entry to the route. Manually operated switches should switch only the normal lighting; ‘maintained’ escape lighting should be on whenever the premises are occupied.

An emergency escape lighting system should normally cover the following:

•each exit door;

•escape routes;

•intersections of corridors;

•outside each final exit and on external escape routes;

•emergency escape signs;

•stairways so that each flight receives adequate light;

•changes in floor level;

•windowless rooms and toilet accommodation exceeding 8m²;

•firefighting equipment;

•fire alarm call points;

•equipment that would need to be shut down in an emergency;

•lifts; and

•vestibules or other areas greater than 60m².

It is not necessary to provide individual lights (luminaires) for each item above, but there should be a sufficient overall level of light to allow them to be visible and usable.

Emergency escape lighting can be either ‘maintained’, i.e. on all the time, or ‘non- maintained’, which only operates when the normal lighting fails. Systems or individual luminaires are designed to operate for durations of between one and three hours. In practice, the three-hour units are preferred and can help with maintaining limited continued use of your premises during a power failure (other than in an emergency situation).

Figure 59: Luminaires

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Emergency escape lighting (luminaires) can be stand-alone (self-contained) dedicated units or incorporated into normal light fittings. There are highly decorative versions of these for those areas that demand aesthetically pleasing fixtures. Power supplies can be rechargeable batteries integral to each unit, a central battery bank or an automatic start generator.

To complement emergency escape lighting, people, especially those unfamiliar with the premises, can be helped to identify exit routes by the use of way-guidance equipment. Way-guidance systems usually comprise photo- luminescent material, lines of LEDs, or strips of miniature incandescent lamps, forming a continuous marked escape route at lower level (Figure 60). These systems have proved particularly effective when people have had to escape through smoke and for partially sighted people. They can be particularly useful in premises where they can provide marked routes on floors and in multi-storey premises they can direct people to escape routes which are seldom used.

If you decide that you need to install emergency escape lighting or to modify your existing system, any work should be carried out by a competent person in accordance with the appropriate standards.

Figure 60: A ‘way-guidance’ system

Further guidance on emergency escape 27A lighting installations is given in BS 5266-1 and BS 5266-8.²⁷

Lighting for special effects Lasers, strobes or other forms of high intensity lighting are not suitable for emergency use.

Lighting conditions for stair treads Where lighting conditions render it desirable, the nosings of all stair treads should be made conspicuous by painting or other effective means. Guidance is available in BS 8300.¹⁴

Maintenance and testing of emergency escape lighting All emergency escape lighting systems should be regularly tested and properly maintained to an appropriate standard. Most existing systems will need to be manually tested. However, some modern systems have self-testing facilities that reduce routine checks to a minimum.

Depending on your type of installation you should be able to carry out most of the routine tests yourself. The test method will vary. If you are not sure how to carry out these tests you should contact your supplier or other competent person.

Figure 61: A test key

Test facilities often take the form of a ‘fishtail’ key inserted in a special switch either near the main fuse board or adjacent to relevant light switches (see Figure 61).

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Typically, testing would include:

•a daily visual check of any central controls;

•a monthly function test by operating the test facility for a period sufficient to ensure that each emergency lamp illuminates; and

•an annual full discharge test.

Particular care needs to be taken following a full discharge test. Batteries typically take 24 hours to recharge and the premises should not be re-occupied until the emergency lighting system is fully functioning unless alternative arrangements have been made. See BS 5266-8²⁷

27A

and BS 5266-1 for more information.

It is good practice to keep a record of tests.

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Section 6 Further guidance on signs and notices

Escape signs from, or obscure the visibility of, escape signs. You should have a series of signs directing This could affect people’s ability to see and people along the escape routes towards the understand escape signs, particularly if there final exits. is a fire evacuation. Always ensure that escape signs are not overwhelmed.

Many people with poor vision retain some sight and are able to recognise changing or Escape signs should meet the following criteria: contrasting colour to provide them with visual

•They should provide clear, unambiguous

clues when moving around a building.* It may information to enable people to safely be sufficient to paint any columns and walls in leave a building in an emergency. a contrasting colour and to highlight changes in level by, for example, making the nosing • Every escape route sign should, where to step and stair treads a contrasting colour necessary, incorporate, or be accompanied (see BS 8300¹⁴). by, a directional arrow. Arrows should not be used on their own.

For people with no sight, trained attendants,

•If the escape route to the nearest exit is

continuous handrails or a sound localisation not obvious then it should be indicated by system (which helps people to move towards a sign(s). an alert sound), or the installation of more tactile aids may be appropriate. • Escape route signs should be positioned so that a person escaping will always have

People will usually attempt to leave premises the next escape route sign in sight. by the same way that they entered. As these

•Escape signs should be fixed above the

entrances in cinemas and theatres will then be door in the direction of escape and not be the exits of choice, it follows that the other exit fixed to doors, as they will not be visible if facilities provided for the premises may not the door is open. be fully utilised. For this reason all available exits should be clearly indicated so that the • Signs mounted above doors should be at public are aware that there are ways to leave a height of between 2.0m and 2.5m above the building other than by the doors which the floor. they used to gain admission. In addition, the

•Signs on walls should be mounted between

provision of well signed exits in full view of 1.7m and 2.0m above the floor. an audience can give a feeling of security in an emergency situation. • Mounting heights greater than 2.5m may be used for hanging signs, e.g. in large open

All exits from an auditorium should be signed. spaces or for operational reasons, but care should be taken to ensure that such signs

Maintained internally illuminated exit and are both conspicuous and legible. In such escape route signs will be required in auditoria case larger signs may be necessary. and other parts of your premises where the

•Signs should be sited at the same height

lighting may be dimmed or extinguished. throughout the escape route, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Exit signs should be clearly visible whenever the premises are in use. Escape sign design For a sign to comply with safety signs and

Positioning of escape signs signals regulations it must be pictographic

The presence of other signs in premises (see Figures 62 and 63). The pictogram can

(such as advertising) can distract attention be supplemented by text if this is considered necessary to make the sign easily understood (BS-type sign), but you must not have a safety

*The Royal National Institute of the Blind estimates that only about 4% of visually impaired people are totally blind.

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sign that uses only text. Either type of sign can be used but different types should not be mixed. Appropriate signs should take into account the needs of those who may need to use them.

Figure 62: BS-type sign

Figure 63: Euro sign

The legibility of escape signs is determined by the size of the sign, its level of illumination and the distance over which it is viewed. The use of signs within the same premises should follow a consistent design pattern or scheme. You should not rely on a few outsized signs which may encourage people to travel to a particular escape route when other more appropriate routes should be used.

In multi-occupied premises, co-operation between the respective ‘responsible persons’ should be sought to ensure that, as far as possible, all signs in the building conform to a single pattern or scheme.

Other safety signs and notices A number of other mandatory signs such as ‘Fire action’ notices may also be necessary.

Fire doors that have been fitted with self- closing devices should be labelled ‘Fire door

–keep shut’ on both sides (see Figure 64).

Fire-resisting doors to cupboards, stores and service ducts that are not self-closing because

they are routinely kept locked should be labelled ‘Fire door – keep locked’ on the outside.

Figure 64: Fire door ‘keep shut’ notice

Signs should indicate non-automatic fire safety equipment if there is any doubt about its location, e.g. fire extinguishers that are kept in cabinets or in recesses.

A notice with the words ‘Push bar to open’ should be permanently displayed immediately above the push-bar on all doors fitted with a panic bolt or panic latch.

A notice with the words ‘Fire escape – keep clear’ should be permanently displayed at about eye level on the external face of all doors which are provided as a means of escape in case of fire and which, because they are not normally used, may become obstructed.

Staff notices In simple premises where there are a limited number of escape routes, it may be reasonable to provide staff with verbal reminders of what they need to do if there is a fire. In some premises you could consider providing a short written statement that could, for example, be delivered with staff pay slips every six months.

In multi-occupied, larger and more complex premises or where there is a high turnover of staff, a more considered approach for staff notices and instructions will be necessary. As well as positioning the fire instructions notice on escape routes adjacent to fire break-glass call points (Figure 65), put them where staff frequently assemble in the premises, e.g. staff rooms and green rooms, projection rooms, rewinding rooms or the canteen.

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Figure 65: Fire action notice

If your premises are routinely expected to accommodate people whose first language is not English you may need to consider providing instruction in more than one language. The interpretation should always convey an identical message.

Illumination All signs and notices will need illumination to ensure they are conspicuous and legible, even during a performance. There are a number of options available to achieve this, such as:

•external illumination; and

•internal illumination.

The supplier or other competent person can give you further advice.

Signs with individual battery power may be permanently illuminated or may operate only when the alarm is triggered or mains power fails.

All exit and directional signs indicating the exits from any part of the premises to which the public are admitted should (unless they are self-luminous fire safety signs) be illuminated by means of the normal lighting and the emergency escape lighting at all times when the public are on the premises.

Signs or notices of the photo-luminescent type, i.e. where the active material making up the luminous parts of such signs or notices needs a period of exposure to light before they become visible in darkness (but get fainter with time), are not a substitute for appropriate emergency lighting and should only be used where other forms of illumination are present.

Further guidance Detailed guidance on fire safety signs can be 29A 29 found in BS 5499-4 and BS 5499-5. Published guidance5,6 on compliance with health and safety legislation on signs is also available. Guidance about the use of photo-luminescent fire safety signs and notices can be found in BS5266-6.⁷⁸

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7.1Fire safety records • recording and training of relevant people and fire evacuation drills;

Keeping up-to-date records of your fire risk

•planning, organising, policy and

assessment can help you effectively manage implementation, monitoring, audit the fire strategy for your premises and and review; demonstrate how you are complying with fire safety law. • maintenance and audit of any systems that are provided to help the fire and

Even if you do not have to record the fire risk rescue service; assessment, it can be helpful to keep a record

•the arrangements in a large multi-occupied

of any co-operation and exchange of building for a co-ordinated emergency plan information made between employers and or overall control of the actions you or other responsible people for future reference. your staff should take if there is a fire; and

In most cinemas and theatres it is best to • all alterations, tests, repairs and maintenance keep a dedicated record of all maintenance of fire safety systems, including passive of fire-protection equipment and training. systems such as fire doors. There is no one ‘correct’ format specified for this. Suitable record books are available from Other issues that you may wish to record trade associations and may also be available include: from your local enforcing authority.

•the competence, qualifications and status of the persons responsible for carrying out

In all cases the quality of records may also be inspections and tests; regarded as a good indicator of the overall quality of the safety management structure. • the results of periodic safety audits, reviews, inspections and tests, and any

Your records should be kept in a specified remedial action taken; place on the premises (for example, in the

•all incidents and circumstances which had

management office), and should include: the potential to cause accidents and

•details of any significant findings from the monitor subsequent remedial actions; and fire risk assessment and any action taken

•a record of the building use, the fire

(see Part 1, Section 4.1); prevention and protection measures in

•testing and checking of escape routes, place and high-risk areas. including final exit locking mechanisms, such as panic devices, emergency exit You should ensure that no other management devices and any electromagnetic devices; decisions or policies compromise safety.

