Fire safety + complicated building layout

LLU

Was in an office during the week and the layout was like a rabbit warren. The building itself isn't terribly old, maybe from the seventies or early eighties but has obviously been extended numerous times, and there are a *lot* of rooms with no windows, doors/windows opening into other rooms, numerous hallways and cupboards, etc. The whole place was very disorienting and I genuinely had difficulty finding my way in and out of it and the problem was compounded by the fact that some internal doors had combination locks. it got me thinking about fire safety. there are lit exit signs scattered about the building alright but if you were a firefighter trying to search the building, it would be very hard to cover it.

so I'm just wondering whether the fire brigade have any policy or preference about dealing with places like these. i.e. would they like to be given a copy of the plans for the building, or to be shown around it so that they are familiar with the layout in the event of being called there in an emergency, etc? are they happy to give safety consultancy like this or should you be bringing in paid experts?

just curious. thanks.

civdef

Internal escape doors shouldn't have locks on them, there should be sufficient exit signage to clearly indicate the escape route(s).

There are two separate issues here really, one is adequate means of escape for building occupants, which is dealt with by the fire prevention department of fire services. If you have concerns about the building you should give them a ring.

The other issue is pre-incident planning for fire crews in the event of an emergency. If the building is large and considered to pose a significant risk, the fire service might appreciate a look around or plans. They can also write out to the owner and look for these.

Another aspect to consider is health & safety legislation, the safety statement for a building should include evacuation procedures and the layout of the building should be conducive to easy evacuation.

kjmbreslin

LLU wrote: »

Was in an office during the week and the layout was like a rabbit warren. The building itself isn't terribly old, maybe from the seventies or early eighties but has obviously been extended numerous times, and there are a *lot* of rooms with no windows, doors/windows opening into other rooms, numerous hallways and cupboards, etc. The whole place was very disorienting and I genuinely had difficulty finding my way in and out of it and the problem was compounded by the fact that some internal doors had combination locks. it got me thinking about fire safety. there are lit exit signs scattered about the building alright but if you were a firefighter trying to search the building, it would be very hard to cover it.

so I'm just wondering whether the fire brigade have any policy or preference about dealing with places like these. i.e. would they like to be given a copy of the plans for the building, or to be shown around it so that they are familiar with the layout in the event of being called there in an emergency, etc? are they happy to give safety consultancy like this or should you be bringing in paid experts?

just curious. thanks.

Just to note, when were the extension done approximately?? if they were done in recent years then the building owners would have to submit a fire safety certificate for material alterations where additional floor area is being provided within the existing building and therefore in that case the fire service should have the existing plans (pre material alterations) and the new proposed fire certificate plans and associated compliance report. These plans and will outline areas of special fire risk, i.e. store rooms, means of escape routes from the building (horizontal and vertical Means of escape), structural fire protection, internal fire spread, exteranl fire spread and fire service access to the building (access around the site, hydrants and internal fire mains if required) The application would be submitted in accordance with Technical Guidance Document 'B' 2006.

If you are concerned about the safety within your workplace as suggested before I would make it aware to your bosses and they should be able to tell you if they have a fire cert for the premises and if not question them on whether why they do not.