Fire Action Notices

[Gasmeter]

I'm trying to find where the specific requirement to include a building plan of the 'you are here' type on guest fire action notices can be found, I've looked at BS5499 and the Health & Safety(Signs & Signals) Regs. without any luck.  Also is this requirement retrospective, can anyone help, please?

[hughskid]

What type of building are you referring to?

[Gasmeter]

University halls and HMOs that may be let out during holidays; the local FRS told me that these signs are a requirement and retrospective to boot!  I've since been advised otherwise but am still unable to find anything in print regarding this.

[hughskid]

I'm not sure if you have a Fire Certificate, but there is a publication called "Guide to fire precautions in premises used as hotels and boarding houses which require a fire certificate" I know your not an hotel but it may be of some use to you.

I have found something that says:- Fire Action Notices may also incorporate a simple plan indicating the route to a safe place. Where appropriate, the notice should inculde a translation into other languages. This is in "Fire Safety, an employers guide."

I have seen different types of signs over the years, but have never heard it is a requirement to have a building plan on. If I come across anything I'll let you know.

[Martin Burford]

If you look on pages 16 & 17 of the publication: FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN HOTELS & BOARDING HOUSES", assuming you are talking about such a premises, should help you.
Conqueror

[wee brian]

Actauuly I'm not convinced that a - you are here - floor plan is "required" by any legislation - they are a good idea though.

[Gasmeter]

Many thanks for your help, we're doing it where possible, but it is incredibly time consuming and sometimes hard to justify to those above!

[David Rooney]

Isn't there something in the Workplace regs about a plan at the entrances.

I thought it was part of the evacuation strategy planning??

[Tom Sutton]

Actauuly I'm not convinced that a - you are here - floor plan is "required" by any legislation - they are a good idea though.

In my experience it is very rarely included in legislation if ever and is usually found in the guidance that supports the legislation. It is also guidance, not requirements but if you ignore it and things go belly up, make sure you have a good response to the magistrate. (Here come the judge)

[wee brian]

What guidance is that then?

[Tom Sutton]

I agree with you but if it was requirements we would be back to the old prescriptive ways. Ahhhhh!

[AnthonyB]

Generally the only plans on display we ever see or recommend are fire alarm zone plans.

It could be argued that what use is a plan on a fire action notice as:
(a) you can't memorise it or take it with you so it serves no real purpose fro egress
(b) if your different exit routes are clearly signed to a good standard (e.g. BS5499-4 spec) then you don't need a plan as you just follow the signs.

I do remember reference in the FPAs safety Sign guide that Fire Action Notices didn't actually come under the Safety Signs Regs and I've never encountered enforcement action or goodwill advice for them being wrong format (e.g. typed sheets in frames, or red letters on white, etc) only where they are missing or incorrect

Travelinns & travel lodges have fire action notices to each room, but rarely plans. Exit route signage is of more benefit

[hughskid]

Another question on fire action notices. I have today visited a hotel in London that does not display the FAN on the back of the door. I have told them that it should be, to which they have said does not fit in with the design of the hotel, and their previous IO did not require it.

They do however have a FAN in a "Guest Directory" folder, which is kept in a drawer in each room. My argument is that if a guest does not look in the folder they are not going to see it.

I have looked in several publications and cannot find anything that states it must be displayed on the back of the door. The closest I can find is in the "lilac guide", but that only states

16.11 The contents of fire notices will normally be specified in the Fire Certificate. Printed notices, including floor plans, should be displayed at conspicuous positions throughout the building (e.g. hotel bedrooms, public rooms etc) stating in concise terms the essentials of the action to be taken by staff and guests upon discovering a fire or on hearing the fire alarm. A floor plan should not be elaborate but should indicate the route or routes to a place of safety. Where appropriate, a translation into other languages should be provided.  Written instructions may be supplemented by advice in pictogram form. All notices should be fixed permanently in position and should be laminated or framed to prevent loss or defacement.

Can anyone give me some advice?

[Tom Sutton]

The closest I can find is in the "lilac guide", but that only states

What is the lilac guide?

[jokar]

The "Lilac Guide" is the Hotel Guide for FPA premises.  Unless the Hotel is subject to a Fire Certificate, FSO's have no right to require the Employer/RP to do anything.  Recommended best practice, and it is good practice, is to have a Notice because of the transient nature of Hotel patrons and the fact that many do not have English as their first language.  Therefore to inform the residents of their location and what to do/where to go if a Fire Alarm sounds is for the benefit of the Hotel.