•testing of fire-warning systems, including Your documentation should be available for weekly alarm tests and periodic inspection by representatives of the enforcing maintenance by a competent person; authority.

•recording of false alarms; More detailed advice is given in BS 5588-12.⁵¹

•testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems; Figure 66 is an example of how to record

•testing and maintenance of fire some individual stages of the process in more extinguishers, hose reels and blankets, etc.; detail. A blank version of this form is provided in Appendix A2.

•if appropriate, testing and maintenance of other fire safety equipment such as smoke control and fire-suppression systems;

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Figure 66: Example record of significant findings

Risk Assessment – Record of significant findings Risk assessment for Assessment undertaken by

Company The Theatre Group Date 01/06/2006

Address High Street Completed by J Brown Old Town Signature J Brown

AB12 3CD

Sheet number Floor/area Use

One Foyer Ticket sales/refreshment etc.

Step 1 – Identify fire hazards

Sources of ignition Sources of fuel Sources of oxygen

•Display lighting • Display material No additional sources

•Hot catering facilities (hot dogs etc.) • Combustible waste

•Smoking • Food materials

Step 2 – People at risk

10Staff 200 Customers (various levels of familiarity/vulnerability)

Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

(3.1)Evaluate the risk • Display lighting in close proximity to display material of the fire occuring • Non-smoking policy not clearly indicated in foyer – smokers occasionally discarding smoking material into general waste bins

•Limited hot catering processes – risk of ignition of food stuff or food residual

(3.2)Evaluate the risk to • Foyer seperated from remainder of the premises by fire-resisting doors people from a fire starting and walls in the premises • Foyer prone to overcrowding at peak times

•Escape from an auditorium into foyer area could be impeded during peak times

(3.3)Remove and reduce • Replace display lighting with low wattage alternative the hazards that may • Enforce no smoking policy in foyer area cause a fire • Provide additional metal waste bins

•Review maintenance procedures for hot catering equipment

•Restrict use of hot catering equipment to trained staff only

•Introduce a crowd management strategy for the foyer area

(3.4)Remove and reduce The current fire precautions (refer to floor plan) have been assessed in the risks to people view of the findings of the risk assessment and are considered adequate from a fire with the following exceptions:

•Repair/replace damaged fire door to Store A

•Reposition fire exit notices currently obscured by advertising material and provide supplementary notices to support crowd management strategy and no smoking policy

•Provide one additional water extinguisher to north end of foyer

Assessment review

Assessment review date Completed by Signature

Review outcome (where substantial changes have occurred a new record sheet should be used)

(1)The risk assessment record of significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.

(2)The information in this record should assist you to develop an emergency plan; to coordinate measures with other ‘responsible persons’ in the building; and to inform and train staff and inform other relevant persons.

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Fire engineering • location of any high-risk areas, equipment In premises with ‘engineered fire safety strategies’, or process that must be immediately shut a fire policy manual should be provided in down by staff on hearing the fire alarm; addition to any other records. Enforcing

•location of any automatic firefighting

authorities would expect a fire engineering systems, risers and sprinkler control valves; policy manual to conform to the structure set out in BS 7974-0 Section 5: Reporting • location of the main electrical supply and presentation.³⁰ switch, the main water shut-off valve and, where appropriate, the main gas or oil

Fire safety audit shut-off valves; and A fire safety audit can be used alongside your

•plans and specifications relating to all

fire risk assessment to identify what fire safety recent constructions. provisions exist in your premises.

This information should be passed on to any When carrying out a review of your fire later users or owners of the premises. safety risk assessment, a pre-planned audit can quickly identify if there have been any significant changes which may affect the fire safety systems and highlight whether a full 7.2 Emergency plans fire risk assessment is necessary. Emergency plan and contingency plans

Plans and specifications Your emergency plan should be appropriate to Plans and specifications can be required to your premises and could include: assist understanding of a fire risk assessment

•how people will be warned if there is a fire;

or emergency plan. Even where not needed for this purpose they can help you and your staff • what staff should do if they discover a fire; keep your fire risk assessment and emergency

•how live performances will be stopped;

plan under review and help the fire and rescue service in the event of fire. If you are licensed • the role of specific post-holders (not under the Licensing Act, then you may already named individuals); have suitable plans.

•how the evacuation of the premises should be carried out;

Any symbols used should be shown on a key. Plans and specifications could include • where people should assemble after they the following: have left the premises and procedures for checking whether the premises have been

•essential structural features such as the layout evacuated; of rooms, escape doors, wall partitions, corridors, stairways, etc. (including any • how you will communicate with the public fire-resisting structure and self-closing fire (e.g. PA systems); doors provided to protect the escape routes);

•identification of key escape routes, how

•location of refuges and lifts that have been people can gain access to them and escape designated suitable for use by disabled from them to a place of total safety; people and others who may need

•arrangements for fighting the fire;

assistance to escape in case of fire;

•the duties and identity of staff who have

•methods for fighting fire (details of the specific responsibilities if there is a fire; number, type and location of the firefighting equipment); • arrangements for the safe evacuation of people identified as being especially at risk,

•location of manually-operated fire such as those with disabilities, lone workers alarm call points and control equipment and children (especially at performances for fire alarms; intended primarily for children);

•location of any control rooms and any fire

•identification of an assembly point or

staff posts; assembly points outside the premises;

•location of any emergency lighting

•arrangements for organising a roll call of

equipment and the exit route signs; staff and/or the reporting of ‘sweeping’ of the premises by wardens;

Source page 125

•arrangements for lowering the safety curtain;

•any machines/processes/appliances/power supplies that need to be stopped or isolated if there is a fire;

•specific arrangements, if necessary, for high fire-risk areas;

•contingency plans (e.g. restrictions on the use of the building) for when life safety systems are out of order, e.g. evacuation lifts, fire-detection and warning systems, sprinklers or smoke control systems;

•how the fire and rescue service and any other necessary services will be called and who will be responsible for doing this;

•procedures for meeting the fire and rescue service on their arrival and notifying them of any special risks, e.g. the location of highly flammable materials;

•what training employees need and the arrangements for ensuring that this training is given;

•staff alerting systems, where selected staff are notified of an alarm before the general alarm is sounded;

•phased evacuation plans (where some areas are evacuated while others are alerted but not evacuated until later);

•different evacuation procedures from:

a)the auditorium during performance;

b)the auditorium when staff only are present; c) the auditorium during rehearsals; d) other public areas during performance/out of performance; and e) staff areas; and

•any obligations you may have in respect of the protection of animals that are present in your premises.

As part of your emergency plan it is good practice to prepare post-incident plans for dealing with situations that might arise such as those involving:

•unaccompanied children;

•people with personal belongings (especially valuables) still in the building;

•people in a state of undress (e.g. performers);

•people wishing to rejoin friends;

•getting people away from the building (e.g. to transport); and

•inclement weather.

You may need to consider the risk of another incident occurring at the premises which might prejudice public safety or disrupt normal operations; for example, power cuts, bomb threats, delayed starts or audience disorder. Since a fire may be associated with some other emergency, your various response procedures should be integrated.

Similarly, the emergency services may wish to prepare an emergency procedure plan to deal with a major incident occurring at the premises, or in the vicinity, in consultation with yourself, the police, fire and ambulance services, the local health authority and local authority, and agree a plan of action, including access for emergency vehicles, for all foreseeable incidents. In doing so, they will wish to take account of your fire risk assessment and emergency plan.

You should also prepare contingency plans to determine specific actions and/or the mobilisation of specialist sources.

Guidance on developing health and safety management policy has been published by the HSE.³¹

7.3Information, instruction, co-operation and co-ordination

Supplying information You must provide easily understandable information to employees, the parents of children you may employ, and to employers of other persons working in your premises about the measures in place to ensure a safe escape from the building and how they will operate, for example:

•any significant risks to staff and other relevant persons that have been identified in your fire risk assessment or any similar assessment carried out by another user and responsible person in the building;

•the fire prevention and protection measures and procedures in your premises and where they impact on staff and other relevant persons in the building;

•the procedures for fighting a fire in the premises; and

•the identity of people who have been nominated with specific responsibilities in the building.

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You need to ensure that all staff and, where necessary, other relevant persons who work in the building, receive appropriate information in a way that can be easily understood. This might include any special instructions to particular people who have been allocated a specific task, such as shutting down equipment or guiding people to the nearest exit.

Duties of employees to give information Employees also have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of other people who may be affected by their activities. This includes the need for them to inform their employer of any activity that they consider would present a serious and immediate danger to their own safety and that of others.

Dangerous substances HSE publishes guidance⁸ about specific substances where appropriate information may need to be provided. If any of these, or any other substance that is not included but nevertheless presents more than a slight risk, is present in your premises, then you must provide such information to staff and others, specifically you must:

•name the substance and the risks associated with it, e.g. how to safely use or store the product to avoid creating highly flammable vapours or explosive atmospheres;

•identify any legislative provisions that may be associated with the substance;

•allow employees access to the hazardous substances safety data sheet; and

•inform the local fire and rescue service where dangerous substances are present on the premises.

Case study

A few litres of flammable varnish are unlikely to need anything other than basic precautions such as a warning sign on the room or container in which they are stored. However, the storage and/or use of sizeable quantities of pyrotechnics or significant quantities of nitrocellulose film stock will require more comprehensive information and notification to the fire and rescue service and other agencies (e.g. the HSE).

Information to the fire and rescue services In addition to providing information to the fire and rescue service when dangerous substances are present in sufficient quantities to pose an enhanced risk, it will also be helpful to inform them of any short-term changes that might have an impact on their firefighting activities, e.g. in the event of temporary loss of a firefighting facility and temporary alterations.

Procedures should also include meeting and briefing the fire and rescue service when they arrive.

An effective method of providing important information to the emergency services is by the provision of pre-agreed information that is stored in a plans box at a suitable position at the premises – refer to BS 5588-12.⁵¹

Case study

If the firefighting lift in a multi-storey premises becomes defective, this should be brought to the attention of the fire and rescue service. Being unable to use this facility to tackle a fire on the upper floors might have a serious effect on the ability of firefighters to begin operations as quickly as planned. The information supplied will enable the emergency services to make adjustments to the level of the emergency response.

Instruction You will need to carefully consider the type of instructions to staff and other people working in your premises. Written instructions must be concise, clear and relevant and therefore must be reviewed and updated as new working practices and hazardous substances are introduced.

