Author Topic: RRO- Fire service's role (Read 23426 times)

Peter Wilkinson · « **on:** October 05, 2006, 09:34:48 AM »

Are the local Fire and Rescue Services allowed to conduct fire risk assessments, free of charge, for businesses in their area?

Surely they can't be assessor and enforcer at the same premises?

I was under the impression that LA FRS were duty bound to provide advice, comment on adequacy of FRAs, etc, but not to actually do the FRA.

Am I wrong?

CJK · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2006, 10:19:29 AM »

You are absolutly right Peter, we can not complete risk assessments for occupiers as we the enforcing authority and during an audit are required to verify wether it is suitable and sufficient. We can however offer advice and guidance on it's contents and the process for carrying one out.

Chris

ps do you know of this happening?

Peter Wilkinson · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:02:21 AM »

Yes, we have knowledge of two sporting venues, one in the West Midlands and one in Eastern England who have recently had FRAs conducted by their local FRS- free of charge!

I'm hoping that it is an uncommon occurrance.

John Webb · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:27:28 AM »

For certain sports stadia/stands the Local Authority remains the overall authority for licencing the stadium or stand for public safety - see Article 25(d) of the RR(FS)O - not the FRS. So it's possible there is not a conflict for these particular venues.

jokar · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:24:50 PM »

Peter,

I would like th know the details of the one in London if possible.

Peter Wilkinson · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2006, 12:40:39 PM »

Jokar- see private message.

Pip · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2006, 03:41:36 PM »

Quote from: John_s.webb

For certain sports stadia/stands the Local Authority remains the overall authority for licencing the stadium or stand for public safety - see Article 25(d) of the RR(FS)O - not the FRS. So it's possible there is not a conflict for these particular venues.

Yup,thats the guidance I have had locally.However, as a fire officer sits on each of the grounds safety committee, iIwould have thought it still wise to leave the FRA to the occupier or their agent.

black arts · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2006, 10:30:04 PM »

I believe Essex Brigade have formed their own company to carry out RA
from 200 quid per assessment.
May be a Brigades RA is better than most of the generic rubbish I view

AnthonyB · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2006, 12:21:19 PM »

And maybe not as well, based on some of the proformas they are kicking out for people to use. A fixed price makes me think of generic checklist, we can't offer foixed prices as there are many factors to take into account from the point of view of time to inspect- as our assesments are non generic site specific we have to take the time to examine everywhere, record the information & also write a sufficiently detailed report tailored to the premises, its risks & significant findings - a 3 storey office is different to an 80 unit shopping centre

Martin Burford · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2006, 01:39:33 PM »

black arts

This is appaulling.you have the enforcing authority making money out of the legislation they enforce......if there is defects in the Essex Fire Brigade FRA....how will they enforce that.... A fixed price of £200 is the council tax payer subsidising this venture?
Conqueror

wtfdik · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2006, 01:59:12 PM »

It is not Essex Fire Brigade but a seperate Trading company. So Essex could enforce against it. However they also tend to a lot of work in the Kent and London areas and it seems a hard sell .

Martin Burford · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2006, 04:12:00 PM »

so are you saying the Essex Fire Brigade has nothing to do with this company whatsoever ?
Conqueror

ian gough · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2006, 07:25:16 PM »

Essex Fire & Rescue Service have set up their own trading company - more to follow I guess.

AnthonyB · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2006, 09:37:28 PM »

Oh yes, FRS want to bring in more income in any way possible - extinguisjers servicing currently restricted to internal, university or local authority premises is an area many want to expand (which with the standard of some depts is scary!), plus alarms, risk assessments, etc. Training has always been open to all customers and an income stream, they are just adding the rest.

I have no problem them doing this on one condition - they relinquish enforcement powers to a seperate Govt Agency, after all you don't see the HSE selling hard hats & selling risk assesssments!

A case of having cake & eating it thus further making fire safety in the Uk a lottery

The Colonel · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2006, 10:11:34 PM »

During my time as a local authority fire safety officer I represented the brigade on the safety committe of our local conferance club (now league two) and at no time were we asked to undertake a risk assessment indeed it was I and my collegues who asked the club to complete it and then we gave our views on the risk assessment and its findings.

I think those authorities that carry out this work even under a seperate trading co may be storing up problems for themselves for the future.

News:

Author Topic: RRO- Fire service's role (Read 23426 times)