E-Books: A Guide to Fire Safety Engineering

A Guide to Fire Safety Engineering by Don Christian British Standards Institution-BSI (2003). This document aims to provide an introduction and initial understanding of the principles of fire safety engineering and its relationship to fire precautions. It also suggests why such engineered solutions might be offered in achieving the objective of satisfactory safety levels in case of fire. This document does not aim to provide a detailed understanding of fire safety engineering. It is a basic guide for those who are new to the subject.

What are the fire precautions?

The term ‘fire precautions’ is generally accepted to include matters that are the subject of legal requirements under specific fire precautions legislation. These include The Building Regulations 2000, The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended), and The Fire Precautions Act 1971 (as amended). In Northern Ireland, the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (as amended) is in use. More generally, there exists health and safety legislation including the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and regulations made under that Act.

Fire precautions legislation deals with general fire precautions. These include:

means of detection and giving warning in case of fire;
provision of means of escape;
means of fighting fire;
training of staff in fire safety;
linings that inhibit the spread of fire;
means to provide structural stability; and
means to resist the spread of fire within and between buildings.

*A Guide to Fire Safety Engineering Book Cover*

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 also include a requirement for employers to undertake an assessment of the fire risks. The term ‘fire risk’ is generally accepted to collectively describe both the risk of a fire occurring and the risk to people in the event of a fire. The ‘risk assessment’ is an organized assessment of the work activities and associated hazards in the workplace that could cause harm to people. It is intended to assess whether adequate precautions to avoid or reduce the risk of harm have been taken or whether more action is necessary.
In this context, ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ are defined in ISO/TR 13387-1 as follows.

A ‘hazard’ is the potential for loss of life (or injury) and/or damage to property by fire.
A ‘risk’ is the potential for realization of an unwanted event, which is a function of the hazard, its probability, and its consequences.

*A Guide to Fire Safety Engineering Book*

The present statutory duty imposed upon employers requires that the employer carry out a fire risk assessment of the workplace. Consideration must be given, amongst other things, to the needs of all employees and all other people who may be affected by a fire in the workplace. Adequate provision must also be made for any people with disabilities or with special needs who may use or be present on the premises.
The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 require that the assessment is kept under review and is revised as necessary. The Regulations place a statutory duty on the employer, which will be related to the provisions of any fire safety engineered solution provided in his building.

Table of Contents of A Guide to Fire Safety Engineering