External Fire Exits

[Sharr76]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and I must say it holds a wealth of information!!

Can anyone tell me what breach under the RRFO would it be for completely blocking an external fire door from the outside?

Thanks in advance.

Sharon

[Davo]

Sharon

Main one is article 14 of RRFSO.
Para 1 'where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person MUST ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises AND THE EXITS THEMSELVES are kept clear att all times'
Where possible, we have yellow hatching on the ground and a notice on the wall.

[kurnal]

There could be a number of breaches- to give a complete answer- please can you tell us what the building is used for, whether its in a single occupancy, is the exit door shared by other users of the building, and who has blocked it and how?

[nearlythere]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and I must say it holds a wealth of information!!

Can anyone tell me what breach under the RRFO would it be for completely blocking an external fire door from the outside?

Thanks in advance.

Sharon

Sharon
If it is blocked by a car then you might need to consider hiring a fork lift truck and get direction to the nearest river.

Regardless of how it is blocked it is the RP's responsibility.

[Sharr76]

There could be a number of breaches- to give a complete answer- please can you tell us what the building is used for, whether its in a single occupancy, is the exit door shared by other users of the building, and who has blocked it and how?

It is a manufacturing site and the fire exit in question is the only escape route for approximately 20 employees in that area, its blocked with pallets, rubble and general rubbish.....but no one seems to want to take responsibility of clearing the area.

After numerous emails and no response I now want to hit them with breaches in regulations, I might then get a response!.

Thanks

[nearlythere]

There could be a number of breaches- to give a complete answer- please can you tell us what the building is used for, whether its in a single occupancy, is the exit door shared by other users of the building, and who has blocked it and how?

It is a manufacturing site and the fire exit in question is the only escape route for approximately 20 employees in that area, its blocked with pallets, rubble and general rubbish.....but no one seems to want to take responsibility of clearing the area.

After numerous emails and no response I now want to hit them with breaches in regulations, I might then get a response!.

Thanks

Sharon
If it is the only escape route how did the employees get in? The normal entrance to the room or area is also an escape route and firstly you should assess if the alternative one is actually needed.
Is it indicated as an emergency escape route? If so is it needed to meet any specific condition?

[kurnal]

Hi Sharon
I assume the door is marked as a fire exit on the inside, and as such should be available for use at all times that the premises are in use. Sometimes buildings have more exits than they may strictly need but if its signed as an exit it must be available for use and lead to a place of safety well clear of the building- ie the assembly point.
Has the Responsible person not carried out a risk assessment and identified this as a hazard?
Duties of responsible persons are set out in articles 8 to 22 but in relation to the obstructed exit the following may be being breached

Article 8 - duty to take general fire precautions to protect safety of "Relevant Persons"
Article 9- Duty to cary out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, record the prescribed information if more than 5 employees,  and review the risk assessment
ARTICLE 14 DUTY TO ENSURE EXIT ROUTES ARE KEPT CLEAR AT ALL TIMES

Employees may also be in breach of Article 23 - duty to take reasonable care for onself and for others and to co-operate with employer and to report any hazard,

Failure to comply with the order is an offence and may result in both enforcement action and prosecution.

[CivvyFSO]

It is a manufacturing site and the fire exit in question is the only escape route for approximately 20 employees in that area, its blocked with pallets, rubble and general rubbish.....but no one seems to want to take responsibility of clearing the area.

If you have real concerns then you should ring your fire authority and if it really is a problem related to fire then they will deal with it immediately.