Inclusive access and employment policies mean that people with learning difficulties may now be present in a range of premises and your fire risk assessment should consider whether further instruction or guidance is necessary to ensure that your evacuation strategy is appropriate and, as far as possible, understood by everyone.

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Instructions will need to be given to people Co-operation and co-ordination delegated to carry out particular tasks, for Where you share premises with others (this example: includes people who are self-employed or in partnership), each responsible person, i.e.

•removing additional security, bolts, bars or each employer, owner or other person who chains on final exit doors before the public has control over any part of the premises, will are admitted, to ensure that escape routes need to co-operate and co-ordinate the are accessible; findings of their separate fire risk assessments

•carrying out a fire safety ‘patrol’ during to ensure the fire precautions and protection performances; measures are effective throughout the building. This could include:

•daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly checks on the range of fire safety measures (in • co-ordinating an emergency plan (see Step larger premises some of the work may be 4.2 for features of an emergency plan); contracted out to a specialist company);

•identifying the nature of any risks and

•safety considerations when closing down how they may affect others in or about the premises at the end of the day, e.g. the premises; removing rubbish, ensuring enough exits

•identifying any fire prevention and

are available for people who remain and protection measures; closing fire doors and shutters;

•identifying any measures to mitigate the

•leaving hazardous substances in a safe effects of a fire; and condition when evacuating the building;

•arranging any contacts with external

•the safe storage of hazardous substances emergency services and calling the at the end of the working day; and fire and rescue service.

•ensuring everyone in large organisations with many buildings within a curtilage and a security zone knows how to use internal Case study emergency telephones.

Specific instructions may be needed about: At a large multi-purpose event venue, a safety committee was established with the

•how staff will help members of the operators’ staff and all those contractors public/visitors to leave the building; who worked on the site. Visiting performance companies were also required to take part

•how staff will help children and disabled in the committee meetings, and share their people to leave the building; risk assessments with the committee.

•‘sweeping’ of the theatre or cinema floors by staff to guide people to the nearest exit The café in the foyer of a theatre was an independent concession that opened when the fire alarm sounds; different hours to the performances in the

•operating any specific safety controls theatre. A joint emergency plan was agreed (e.g. the switch to restore the normal and joint fire drills were carried out at times lighting in the auditorium); when one or other section was closed. The results of the fire drills were analysed and

•lowering the safety curtain; the emergency plan revised.

•designating particular areas of a theatre or cinema for supervisors to check that no one remains inside; 7.4 Fire safety training

•calling the emergency services;

•carrying out evacuation roll calls of staff; Staff training The actions of staff if there is a fire are likely

•taking charge at the assembly area; to be crucial to their safety and that of other

•meeting and directing fire engines; and people in the premises. All staff should receive basic fire safety induction training and attend

•cover arrangements when nominated refresher sessions at pre-determined intervals. people are on leave. You may wish to organise ‘fire safety weeks’ once a year to ensure that all staff in the organisation receive regular refresher training.

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You should ensure that all staff and contractors are told about the emergency plan and are shown the escape routes.

The training should take account of the findings of the fire risk assessment and be easily understood by all those attending. It should include the role that those members of staff will be expected to carry out if a fire occurs. This may vary in large premises, with some staff being appointed as fire marshals or being given some other particular role for which additional training will be required.

In addition to the guidance given in Part 1, Step 4.4, as a minimum all staff should receive training about:

•general fire precautions, good housekeeping and how to avoid fires starting;

•the items listed in your emergency plan;

•the importance of fire doors and other basic fire prevention measures;

•where relevant, the appropriate use of firefighting equipment;

•the importance of reporting to the assembly area;

•exit routes and the operation of exit devices, including physically walking these routes;

•general matters such as permitted smoking areas or restrictions on cooking other than in designated areas; and

•assisting disabled persons where necessary.

Training is necessary:

•when staff start employment or are transferred into the premises;

•when changes have been made to the emergency plan and the preventive and protective measures;

•where working practices and processes or people’s responsibilities change;

•to take account of any changed risks to the safety of staff or other relevant persons;

•to ensure that staff know what they have to do to safeguard themselves and others on the premises;

•where staff are expected to assist disabled persons; and

•if a member of staff may take on the role of duty manager.

Training should be repeated as often as necessary and should take place during working hours.

Whatever training you decide is necessary to support your fire safety strategy and emergency plan, it should be verifiable.

Enforcing authorities may want to examine records as evidence that adequate training has been given.

Where safety personnel from an outside agency are on duty, it is your responsibility to ensure that such personnel have been trained to carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to them.

Fire marshals and firefighting teams Staff expected to undertake the role of fire marshals (often called fire wardens), or form members of a firefighting team (if you have one), would require more comprehensive training. Their role may include:

•helping those on the premises to leave;

•checking the premises to ensure everyone has left;

•using firefighting equipment if safe to do so;

•liaising with the fire and rescue service on arrival;

•shutting down vital or dangerous equipment; and

•performing a supervisory/managing role in any fire situation.

Training for this role may include:

•detailed knowledge of the fire safety strategy of the premises;

•awareness of human behaviour in fires;

•how to encourage others to use the most appropriate escape route;

•how to search safely and recognise areas that are unsafe to enter;

•the difficulties that some people, particularly if disabled, may have in escaping and any special evacuation arrangements that have been pre-planned;

•additional training in the use of firefighting equipment;

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•an understanding of the purpose of any fixed firefighting equipment such as sprinklers or gas flooding systems; and

•reporting of faults, incidents and near misses.

Theatre firefighter/duty fire officer If you employ a theatre firefighter or duty fire officer, they should be provided with any additional training that they need to work in your theatre or cinema. The duty fire officer should not be a fire marshal.

Duty electrician Similarly, if you employ a duty electrician, they should be provided with any additional training that they need to respond to an emergency.

Fire drills Once the emergency plan has been developed and training given, you will need to evaluate its effectiveness. The best way to do this is to perform a fire drill. This should be carried out at least monthly or as determined by your fire risk assessment. If you have a high staff turnover, you may need to carry them out more often.

A well-planned and executed fire drill will confirm understanding of the training and provide helpful information for future training. The responsible person should determine the possible objectives of the drill such as to:

•identify any weaknesses in the evacuation strategy;

•test the procedure following any recent alteration or changes to working practices;

•familiarise new members of staff with procedures; and

•test the arrangements for disabled people.

Some cinemas and theatres have found it helpful to employ a ‘rent-a-crowd’ to add realism to drills.

Who should take part? Within each building the evacuation should include all occupants except those who may need to ensure the security of the premises, or people who, on a risk-assessed basis, are required to remain with particular equipment or processes that cannot be closed down.

Premises that consist of several buildings on the same site should be dealt with one building at a time over an appropriate period unless the emergency procedure dictates otherwise.

Where appropriate, you may find it helpful to include members of the public in your fire drill

–ensuring that all necessary health and safety issues are addressed before you do so.

Carrying out the drill The escape plan should be designed to evacuate all people on the assumption that one exit or stairway is unavailable because of the fire. This could be simulated by a designated person being located at a suitable point on an exit route. Applying this scenario to different escape routes at each fire drill will encourage individuals to use alternative escape routes which they may not normally use.

When carrying out the drill you might find it helpful to:

•circulate details concerning the drill and inform all staff of their duty to participate. It may not be beneficial to have ‘surprise drills’ as the health and safety risks introduced may outweigh the benefits;

•ensure that equipment can be safely left;

•nominate observers;

•inform the alarm receiving centre if the fire-warning system is monitored (if the fire and rescue service is normally called directly from your premises, ensure that this does not happen);

•inform members of the public if they are present;

•ask a member of staff at random to set off the alarm by operating the nearest alarm call point using the test key. This will indicate the level of knowledge regarding the location of the nearest call point; and

•employ a ‘rent-a-crowd’ to test the emergency plan.

More detailed information on fire drills and test evacuations are given in BS 5588-12.⁵¹

Where possible, it is helpful to carry out daytime fire drills, and occasionally during a performance when an audience is present.

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The roll call/checking the premises have been evacuated Carry out a roll call of your staff as soon as possible at the designated assembly point(s), and/or receive reports from wardens designated to ‘sweep’ the premises. You should note any staff who are unaccounted for. In a real evacuation this information will need to be passed to the fire and rescue service on arrival.

Check that people have assembled at the evacuation point.

Once the roll call is complete or all reports have been received, and all members of the public are out of the building, allow people to return to the building. If the fire-warning system is monitored, inform the alarm receiving centre that the drill has now been completed. Record the outcomes of the drill.

Monitoring and debrief Throughout the drill the responsible person and nominated observers should pay particular attention to:

•any communication difficulties, including with the roll call and establishing that everyone is out of the building, and, where possible, accounted for;

•the use of the nearest available escape routes as opposed to common circulation routes;

•difficulties with the opening of final exit doors;

•difficulties experienced by people with disabilities;

•the roles of specified people, e.g. fire wardens;

•inappropriate actions, e.g. stopping to collect personal items, attempting to use lifts, etc.; and

•windows and doors not being closed as people leave.

On-the-spot debriefs are useful to discuss the fire drill, encouraging feedback from everybody. Later, reports from fire wardens and observations from people should be collated and reviewed. Any conclusions and remedial actions should be recorded and implemented.

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Section 8 Quality assurance of fire protection equipment and installation

Fire protection products and related services should be fit for their purpose and properly installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or a relevant standard.

Third-party certification schemes for fire protection products and related services are an effective means of providing the fullest possible assurances, offering a level of quality, reliability and safety that non-certificated products may lack. This does not mean goods and services that are not third-party approved are less reliable, but there is no obvious way in which this can be demonstrated.

Third-party quality assurance can offer comfort, both as a means of satisfying you that goods and services you have purchased are fit for purpose and as a means of demonstrating that you have complied with the law.

However, to ensure the level of assurance offered by third-party schemes, you should always check whether the company you employ sub-contracts work to others. If they do, you will want to check that the sub- contractors are subject to the same level of checks of quality and competence as the company you are employing.

Your local fire and rescue service, fire trade associations or your own trade association may be able to provide further details about third- party quality assurance schemes and the various organisations that administer them.

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A1 Example fire safety maintenance checklist

A fire safety maintenance checklist can be used manufacturers and installers of the fire safety as a means of supporting your fire safety policy. equipment/systems that you may have installed This example list is not intended to be in your premises. comprehensive and should not be used as a substitute for carrying out a fire risk assessment. Any ticks in the grey boxes should result in further investigation and appropriate action as

You can modify the example, where necessary, necessary. In larger and more complex premises to fit your premises and may need to you may need to seek the assistance of a incorporate the recommendations of competent person to carry out some of the checks.

