Author Topic: Evacuating a multi-occupied building used on a 24/7 basis at various times  (Read 5221 times)

Offline SidM

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How do we ensure that all tenants in a large multi-occupied building have evacuated.  Is it sufficient under the RRO that the Landlord has informed them that they must all leave the building once the alarm is raised and it is therefore each tenant's responsibility to enusre that the building has been evacuated. 

The problem with this is who will be nominated to call and meet the fire brigade and who will tell them where the fire is or are such issues not a concern under The Order.  The landlord categorically says it is impossible to say whether the building in question has been fully evacuated.
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Offline nearlythere

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It would be impossible for the landlord to know if occupiers and others who may be in their areas would have evacuated the building in the event of a fire. It should be the responsibility of each occupier to provide a evacuation strategy for their areas but there should be co-operation and co-ordination between all parties including the landlord to ensure that in the event of fire the required level of evacuation will take place. 
With regards to who calls the FB, unless an effective procedure is in place, every occupier should make the call and meet the FB at the assembly point.
We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland.

Offline SidM

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Only problem is Landlord is not located on site so I can't see where co-operation or co-ordination would come in.
"We are the unwilling,
Led by the unqualified,
Doing the unnecessary,
For the ungrateful.
-Living the dream!"

Offline AnthonyB

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Entering into our main client base here, so I'll say how we do it. By the way in the vast majority of multi occupancies the landlord is never on site as they are some large multinational investment agency, pension fund or bank - it falls to the managing agent to meet the RRO responsibilities.

If the landlord's agent has staff on site (such as contract security or a buliding manager) then it's easy to draw up an evac strategy with staff acting as a roll call coordinator (RCC) and ticking occupiers off on an evac checklist as tenant's wardens report in (as well as reading the fire panel). The RCC the acts as a single point of contact for the FRS giving building wide information.

All tenants receive copies of the procedure.

Unstaffed (by the landlord or agent or their contracted site staff) buildings are more problematic. In some premises one of the tenants (usually the major tenant or if it's a Govt Agency they often volunteer) formally agrees to act as the RCC and takes the overall responsibility.

Understandably some tenants may not wish to take this additional burden and thus the procedure includes a warden assembly point near the entrance so at least when the FRS arrive they can rapidly get the idea of the building's status without chasing around to find multiple dispersed wardens as they should all be in one place.

This is all backed up by sending all occupiers copies of the procedure, accepting feedback, carrying out monitored drills for compliance & sending letters out reminding tenants of their obligations if they are not playing ball.

Ultimately after all this if some tenants still refuse to play then it's up to the FRS as the landlord has demonstrated due diligence in taking all reasonable steps to co-operate or co-ordinate.
Anthony Buck
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Offline nearlythere

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Only problem is Landlord is not located on site so I can't see where co-operation or co-ordination would come in.
SidM
I am referring to imminent Northern Ireland legislation where persons in multi occupancy situation have duties in respect of relevant premises where each person shall co-operate and co-ordinate with other persons concerned so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with the requirements imposed on them by (NI's) Regulations and Order.
I not sure if Eng/Wales has this?
We're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland.

Offline AnthonyB

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It does - Regulation 22

Co-operation and co-ordination
     22. —(1) Where two or more responsible persons share, or have duties in respect of, premises (whether on a temporary or a permanent basis) each such person must—

      (a) co-operate with the other responsible person concerned so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on them by or under this Order;

      (b) (taking into account the nature of his activities) take all reasonable steps to co-ordinate the measures he takes to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on him by or under this Order with the measures the other responsible persons are taking to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on them by or under this Order; and

      (c) take all reasonable steps to inform the other responsible persons concerned of the risks to relevant persons arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking.
Anthony Buck
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Offline kurnal

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We usually set things up as Anthony describes. However where people such as the principal tenants staff are not  prepared to take on the role of fire co-ordinator then the in-out board needs to be rigidly imposed as a condition of tenancy. Then at least the fire service can see who should be in the car park and who to throw the book at.

Offline Fishy

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Our building fits this description...

'Normal' office hours - each occupier has fire wardens who do sweeps and a co-ordinator who checks all the 'sweeps' were clear and informs the managing agent, who acts as single point-of-contact with the FB.  Staff assemble approx. 250m away and no further checks are taken at the assembly point.

Out of these hours (after 19:00) all persons entering the building sign in and out on an evacuation register & the assembly point is just across the road.  Role call is taken at the assembly point.

Not absolutely fool-proof, I know, but reasonable?

Offline AnthonyB

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I'd say so - we adopt this approach in many of our client's premises
Anthony Buck
Owner & Fire Safety Consultant at Fire Wizard


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