Building Fit Out

[Fairway123]

Hi All,

Just a quick question about new buildings.

We're having some equipment fitted in a newly fitted out building. My question is, if building control have accepted some things and signed them off. Would that then satisfy an enforcing officer?

The reason I ask is that BC have signed of a type of lock on a door, that 'may' raise some questions if externally audited. The issue is of course by the time the fire risk assessor gets in, the contractors have long gone.

Does anyone have any experience of this scenario? Would the fact that BC have signed off something offer some mitigation?

Thanks

[Tadees]

Don't always trust BC.  Once the building is occupied and a FRA is carried our or the building is audited the lock on the door may be an issue depending on many factors without which a proper judgement cannot be made.

[nearlythere]

Hi All,

Just a quick question about new buildings.

We're having some equipment fitted in a newly fitted out building. My question is, if building control have accepted some things and signed them off. Would that then satisfy an enforcing officer?

The reason I ask is that BC have signed of a type of lock on a door, that 'may' raise some questions if externally audited. The issue is of course by the time the fire risk assessor gets in, the contractors have long gone.

Does anyone have any experience of this scenario? Would the fact that BC have signed off something offer some mitigation?

Thanks

Remember Fairway that BC, when it provides the completion cert, bears no liability for what it has approved. I've seen many foxes paws by it but it doesn't make it acceptable. Keep yourself right. Just because BC nodded it through doesn't make it right or safe. It is an assessment of the risk to persons from fire you are doing not a code compliance audit.

[Fire Monkey]

Building Control Officers are not fire safety experts - sure they have some good practicable knowledge but as a fire risk assessor I have come across instances where I have found installations/designs wanting once the building was occupied. They miss things like proximity of a fire hydrant to a building and the ability of the boys and girls in blue to put out your fire. Would an enforcing officer inspect your building is it not high risk).

[Fairway123]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses.

The area is low risk, and based upon a fire risk assessment - its justifiable.  The issue was about other members of the project team believed the word of BC would suffice (I argued otherwise). Thanks for confirming, will proceed with this position.

Cheers

[Revol]

Building Control Officers are not fire safety experts - sure they have some good practicable knowledge but as a fire risk assessor I have come across instances where I have found installations/designs wanting once the building was occupied. They miss things like proximity of a fire hydrant to a building and the ability of the boys and girls in blue to put out your fire. Would an enforcing officer inspect your building is it not high risk).

Not 'ALL' Building Control Officers are fire safety experts ? some are!