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Co-operation and Co-ordination can help prevent fire incidents at premises: LFRA update
by Heather Hall Heather Hall has led the Coordinating team at LFRA Living above London Restaurants, Bars, Takeaways, Shops or any Commercial premise can be concerning, that is why Residents should be aware of Fire Safety and what deficiencies they should look out for!When you look at the London Fire Brigades Incident Page Flat Fires are a regular feature, many are caused by the Commercial premise below. So how can Residents be proactive and help prevent a Fire spreading, keeping themselves and their families safe.
Firstly, both the Commercial premise and the common parts of the Residential premise should have a ‘suitable and sufficient’ Fire Safety Risk Assessment - it’s the law!
As ‘Relevant Persons’ Residents can witness the Fire Safety Risk Assessment for their premise so check with either the Landlord or Managing Agent. If they do not have one, then Residents should ask why not!
Within the Fire Risk Assessment there will be a section, ‘Co-operation and Co-ordination’ this section is important for Buildings with mixed use as you should be sharing information, especially any Fire Safety deficiencies. Basically, all parties should be working together to ensure the Building is safe for both the Residents and occupants of the Commercial premise.
A few tips for Residents:
- Means of Escape should be clear of any obstructions including stored items, rubbish or any flammable substances particularly if you have shared access.
- If you have a gas or electricity meter cupboard under the stairs to your Flat make sure it is Fire protected and DO NOT use it for storage.
- Protect any electrical cables or gas supply pipes that run in the entrance and stairs, if they are not protected a Fire can get larger if these services are exposed to heat and flame.
- If you have a Smoking area under a canopy at the rear of the Commercial premise below ask the Relevant Person about their Smoking Policy as the canopy could catch alight and the Fire could spread up the external façade.
- If Ducting from the Commercial premise runs through your Flat then you need to check for strong smells of cooking, hot areas on walls, floors and in cupboards or smoke coming from strange places in your Flat. If you identify any of these then you should immediately report it to your Landlord or Managing Agent.
A few tips for the Commercial premise:
- Ensure you have adequate storage elsewhere that doesn’t compromise the Means of Escape.
- Fire separation from the Commercial premise to the Residential premise is crucial. Check walls for holes and cracks and look out for holes in the floor and ceiling too.
- Fire doors should be kept closed and not propped open for ventilation or storage. They should be well fitted, and any signs of damage should be acted upon immediately.
- There should be 60 minutes protection to floors, ceilings and walls from the Commercial to Residential areas this is a requirement by law.
- Ducting should be inspected and cleaned regularly as ducting can spread the Fire through the Building.
If the ‘Responsible Person’ for the Residential area or Commercial area does not respond to any Fire Safety concerns you have then you can always contact your Local Council or the London Fire Brigade. Everyone should feel safe in both their work and home environment so don’t be frightened to act.
London Fire Risk Assessments advise to both Residents and Commercial Owners:
We are a Fire Safety Consultancy base in London and have been involved with many mixed-use premises. The first and most important step for both parties is to arrange a Fire Safety Risk Assessment carried out by a ‘accredited’ Fire Safety Risk Assessor. There are many Fire Protection Services in London offering all kinds of ‘deals’ but it is essential that you do your homework and appoint someone who is qualified to do the job! If you don’t the Fire Risk Assessment could be deemed as not ‘suitable and sufficient’ and this may affect your premise insurance.
Once you have appointed a ‘accredited‘ Risk Assessor and they have carried out an in-depth Fire Safety Inspection you will then receive a Fire Risk Assessment report. These are the ‘parts’ which make up a Fire Risk Assessment:
- Fire Safety Inspection/Audit
- Fire Safety Risk Assessment
- Fire Safety Management Plan – Significant Findings
- Fire Safety Policy
- Fire Safety Emergency Plan
When you have received your report it is time for the identified ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure that any Fire Safety deficiencies are completed and the Fire Safety Management Plan – Significant Findings is kept up to date. This is so it can be witnessed by the Fire Brigade or your Insurance Company at anytime and will show the level of management in place.
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About Heather Hall 
Heather Hall has led the Coordinating team at LFRA
69 connections, 1 recommendations, 224 honor points.Joined APSense since, December 23rd, 2015, From Orpington, United Kingdom.
Created on Sep 15th 2023 07:11. Viewed 113 times.
