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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
September 12, 2016

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Fire Safety Order: lack of clarity over responsible person is impeding prosecutions, says BWF-Certifire manifesto

a-manifesto-for-fire-door-safetyBWF-Certifire has published a manifesto urging policymakers to make revisions to the Fire Safety Order, Regulation 38 and Approved Document B.

The manifesto proposes a number of measures designed to clarify the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, including the introduction of a national register of ‘Responsible Persons’ – those defined in the legislation as being responsible for conducting and acting on fire risk assessments.

The case of Sophie Rosser, who died in a building fire in 2012, is a damning indictment on the legislation’s deficiencies, the scheme believes. There still hasn’t been a single prosecution brought four years on from the fire and the coroner was frustrated in her attempts to identify who was responsible for fire-door maintenance in the building where Sophie died.

“Greater clarity around the role of the responsible person is critical,” says David Oldfield, head of joinery at Arnold Laver and chairman of the BWF-Certifire scheme. “We’re calling on all governments to make it much more visible who is responsible for fire door specification, procurement, installation, maintenance, inspection and documentation.

“Only then can we get accountability, and achieve the behaviour change that will make our buildings safer.”

It also seems crazy that building control consent is effectively granted before full compliance with Regulation 38 is confirmed and documented.” David Oldfield, head of joinery, Arnold Laver; chairman, BWF-Certifire scheme

Regulation 38

The BWF-Certifire manifesto also laments ongoing problems relating to Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations in England and Wales. Prescribing the passing of fire safety information to the responsible person, the regulation is too often overlooked and difficult to assess for compliance, says the scheme.

The manifesto also points out that 45% of those responsible for fire safety in their organisation confess that they do not know how to spot a dodgy fire door.

Continues Oldfield: “It also seems crazy that building control consent is effectively granted before full compliance with Regulation 38 is confirmed and documented.

“We want to see support for a review and improvement of fire safety in building regulations overall, across all countries of the UK, with more emphasis on door safety and compartmentation particularly in hospitals, care homes and other buildings that may house vulnerable residents or have a ‘stay put’ fire plan.”

Approved Document B

The manifesto also highlights research from Zero Carbon Hub revealing that 100% of new home sites were found to suffer from inadequate product substitution.

Approved Document B, the guidance on fire safety in building regulations and England and Wales, falls short of requiring third-party certification and permits the installation of fire safety products without adequate proof of performance or compliant installation.

“Serious consideration should be given to enshrining third-party certification for fire doors and other passive fire protection products into regulation,” says Oldfield. “It is crucial to limit the opportunity for substitution of untested and dangerous products. We can do this through tougher regulation, better guidance and effective building control.”

BWF-Certifire has also highlighted the need for fire door training to be included in formal qualifications and competency frameworks within the construction industry. And the manifesto championed Fire Door Safety Week, which will run for the fourth time between 27 September and 2 October 2016.

The manifesto is focused on four key areas:

  • Raising awareness of the importance of fire doors
  • Spotlighting the need for improvements to building regulations
  • Stamping out substandard products
  • And highlighting ways to make sure those responsible for building fire safety are held to account

Read the manifesto on the BWF-Certifire website.

 

 

 

 

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