Yes No N/A Comments Daily checks (not normally recorded) Escape routes Can all fire exits be opened immediately and easily? n n n Are fire doors clear of obstructions? n n n Are escape routes clear? n n n Fire warning systems Is the indicator panel showing ‘normal’? n n n Are whistles, gongs or air horns in place? n n n Escape lighting Are luminaires and exit signs in good condition and undamaged? n n n Is emergency lighting and sign lighting working correctly? n n n Firefighting equipment Are all fire extinguishers in place? n n n Are fire extinguishers clearly visible? n n n Are vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them? n n n Weekly checks Escape routes Do all emergency fastening devices to fire exits (push bars and n n n pads, etc.) work correctly? Are external routes clear and safe? n n n Fire warning systems Does testing a manual call point send a signal to the indicator n n n panel? (Disconnect the link to the receiving centre or tell them you are doing a test.) Did the alarm system work correctly when tested? n n n Did staff and other people hear the fire alarm? n n n Did any linked fire protection systems operate correctly? n n n (e.g. magnetic door holder released, smoke curtains drop)

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Weekly checks continued Do all visual alarms and/or vibrating alarms and pagers (as applicable) work? Do voice alarm systems work correctly? Was the message understood? Escape lighting Are charging indicators (if fitted) visible? Firefighting equipment Is all equipment in good condition? Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. Monthly checks Escape routes Do all electronic release mechanisms on escape doors work correctly? Do they ‘fail safe’ in the open position? Do all automatic opening doors on escape routes ‘fail safe’ in the open position? Are fire door seals and self-closing devices in good condition?

Yes No N/A Comments

n n n

n n n

n n n

n n n n n n

n n n

n n n

n n n

Do all roller shutters provided for fire compartmentation work correctly? n n n

Are external escape stairs safe? Do all internal self-closing fire doors work correctly? Escape lighting Do all luminaires and exit signs function correctly when tested?

n n n n n n

n n n

Have all emergency generators been tested? (Normally run for one hour.) n n n

Firefighting equipment Is the pressure in ‘stored pressure’ fire extinguishers correct? Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. Three-monthly checks General Are any emergency water tanks/ponds at their normal capacity? Are vehicles blocking fire hydrants or access to them? Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. Six-monthly checks General Has any firefighting or emergency evacuation lift been tested by a competent person? Has any sprinkler system been tested by a competent person? Have the release and closing mechanisms of any fire-resisting compartment doors and shutters been tested by a competent person? Fire warning system Has the system been checked by a competent person?

n n n n n n

n n n n n n n n n

n n n

n n n n n n

n n n

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Yes No N/A Comments Six-monthly checks continued Escape lighting Do all luminaires operate on test for one third of their rated value? n n n Additional items from manufacturer’s recommendations. n n n Annual checks Escape routes Do all self-closing fire doors fit correctly? n n n Is escape route compartmentation in good repair? n n n Escape lighting Do all luminaires operate on test for their full rated duration? n n n Has the system been checked by a competent person? n n n Firefighting equipment Has all firefighting equipment been checked by a competent person? n n n Miscellaneous Has any dry/wet rising fire main been tested by a competent person? n n n Has the smoke and heat ventilation system been tested by a n n n competent person? Has external access for the fire service been checked for n n n ongoing availability? Have any firefighters’ switches been tested? n n n Has the fire hydrant bypass flow valve control been tested by a n n n competent person? Are any necessary fire engine direction signs in place? n n n

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A2Example form for recording significant findings

Risk Assessment – Record of significant findings Risk assessment for Assessment undertaken by

Company Date

Completed by Address Signature

Sheet number Floor/area Use

Step 1 – Identify fire hazards

Sources of ignition Sources of fuel Sources of oxygen

Step 2 – People at risk

Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

(3.1)Evaluate the risk of the fire occuring

(3.2)Evaluate the risk to people from a fire starting in the premises

(3.3)Remove and reduce the hazards that may cause a fire

(3.4)Remove and reduce the risks to people from a fire

Assessment review

Assessment review date Completed by Signature

Review outcome (where substantial changes have occurred a new record sheet should be used)

Notes:

(1)The risk assessment record of significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.

(2)The information in this record should assist you to develop an emergency plan; to coordinate measures with other ‘responsible persons’ in the building; and to inform and train staff and inform other relevant persons.

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Technical information on fire-resisting

separation, fire doors and door fastenings

B1Fire-resisting separation

General The materials from which your premises are constructed may determine the speed with which a fire may spread, affecting the escape routes that people will use. A fire starting in a building constructed mainly from readily combustible material will spread faster than one where modern fire-resisting construction materials have been used. Where non-combustible materials are used and the internal partitions are made from fire-resisting materials, the fire will be contained for a longer period, allowing more time for the occupants to escape.

Because of the requirements of the Building Regulations you will probably already have some walls and floors that are fire-resisting and limitations on the surface finishes to certain walls and ceilings.

You will need to consider whether the standard of fire resistance and surface finishing in the escape routes is satisfactory, has been affected by wear and tear or alterations and whether any improvements are necessary.

Figure 67: Fire-resisting construction

The following paragraphs give basic information on how fire-resisting construction can provide up to 30 minutes’ protection to escape routes. This is the standard recommended for most situations. If you are still unsure of the level of fire resistance which is necessary after reading this information, you should consult a fire safety expert.

Fire-resisting construction The fire resistance of a wall or floor is dependent on the quality of construction and materials used. Common examples of types of construction that provide 30-minute fire resistance to escape routes if constructed to the above standards are:

•internal framed construction wall, non-load bearing, consisting of 72mm x 37mm timber studs at 600mm centres and faced with 12.5mm of plasterboard with all joints taped and filled (see Figure 67);

•internal framed construction, non-load bearing, consisting of channel section steel studs at 600mm centres faced with 12.5mm of plasterboard with all joints taped and filled; and

•masonry cavity wall consisting of solid bricks of clay, brick earth, shale, concrete or calcium silicate, with a minimum thickness of 90mm on each leaf.

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There are other methods and products available which will achieve the required standard of fire resistance and may be more appropriate for the existing construction in your premises. If there is any doubt about how your building is constructed, then ask for further advice from a competent person.

Fire-resisting floors The fire resistance of floors will depend on the existing floor construction as well as the type of ceiling finish beneath. If you need to upgrade the fire resistance of your floor it may not be desirable to apply additional fire resistance to the underside of an existing ornate ceiling. In older buildings there may be a requirement to provide fire resistance between beams and joists.

A typical example of a 30-minute fire-resisting timber floor is tongue and groove softwood of not less than 15mm finished thickness on 37mm timber joists, with a ceiling below of one layer of plasterboard to a thickness of 12.5mm with joints taped and filled and backed by supporting timber.

There are other, equally valid, methods and products available for upgrading floors. If you are in any doubt you should ask the advice of a competent person and ensure that the product is installed in accordance with instructions from the manufacturer or supplier.

Fire-resisting glazing The most common type of fire-resisting glazing is 6mm Georgian wired glazing, which is easily identifiable. Clear fire-resisting glazing is available and can quickly be identified by a mark etched into the glass, usually in the corner of the glazed panel, to confirm its fire-resisting standard. Although this is not compulsory, the marking of glass is supported by the Glass and Glazing Federation; you should check whether the glazing will be marked accordingly before purchase. The glazing should have been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and to the appropriate standard,⁷⁵ to ensure that its fire-resisting properties are maintained.

The performance of glazed systems in terms of fire resistance and external fire exposure should, wherever possible, be confirmed by test evidence. Alternatively, where there is a lack of test information, ask for an assessment of the proposed construction from suitably qualified people.

Fire separation of voids A common problem encountered with fire separation is fire-resisting partitions which do

not extend above false ceilings to true ceiling height. This may result in unseen fire spread and a loss of vital protection to the escape routes. It is important therefore to carefully check all such partitions have been installed correctly.

CLASP and SCOLA type construction CLASP (Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme) and SCOLA (Second Consortium of Local Authorities) are total or systematic methods of construction that were developed to provide consistent building quality, while reducing the need for traditional skilled labour. They consist of a metal frame upon which structural panels are fixed which results in hidden voids through which fire may spread. It is important that cavity barriers that restrict the spread of fire are installed appropriately, especially to walls and floors that need to be fire-resisting. If you are in any doubt as to whether any remedial work will be required, then ask for advice from a competent person.

Breaching fire separation To ensure effective protection against fire, walls and floors providing fire separation must form a complete barrier, with an equivalent level of fire resistance provided to any openings such as doors, ventilation ducts, pipe passages or refuse chutes.

The passing of services such as heating pipes or electrical cables through fire-resisting partitions leaves gaps through which fire and smoke may spread. This should be rectified by suitable fire stopping and there are many proprietary products available to suit particular types of construction. Such products should be installed by competent contractors.

Décor and surface finishes of walls, ceilings and escape routes The materials used to line walls and ceilings can contribute significantly to the spread of flame across their surface. Most materials that are used as surface linings will fall into one of three classes of surface spread of flame. The following are common examples of acceptable materials for various situations:

Class 0: Materials suitable for circulation spaces and escape routes

•Such materials include brickwork, blockwork, concrete, ceramic tiles, plaster finishes (including rendering on wood or metal lathes), wood-wool cement slabs and mineral fibre tiles or sheets with cement or resin binding.

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Note: Additional finishes to these surfaces may be detrimental to the fire performance of the surface and if there is any doubt about this then consult the manufacturer of the finish.

Class 1: Materials suitable for use in all rooms but not on escape routes

•Such materials include all the Class 0 materials referred to above. Additionally, timber, hardboard, blockboard, particle board, heavy flock wallpapers and thermosetting plastics will be suitable if flame-retardant treated to achieve a Class 1 standard.

Class 3: Materials suitable for use in rooms of less than 30m²

•Such materials include all those referred to in Class 1, including those that have not been flame-retardant treated and certain dense timber or plywood and standard glass-reinforced polyesters.

The equivalent European classification standard will also be acceptable. Further details about internal linings and classifications are available in Approved Document B.²⁴ Appropriate testing procedures are detailed in BS 476-7³² and where appropriate BS EN 13501-1.³³

Further guidance on types of fire-resisting construction has been published by the Building Research Establishment.³⁴

B2Fire-resisting doors

Requirements of a fire-resisting door Effective fire-resisting doors (see Figure 68) are vital to ensure that the occupants can evacuate to a place of safety. Correctly specified and well-fitted doors will hold back fire and smoke, preventing escape routes becoming unusable, as well as preventing the fire spreading from one area to another.

Fire-resisting doors are necessary in any doorway located in a fire-resisting structure. Most internal doors are constructed of timber. These will give some limited protection against fire spread, but only a purpose-built fire-resisting door that has been tested to an approved standard will provide the necessary protection. Metal fire-resisting doors are also available and specific guidance for these follows.

