FSD were contracted to carry out a fire risk assessment in a school primarly used by students with severe learning and physical disabilities. A survey of the building found that the fire alarm system was inafective, with no automatic fire detection and no significant fire compartmentation. Due to some of the severe disabilities delays in means of escape were inevitable, resulting in evacuation times being unacceptable.
FSD recommended that with careful design the building should be subdevided into suitable half hour fire compartments; with appropriate upgrades to the fire alarm system to provide a high level of fire detection for early warning of fire; and provide staff with evacuation training using various evacuation aids.
All recommedations were quickly implimenetd and a subsiquent visit by the fire authority met with legal approval. Finally FSD provided a detailed CAD plan of the premises identifying all active and passive fire protection; this will assist the responsible person to manage ongoing fire safety, especially where responsibility has been delegated for day to day issues. All staff have now been trained suitably in comprehensive evacuation proceedures.