Fire Alarm System

SYKRAPS · Dec 6, 2012

Hi,

Can anyone point me in the direction of whether it is a compulsary regulation now that a factory requires a fire alarm system and emergency lighting.

It is an insurance project and as usual the insurance company want to re-fit like for like and the factory never had a fire or emergency lighting system before the peril other than in the office area.

The factory in question is about 1200 meters square with an office space of about 200 meters square across 2 floors (this is the only bit that has 2 floors in mezanine). In total there are 8 staff in occupancy.

Thanks in advance.

tazz · Dec 6, 2012

Firstly a risk assessment must be undertaken that is mandatory.
The owners of the the factory have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of their employees at all times.
Conclusion reading between the lines is follows.
1. Get independent risk assessment done.
2. Get full insurance requirements details.
3. 99.9% fire alarm, emegency lighting fire extingushers etc will be required.
4. Above all, let local authority, insurance company and factory owner to make all decisions and requirements to you in writing, where you will design and install a system to their instructions.

SYKRAPS · Dec 6, 2012

I agree with what you are saying tazz, but what if the insurance will not pay and request like for like as they usually do.

If the system is installed as it was before the peril is it the responsibility of the owners then to bring the system up to standard?

tazz · Dec 6, 2012

The be all is to cover yourself my friend, if the owners and the insurance dont want to pay, you cant force them, and now it is their reponsability and thus their problem. Just always view your concerns in writing as a report

SYKRAPS · Dec 6, 2012

So am I right in thinking that ultimately it is the responsibility of the the owner/occupant of a building to ensure the safety of its employees, and thus if I act on their documented instruction then the buck lies with them?

tazz · Dec 6, 2012

yes, as i said you cant force them and the risk assessment is also their responsability.

SYKRAPS · Dec 6, 2012

Do you have a link to whre this may be documented?

tazz · Dec 6, 2012

The standard safety at work act which you can search for on internet... but I seriously would let this worry you, its not your concern, and aslong as your not offering a risk assessment yourself, which is a mine field, i wouldnt worry. Just continue the work you have been contracted to do.

SYKRAPS · Dec 6, 2012

tazz said:
The standard safety at work act which you can search for on internet... but I seriously would let this worry you, its not your concern, and aslong as your not offering a risk assessment yourself, which is a mine field, i wouldnt worry. Just continue the work you have been contracted to do.

Then would you certify stating the areas you have installed and that it was to client instruction?

tazz · Dec 6, 2012

yes, weather its electical, fire or emergency lighting, you need to stated the work you have been instructed to do on you certification, and if you have any variations as such state them. Dont get too involved in other peoples problems here...you havent designed a new system, you have only been contracted to install as told, and therfore you will only be offering and install and commissioning certification, the design will be down to a witten report from others stating on what they require you to install ie a specification report. please dont take this to seriously, i know a lot of comments on here scare people, but the be all and end all is you are contracted to install to some one elses specification and if followed, you have completed you contractual obligation