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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Redone on November 27, 2006, 07:48:03 AM

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: Redone on November 27, 2006, 07:48:03 AM

The occupant have just instigated a ban on smoking within the premises, five floors, about 300 staff, don't know how many smokers, enough to kick up!

The occupant owns the multi storey car park attached and wants to designate an area on each floor as the designated smoking area...

However some people are kicking up over this as it's not usual to permit smoking in a multi story car park.

The occupant owns the car park, it's use is staff and visitor only - not general public, open sides, usual rules on transfer of fuels...

I don't have a problem, subject to appropriate smoker waste bin, call point and PFE in vicinity.

Any views appreciated.

Mitch

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: Chris Houston on November 27, 2006, 06:54:59 PM

Smoking is hazardous to health.  It should not be permitted in the work place.

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: kurnal on November 27, 2006, 07:03:22 PM

I believe the proposed rules on smoking would class this as a partially enclosed space so it wont be acceptable when the law changes.

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: Ken Taylor on November 28, 2006, 12:21:07 AM

From what I've read, Kurnal is right and smoking would become illegal within most multi-storey car parks in England next year - with the exception of any uncovered roof parking areas.

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: Mr. P on November 28, 2006, 07:32:42 AM

Is the key; 50 percent +, enclosed, then no smoking will apply?

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: Chris Houston on November 28, 2006, 10:02:14 AM

Perhaps it would help the legality angle if we knew where the car park was.  England?

Even if it is legal, we live in the world of the risk assessment.  We have a duty to reduce risks to employees and visitors are much as reasonably practicable.  I can't see how this marrys with permitting people to smoke tobacco in a workplace.

Title: Multi Storey Car Park - Smoking
Post by: Redone on November 28, 2006, 07:33:48 PM

Thanks for your comments folks.  This is in the UK, and as an ex smoker I agree with your comments, but the fire risk assessment cannot consider the risk from passive smoking - that's for the management to deal with.

I'll allow smoking in the designated area only, subject to the points I've already mentioned, until the rules change.

Mitch