Fire Risk Assessments – Noor Fire Engineering

Fire Risk Assessment

Noor Fire Engineering have the required expertise to undertake fire risk assessments and advise social & private landlords, contractors and consultants about fire safety under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We, as Fire Safety Consultants, undertake a variety of complex Fire Risk Assessments within London for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. We also hold expertise and experience in Fire Compartmentation Surveys and Fire door surveys

Services

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS (TYPE 1 TO TYPE 4)

We hold the relevant expertise and skills to undertake type 1 to type 4 fire risk assessments. We hold professional membership from the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE). We have undertaken various fire risk assessments in London to a mixture of buildings and tenure types such as high-risk blocks of flats, newly built apartment blocks, older blocks of flats, HMOs, and converted buildings.

Type 1 – Common parts only (non-destructive)

A Type 1 fire risk assessment is the basic fire risk assessment required for the purpose of satisfying the Fire Safety Order (FSO).

The inspection of the building is non-destructive. But, as well as considering the arrangements for means of escape and so forth, the fire risk assessment includes an examination of at least a sample of flat entrance doors. It also considers, so far as reasonably practicable, the separating construction between the flats and the common parts without any opening up of construction. However, in this type of fire risk assessment, entry to flats beyond the area of the flat entrance door is not involved.

a Type 1 inspection will normally be sufficient for most blocks of purpose-built flats. Where doubt exists in relation to these matters, the action plan of a Type 1 fire risk assessment may recommend that one of the other types of fire risk assessment.

Type 2 – Common parts only (destructive)

A Type 2 fire risk assessment is usually a one-off exercise, which is carried out only if there is good reason to suspect serious structural deficiencies that could lead to spread of fire beyond the flat of fire origin. The age of the block alone is not generally
sufficient to warrant a Type 2 inspection. The need for a Type 2 fire risk assessment may sometimes be identified in a Type 1 fire risk assessment, but should not simply be recommended as a matter of course.

Type 3 – Common parts and flats (non-destructive)

A Type 3 fire risk assessment includes the work involved in a Type 1 fire risk assessment, but goes beyond the scope of the FSO (though not the scope of the Housing Act). This risk assessment considers the arrangements for means of escape and fire detection (ie smoke alarms) within at least a sample of the flats. Within the flats, the inspection is non-destructive, but the fire resistance of doors to rooms is considered.

Type 4 – Common parts and flats (destructive)

A Type 4 fire risk assessment has the same scope of work as a Type 3 fire risk
assessment, except that there is a degree of destructive inspection, in both the common parts and the flats, carried out on a sampling basis. This will usually necessitate the presence of a contractor for the purpose of opening up construction and making good after the inspection. However, the nature of the work is such that, often, destructive inspection within flats can only be carried out in those that are vacant.

FIRE COMPARTMENTATION SURVEYS

Our expert’s fire consultants undertake fire compartmentation surveys which is presented in a factual, photographic evidence-based report format. The report normally highlights any missing or defective fire stopping which may not have been undertaken to a tested detail.

FIRE DOOR SURVEYS

We are able to inspect fire doors, their rating, installation technique and assess them for compliance to strict installation standards. This is particularly useful for landlords, property owners and developers to ensure fire doors have been installed to the correct standard.

FIRE ALARM DESIGN ADVICE

We are able to inspect fire alarm installations (BS5839:2019) and offer fire risk-based design advice to mitigate risks, for example, where a building has been converted and the fire strategy has been compromised.

INVASIVE CLADDING INSPECTIONS

Noor Construction Consultants can undertake cladding inspections on a range of buildings such as the residential, high rise, and educational buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) advises:“If you’re responsible for a building, it’s important to do all you can to reduce the risk of fire to keep people safe. It saves lives, it’s your legal duty, and it makes good business sense.”

What Is a Fire Safety Consultancy?

A fire safety consultancy is normally placed between practical on-site solutions and regulatory requirements. There has been an influx of government advice notes after the Grenfell disaster which can be challenging to interpret and apply. A fire safety consultant is able to interpret such guidance and propose solutions that are practical and risk proportionately.

What is the importance of Fire Risk Assessment?

A technical inspection of your building, the people who use them, from a fire safety perspective. It’s about understanding the potential risks, then improving your fire safety precautions to keep people safe.

Why do it?

A Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement. If you are responsible for a building, for example a employer, owner or occupier of a building that is not a ‘single private dwelling’ (a normal house or flat), you need to make sure a suitably competent person completes a Fire Risk Assessment. It is your duty to identify fire risks and hazards in your premises and take appropriate action. If you live in a block of flats, your building owner should carry out a fire risk assessment covering your entire block. If you own a house which has been converted into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or self-contained flats – you would be responsible for the undertaking of a suitable fire risk assessment.

Did you know?

If there’s a fire and you haven’t met your legal duties to keep people safe, you could be fined and may even spend time in prison. Learn about your legal obligations here.

Who should do my Fire Risk Assessment?

The London Fire Brigade have produced a guidance document ‘A Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor’. Noor Construction Consultants’ fire risk assessors hold professional membership with the Institute of Fire Engineers (MiFireE)

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

Fire risk assessments are required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
This could be applicable when you are applying for a property license in the private sector via the local council or if you own a building that has a common part / communal area.

Under the order you must:

carry out a fire-risk assessment identifying any possible dangers and risks
consider who may be especially at risk
get rid of or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably possible and provide general fire precautions to deal with any possible risk left
take other measures to make sure there is protection if flammable or explosive materials are used or stored
create a plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, keep a record of your findings
review your findings when necessary