The University of SalfordHS&W/DL

INTRODUCTION.

Technology House is located off campus on Frederick Road with the main entrance on Lissadel Street. The building is of brick construction and houses private businesses which who rent the space from the University.

METHODOLOGY.

The fire risk assessment was undertaken using the framework outlined in the British Standard PAS79:2007. The process involved a visual inspection of all accessible areas on a floor by floor basis to determine:

1. Potential sources of ignition.2. Combustible materials.3. Means of detection.4. Means of escape.5. Emergency lighting.6. Means of fighting fire.7. Fire safety signage.8. Procedures and training.9. Structural features.10. High risk areas.11.Significant hazards requiring further control.12.Risk level.

FINDINGS.

1. Potential sources of ignition.

Electrical equipment in offices including computers, printers etc. Tea and coffee making equipment in offices. Photocopiers on corridors and in offices. (photocopiers on corridors on

1st and ground floors introduce a source of ignition into an escape corridor).

Arson.

Electrical equipment is PAT tested by Estates and ITS at defined intervals in accordance with the University’s policy and procedures.

Staff kitchens are provided to discourage the use of kettles and cooking equipment within offices.

The building exterior abuts onto the public street however there are no significant sources of combustible material in close proximity to the building and all waste is removed to the skips in the fenced car park across the road. This minimises the risk from arson from the exterior of the building. The building is access controlled and visitors must sign in at reception after being let in.

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A shop/kitchen (room GF23) opens onto the main entrance lobby. This has no self closer on the door and the door was wedged open at the time of inspection. As this door needs to be open during trading hours it would be advisable to fit a door detent/retainer linked to the fire alarm on it to discourage staff from wedging it open (logged with E&PS ref 208567).

2. Combustible materials

Paper files in offices. Waste paper / recycled paper in offices. Stock held in store room, ground floor. Pigeon holes in reception area.

Housekeeping appeared to be excellent throughout the building however there was an accumulation of waste cardboard in the loading bay area opposite room GF22.

3. Means of detection

The building has automatic detection in the form of smoke detectors as well as manually operated call points in accordance with BS5839 part 1, L1/M. These points are numerous and situated mainly on circulation spaces. An air sampling system (VESDA) also protects the ceiling voids on the 1st floor.

4. Means of escape.

Whole Building.

The occupancy of the building is approximately 140 persons. The occupation is split equally between the two floors. Stairway No.1 is an accommodation staircase and the route to stairway no. 3 is unprotected as it goes through a staff kitchen.

The following stair capacities have been calculated using the figures in The Building Regulations - Approved document B.

Table1 : Stair Capacities.Stairs Width CapacityStair No.1 1250 mm 240Stair No.2 1000 mm 150Stair No.3 1200 mm 240

Total capacity 630Minus loss of largest stair

490

Table 2: Final exit door capacities.Final exit door Width CapacityFront entrance No 1 1500 mm 360Fire exit No. 2 750 mm 50Fire exit No. 3 1200 mm 260

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Fire exit No. 4 1630 mm 380

The capacity of stairs and final exit doors is adequate however the doors onto the two sets of escape stairs are only 700mm wide meaning this is the limiting factor reducing the capacity to less than 60 persons per floor per stair. This is still adequate for the expected occupancy of the building.

The two sets of double doors which comprise the main entrance of the building are usually bolted closed on one leaf of each set. This delays evacuation and needs to be addressed in the management system.

The main entrance lobby houses the reception desk and pigeon holes. As such this is not a protected route. Creating an enclosure around the reception desk would improve this situation.

There are no designated refuge points for disabled persons anywhere in the building. Disabled persons can access the building via the main entrance. There is no lift in the building, so for disabled persons to access the 1st floor they would have to use the stairs.

5. Emergency Lighting.

The building is fitted with escape lighting which is designed to enable safe exit in the event of a power failure. This appeared to be adequate from a visual inspection.

6. Means of fighting fire.

Fire extinguishers are located at points throughout the building close to manual fire alarm call points. These are in pairs consisting of one water and one CO2 extinguisher. Fire blankets are provided in kitchen areas where suitable.

7. Signage.

The building is fitted with a variety of fire safety signs. These include fire exit, extinguisher, fire-action, alarm call point, directional and final exit signs and are compliant with the Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

8. Fire Procedures.

In the event of the alarm sounding it will automatically relay to Maxwell control (security) who in turn will contact the Fire Brigade. There is an Evacuation Plan for the building which is backed up by an evacuation diagram in each office. All businesses who occupy the building have been given a copy of the Evacuation Plan and have signed to show they have read and understood it.

In the event of a fire alarm each business takes a role call and reports back to the Building Controller to confirm that their area is clear.

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9. Structural features.

There were no structural features that were of concern in the building.

10. Hazardous areas.

There are no areas that would create an increased hazard to the fire service.

11. Significant hazards requiring further control.

General Items Identified Actions required Action By

See review record for minor actions

12. Risk level.

The following assessment of risk is based on the building after completion of additional controls.

Likelihood X Severity = Risk Levelof Fire

1 X 3 = 3

Control measures to manage the fire risk in Adelphi House are quantified as: Acceptable .

Risk Rating:

Increasing Consequence

5 10 15 20 25

4 8 12 16 20

3 6 9 12 15

2 4 6 8 10

1 2 3 4 5

Increasing Likelihood

17-25 Unacceptable – Stop activity and make immediate improvements/seek further advice10-16 Tolerable – look to improve within specified timescale

5-9 Adequate – Look to improve at next review

1-4 Acceptable - No further action, but ensure controls are maintained

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Guide to using the risk rating table:

Consequences Likelihood1 Insignificant – no impact 1 Very unlikely – 1 in a million chance of it

happening2 Minor – minor interruption to activity/process

2 Unlikely – 1 in 100,000 chance of it happening

3 Moderate – some damage to property/business interruption

3 Fairly likely – 1 in 10,000 chance of it happening

4 Major – significant internal damage to property

4 Likely – 1 in 1,000 chance of it happening

5 Catastrophic –major disaster e.g. loss of life/loss of a building/impact on surrounding areas

5 Very likely – 1 in 100 chance of it happening

Likelihood1 Very unlikely – 1 in a million chance of it happening2 Unlikely – 1 in 100,000 chance of it happening3 Fairly likely – 1 in 10,000 chance of it happening4 Likely – 1 in 1,000 chance of it happening5 Very likely – 1 in 100 chance of it happening

Stair numbering diagram for Technology House.

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Door numbering diagram for Technology House.