More than just the minimum

A recent RICS Regulation case highlights why managing agents must review fire risk assessments We have previously drawn attention to the requirement in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for managing agents to commission a fire risk assessment (FRA) and to review and implement any of its...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inProperty Journal p. 62
Main Author Strong, Gary
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 01.10.2019
Subjects
Automatic control
Buildings
Commissioned works
Contractors
Control boards
Emergency exits
Fire protection
Fire safety
Inspection
Occupancy
Regulatory reform
Residential buildings
Risers
Risk assessment
Safety management
Sprinklers
Vents
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Summary:A recent RICS Regulation case highlights why managing agents must review fire risk assessments We have previously drawn attention to the requirement in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for managing agents to commission a fire risk assessment (FRA) and to review and implement any of its recommendations (see Property Journal May/June, pp.16-17). [...]someone had unfortunately died in a fire, and there was a court conviction. Existing buildings are where the real problem lies, as fire safety protection can often be totally inadequate. * Existing active protection measures such as fire alarms, magnetic door holders, automatic smoke vents, emergency lighting, dry risers, fire alarm control panels and sprinklers, must be checked to make sure they have been regularly inspected and certified as in good working order. * Specialist contractors should be appointed to carry out the recommendations in the FRA, as well as any recommendations by other specialist professionals. * Agents must also follow up the commissioned works to check they have been properly installed and inspected. * Agents should carry out an inspection annually, or possibly more frequently for high-risk buildings such as taller or more complex residential premises. * A new FRA should be commissioned at least every five years regardless, because the building and its occupancy profile can change significantly in this period.
ISSN:2053-0935
2053-5732