All fire-resisting doors are rated by their performance when tested to an appropriate standard. The level of protection provided by the door is measured, primarily by determining

the time taken for a fire to breach the integrity (E), of the door assembly, together with its resistance to the passage of hot gases and flame.

It may be possible to upgrade the fire resistance of existing doors. Further information is available from the Building Research Establishment⁷⁶ or the Timber Research and Development Association.⁷⁷

Timber fire-resisting doors require a gap of 2–4mm between the door leaf and the frame. However, larger gaps may be necessary to ensure that the door closes flush into its frame when smoke seals are fitted. Further information is available in BS 4787-1.⁷⁹ For fire-resisting purposes the gap is normally protected by installing an intumescent seal, in either the door or, preferably, the frame. The intumescent seal expands in the early stages of a fire and enhances the protection given by the door. Additional smoke seals will restrict the spread of smoke at ambient temperatures. Doors fitted with smoke seals, either incorporated in the intumescent seal or fitted separately, have their classification code suffixed with an ‘S’.

The principal fire-resisting door categories are:

•E20 fire-resisting door providing 20 minutes fire resistance (or equivalent FD 20S). (Note: Many suppliers no longer provide an E20-type fire-resisting door.)

•E30 fire-resisting door providing 30 minutes fire resistance (or equivalent FD 30S).

•E60 fire-resisting door providing 60 minutes fire resistance (or equivalent FD 60S).

Timber fire-resisting doors are available that will provide up to 120 minutes fire resistance but their use is limited to more specialised conditions that are beyond the scope of this guidance.

Metal fire-resisting doors Although the majority of fire-resisting doors are made from timber, metal fire-resisting doors, which meet the appropriate standard, can often be used for the same purpose. However, there are situations where they are more appropriate. The majority of metal fire-resisting door manufacturers will require the use of bespoke frames and hardware for their door sets.

See BS EN 1634-1³⁵ and BS 476-22³⁶ for more information.

For detailed guidance refer to Approved Document B.²⁴

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Figure 68: A fire-resisting and smoke-stopping door

Glazing in fire-resisting doors Although glazing provides additional safety in everyday use and can enhance the appearance of fire-resisting doors, it should never reduce the fire resistance of the door. The opening provided in the door for the fire-resisting glazing unit(s) and the fitting of the beading are critical, and should only be entrusted to a competent person. In nearly all cases the door and glazing should be purchased from a reputable supplier who can provide documentary evidence that the door continues to achieve the required rating.

Fire-resisting door furniture

Hinges To ensure compliance with their rated fire performance, fire-resisting doors need to be hung with the correct number, size and quality of hinges. Normally a minimum of three hinges are needed, however the manufacturer’s instructions should be closely followed. BS EN 1935³⁷ including Annex B, is the appropriate standard.

Alternative door mountings Although the most common method of hanging a door is to use single axis hinges, alternative methods are employed where the door is required to be double swing or mounted on pivots for other reasons.

Floor-mounted controlled door-closing devices are the most common method regularly found with timber, glass and steel doors, while transom-mounted devices are commonly used with aluminium sections. In each case reference should be made to the fire test report for details as to compliance with the composition of the door assembly, including the door- mounting conditions.

Self-closing devices All fire-resisting doors, other than those to locked cupboards and service ducts, should be fitted with an appropriately controlled self- closing device that will effectively close the door from any angle. In certain circumstances, concealed, jamb-mounted closing devices may

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be specified and in these cases should be capable of closing the door from any angle and against any latch fitted to the door; spring hinges are unlikely to be suitable. Further information is available in BS EN 1154.³⁸

Rising butt hinges are not suitable for use as a self-closing device due to their inability to close and latch the door from any angle.

Automatic door hold-open/release devices for self-closing fire doors These devices are designed to hold open self- closing fire doors or allow them to swing free during normal use. In the event of a fire alarm the device will then release the door automatically, allowing the self-closing mechanism to close the door.

Such devices are particularly useful in situations where self-closing doors on escape routes are used regularly by significant numbers of people, or by people with impaired mobility who may have difficulty in opening the doors.

Typical examples of such devices include:

•electro-magnetic devices fitted to the fire- resisting door which release when the fire detection and warning system operates, allowing a separate self-closer to close the door;

•electro-magnetic devices within the controlled door-closing device which function on the operation of the fire detection and warning system; and

•‘free swing’ controlled door-closing devices, which operate by allowing the door leaf to work independently of the closing device in normal conditions. An electro-magnetic device within the spring mechanism linked to the fire detection and warning system ensures that the door closes on the operation of the system.

Note: Free swing devices may not be suitable in some situations, such as corridors, where draughts are a problem and the doors are likely to swing uncontrolled, causing possible difficulty or injury to certain people, e.g. those with certain disabilities, the elderly and frail, or young children.

Automatic door hold-open/release devices fitted to doors protecting escape routes should only be installed in conjunction with an automatic fire detection and warning system incorporating smoke detectors, which is

designed to protect the escape routes in the building (see Part 2, Section 2).

In all cases the automatic device should release the fire-resisting door, allowing it to close effectively within its frame when any of the following conditions occur:

•the detection of smoke by an automatic detector;

•the actuation of the fire detection and alarm system by manual means, e.g. operation of break-glass call points;

•any failure of the fire detection and alarm system; or

•aany electrical power failure.

Other devices, including self-contained devices which perform a similar function, that are not connected directly to a fire alarm system and are not therefore able to meet the above criteria are available and may be acceptable where a site-specific risk assessment can show that they are appropriate. Such devices are unlikely to be suitable for use on doors protecting single stairways or other critical means of escape.

In all cases where a door hold-open device is used it should be possible to close the door manually.

A site-specific risk assessment should be undertaken before any type of automatic door hold-open/release device is installed. If you are unsure about the suitability of such devices in your premises, you should seek the advice of a competent person.

Further guidance about automatic door hold- open/release devices is given in BS EN 1155⁹⁷ or BS 5839-3.⁴⁰

Door co-ordinators Where pairs of doors with rebated meeting stiles are installed it is critical that the correct closing order is maintained. Door co-ordinators to BS EN 1158⁸⁰ should be fitted and fully operational in all cases where the doors are self-closing.

Installation and workmanship The reliability and performance of correctly specified fire-resisting doors can be undermined by inadequate installation. It is important that installers with the necessary level of skill and knowledge are used. Accreditation schemes for installers of fire-resisting doors are available.

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Fire-resisting doors and shutters will require routine maintenance, particularly to power operation and release and closing mechanisms.

Further information is available on fire-resisting doors in BS 8214.⁴¹ If you are unsure about the quality, the effectiveness or the fitting of your fire-resisting doors, consult a fire safety expert.

For further guidance on the selection and maintenance of door furniture suitable for use on timber fire-resisting and escape doors refer to the Building Hardware Industry Federation (BHIF) Code of Practice – Hardware for Timber Fire and Escape Doors.⁸¹

B3Door-fastening devices

The relationship between the securing of doors against unwanted entry and the ability to escape through them easily in an emergency has often proved problematical. Careful planning and the use of quality materials remain the most effective means of satisfying both of these objectives.

Any device that impedes people making good their escape, either by being unnecessarily complicated to manipulate or not being readily openable, will not be acceptable.

Guidance on fire exits starts from the position that doors on escape routes should not be fitted with any locking devices (electrically operated or otherwise). However, it is accepted that in many cases the need for security will require some form of device that prevents unlimited access, but still enables the occupants of a building or area to open the door easily if there is a fire. These devices can take many forms but, in the majority of cases, premises where there are members of the public present or others who are not familiar with the building should use panic exit bar devices (i.e. push bars or touch bars). See BS EN 1125⁴² for further information.

Premises that have limited numbers of staff or others who are familiar with the building and where panic is not likely may use alternative devices (i.e. push pads or lever handles). See BS EN 179⁴³ for further information.

In some larger premises, when only certain staff are on the premises and there is a security issue, it may be acceptable to restrict the number of emergency exits immediately available, e.g.

when only security staff are present at night, or prior to opening the premises to the public in the morning. Staff should be made fully aware of any restrictions and the number of exits not immediately available should be limited.

Electrical locking devices Electrically operated entry control devices have been developed for use as locking devices on fire exits. They fall into two main categories, electromechanical and electromagnetic.

•Electromechanical devices

Electromechanical devices comprise electromechanical lock keeps and draw bolts, which can be controlled by people inside the premises by entering a code or by using ‘smart cards’, which have been adapted to control the exit from certain areas. These devices have been fitted in many premises and may be linked to the fire-detection and/or warning system. Experience has shown that these devices can fail to open in a number of ways. They are dependent on a spring mechanism to return the lock keep or draw bolt(s) and are liable to jam when pressure is applied to the door. It is also relatively easy to fit them incorrectly. Electromechanical locking devices are normally unacceptable on escape doors, unless they are fitted with a manual means of overriding the locking mechanism, such as a push bar, push pad or lever handle, or they do not rely on a spring mechanism, fail-safe open and are not affected by pressure, in which case the criteria for electromagnetic devices should be applied.

•Electromagnetic devices

These devices comprise a magnet and a simple fixed retaining plate with no moving parts and are therefore generally considered to be more reliable due to their inherent ‘fail-safe unlocked’ operation. Electromagnetic locking devices go some way to addressing the particular concerns surrounding electromechanical locking systems. The release of this type of device is controlled by the interruption of electrical current to an electromagnet either manually via a switch or other means, break-glass point (typically coloured green), or by linking to the fire-warning and/or detection system of the premises.

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Time-delay devices on escape routes A further development is the fitting of a time- delay system to the electronic door-locking device. This delays the actual opening of an exit door for a variable period following operation of the panic bar or other exit device. Periods of between five and 60 seconds can be pre-set at the manufacturing stage or can be adjusted when fitted. These are not usually acceptable for use by members of the public. However, they may be acceptable for use by staff who are familiar with their operation and are suitably trained in their use.

Management of electronic door-control devices including time delays The use of such devices may be accepted by enforcing authorities if the responsible person can demonstrate, through a suitable risk assessment for each individual door, both the need and the adequate management controls to ensure that people can escape safely from the premises. In particular:

•Access control should not be confused with exit control. Many devices are available which control the access to the premises but retain the immediate escape facility from the premises.

•In public areas, when push bars are operated on escape doors, they should release the electromagnetic locks immediately and allow the exit doors to open.

•The requirement for exit control should be carefully assessed and should not be seen as a substitute for good management of the employees and occupants.

•All other alternatives should have been explored/evaluated prior to using these devices to ensure they do not affect the safety of occupants.

•The device should be connected to the fire warning and/or detection system.

•The device should incorporate a bypass circuit for immediate release on activation of the fire warning and/or detection system.

•Each door should be fitted with a single securing device.

•The emergency exit doors should be clearly labelled about how to operate them.

