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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: William 29 on August 04, 2011, 11:26:26 AM

Title: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: William 29 on August 04, 2011, 11:26:26 AM
One for the Great Mr Todd really.  Is there a document available detailing the changes from the draft version to the published one?  Along the lines of when ADB was reviewed?  I attended one of the one day seminars led by you and would be interested to see what changes were made (if any!?).  I read the majority of the draft before the seminar.

Thanks

"Willie"  ;)
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 04, 2011, 11:29:55 PM
Hi wullie.  No there is not such document.  Major editorial changes were made so it would have been impossible to do comparisons, never mind the technical changes.  AD B was an exisiting document, whereas the flats guide was only a draft.

The purpose of the seminars was not to teach people the contents, but to get stakeholder feedback, all of which was taken into account.

Fraid there is no shortcut to the new guidance, other than to read it thoroughly, though we would be happy to see you on one of the training seminars.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: AnthonyB on August 05, 2011, 05:08:29 PM
I'd agree it is well worth a full read and then applying in reality.

Quite a few management companies and fire alarm/sparks/M&E contractors would be well advised to read it as well as risk assessors!
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 05, 2011, 08:36:59 PM
Cracking read isnt it Tony?
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: AnthonyB on August 07, 2011, 09:01:55 PM
It certainly helps clear the previous muddy waters and backs up recommendations with the rationale behind them which has helped shut up those who don't like what it says (like those wanting to spend fortunes of other peoples money on pointless common only alarms in purpose built general use)
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: The Colonel on August 07, 2011, 11:27:13 PM
Colin, any chance Wales may also take it on? I assume it will have to go through the Assembly via their advisor Mr. Fraser now that they have their own powers. It does seem daft that we both have the same legislation but a different guidance document.

How do you think it would stack up if an assessor or housing trust or landlord used the new guidance as a bench mark, would a fire authority or court go against it.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 08, 2011, 12:14:27 AM
Tony, you are dead right about common fire alarm systems. 

Field Marshall: The limitation to england relates to the autonomy of Wales, rather than any technical issues, and we say in it that it is likely t be apprpriate in wales (or words to that effect).   Mr Fraser was a cool dude when in scotland by the way.  It will be for courts to decide if guide is to be taken account of.  Some F&RS have saber rattled that they wont accept it but thats more mouth than trousers I suspect.  Many F&RS wrote in to say how pleased they were with the guidance.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: William 29 on August 08, 2011, 09:27:07 AM
Hi wullie.  No there is not such document.  Major editorial changes were made so it would have been impossible to do comparisons, never mind the technical changes.  AD B was an exisiting document, whereas the flats guide was only a draft.

The purpose of the seminars was not to teach people the contents, but to get stakeholder feedback, all of which was taken into account.

Fraid there is no shortcut to the new guidance, other than to read it thoroughly, though we would be happy to see you on one of the training seminars.

Thanks Colin, where are the training seminars?  Are they run with the FIA and what is the cost please?
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: The Colonel on August 08, 2011, 03:31:47 PM
Colin, thanks for the update. I have asked the question of your cool dude, Mr Fraser who has indicated that he will come back with an answer hopefully by the end of the month when he has had a chance to consult his colleagues.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 09, 2011, 01:25:30 AM
Wullie, not with the FIA.  We are doing most ourselves but some in conjunction with other organizations.  Locations London, Birmingham and Manchester.  £175 plus VAT, but £10 discount to you as a Firenetter.

We are also doing a number of in-house courses for fire and rescue authorities for fixed fees.

Field Marshall, the thing I really like about the cood dude Fraser is that he does not bull**** that he knows about fire safety issues if he does not, thus he listens to the advice of others while taking a pragmatic and common sense view himself.  Pity some others of his ilk dont do the same.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: William 29 on August 09, 2011, 07:35:32 AM
Wullie, not with the FIA.  We are doing most ourselves but some in conjunction with other organizations.  Locations London, Birmingham and Manchester.  £175 plus VAT, but £10 discount to you as a Firenetter.


Wow!!! A full £10 off and I thought you were a Scottsman!??  So generous!  When will the dates be advertised and the venue for Manchester?
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 10, 2011, 01:16:20 AM
Wullie, if the £10 gesture of goodwill is too little, you can do what black cab drivers did when they used to have plenty of work and people gave them a small tip--just refuse it!

For more details of courses, contact karen.haestier@cstodd.co.uk
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: William 29 on August 10, 2011, 08:55:35 AM
Wullie, if the £10 gesture of goodwill is too little, you can do what black cab drivers did when they used to have plenty of work and people gave them a small tip--just refuse it!

For more details of courses, contact karen.haestier@cstodd.co.uk

Thanks Colin
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 10, 2011, 10:26:06 PM
Always a pleasure Wullie to help our retired FRS colleagues eeking out a pension.  I will ensure that you receive an extra glass of wine with your excellent lunch.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: William 29 on August 10, 2011, 10:31:20 PM
Always a pleasure Wullie to help our retired FRS colleagues eeking out a pension.  I will ensure that you receive an extra glass of wine with your excellent lunch.

Again another kind gesture!!  However, I am not retired I am one of the very few brave (or daft) ex fire safety managers that resigned from the glorious fire and rescue service, (about 5 years ago now!)
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 10, 2011, 10:41:42 PM
Wullie, once a fireman always a fireman.  Though I did think you looked too young to retire , but just assumed that it was the outcome of playing pool and sleeping on the job.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: William 29 on August 10, 2011, 10:47:27 PM
Thank you for the compliment, I think?  I hope that over the time I have been a consultant I have learned a thing or two and also had the surgery to remove the prescriptive chip......what do you mean its only 18.5m!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want another escape stair.......sorry had a flash back for a min there......I need to read some guides and type later................................ ;D
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on August 14, 2011, 09:45:54 PM
Keep reading the guide, Wullie.
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: The Colonel on September 02, 2011, 03:42:21 PM
Well true to his word Mr Fraser has replied with regard to the issue of Wales taking on the guide and a quote from the reply;

"I can confirm that the position of the Welsh Government is that we intend to adopt and issue this document under a Welsh Fire and Rescue Circular, as we believe that it will, as you have pointed out, remove some of the existing confusion. However prior to this we will be seeking legal advice to ensure there are no potential issues with this course of action.

I have also taken the opportunity to discuss this matter with fire safety colleagues within the three Welsh Fire and Rescue services and they are of the opinion that although the guidance in its current form does not necessarily lend itself particularly well for fire safety inspection purposes, it does provide a good range of information which bridges issues surround this building type
".
Title: Re: New Purpose Built Flats Guide Published
Post by: colin todd on September 09, 2011, 03:28:46 AM
I told you that Brian Fraser is a pretty smart cookie.