We have just been visited at work by a fireman complaining about a one of our cars which was parked in a space which has been used for many years. It
seems that it restricted emergency fire escape access from the premises (not the building - it is 25 metres from the rear exit) to below 75cm - the
space left is actually about 50cm from a wall which most normal people can walk through without any problem.
The guy was a total a*se apparently and was particularly rude and hostile towards the girls in the office which pees me off no end but also he started
trying to go through them and ask for the fire risk assessment for the building and asking to inspect the rest of the premises without any notice or
an appointment.
Can he do this? just turn up and demand stuff? don't they need some sort of warrant like the police? If I complain about the guy and his attitude
will they just give me a hard time because I have complained?
I would just say that to the best of my knowledge and belief we comply with all required fire safety standards and are not trying to evade any of our
responsibilities. I am happy to be helpful towards anyone who treats me in a reasonable manner
Any advice?
Cheers
m
i'm sure you also have to comply with disability access too, 50cm probably won't be enough for someone in a wheelchair, should someone in a
wheelchair visit your premesis, and a fire breaks out. unlikely perhaps, but it could happen.
as far as i know they don't need a warrant or anything, they're not on a criminal search, just a public safety thing, so as long as
he's come in and identified himself, i think he's well within his job to ask for these things.
as for his attitude, well, thats different. but do what he says for now, and you shouldn't have him back again
Old buildings rarely comply with current regulations, modern buildings would have posts to stop cars from parking within the escape route/door swing
etc.
I doubt there is anything he can do other than advise you.
Wheelchair access won't be a problem - they can't get into the building! its a Victorian building with loads of steps into it.
I've never seen a wheelchair in here.
Is this fire escape acces thats being hindered on the way to the fire assembly point?
quote:
Originally posted by Brooky
Is this fire escape acces thats being hindered on the way to the fire assembly point?
Ok, thats a bigger can of worms.
Can you PM me with as much info as possible, inc links to the place on google earth and i will ask when i get into the office tomorrow.
As far as i remember they should request a suitable time and date to check the building over. They don't like doing this kind of thing. Maybe best to ask him/the Brigade for recommendations if there's a problem.
the fire precaution act has changed in scotland to the Fire scotland act 2005 but the internals stayed roughly the same im not sure which act they now
use in England which I'm sure wont be any different. where emergancy escapes are concerned you must keep clear the unit of exit width so if your
door is a metre wide you must keep a metre wide corridor clear also if it opens onto steps ideally it should open onto a platform a metre by metre
square. it is the responsibility of the owner to have a fire risk assessment for the premise failure to do so can end up with a fine. also it is often
polite to inform the occupier that a inspection is pending but it is not required as the above act empowers the fire service to carry out such
inspections. whats the point off telling somebody that they are coming just for the occupier to get the place ready so no faults are found the act is
also self policing but if we do inspect and find things wrong guidance is given along with a period of grace to rectify. or if it is dangerous the
place can be closed.
hope this helps a little.
whiz
Powers of inspectors.
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, any of the following persons (in this section referred to as “inspectors”) namely an inspector appointed
under section 18 of this Act and a fire inspector, may do anything necessary for the purpose of carrying this Act and regulations thereunder into
effect and, in particular, shall, so far as may be necessary for that purpose, have power to do at any reasonable time any of the following things,
namely—
(a)to enter any such premises as are mentioned in subsection (2) below, and to inspect the whole or any part thereof and anything therein;
(b)to make such inquiry as may be necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (3) below;
(c)to require the production of, and to inspect, any fire certificate in force with respect to any premises or any copy of any such certificate;
(d)to require any person having responsibilities in relation to any such premises as are referred to in paragraph (a) above (whether or not the owner
or occupier of the premises or a person employed to work therein) to give him such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things to
which the responsibilities of that person extend as are necessary for the purpose of enabling the inspector to exercise any of the powers conferred on
him by this subsection.
Back to the OP original comment, "why does the fireman have to be a cnut"
As talking to to staff etc this way will not promote a reasonable resoloution
When we had the fire brigade attend a fire at my house, i can not praise them better for there compassion and help in our hour of need
I would put money on it, that "this individual" was not connected to the fire brigade, but a freelancer
JMPW
Legislation changed about 5 years ago. See The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for full details. Whereas previously a fire certificate
could be issued by the Fire Service the responsiblility now lies entirely with the occupier. A Fire Risk Assessment must be carried out and be
implemented on all commercial premises and updated as required. This can be done in house on a simple building with low risk attached but for more
complex situations specialist input is desirable if only to shed liability should there be a disaster. It will not surprise you to hear many of the
specialist consultants are ex Fire Officers!
Whether inpection can be demanded without notice I do not know.
I can update you with more specific information from the office tomorrow and let you have contacts a collegue of mine has used if you need it.
Mark
U2U sent
U2U sent :-)
The Fire Risk Assessment should be readily available and acknowledged by all permanent members of staff. It's a basic H&S requirement even
before you go down specific Fire Regs.
If I was you, I'd get your paperwork in place asap and then invite the local Fire Service (or Fire Search and Rescue) to come round and advise.
If the guy that paid you a visit is as much of an arse as you say he is, he may have reported your company to the HSE.
quote:
Originally posted by owelly
The Fire Risk Assessment should be readily available and acknowledged by all permanent members of staff. It's a basic H&S requirement even before you go down specific Fire Regs.
If I was you, I'd get your paperwork in place asap and then invite the local Fire Service (or Fire Search and Rescue) to come round and advise. If the guy that paid you a visit is as much of an arse as you say he is, he may have reported your company to the HSE.
quote:
Originally posted by coozer
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Coozer, as that sign fails to comply with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, your post was frivolous and not required...
Perhaps I've read it wrong but...
You say you have the RA in place, which to be in place will have been acknowledged by your staff and available for them to show the FO on his visit.
In the RA (or Fire/Emergency/Evacuation Plan), the entry and egress to the property will have been assessed, including the area where the troublesome
car is parked. If it has been assessed and is OK, then the FO should accept that and FOff. If your RA is complete, there will be a muster point.
Jesus, please where the f$%k does that not comply with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996?
quote:
Originally posted by coozer
Jesus, please where the f$%k does that not comply with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996?
OK, so, according to the regs stop reading any forums as it deteriorates your eyes...
And, stop walking as it wears yours legs out, watch out Mo..
Oh, and stop talking as it wears your throat out..
What a load of bollocks
And dont forget, comply with The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
what ever...
My mistake. It does comply...
Description