•Adequate control measures should be put in place to ensure the safety of the occupants.

The use of electronic door-locking devices should be considered with particular care in premises with a number of different occupancies. The management of a complicated system of evacuation for many different groups is unlikely to be practicable.

The technical standards in respect of sourcing, maintaining and testing must be extremely high.

When part of the management control system involves trained personnel helping others at these doors, it is vital to ensure these people are available.

The use of exit control devices should not be considered where the number of trained staff is low or where members of the public would be expected to operate the devices without help.

In premises where there may be large numbers of people, the devices should only be considered when linked to a comprehensive automatic fire-detection and warning system in accordance with BS 5839-1.¹⁶ There should be an additional means of manually overriding the locking device at each such exit (typically a green break-glass point).

The use of time-delay systems that prevent the opening of emergency exits for a pre-set time are primarily used to improve security. These add a further layer of complexity to the fire strategy and should not be considered in public areas. They should only be used in non-public areas when all other options such as relocating valuable stock or exterior boundary management have been addressed. Their value in preventing theft is likely to be transient as the use of the manual override becomes more widely known.

BS 8220⁴⁴ gives further advice on security in buildings and, while this standard does refer to electronic locking devices, it also acknowledges that the balance must remain on the side of emergency escape rather than security.

Source page 143

Historic buildings

General considerations This appendix offers additional information about listed and historical buildings.

Fire risk assessments conducted for a theatre, cinema, concert hall, etc. which is within a listed or historic building will need to endeavour to strike a balance between ensuring sufficient fire safety measures are in place for the safety of people, yet avoiding extensive alterations and helping to maintain the character of the building.

As well as the fire risk assessment, it is recommended that a general fire policy statement and manual is compiled. A person must be nominated to take responsibility for all aspects of fire safety. Usually the person charged with the management and control of the premises will be the ‘responsible person’ under the Order.¹

The advice and/or consent of a building control body or any other relevant bodies (e.g. English Heritage) should form part of any fire risk assessment that impacts on the character of the building (e.g. replacement of doors, fittings, wooden panelling and décor) or material changes to existing escape routes. An ideal solution is one that is reversible, enabling the historic elements to be reinstated.

A fire safety adviser will be able to suggest alternatives to conventional fire precautions, such as:

•a fire engineering solution;

•upgrading existing doors and partitions in a sympathetic manner to improve their fire resistance; and

•considering the installation of specialist fire-detection or suppression systems.

Should the design and nature of the historic building preclude the introduction of conventional fire safety features, it will be necessary to manage the building in such a way that:

•limits the number of occupants, either staff or members of the public, inside the building;

•limits activities in the building; and

•provides adequate supervision within the building.

Liaison with the fire and rescue service The responsible person will need to ensure effective liaison with the fire and rescue service to enable them to carry out firefighting operations. These may include information on:

•the provision of water supplies, seasonal ponds, lakes and underground tanks, and any associated pumps;

•difficult access for fire engines;

•particular hazards in the construction features of the building (including asbestos);

•the use of combustible under-floor insulation;

•underground vaults, ducts and voids where fire may spread unchecked;

•worn stone slabs in stairway construction; and

•the presence of cast iron columns and wrought iron beams.

Emergency planning An important consideration for the owners and trustees is the protection of valuable artefacts and paintings from the effects of fire. However, the efficient evacuation of all occupants must take precedence over procedures for limiting damage to property and contents. Salvage work should be limited to those parts of the building not directly affected by the fire.

Source page 144

Fire wardens and others tasked with carrying out salvage work should have received formal training, adequate protection and be fully briefed about the health and safety risk assessment carried out to identify the dangers associated with this activity. Further detailed advice on fire safety in historic buildings can be found in the following publications:

•BS 7913: Guide to the principles of the conservation of historic buildings, British Standards Institution

•Heritage under fire: A guide to the protection of historic buildings, Fire Protection Association (for the UK Working Party on Fire Safety in Historic Buildings) 1991, ISBN 0 902167 94 4

•The Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Historic Buildings (Historic Scotland Technical Advice Note S), Fire Protection Association (TCRE Division/Scottish Conservation Bureau, Hist.) 1998, ISBN 1 900168 63 4

•Fire Protection Measures in Scottish Historic Buildings: Advice on Measures Required to Minimise the Likelihood of Fire Starting and to Alleviate the Destructive Consequences of Fire in Historic Buildings (Technical Advice Note), TCRE Division/Scottish Conservation Bureau, Hist. 1997, ISBN 1 900168 41 3

•Fire Risk Management in Heritage Buildings (Technical Advice Note), TCRE Division/ Scottish Conservation Bureau, Hist. 2001, ISBN 1 900168 71 5

•Summary and conclusions of the report into fire protection measures for the Royal Palaces by Sir Alan Bailey following the Windsor Castle fire, 1992.

•The fire at Upton Park, The National Trust.

•Timber panelled doors and fire, English Heritage.

•Fire safety in historic town centres, English Heritage and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Source page 145

Glossary

These definitions are provided to assist the responsible person in understanding some of the technical terms used in this guide. They are not exhaustive and more precise definitions may be available in other guidance.

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Source page 147

Source page 148

Source page 149

Source page 150

The following documents are referenced in this guide. Where dated, only this version applies. Where undated, the latest version of the document applies. 1 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, SI 2005/1541. The Stationery Office, 2005. ISBN 0 11 072945 5.

2Fire Precautions Act 1971 (c 40). The Stationery Office, 1971. ISBN 0 10 544071 X. 3 Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, SI 1997/1840. The Stationery Office, 1997. ISBN 0 11 064738 6.

4Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, SI 1999/1877. The Stationery Office, 1999. ISBN 0 11 082882 8.

5Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/341. The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 054093 X.

6Safety signs and signals. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Guidance on Regulations, L64. HSE Books, 1996. ISBN 0 7176 0870 0.

7Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, SI 2002/2776. The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042957 5.

8Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres. Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved code of practice and guidance, L138. HSE Books, 2003. ISBN 0 7176 2203 7.

9Storage of full and empty LPG cylinders and cartridges. Code of Practice 7. LPG Gas Association, 2000. Available from LP Gas Association, Pavilion 16, Headlands Business Park, Salisbury Road, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3PB.

10Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offices and other low-risk environments INDG236. HSE Books, 1996. ISBN 0 7176 1272 4 (single copy free or priced packs of 10).

11Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/1592. The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 035904 6.

12A guide to the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996, INDG220. HSE Books, 1996. ISBN 0 7176 1161 2 (single copy free or priced packs of 10). Health and safety in construction, HSG150 (second edition). HSE Books, 2001. ISBN 0 7176 2106 5.

13Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c 50). The Stationery Office, 1995. ISBN 0 10 545095 2. 14 BS 8300: The design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38438 1.

15ODPM/CACFOA/BFPSA guidance on reducing false alarms. 16 BS 5839-1: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 40376 9.

17Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, SI 1992/2793. The Stationery Office, 1992. ISBN 0 11 025920 3.

18BS 5306-8: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 33203 9.

19BS 5306-3: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Code of practice for the inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 42865 6.

20BS 7863: Recommendations for colour coding to indicate the extinguishing media contained in portable fire extinguishers. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 25845 9.

21BS EN 671-3: Fixed firefighting systems. Hose systems. Maintenance of hose reels with semi-rigid hose and hose systems with lay-flat hose. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 34112 7.

22BS EN 12845: Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic sprinkler systems. Design, installation and maintenance. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 44770 7.

23Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, SI 1992/3004. The Stationery Office,

Source page 151

24The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended 2001): Approved Document B fire safety. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 11 753911 2.

25Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (c 30). The Stationery Office, 1982. ISBN 0 10 543082 X.

26BS 5395-2: Stairs, ladders and walkways. Code of practice for the design of industrial type stairs, permanent ladders and walkways. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 14706 1.

27BS 5266-8: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for emergency escape lighting systems. British Standards Institution.

27ABS 5266-1: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises other than cinemas and certain other specified premises used for entertainment. British Standards Institution.

28BS EN 1838: Lighting applications. Emergency lighting. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32992 5.

29BS 5499-5: Graphical symbols and signs. Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of practice for escape route signing. Signs with specific meanings. British Standards Institution.

29ABS 5499-4: Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of practice for escape route signing. British Standards Institution.

30BS 7974: Application of fire safety engineering principles to the design of buildings. Code of practice. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38447 0.

31Successful health and safety management, HSG65 (second edition). HSE Books, 1997. ISBN 0 7176 1276 7.

32BS 476-7: Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products. British Standards Institution.

33BS EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests. British Standards Institution.

34Guidelines for the construction of fire resisting structural elements. Building Research Establishment, 1988.

35BS EN 1634-1: Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies, BR 128. Fire doors and shutters. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32429 X.

36BS 476-22: Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 15872 1.

37BS EN 1935: Building hardware. Single-axis hinges. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 39272 4.

38BS EN 1154: Building hardware. Controlled door closing devices. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 27476 4.

39BS EN 1634-2: Fire resistance tests for door and shutter assemblies. Part 2. Fire door hardware. Building hardware for fire resisting doorsets and openable windows. British Standards Institution.

40BS 5839-3: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 15787 3.

41BS 8214: Code of practice for fire door assemblies with non-metallic leaves. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 18871 6.

42BS EN 1125: Building hardware. Panic exit devices operated by a horizontal bar. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 28863 3.

43BS EN 179: Building hardware. Emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push pad. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 28862 5.

44BS 8220: Guide for security of buildings against crime. Offices and shops. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 23692 7.

45BS EN 1363-1: Fire resistance tests. General requirements. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32419 2.

46Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/1689. The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042419 0.

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47Licensing Act 2003. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 10 541703 3. 48 Guide to safety at sports grounds (fourth edition). Department of National Heritage/The Scottish Office, 1997.

49Guide to health, safety and welfare at pop concerts and similar events. Health and Safety Commission/Home Office/The Scottish Office, 1993.

50BS 5588-10: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for shopping complexes. British Standards Institution.

51BS 5588-12: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings – Part 12: Managing fire safety. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 44586 0.

52Code of practice for pyrotechnics and smoke effects. Association of British Theatre Technicians. 53 Smoke and vapour effects used in entertainment, Entertainment Sheet No. 3. Health and Safety Executive.

54Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975. Chapter 27. HMSO, 1975. 55 The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, SI 1989/635. 56 The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, SI 1994/3260. 57 The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (CONDAM/CDM Regs). HMSO, 1994. 58 Construction Information Sheet No. 51: Construction fire safety. Health and Safety Executive. 59 Fire safety in construction work, HSG168. Health and Safety Executive. ISBN 0 7176 1332 1. 60 Fire prevention on construction sites: The joint code of practice on the protection from fire of construction sites and buildings undergoing renovation (fifth edition). Fire Protection Association and Construction Federation, 2000. ISBN 0 902167 39 1.

