News

Doors designed to last 30 minutes were destroyed in 15, say Met Police, breaking fire door regulations.

The tests were undertaken as part of the criminal investigation into the West London blaze which killed 71 last June.

At Whale Fire, we specialise in carrying out fire risk assessments to the common parts of purpose built and converted blocks of flats.  We can carry out type 2, type 3 and type 4 fire risk assessments should you require a more intrusive survey rather than the standard type 1 assessment.  Most fire risk assessments are limited to the common parts but we can also make entry into selected flats if you determine these are a greater risk.  We can then check the fire escape routes within the flat itself and determine the level of compartmentation and use of fire doors.  We can see whether any ducting or ventilation systems are potentially running through bathrooms and kitchens into other parts of the building without adequate fire stopping.  We can also ensure the flat is provided with smoke detection and provide any additional fire safety advice as necessary.   Whale Fire can supply Tenant Information Sheets which detail fire safety advice for residents/tenants to show how you can minimise the chances of a fire starting in your own dwelling.

We can also make opening into walls and cavities within the common parts and check the fire stopping in these areas subject to the presence of asbestos.  We have trained contractors who can visit the buildings with a qualified fire risk assessor to help with these intrusive surveys.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Housing Act 2004 are the pieces of legislation used to assess the common parts and flats respectively but as stated, a fire risk assessor can gain entry into a flat as part of a type 2 or greater fire risk assessment and we can work closely with the managing agent, housing association or landlord to identify any tenants  who may be especially at risk.  Fires naturally tend to start within the flats themselves rather than the common parts because that is the space where the tenants occupy and kitchens etc., are located so it makes sense to enter a sample of these flats, make the necessary checks and provide the appropriate advice. 

Director

Whale Fire Limited

Here is an updated list of the full services we provide including an introduction to the installation and maintenance of sprinklers: 

• Installation and maintenance of fire extinguishers
• Installation and maintenance of fire doors including full fire door surveys
• Fire stopping and compartmentation
• Fire training
• Installation and maintenance of fire alarms
• Emergency plans
• Installation and maintenance of emergency lights
• Fire safety signage
• Installation and maintenance of sprinkler systems and dry risers

Director

Whale Fire Limited

Good question. This depends on a whole range of factors but generally the answer will be yes although of course it depends on what you need looking at. Most fire safety advisors are actually fire risk assessors whose job it is to advise on fire safety issues and provide recommendations on how to improve the fire precautions within your building.

All commercial premises and some residential properties should have a fire risk assessment carried out and for those with 5 or more employees, those findings should be recorded. For residential properties, it is the common areas that require a fire risk assessment and also Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO). The current fire safety legislation in place is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which came into force on 1 October 2006. The Housing Act 2004 applies to flats themselves within blocks of flats or HMO’s and so it depends on the location you are asking about as to what type of fire safety advisor you require and under what piece of legislation. A fire safety advisors job is to provide guidance on a range of fire safety issues including:

?Means of escape provisions
Fire alarms
Fire training
Emergency lighting
Travel distances
Occupancy numbers
Disability procedures including PEEPS (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans)
External escape routes
Fire doors and compartmentation
Flammable materials
Cooking facilities
Building work control policies
Fire extinguishers
Fire suppression systems
Emergency plans
Record Keeping
Fire Drills
Amongst many more factors – this list is by no means exhaustive.

There will always be a ‘responsible person’ within your company, building or premises that ultimately is responsible for the fire safety precautions within your building and you should find out who that person is – it may be you!

If you are asking about whether you need a fire safety advisor for your own private dwelling, you are best going directly to your Local Authority and asking them the question, they will be able to put you in touch with a local fire safety advisor who can advise you – the legislation is different for single private dwellings.