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Managing Fire Risk - Heating and ventilation systems in blocks of flats
In recently constructed blocks of flats, heating and ventilation systems are installed with common areas and each flat having completely separate systems. In older buildings, however, it can be the case that a communal ducted heating system may still be in place, or there may be shared extract systems in bathrooms or kitchens. This type of shared facility compromises the effective compartmentation of each flat and between the flats and the common areas and therefore poses an increased risk of fire spread.
Fire Risk Assessments in Blocks of Flats - Pt 2 - Scope and relevance
Part one of this series gave an overview of Fire Risk Assessments within blocks of flats and the implications to the responsible person. In part two, we look at the scope and remit of the FRA and how this impacts upon blocks of flats in particular.
Fire Risk Assessments in Blocks of Flats - Pt 1 - Overview and Misconceptions
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) provides the backbone of a fire safety plan and is a necessary activity in a purpose built block of flats. Under the terms of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005, a FRA must be undertaken by the responsible person. This means that the person responsible for fire safety in the building, who could be the building owner or manager or a nominated member of suitably trained staff, must undertake a Fire Risk Assessment themselves or hire someone else suitably qualified to perform it on their behalf.
Fire Safety in Blocks of Flats - Where legislations overlap
The last few blogs we have produced have looked at the particular pieces of legislation affecting fire safety in blocks of flats; the Building Regulations 2010, the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005. In this edition, we will highlight those areas where the legislations overlap in terms of fire safety, and the likely implications of those overlaps to those responsible for blocks of flats.
Fire Safety in blocks of flats | Relevant legislation Pt 3 - Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
In the third part of our series on legislation which is relevant to fire safety in blocks of flats, we look in practical day-to-day detail at the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (known commonly as the Fire Safety Order or FSO).
