Definitive Guidance - Ruling - Internet Forum

[Clive]

There seems to be, on this and other internet forums that are fire related, many subject areas and questions that could have definate answers or 'principles of intent' explained, for instance some of those that relate to legislation and technical standards etc.

Is it not possible in these days of technology, freedom of information, ' not a burden on business ideology' and open government etc. to get a forum run by a national definative body eg the CLG, CFOA, BRE etc etc. that can be asked to clarify certain items with a definative answer, in a forum like this ?

These forums are very good for support and bouncing ideas of other people etc.  But there are a lot of questions that we are giving opinions on, all may have valid points, but they are personal opinions.

Can the administrator for this site, use his/her network of important friends and powers of persuasion, to have a 'people in authority' thread.

Don't anyone say, 'case law' or 'site specific' or 'naive' or 'cuckoo land' please !

[jasper]

I think it would be a very good idea

[Wiz]

I also think it would be a great idea.

The problem is, that person/persons giving the definitive ruling would have to be pretty autocratic, if a quick ruling was required. Would it be fair to give so much power to someone?

Most regulations/recommendations are currently decided after discussion and research by a number of people. It may take years to get everybody's input before deciding a regulation/recommendation.

The current situation is that where some regulation/recommendation is not absolutely crystal clear, the two or more different opinions argue it out in a court of law for a desicion.

Alternatively, they post on Firenet, get loads of free-of-charge opinions and advice very quickly and, hopefully, choose the correct desicion/advice!

In saying the above, I agree with sentiments behind the original post. I would also like to see all the recommendations for fire alarm systems in one document. Currently you have BS, buidling regs, signs and signals etc etc etc.

 We need a sort of fire alarm bible!

[Tom Sutton]

I also think it would be a great idea and it could start with the definition of a "single private dwelling" but something based on the old Fire Precautions Act 1971: Circulars may be feasible. I thought the RR(FFS)O Guidance Notes was to be the start but they seem to have come to a full stop after two.

[Jon Barrett]

It could be time to start a Wiki-Fire (as in wikipedia for fire specialists - not somewhere to burn wiki's!)