61BS 7157: Method of test for ignitability of fabrics used in the construction of large tented structures. British Standards Institution.

62BS 6661: Guide for the design, construction and maintenance of single-skin air supported structures. British Standards Institution.

63Design, construction, specification and fire management of insulated envelopes for temperature controlled environments. International Association for Cold Storage Construction.

64The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 11 087324 6.

65The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1989. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 11 098358 0.

66BS 5867-2: Specification for fabrics for curtains and drapes. Flammability requirements. British Standards Institution.

67BS 1892-2: Gymnasium equipment. Particular requirements. Specification for boxing rings British Standards Institution.

68BS 5588-6: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for places of assembly. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 19865 0.

69BS 5306-2: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Specification for sprinkler systems. British Standards Institution.

70BS 5588-5: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Access and facilities for firefighting. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 43804 X.

71The Building Regulations 1991: Approved Document M access to and use of buildings (2004 edition). 72 BS 5588-8: Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for means of escape for disabled people. British Standards Institution. ISBN 28267 7.

73CIBSE Guide Volume E: Fire engineering. Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, 1997. 74 Design methodologies for smoke and heat exhaust ventilation, Report 368. BRE 1999. 75 A guide to best practice in the specification and use of fire-resistant glazed systems. Glass and Glazing Federation, 2005.

76Increasing the fire resistance of existing timber doors, Information Paper 8/82. BRE. 77 Fire-resisting doorsets by upgrading, Wood Information Sheet 1-32. Timber Research and Development Association.

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78BS 5266-6: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for non-electrical low mounted way guidance systems for emergency use. Photoluminescent systems. British Standards Institution.

79BS 4787-1: Internal and external wood doorsets, door leaves and frames. Specification for dimensional requirements. British Standards Institution.

80BS EN 1158: Building hardware. Door coordinator devices. Requirement and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 27919 7.

81Hardware for timber fire and escape doors. BHIF, 2000. 82 BS 5852: Methods of test for the assessment of the ignitability of upholstered seating by smouldering and flaming ignition. British Standards Institution.

83BS 7176: Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic seating by testing composites. British Standards Insitution.

84BS EN 1101: Textiles and textile products. Burning behaviour. Curtains and drapes. Detailed procedure to determine the ignitability of vertically orientated specimens (small flame). British Standards Institution.

85BS EN 1102: Textiles and textile products. Burning behaviour. Curtains and drapes. Detailed procedure to determine the flame spread of vertically orientated specimens. British Standards Institution.

86BS EN 3-7: Portable fire extinguishers. Characteristics, performance requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.

87Technical standards for places of entertainment. District Surveyors Association/Association of British Theatre Technicians, 2004. ISBN 1 90403 105 6.

88Manufacture and storage of explosive regulations 2005. Approved code of practice and guidance, SI 2005/1082.

89Model national standard conditions for places of entertainment. DSA/ABTT on behalf of the ABTT, DSA and Local Government Licensing Forum.

90BS 4533-1: Luminaires. Particular requirements. British Standards Institution. 91 Advice on electrical safety and portable appliance testing. Association of British Theatre Technicians. 92 BS 5287: Specification for assessment and labelling of textile floor coverings tested to BS 4790. British Standards Institution.

93Model rules of public entertainment. Association of British Theatre Technicians, 1988. 94 BS EN 12209: Building hardware. Locks and latches, mechanically operated locks, latches and locking plates. British Standards Institution.

95BS EN 1906: Building hardware. Lever handles and furniture. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution.

96BS 5839-9: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication. British Standards Institution.

97BS EN 1155: Building hardware. Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors. Requirements and test methods. British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 28341 0.

Source page 154

The latest versions of all documents listed in this section should be used, including any amendments.

Any views expressed in these documents are not necessarily those of the DCLG.

Source page 155

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, SI 1999/3242.

Design principles of fire safety. The Stationery Office, 1996. ISBN 0 11 753045 X.

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002, SI 2002/1689. The Stationery Office, 2002. ISBN 0 11 042419 0. Supporting guides: The idiot’s guide to CHIP 3: Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations, 2002, INDG350. HSE Books, 2002. ISBN 0 7176 2333 5 (single copy free or priced packs of 5),; CHIP for everyone, HSG228. HSE Books, 2002. ISBN 0 7176 2370 X.

Guidance on the acceptance of electronic locks to doors required for means of escape. Published by The Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers’ Association.

Ensuring best practice for passive fire protection in buildings. Building Research Establishment, 2003. ISBN 1 870409 19 1.

Smoke shafts protecting fire shafts: their performance and design, BRE Project Report 79204. Building Research Establishment, 2002.

Fire safety of PTFE-based material used in building, BRE Report 274. Building Research Establishment, 1994. ISBN 0 851256 53 8.

Fires and human behaviour. David Fulton Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1 85346 105 9.

Management of health and safety at work. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Approved code of practice and guidance, L21 (second edition). HSE Books, 2000. ISBN 0 7176 2488 9.

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Page numbers in italics refer to information in Figures or Tables.

A access for firefighters 23, 24, 67, 68, 69, 86, 131, 132, 141 alarms see fire detection and warning systems alterations 8, 26, 40, 45, 51–2, 68, 73, 76, 145

alterations notices 6, 8, 9, 34, 36, 41, 52, 143

arson 15, 18, 19, 45, 46, 47, 56–7, 97

assembly points 39, 61, 122, 125, 126, 128

auditoria 37, 39, 56, 62

emergency lighting 29, 125

escape routes 25, 52, 72, 73, 93, 100, 117, 121

evacuating 17, 123 automatic fire detection systems 21, 52, 59, 60–1, 82, 83, 86, 98, 101, 105, 111, 113, 140, 143

B basements 84, 85, 92, 95, 104, 105, 108, 109–10, 143 building management system 61–2, 72 building work 8, 45, 51–2

C candles 12, 18, 49

cavity barriers 76, 85, 134, 135 ceilings fire-resisting 26, 76, 85 lining materials 13, 19, 26, 134, 135–6 children 6, 14, 15, 36, 73, 123, 143, 147

evacuating 24, 25, 58, 122, 125

cinemas 4, 5

escape lighting 114

escape routes 25, 72, 73, 98, 100, 107, 108

evacuating 125, 127 fire detection and warning systems 21, 22, 59, 61, 62 fire risk assessment 43, 44

firefighting equipment 64 see also nitrocellulose film

CLASP (Consortium of Local Authority Special Programme) construction method 135

close down procedures 45, 125

co-operation and co-ordination 6, 35, 37–8, 125

competent persons 6, 10, 143

concert halls 4, 5

escape routes 100, 107, 108

fire detection and warning systems 21, 59

fire risk assessment 43, 44

firefighting equipment 64

concourses 72, 73

conduction, fire spreading by 16 construction, fire-resisting 51, 54, 55–6, 76, 80, 82–4, 88–9, 94, 109–10, 122, 134–6, 145 contingency plans 123 contractors certifying 31, 129, 138

evacuating 39

fire safety training 6, 36, 38, 125 managing 51–2 permit to work 18, 52

risk to 14, 73

source of ignition 12, 18, 52

convection, fire spreading by 16

cooking 12, 49, 52, 54, 55, 62, 65, 66, 126

D dangerous substances 7, 13, 14, 38, 45, 124, 144 storage 19, 47–9 dead ends escape routes 60, 76, 78, 81–2, 83–4, 144

fire alarms 60 disability see people with special needs display materials 13, 18, 19, 40, 46, 55 doors door-fastenings 91–2, 96–7, 120, 125, 139–40 door furniture 137–9 final exit 27, 28, 59, 97, 128 fire-resisting 55, 56, 68, 76, 84, 85, 91, 104, 122, 136–40, 144 glazing 137 maintenance 7, 17, 31, 32, 130, 131, 132, 139, 140 notices 117, 118, 140

revolving 96

roller shutter doors 70, 96, 97, 131 self-closing 70, 85, 93, 104, 110, 118, 122, 132, 137–8 sliding 96, 97

vision panels 72, 137, 147

wicket 96

drenchers 32, 40, 67

dressing rooms 29, 56, 60, 91, 92

Source page 157

E electrical safety 12, 15, 18, 45, 46, 48, 50–1 emergency escape lighting 29, 95, 114–16, 122, 125, 144 tests, checks and maintenance 31, 32, 115–16, 120, 130, 131, 132 emergency plans 26, 34–5, 36–7, 38, 43, 61, 67, 71, 120, 122–3, 125, 141 equipment and machinery 12, 15, 18, 39, 45, 49–50, 123 see also generators escalators and travelators 94–5 escape routes age and construction of the premises 25, 26, 28, 45, 52, 76 alternative exits 25, 72, 80, 81, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 93, 98, 99, 127, 143 basements 84, 85, 92, 95, 104, 108, 109–10, 143 corridors 10, 27, 45, 52–3, 75, 76, 84, 85, 86, 87, 105, 110, 111, 112 dead ends 60, 76, 78, 81–2, 83–4, 144

emergency lighting 29, 95, 114–16, 122, 144

escape time 22, 25, 26, 28, 74

final exits 27, 28, 59, 65, 77, 86, 88, 97, 98, 144

inner rooms 79, 82, 145, 147 layouts 97–113 levels of risk 27, 71, 73, 108

lifts 25, 27, 28, 39, 75, 95, 122, 123, 131, 144 lobbies 68, 75, 84, 86, 87, 91, 93, 105, 110, 111, 112, 146 maintenance 7, 27, 28, 93, 96

managing 27, 73, 75, 140

number required 25, 26, 27, 73, 75, 98

obstructions 27, 31, 45, 52, 55, 72, 97, 98, 130

people with special needs 24, 25, 27, 28, 75

reception areas 93 roof exits 95–6 seating and gangways 72–3 signs and notices 26, 29–31, 96, 117–19, 122

suitability 72, 97

tests and checks 31, 32, 33, 130, 131, 132

training 39, 126 travel distance 21, 26, 60, 71, 74, 77–8, 79, 81–2, 98, 102, 104, 108–10, 146 type and number of people using premises 25–6, 72, 73, 101, 105, 109–10, 111 widths and capacity of 25, 26, 27, 53, 73, 74 see also doors; stairways explosives and flammable substances 48–9 extinguishers 23, 24, 31, 49, 55, 64–6, 120

