Fire risk assessment under the spotlight
Fire safety professionals heard the details of the changing demands for fire risk assessment at a special technical seminar.
The event, held by Exova’s certification business Warrington Certification Ltd (WCL) at Bristol Golf Club, focused on fire risk assessment at a time of change in the industry. The chairman for the event, Dave Berry of Fire and Risk Management Support Services, started off the day with a look at competence and what that means in a practical sense.Simon Adams, business manager at Gent by Honeywell, examined the issues relating to false alarms and how these can be reduced to improve fire safety.
David Ware, managing director at Fire Risk Consultancy, moved the seminar on to what a fire risk assessor should consider when confronted by a degraded system.
In a presentation around the issue of means of escape, Gordon Rolfe, fire safety consultant at Capita Symonds, emphasised the importance of working with others to establish a temporary means of escape position while working around developers.
In looking at NHS fire risk assessments, Paul Beech of Fagus Fire Safety Consultancy examined the key fire risk assessment issues to consider when working in the health care sector, in order to protect patients and staff.
Ian Taylor, managing director at Fraigneux, told of a fire risk investigation of extensive building defects and the implementation of remedial measures in a new block of flats which had achieved all necessary Building Regulation consents from an approved inspector.
Jim Marsden of Ignis Associates examined the enforcers’ view of risk and how that can conflict with current views held by fire risk professionals.
The final session led by Paul Beech examined the importance of fire risk assessment templates and do they do enough to identify what fire precautions are necessary for the building to protect life.
Simon Ince, manager personnel certification schemes for WCL, said, ‘It is healthy for the industry to get together to examine these issues against a background of change when the demands for assessment to meet the highest standards of compliance have never been higher.’
Warrington Certification offers expertise in a diverse range of areas including product certification, CE marking, marine certification, installer certification, on site inspection and fire risk assessor certification.
