BS9999 and risk assessment

[Meerkat]

In a previous existence I have done risk assessments based either on ADB or on the CLG Guidance Docs (or both!) or in special cases on an original fire engineered design done by people cleverer than me.  This has always suited the premises I was responsible for and there was no need to go further.

Now I have stepped into the wonderful world of consultancy I am aware of BS9999 and its application to risk assessment.  So a couple of questions if I may.

Am I justified - provided of course that it is appropriate to the building, occupancy, level of risk, etc and provided the client is satisfied with the outcome - in sticking to the ADB approach with I am familiar with and confident to apply in most circumstances?

Do I need to go and spend £250 on BS9999?  I have tried my County library and they can't help

As a fire risk assessor should I really have a working knowledge of the BS for the inevitable moment when I end up being asked to assess a building which has been designed or previously assessed according to BS9999 and not ADB?

Can anyone recommend a worthwhile course (NOT just a tick box attendance course please!) that I might look at to gain this knowledge in a practical way?  Please not "death by PowerPoint" - I can read the standard myself if I really have to!

Bear in mind that I'm just a poor consultant (yes really!) and can't afford to spend thousands on training....  Not all in one go anyway!

[CivvyFSO]

If a building is designed to BS9999 then you would possibly need a good awareness of how it works. There are a few different training courses available and I am sure an internet search would show a few up. Generally they are available as 1 or 2 day courses.

The final document is not 100 miles away from the original draft for development (DD9999) which was freely available (I think), and would at least give you an idea of the thinking behind the final document.

However, it could be said that if BS9999 allows a travel distance of 90m given specific occupancies, management and geometry etc, then a good risk assessor should really be in agreement (within reason, and ignoring certain 'problems' with the document) that the solution is suitable without needing to refer to the document. After all, BS9999 is based on actual risk, which you are being paid to assess, yes?

[Meerkat]

Thanks Civvy.  I have indeed done an internet search and there are more than a few.  I suppose I was looking for some opinions from anyone who's been on a good one.  I understand it might not be appropriate for people to post such an opinion here so perhaps if anyone has a recommendation they could PM me?

I agree with your last point of course and I suppose this is bringing me round to agreeing I need a course!  I do see some that include a discounted copy of the standard - hurrah!   

[Meerkat]

Thanks to those who replied both by PM and e-mail.

Meerkat re-education coming up...