F false alarms 22, 60, 61, 62–3, 120, 144 fire classes of 64–6 spread of 16–17, 19, 28, 39, 45, 52, 53–6, 95

fire blankets 66, 120

fire certificates 5, 55

fire dampers 54, 76 fire detection and warning systems 21–2 automatic fire detection systems 21, 52, 59, 60–1, 82, 83, 86, 98, 101, 105, 111, 113, 140, 143 auxiliary power supply 22, 61, 63

false alarms 22, 60, 61, 62–3, 120, 144

manual call points 21, 59, 62, 63, 122, 127 monitoring 22, 40, 57, 59, 60, 61, 63, 123, 127, 128 phased evacuation 22, 25, 123, 145

quality assurance 129

record-keeping 63, 120

smoke detectors 49, 61, 62, 63, 79, 84, 138, 146

sound levels 26, 59, 60, 61

staff alarms 22, 60, 61, 62, 123

staged alarms 22, 25, 56, 60, 62 tests and checks 7, 31–2, 33, 60, 63, 120, 130, 131, 132 voice alarms 21, 59, 61, 131 fire drills 38, 39, 40, 120, 127–8 fire marshals 23, 39, 126, 127, 128, 142

fire pumps 32, 67, 70, 141 fire-resisting separation 54, 55–6, 72, 76, 134–6 fire risk assessment aims 9

co-operation and co-ordination 6, 35, 125 emergency plans 26, 34–5, 36–7, 38, 43, 61, 67, 71, 120, 122–3, 125, 141 evaluating risk 9, 11, 15–17, 34, 71, 125, 126

Fire Safety Order and 5–8, 10, 147

flexibility 20–1, 43 historic buildings 5, 72, 76, 141–2 identifying fire hazards 11, 12–14, 34, 121, 133 identifying people at risk 11, 14–15, 34, 121, 126, 133 information and instruction 7, 30–1, 36–7, 117–19, 123–5 method 10 plan of action 43–4 record-keeping 9, 11, 34–5, 41, 120, 121, 122, 133 removing or reducing fire hazards 17–20, 34, 43, 45, 56–7, 121, 133 removing or reducing risk to people 4–5, 20–33, 34, 43, 45, 56–7, 133

Source page 158

reviewing 11, 40, 133 H sources of fuel 12, 13, 18–19, 27, 45–9, 57, 71 haystack lantern light ventilators 32, 56, 69, sources of ignition 12, 15, 18, 27, 47, 48, 91, 92 49–51, 52, 53, 71 hazard sources of oxygen 12, 13–14, 20 definition 9

fire safety audit 120, 122 identifying fire hazards 11, 12–14, 34, 121, 133 fire safety management 4–5, 9, 43–4, 51–2, 67 removing or reducing 17–20, 34, 43, 45, Fire Safety Order 5–8, 10, 147 56–7, 133

fire safety strategy 23, 67, 75, 120, 122, 126, hazardous materials 17, 19, 39, 40, 48, 125, 145

140, 145 heating 12, 18, 46, 49–50, 52, 53 fire stopping 76, 135, 145 historic buildings 5, 72, 76, 141–2 fire suppression systems 23–4, 40, 46, 54, 67, hose reels 23, 66, 120

68, 69, 120, 122, 123, 126, 131, 141 housekeeping 39, 45, 126

firefighters’ switches 30, 68, 70, 122, 132 firefighting equipment and facilities 23–4 I access for firefighters 23, 24, 67, 68, 69, 86, ignition, sources of 12, 15, 18, 27, 47, 48, 131, 141 49–51, 52, 53, 71 drenchers 32, 40, 67 information and instruction 7, 30–1, 36–7, 49, extinguishers 23, 24, 31, 49, 55, 64–6, 120 55, 61, 117–19, 123–5 fire pumps 32, 67, 70, 141 insulated core panels 45, 53 fire suppression systems 23–4, 40, 46, 54, 67, L 68, 69, 120, 122, 123, 126, 131, 141 ladders 72, 92, 95

firefighters’ switches 30, 68, 70, 122, 132 Licensing Act 2003 5, 49, 122 firefighting lifts and shafts 24, 28, 67, 68, 75, lifts 95, 106, 124, 131, 144 escape routes 25, 27, 28, 39, 75, 95, 122, foam inlets 23, 69–70 123, 131, 144 hose reels 23, 66, 120 firefighting 24, 28, 67, 68, 75, 95, 106, 124, hydrants 64, 70, 130, 131, 132 131, 144

maintenance 7, 23–4, 31, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, lighting 12, 29, 46, 51, 115, 125 120, 130–2, 132 see also emergency escape lighting quality assurance 129 LPG 13, 48, 50, 52

rising mains 23, 67, 69, 132 luminaires 12, 15, 51, 114, 115, 130, 131, 132

signs 23, 24, 30, 70, 118 tests and checks 31, 32, 33, 66, 130, 131 M training 23, 37, 39, 64, 66, 126 maintenance fireworks 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 48 checklist 130–2 flame-retardant materials 18, 19, 46, 47, 54–5, 136 emergency escape lighting 31, 32, 115–16, flammable liquids 13, 19, 47–8, 57, 64, 65, 145 120, 130, 131, 132 flares 18, 48 equipment and machinery 18, 49–50 floors escape routes 7, 27, 28, 93, 96 covering materials 13, 19, 55 fire detection and warning systems 7, 31–2, fire-resisting 26, 55, 76, 134, 135 33, 60, 63, 120, 130, 131, 132

foam, fire risk of 13, 19, 46, 54, 55 fire doors 7, 17, 31, 32, 130, 131, 132, 139, 140 foam inlets 23, 69–70 firefighting equipment and facilities 7, 31, foyers 54, 66, 73, 121, 125 32, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 120, 130–2 fuel, sources of 12, 13, 18–19, 27, 45–9, 57, 71 mezzanine floors 98, 101

furniture and furnishings 12, 13, 18, 40, 46, multi-occupied buildings 4, 6, 68

53, 54–5 emergency plans 36, 120

escape routes 72, 86, 105, 111

G fire detection and warning systems 21, 86

gas cylinders 14, 20, 48, 52 fire risk assessment 10, 15, 40, 86, 105, 111

see also LPG information and instruction 37, 118

generators 32, 51, 70, 115, 131

glass, fire-resisting 135, 137

Source page 159

N S naked flame 12, 18, 49 safety curtains 32, 39, 56, 125

nitrocellulose film 19, 45, 55, 56, 124 scenery 13, 19, 40, 46–7, 54–5, 56, 57, 92 SCOLA (Second Consortium of Local

O Authorities) construction method 135 oxygen, sources of 12, 13–14, 20 seating 46, 55, 72–3 security 57, 97

P shafts, firefighting see lifts partitions, fire-resisting 26, 134, 135 signs and notices 23, 24, 26, 29–31, 70, 96, 114, see also walls 117–19, 122, 140

people at risk information and instruction 37, 49 evaluating 16–17 smoke identifying 11, 14–15, 34, 121, 126, 133 control of 31, 53, 54, 56, 60, 67, 69, 85, 95, removing or reducing risk 4–5, 20–33, 34, 111, 120, 132

43, 56–7, 121, 133 dangers of 17

restricting the spread of fire and smoke smoke and vapour effects 49, 61, 63

52, 53–6 smoke dampers 56, 76

type and number using premises 40, 73, 101 spread of 16–17, 28, 39, 45, 53, 95 people with special needs Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems evacuating 24, 25, 27, 28, 45, 57–8, 62, 73, (SHEVS) 54, 56, 60, 69, 120, 132

75, 122, 125, 126, 128 smoke detectors 49, 61, 62, 63, 79, 84, 138, 146

fire risk assessment 10, 15 smoking 12, 15, 18, 45, 46, 51, 126

fire warning systems 22, 59 special effects 12, 18, 19, 48, 49, 59, 115 information and instruction 37, 61, 115, 117, 124 sprinklers 23–4, 40, 46, 67, 68, 69, 122, 123, risk to 14, 15, 40 126, 131 personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) staff 25, 58, 126 fire drills 38, 39, 40, 120, 127–8 piping 48, 52 fire safety training 6–7, 21, 22, 23, 27, 34, 37, plans and specifications 34, 35, 122, 124 38–40, 58, 63, 66, 123, 125–8 portable appliance testing (PAT) 50 information and instruction 7, 30–1, 36–7, public address systems 51, 59, 61, 122 55, 61, 118–19, 123–5 pyrotechnics 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 45, 48–9 staff alarms 22, 60, 61, 62, 123 see also contractors

R stages 13, 17, 19, 46–7 radiation, fire spreading by 16 escape routes 84, 91–3, 100

reception areas 61, 93 lighting 29, 46 record-keeping restricting the spread of fire and smoke emergency escape lighting 116, 120 54–5, 56, 69 fire detection and warning systems 63, 120 stairways fire risk assessment 9, 11, 34–5, 41, 120, accommodation stairways 86, 93, 98, 102, 121, 122, 133 107, 143 fire safety training 40, 126, 128 basements 84, 85, 105

refuge areas 28, 62, 75, 76, 122, 146 bypass routes 90

rising mains 23, 67, 69, 132 external 93, 94, 144

risk hazards in 10, 27, 45, 52–3, 55

definition 9 lighting 115 evaluating 9, 11, 15–17, 34, 71, 125, 126 protected 68, 75, 77, 86–9, 93, 98, 102, 103, people at risk 11, 14–15, 16–17, 126 105, 109–11, 146

reducing 4–5, 11, 20–33, 43, 45, 56–7 spiral and helical 94

roll calls 122, 125, 128 width and capacity of 74

roller shutter doors 70, 96, 97, 131 storage 19, 40, 45, 46–9, 57, 78

roofs suspension equipment 49

fire risk assessment 54, 57 roof exits 95–6

Source page 160

T Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment 22, 43, 48, 59, 69, 72, 73 telephones 29, 31, 68, 125

theatres 4, 5, 64, 114, 127

escape routes 25, 72, 73, 100, 107, 108

evacuating 125, 127

fire detection and warning systems 21, 59, 61

fire risk assessment 43, 44 training fire safety 6–7, 21, 22, 27, 34, 36, 37, 38–40, 58, 63, 123, 125–8 firefighting equipment 23, 37, 39, 64, 66, 126–7 record-keeping 40, 126, 128 travelators 94–5

V vandalism 15, 19, 66

vehicles on premises 55

ventilation systems 13, 17, 20, 33, 40, 56, 69, 132 see also haystack lantern light ventilators vision panels 72, 79, 137, 147

voids 46, 52, 71, 76, 135, 141

W walls fire-resisting 26, 55, 56, 68, 76, 83, 93, 134, 135

insulated core panels 45, 53 lining materials 13, 19, 26, 134, 135–6 waste and packaging, combustible 13, 15, 19, 45, 57, 125 way guidance systems 29, 115, 147

windows, fire-resisting 93, 95, 135

vision panels 72, 79, 137, 147

Source page 161

Part 2 • Further guidance on fire risk assessment and fire precautions 159

Source page 162

of theatres and cinemas. It tells you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, helps you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place.

Other guides in the series:

ISBN-10: 1 85112 822 0