Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

[PhilB]

It's all wrapped in what it is, what it is being used for. and how it is being used / stored / transported. the obvious and blatant 'dangerous substances' are generally not a problem, it the lesser quantities and specialised uses that need careful appraisal.

I agree to a point Dennis and surely this is one reason that assessments should only be carried out by suitably competent persons. If one's not competent one shouldn't get involved in those areas. For those who do need to get involved there are ACOPs and other guidance available.

What is most important is that any assessment that is carred out is suitable and sufficient.

Where is suitable and sufficient explained?......... I would recommend that anyone involved in risk assessment reads the ACOP to MHSW Regs. It gives an excellent explanation and should help Nearlythere understand that a single match should not cause too much concern. Below is just a small extract from that ACOP.

"The risk assessment should identify the risks arising from or in connection with work. The level of detail in a risk assessment should be proportionate to the risk. Once the risks are assessed and taken into account, insignificant risks can usually be ignored, as can risks arising from routine activities associated with life in general, unless the work activity compounds or significantly alters those risks. The level of risk arising from the work activity should determine the degree of sophistication of the risk assessment."

It amazes me that many out there in the world of risk assessment, both enforcers and assessors have not read and in many cases are unaware of the existance of this document.

There is then of course further specialist guidance for each particular dangerous substance, and in the kind of premises where these substance may affect the general fire precautions I would expect to find a suitably competent person assisting the responsible person.

[nearlythere]

One of the reasons I had asked was because of what is contained in the N.I Regs. For certification under FS(NI) Order 1984 there was a criteria for quantities of highly flammable or explosive material used or stored in, on, or under a factory premises. The F&R Service provided advice where if sufficient types and quantities of such materials were provided then certification, regardless of the number of employees, was required. This certificate was still only in relation to means of escape and basically the different lengths of stride and number required to get to a place of safety depending on the nature of the substance. The nature of the substance was left for the H&S Ex. to deal with.
The new Fire Safety regs seems to change that to include more specific Fire Service interest but it seems that it has left the assessment of the degree of risk provided by the Dangerous Substance to the RP. My thoughts were that maybe in other Services throughout the UK which have been using the FSO 2005 there may have been advice or guidance on the nature and quantities of such substances which would have constituted the substance to be considered Dangerous for the purposes of a FRA.
Hence my use of the match as a substance at the lower extremity of the Dangerous Scale and TNT at the other with a nervous pointer hovering somewhere between.

SCHEDULE Regulation 11 (4)
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN RESPECT OF DANGEROUS
SUBSTANCES
1. In applying measures to control risks the person with duties under Article 25 or 26 shall, in
order of priority–
(a) reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to a minimum;
(b) avoid or minimise the release of a dangerous substance;
(c) control the release of a dangerous substance at source;
(d) prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere, including the application of
appropriate ventilation;
(e) ensure that any release of a dangerous substance which may give rise to risk is suitably
collected, safely contained, removed to a safe place, or otherwise rendered safe, as
appropriate;
(f) avoid–
(i) ignition sources including electrostatic discharges; and
(10) 1968 c.29 (N.I.) section 2(a) was substituted by S.I. 1989/1344 (N.I. 15)
(11) 1968 c.29 (N.I.) section 2(b) was amended by S.I. 1998/1504 (N.I. 9) Schedule 5 Paragraph 3(b)
(12) S.I. 1998/1504 (N.I. 9)
(ii) such other adverse conditions as could result in harmful physical effects from a
dangerous substance; and
(g) segregate incompatible dangerous substances.
2. The person with duties under Article 25 or 26 shall ensure that mitigation measures applied in
accordance with regulation 11(3)(b) include–
(a) reducing to a minimum the number of persons exposed;
(b) measures to avoid the propagation of fires or explosions;
(c) providing explosion pressure relief arrangements;
(d) providing explosion suppression equipment;
(e) providing plant which is constructed so as to withstand the pressure likely to be produced
by an explosion; and
(f) providing suitable personal protective equipment.
3. The person with duties under Article 25 or 26 shall–
(a) ensure that the relevant premises are designed, constructed, and maintained so as to
reduce risk;
(b) ensure that suitable special, technical and organisational measures are designed,
constructed, assembled, installed, provided and used so as to reduce risk
(c) ensure that special, technical and organisational measures are maintained in an efficient
state, in efficient working order and in good repair;
(d) ensure that equipment and protective systems meet the following requirements–
(i) where power failure can give rise to the spread of additional risk, equipment and
protective systems shall be able to be maintained in a safe state of operation
independently of the rest of the plant in the event of power failure;
(ii) means for manual override shall be possible, operated by employees competent to do
so, for shutting down equipment and protective systems incorporated within
automatic processes which deviate from the intended operating conditions, provided
that the provision or use of such means does not compromise safety;
(iii) on operation of emergency shutdown, accumulated energy shall be dissipated as
quickly and as safely as possible or isolated so that it no longer constitutes a hazard;
and
(iv) necessary measures shall be taken to prevent confusion between connecting devices;
(e) where the work is carried out in hazardous places or involves hazardous activities, ensure
that appropriate systems of work are applied including–
(i) the issuing of written instructions for the carrying out of work; and
(ii) a system of permits to work, with such permits being issued by a person with
responsibility for this function prior to the commencement of the work concerned.

[PhilB]

As I suspected Nearlythere the extract you have posted is largely a cut and paste from DSEAR.

Also English, Welsh & Scottish legislation previously had special premises regs. where certificates were required if specific quantities were used...but that was in the good\bad old days of prescription.

What is now required is dependent upon the risk...and there is plenty of guidance to assist those with responsibilities.

The fire service as enforcers are only interested in how these scarey chemicals impinge on the general fire precautions.

[nearlythere]

As I suspected Nearlythere the extract you have posted is largely a cut and paste from DSEAR.

Also English, Welsh & Scottish legislation previously had special premises regs. where certificates were required if specific quantities were used...but that was in the good\bad old days of prescription.

What is now required is dependent upon the risk...and there is plenty of guidance to assist those with responsibilities.

The fire service as enforcers are only interested in how these scarey chemicals impinge on the general fire precautions.

Thanks PhilB