When is a FRA required in the process of a new build?

[A J]

Good morning all,

A new build is due to be completed early next year, it is a two storey block of flats. My thought is that the FRA should be carried out when the building work is finished and all the fire prevention measures are installed. The FRA and any remedial action required should be completed before any person moves into the property.
However, the building consultant is pushing for an FRA to be carried out now when the building is only half built due to it being a requirement by building control as a condition of the building regs application.
If this is the case is it appropriate to draft an FRA from the plans?

 your thoughts please...

[nearlythere]

One really cannot carry out a full FRA until a building is occupied. One could carry out a Fire Risk Strategy which would include how the Fire Safety in the building would be managed.
I have come across this before, long before BS31100, and think that some BC Depts haven't quite grasped the FRA under RRO concept yet.

[kurnal]

The Building Inspector will be referring to the fire safety information file required under Building Regulation 16B. This document is not a fire risk assessment- it is a document that provides all the necessary fire safety information on the design and construction of the building that the Responsible Person will then use to inform the fire risk assessment.

The fire strategy document for the building design will normally contain most of  the information necessary to satisfy regulation 16B. See appendix G page 147 of Approved Document B for a full explantion- downloadable from the planning portal website.

[wee brian]

Its not a "fire safety order FRA" its probably something to help Building Control and the Design team understand the fire safety issues or to resolve a particular design problem. Theres reference to this in the Procedural Guide ;

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115315131789.html


Of course there should laso be an FRA for the construction site, but I don't think that's what you are talking about here.

[A J]

I have tried to advise building contol that there is nothing to assess at this stage of the project, there view is that if the building is built to the current standards including ADB then where is the problem? I agree nearlythere that the importance of the FRA isn't on the radar of some organisations.

[nearlythere]

The Building Inspector will be referring to the fire safety information file required under Building Regulation 16B. This document is not a fire risk assessment- it is a document that provides all the necessary fire safety information on the design and construction of the building that the Responsible Person will then use to inform the fire risk assessment.

The fire strategy document for the building design will normally contain most of  the information necessary to satisfy regulation 16B. See appendix G page 147 of Approved Document B for a full explantion- downloadable from the planning portal website.

Kurnal. Would a normal architects plan drawing showing all of the fire safety related measures be considered the appropriate "Fire Safety Information"?

[AnthonyB]

Read a few of these recently - most weren't a separate folder though, but specific sections in the 20-odd folders of the H&S and OEM files.

As built drawings for fire precautions (separate sets for the alarm, lighting, structural, etc)were only part of it - narratives on the systems & protection (active and passive) and the design fire strategy, plus all the commissioning certificates, test certificates and O&M booklets are also included.

[nearlythere]

Read a few of these recently - most weren't a separate folder though, but specific sections in the 20-odd folders of the H&S and OEM files.

As built drawings for fire precautions (separate sets for the alarm, lighting, structural, etc)were only part of it - narratives on the systems & protection (active and passive) and the design fire strategy, plus all the commissioning certificates, test certificates and O&M booklets are also included.

How do you provide test and commissioning certs unless the building is practically completed?

[kurnal]

The Building Inspector will be referring to the fire safety information file required under Building Regulation 16B. This document is not a fire risk assessment- it is a document that provides all the necessary fire safety information on the design and construction of the building that the Responsible Person will then use to inform the fire risk assessment.

The fire strategy document for the building design will normally contain most of  the information necessary to satisfy regulation 16B. See appendix G page 147 of Approved Document B for a full explantion- downloadable from the planning portal website.

Kurnal. Would a normal architects plan drawing showing all of the fire safety related measures be considered the appropriate "Fire Safety Information"?

It depends on the detail and clarity on the plans and how complex the building is. For simple buildings an annotated plans will suffice, more detailed written  schedules will be required for complex buildings. Inter- operability of systems is usually the weakest link- eg sprinklers with roof vents.