Quick bit of advice - petty work related problem?

[PW1664]

Originally Posted by IanD

We do our own fire risk assessments, the fire authority do not need to be involved, unless we want them to.
As part of the project I'm currently managing we are removing hose reel permanently, we have removed 12 sprinkler heads for the duration of the project as well as shutting the corridor. We do the risk assessment and make sure there are appropriate alteratives, safeguards and controls in place. We then issue an impairment notice to our risk and insurance department and if they are happy then we do not need to involve the fire officer.

I think you are probably wrong, every building that is used by the public (incl. business premises) must have a Fire certificate issued by the local Authority. This certificate includes a site diagram which shows exits, hoses etc. Minor changes are permited but anything substantial mut be added or changed on the cert.

This is different any requirement your insurer may insist on....

Things may have changed since I was specifically responsible for this sort of thing but I doubt it....

Good luck....

[laterontoday]

Fire Certificates no longer exist or are required. It is now down to the building occupants to undertake a fire risk assessment. Rules changed approx 2 years ago.

Basically the authority no longer set the rules. Its down to the employer to do the risk assessment and hope that if things go ti*s up then the risk assessment was correct.

[yazzyfooty]

Originally Posted by IanD

We do our own fire risk assessments, the fire authority do not need to be involved, unless we want them to.
As part of the project I'm currently managing we are removing hose reel permanently, we have removed 12 sprinkler heads for the duration of the project as well as shutting the corridor. We do the risk assessment and make sure there are appropriate alteratives, safeguards and controls in place. We then issue an impairment notice to our risk and insurance department and if they are happy then we do not need to involve the fire officer.

Laterontoday

I recently completed our mandatory Fire Safety training and the fire officer that provides the training said that public buildings and places of work must have a current fire certificate.

[PW1664]

I stand corrected... my appologies for talking shite!

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Fire Certificate:
Due to the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order on 1st October 06 businesses will no longer be required to apply for a fire certificate for office premises. Instead the fire certificate previously issued by the fire authority will be replaced by a fire risk assessment with the onus shifted to the employer or owner of the premises. The fire risk assessment should cover the specific fire risks and fire arrangements in detail.
The responsible person on a regular basis should review the fire risk assessment to ensure the fire arrangements are up to date. Employees should receive specific training in the fire arrangements in order to know what action to take in the event of a fire.

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[gobfish1]

ten mins each way , looks like that s a 10min lunch then , its a hard life ,

[Scubee]

It depends on why the area has been closed off, and if it is closed to all employees or just specific groups.
If it is closed for H&S reasons (eg clearing asbestos) then perfectly OK. There are a wholse host of issues that i would be looking at. if you have union presence, then get them involved. If not, then depending on the size of the workplace, there could be other employee groups for information and consultation regulations.