Reform club

Existing fire safety laws are being scrapped and replaced by a single piece of legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO). In association with the requirements of the Fire & Rescue Service Act 2004, this will change the whole approach to fire safety in non-residential buildings.

The law change was originally planned to take effect in April 2006 but government has decided to put back implementation to give businesses more time to get ready for the new regulations. "A key change will be the issue of fire certificates," explains Bob Bailey, business manager at Gent by Honeywell. "Current legislation requires a building to be issued a fire certificate by the fire authorities. This is the only proof to show that the fire detection and alarm (FDA) system complies with the law.

"The fire and rescue services or building control departments will no longer issue certificates. Furthermore, existing certificates may not be acceptable as proof that the FDA system meets the level of protection to cover a particular risk and therefore may be rendered invalid."

As a replacement to these certificates, there will be a series of documents that all owner-occupiers should produce in order to reassure the fire authority that they have adequate FDA systems. The first of these documents should be a written fire risk assessment. This will specify the level of fire protection required: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, M, P1 or P2 as described within BS 5839-1: 2002.

In addition, each building will require a series of certificates to confirm that the FDA system has been designed, installed and commissioned by a competent person/organisation to the requirements of BS 5839-1: 2002. "The key certificates are G1, G2 and G3," says Bailey. "The System Design (G1) and Commissioning (G3) certificates need to be signed by someone with recognised competency in their field. All installers are expected to take responsibility to sign the Installation certificate (G2)," he explains. Full details are given in table 1, over.

"Any contractor signing off these certificates must be aware that they are taking full responsibility for the system and should be prepared to accept any liability incurred," points out Bailey.

The provision of any fire detection and alarm system can be summarised in the following five stage process.

Stage 1: Fire risk assessment

The fire risk assessment covers active and passive fire protection measures, including all aspects of the building fabric. "Anyone tasked with carrying out such an exercise should hold recognised qualifications in fire engineering and preferably be registered with the Institution of Fire Engineers," says Bailey. Key areas covered by the fire risk assessment include:

• the elimination or reduction of all ignition sources;

• adequate emergency escapes and exits;

• provision of correct types and qu•antities of fire extinguishers;

• provision of emergency fire signs;

• ensuring staff are adequately trained;

• ensuring all equipment is maintained by a qualified service provider;

• ensuring there are adequate means of detecting and raising an alarm in the event of fire, classified within BS 5839-1: 2002.

Any fire risk assessment should be formally recorded and reviewed regularly, especially when significant changes to the building occur," states Bailey. It is essential that the risk assessment specifies the correct level of protection required otherwise the system designer can't prepare a specification or drawings.

Stage 2: Full system design

"In the past, fire detection system design was often left to chance, with responsibility being pushed down the contractual chain and the installer being forced to sign a certificate simply to prove completion," argues Bailey.

In the future the designer will have to have recognised competency in fire detection design and liability insurance that will carry forward for the life of the system. The designer needs to consult all interested parties including the building owner/occupier and building control officer. The designer must provide:

• a full specification of the equipment that is proposed;

• a fire plan or cause and effect plan that explains how the system will operate;

• confirmation of the category of system provided (L1-L5, M, P1 or P2);

• a list of variations with their justification;

• a signed G1 design certificate.

Stage 3: Installation

The installer should take responsibility for ensuring the following:

• all cable ducts, trunking, wires etc are installed in accordance with the Code of Practice BS 5839-1: 2002 and BS 7671;

• cables are correctly labelled and tested;

• the set of ‘as fitted' drawings are correct at the time of handover;

• any changes to the building during installation are brought to the attention of the designer;

• any further variations are identified and listed on the certificate;

• a G2 Installation certificate is signed by the person who will take responsibility for the entire installation.

"It is recommended that the installer has a recognised competency in fire detection installation work and demonstrates this by holding a third party approved certificate such as that issued under the BAFE SP203 accreditation scheme," says Bailey.

Stage 4: Commissioning

It is advisable that the equipment supplier who has undergone specialist training carries out the system commissioning. Again the engineer needs to prove a level of competency by holding a recognised third party certificate issued by the BAFE SP203 or LPCB LPS1014 accreditation scheme. The commissioning engineer should take responsibility for ensuring:

• all devices function correctly;

• correct annunciation and alarm events are set up in accordance with the agreed fire plan;

• the final test is witnessed by the responsible owner-occupier and if possible the designer;

• all documentation and records are handed over to the owner-occupier with the logbook and training plan;

• a signed G3 commissioning certificate is issued.

Stage 5: Servicing

"This ongoing task is critical as the owner-occupier will be dependent on the continuing expertise of the service provider to ensure that the building and its protection continue to meet the requirements of the new legislation," explains Bailey.

The BAFE SP203 third party accreditation scheme recognises service providers in the same way as designers and installers. They are responsible for providing the following:

• regular maintenance checks described within BS 5839-1:2002;

• fault attendance as and when required;

• advice to the owner-occupier of any necessary alterations due to changes within the building or its use;

• corrective works associated with changes to the building;

• corrective action to reduce false alarms;

• maintaining the logbook and system drawings;

• ensuring the owner-occupier is carrying out their role as defined within BS 5839-1: 2002;

• completing the G6 and G7 certificates whenever work is carried out.

Only in this way can a comprehensive audit trail be produced for the life of the system. These records in their entirety replace the old fire certificates formerly issued by the Fire Brigade.

Furthermore the Chief Fire Officers Association recommends that any fire detection system that automatically calls out the Fire Services should be maintained by an organisation that has recognised third party accreditation.

Summary

It is clear that the new fire safety legislation will take some time to be fully understood. "Electrical contractors who have in the past provided completion certificates that confirm the system is fully compliant may need to think twice before handing over a new FDA system," says Bailey. FDA system providers, whether designers, installers or suppliers, will no longer be protected by the old fire certificate. The new certificates G1-G7 will become the evidence that the system complies with the RRO.

"Any organisation that takes on responsibilities outside their expertise should be aware of the accompanying liability. Failure to do so could result in an expensive court case," warns Bailey.

For more information circle the appropriate number on the Enquiry card or see www. emconline.co.uk/enquiries:

Gent by Honeywell 192