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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: nearlythere on February 03, 2008, 01:38:12 PM

Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: nearlythere on February 03, 2008, 01:38:12 PM
Block of flats. Common protected stairway. Mains gas to each flat.
Would the panel agree that a gas safety check and service of all gas equipment in all flats should be a requisite on the RA? After all, a gas leak and potential explosion would have a detrimental effect on the MOE far all.
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: messy on February 03, 2008, 02:51:45 PM
Perhaps it would, but unless the RP has control over the flats (say when renting furnished accomodation) how could such a control measure ever be policed??

If I owned a leasehold flat and the landlord suddenly 'told' me to get my gas appliances checked annually, I would tell him where to go!! (unless he was paying for it)
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: Steve_gb on February 03, 2008, 06:54:58 PM
from a safety point of view get a solenoid fitted to the common gas valve which will cut it off in the likelihood of an alarm.
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: Tom Sutton on February 03, 2008, 07:12:14 PM
Quote from: messy
If I owned a leasehold flat and the landlord suddenly 'told' me to get my gas appliances checked annually, I would tell him where to go!! (unless he was paying for it)
Would you if it was a condition of your lease?
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: nearlythere on February 04, 2008, 07:42:02 AM
Quote from: Steve_gb
from a safety point of view get a solenoid fitted to the common gas valve which will cut it off in the likelihood of an alarm.
What sort of alarm? I'm not thinking along the lines of a fire situation. Not until after the gas explosion that is.
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: kurnal on February 04, 2008, 07:55:46 AM
Quote from: nearlythere
I'm not thinking along the lines of a fire situation. Not until after the gas explosion that is.
I think this is where your answer lies. Is a precaution against fire that may occur post a gas explosion deemed general fire precautions as per the Order?

The fire is a consequence of an unrelated failure of something else which is subject to its own safety regime. It seems to me that this would be using the fire safety order to gold plate the gas safety regulations and require inspections over and above those that are mandatory under their own regime.
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: nearlythere on February 04, 2008, 09:25:40 AM
Quote from: kurnal
Quote from: nearlythere
I'm not thinking along the lines of a fire situation. Not until after the gas explosion that is.
I think this is where your answer lies. Is a precaution against fire that may occur post a gas explosion deemed general fire precautions as per the Order?

The fire is a consequence of an unrelated failure of something else which is subject to its own safety regime. It seems to me that this would be using the fire safety order to gold plate the gas safety regulations and require inspections over and above those that are mandatory under their own regime.
Kurnal
In N.Ireland, in rented accomodation, there is a statutory requirement for the landlord to have fixed gas appliances subjected to an annual Gas Safety Check. Is this the case on the mainland?
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: wee brian on February 04, 2008, 10:25:11 AM
Hey guys - if your interested in flats and hmos etc then you may want to take a look at this con-doc that has slipped under the wire.

http://www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/upload/16886.doc
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: kurnal on February 04, 2008, 11:08:32 AM
Yes -  if the landlord provides the equipment,  I think it works like this -eg if you rent a flat with gas CH  the landlord has to service the boiler but if you provide your own gas cooker its your responsibility. I really dont know what would happen if you fitted your own fixed gas fire.
Title: Risk Assessment in Flats
Post by: Big A on February 05, 2008, 01:32:25 PM
Quote from: nearlythere
Block of flats. Common protected stairway. Mains gas to each flat.
Would the panel agree that a gas safety check and service of all gas equipment in all flats should be a requisite on the RA? After all, a gas leak and potential explosion would have a detrimental effect on the MOE far all.
Although this doesn't sound like a licensable HMO, Local Housing Authorities have the power to require annual gas safety checks as a condition of an HMO licence.