IRMP Note 4

[val]

All FRA's are required to have regard to the contents of IRMP Note 4 and, in particular its assessment of relative risk across a range of premises types.

I know this is based on empirical evidence and I would be loathe to criticise the government's statistic department...but does anyone actually believe it represents a fair assessment of 'relative risk', even allowing for the societal impact element?

[John Webb]

Val,
I cannot see any mention of IRMP Note 4 in the Guides to places of public assembly, the short Guide or in the Order itself. Can you enlighten us, please, as to where this requirement in respect of FRAs comes from?
With thanks in anticipation,

[val]

Sorry John,

I meant Fire and Rescue Authorities, not fire risk assessments.

Apologies if I spoilt your afternoon.

[John Webb]

Oh dear - the perils of 'Alphabet soup'! It's not suprising my former colleagues at Building Research have dropped the FRS, formerly Fire Research Station then the Fire and Risk Sciences Division, to avoid confusion with the 'Fire and Rescue Service' now in common use.
Thanks for the apology - I had a feeling I'd slipped up somewhere about what was meant.

[jokar]

When we consider that a Fire and Rescue Service is concerned with Life Safety, what good is data based on fires in property?  IRMP Guidance Note 4 follows on from the Fire and Rescue Services Act and the National Framework Document that supports it.  These 2 documents differ considerably in approach from the RR(FS)O and cause nothing but confusion.  For example, Building Consultation is part of the RR(FS)O but advice for this is given under Section 6 (2) (d) of the FRSA.

[fred]

The total lack of guidance on the use of the 17 codes they've imposed on FRA's to identify building use is pretty well unforgiveable - and wide open to different interpretations.

What's the difference for instance between 'Public Buildings' and 'Other premises open to the public" ??  Not a lot you may think - but in relative risk level it's considerable.

The only way you can raise the relative risk level (to raise the risk visit priority - which in turn determines the actual risk) of Boarding Schools is to identify them as "Other Sleeping Accommodation' instead of 'Schools' which are way down the list.

And as for a Public House - it could be a 'Hotel', or 'Other Sleeping Accommodation', or 'Licensed Premises', or 'Shop', or 'Other Workplace' - take your pick.  The document was called "IRMP Guidance Note No 4" however 'Guidance' doesn't feature much.

No doubt all conjured up by bean counters with dartboards.