Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are a legal obligation if you own or are responsible for a non-domestic or commercial building. But FRAs refer back to the building’s Fire Strategy, so having a Fire Strategy in place is also a must.
This detailed technical document, as we explain in this recent post, covers off many fire safety requirements, including, amongst others, means of fire detection, warning and escape, internal and external fire spread, and facilities provided for the fire service.
But how do you know your Fire Strategy is fit for purpose? Where’s the quality control coming from? This is what we explore in this blog.
Setting Fire Strategy standards
Firstly, it’s important that your Fire Strategy is developed and/or reviewed by specialists who are competent, qualified, and certified to do so – and at Commercial Fire Protection our experienced team meets all these criteria. This will ensure compliance is upheld throughout.
The standards that we use to govern this process are those of the British Standards Institution (BSI), which are often referred to simply as British Standards.
BSI sets standards, and audits those from other organisations, for everything from plugs and pet accessories, to cement factories and defence installations, but its focus on Fire Strategy and fire safety really boils down to two items: its PAS 911 document and the BS 9999 standard.
Here’s what they mean – and why they matter.
PAS 911 – what it is, and why it’s important
PAS 911 is described as ‘a clear set of measures encompassing fire precautions, management of fire safety and fire protection.’
Its objective, quite simply, is to reduce fire risk and protect business procedures and assets, and people. It’s essentially a guide to the processes recommended by BSI to take into account the key considerations when producing a Fire Strategy.
These include guidance on property protection, environmental factors, safety of life, and business continuity. An example of how the document is used to inform Fire Strategy can be seen here.Technically, PAS 911 is no longer a current document, but it is still regarded in the industry as something of a ‘gold standard’, and if your Fire Strategy doesn’t conform to it, it could be ineffective.
BS 9999 – putting people’s safety first
BS 9999 (to give it its full name, BS 999:2017) is also an important standard supporting effective Fire Strategy development for commercial buildings.
It’s a whole-lifecycle standard – meaning it makes recommendations for the design, management, and use of buildings, both to reduce the risk of a fire starting, and to minimise the development and effects of a fire after it starts, including passive fire protection (PFP).
Unlike PAS 911, BS 999’s recommendations and guidance are focused primarily on the safety of people – building occupants and firefighters – although it does also support the protection of property, the environment, communities, and business/service viability.
For more detail, you can download a preview of BS 9999 here.
How does this fit with Fire Risk Assessments?
The relationship between fire safety standards, Fire Strategy, and Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) can sometimes feel complex, but we’re here to simplify that for you.
Following the British Standards for fire safety simply gives you the best possible chance of developing a Fire Strategy that enables the FRA to meet the relevant legislation (the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005).
From there, the Fire Strategy helps the assessor carrying out the FRA (and future FRAs) to establish any fire safety-critical discrepancies between the actual layout and use of the building, and what was intended in the Fire Strategy, as these could threaten compliance.
In fact, when it comes to Fire Strategy, British Standards are your friend – and our team of experienced fire safety specialists are ready and waiting to help you achieve them.
Get in touch with us today – and request your FREE Guide to Fire Protection Compliance here.
