Fire Risk Assessment

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Fire Risk Assessment and Procedure

In the event of a fire at

Rose Villa

September 2023

(to be read in conjunction with the FRA checklist and floor plan of the property)

This property was built in the 1890s and subsequently altered, extended and improved in 2005. Smoke alarms are fitted upstairs on the landings and downstairs, and a carbon monoxide detector in the lounge, and a heat detector in the kitchen. Torches, motion sensor lights and bulbs that come on in the event of a power cut are available and fitted.

Whilst it has a low fire risk, the property has an inherent, and insurmountable, issue with the layout, when taking into account fire safety recommendations.

That is: All three bedrooms have access to a stairway which exits through the living room (see plan). i.e. from an ‘inner’ room through an ‘outer’ room, which is not ideal.

The main ‘hazard’ in the living room is the log burner. In the summer, when the log burner is not required, the risk of a fire starting is minimal tending to zero. The log burner is only a fire risk if the door is left open and logs fall onto the rug. The optimum use of the log burner is NOT to leave the door open but there is a sufficiently large slate hearth, and a metal guard in place, to prevent any such occurrence. Only considerable negligence would cause a fire to start here.

However, if there were a fire in the living room, and an exit that way was impossible, the only way out would be through the windows in the bedrooms.  Whilst the front two bedrooms have windows accessible for an emergency escape, the rear bunk bedroom has a velux window which requires more athleticism.

It is recommended that only able-bodied persons should sleep upstairs, and any minor  sleeping in the bunk bedroom should be immediately escorted downstairs if safe to do so, OR, be helped out of one of the windows, including the velux if necessary. Familiarise yourself with the opening of all the windows. There are motion sensor lights, and bulbs which come on in the event of a power cut.

Once through the living room, the front door has a simple latch that opens the door immediately without the need for a key.

PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE

Make your way out  (the front door is the primary exit, but other exits are available) to a safe area in the driveway or road.

Telephone 999 and ask for the fire service.

The post code is SA42 0SE, the property is called Rose Villa

What3words:  calendars.blank.waltzed   provides an exact location

 

 

Fire risk assessment checklist – Small premises with paying guests

 

Responsible person (e.g. employer) or person having control of the premises:	Philip Shaw-Hamilton
Address of premises:	Rose Villa, Brynhenllan Dinas Cross, Pembrokeshire SA42 0SE
Number of floors:	2	Number of rooms:	8
Construction:	Stone
Date of fire risk assessment:	28/9/2023
Date of previous fire risk assessment:
Suggested date for review:	September 2024

Fire hazards and controls

 

Are fixed electrical installations inspected and tested every 5 years?

 

Yes

 

Are electrical appliances periodically inspected and tested?

 

Yes

 

Is the use of trailing leads and adaptors avoided where possible?

 

Yes

 

 

Are gas appliances inspected and tested every 12 months?

 

Yes

 

 

Is smoking permitted on the premises?

 

No

 

Are suitable arrangements in place for those who wish to smoke?

 

Smoke outside

 

Are the premises adequately secured to prevent unauthorised access?

 

Yes

 

Are combustible materials, waste and refuse bins stored safely clear of the premises or in purpose-built compounds/rooms?

 

Yes

 

Are fixed heating systems subject to periodic maintenance?

 

Yes

 

Are portable heaters subject to periodic inspection and used safely?

 

There are no portable heaters

 

Are there adequate fire precautions in the use of open fires and log burners? e.g. regular chimney sweeping

 

Yes

 

Are adequate measures taken to prevent fires from cooking equipment? e.g. prohibiting deep fat fryers

 

Yes – no deep fat fryers are provided. The hob and oven are electric.

 

Are filters and ductwork subject to regular cleaning?

 

Yes

 

 

Is the standard of housekeeping adequate to avoid the accumulation of combustible materials and waste e.g. from tumble dryers?

 

Yes – there is no tumble-dryer, and the cottage is cleaned at every change-over

 

Are combustible materials kept separate from ignition and heat sources?

Yes

 

 

Is it ensured that all contractors who undertake work on the premises are competent and qualified?

 

Yes

 

Are suitable measures in place to address the fire hazards associated with the use and storage of dangerous substances?

 

There are no dangerous substances at the property

 

Are there any other significant fire hazards in the premises?

 

No

 

If the answer to the above question is yes, please list each hazard and any control measure to reduce the risk of fire, in the box below. If the answer to any question is no, include suitable action within the Action Plan.

 

 

 

Fire protection measures

 

Are all escape routes kept clear of obstructions to enable people to escape safely?

 

Yes

 

Are all fire exits easily and immediately openable?

 

No – the back door still has a key in the lock. However, it is the least likely exit route in the event of a fire at night. The front door is available first and can be opened from the inside without a key.

 

Are distances to final exits considered reasonable?

 

Yes

 

Do the walls and structures protecting the stairway and escape routes provide an adequate level of fire resistance?

 

There is no structure protecting the stairway – only a handrail.

 

Is the fire resistance of doors to stairways and escape routes considered adequate?

 

The doors are currently unlikely to meet modern fire retardant specifications. It is in the action plan to look at upgrading.

 

Where necessary, are doors fitted with suitable self-closing devices that close the doors effectively?

 

No. It is in the action plan to seek advice.

 

Are there adequate levels of artificial lighting provided in the escape routes?

 

It is in the action plan to ensure lighting is available to descend the stairs to the exit point without having to pass through a darkened room with no immediate access to a light switch.

 

Where necessary, has a reasonable standard of emergency escape lighting been provided?

 

Yes – LED torches are available in each room. There are several light bulbs that come on when the electricity supply is cut. There are motion sensor operated lights which double as a torch at strategic points downstairs. It is in the action plan to provide motion sensor lights for use at night on the stairs.

 

Where necessary, is a reasonable standard of fire exit and fire safety signs provided?

 

Not necessary – there is only one way downstairs, through the living room into the hall and front door. (See plan)

 

Are smoke and/or heat alarms/detectors provided and is the extent and coverage considered adequate? Consider also CO alarms.

 

Yes – smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide sensor are installed. It is in the action plan to also fit a heat detector in the kitchen. Due to the small size of the cottage it is considered unnecessary to fit a smoke alarm in each bedroom. One on the landing is quite sufficient.

 

Is there a reasonable provision of firefighting equipment (fire extinguishers, fire blankets)?

 

Yes – one fire blanket in the kitchen and living room. One fire extinguisher in the utility room.

 

 

 

 

Management of fire safety

 

Are procedures in the event of fire appropriate and documented?

 

Yes

 

 

Is the information on fire safety and the action to take in the event of a fire given to guests?

 

Yes

 

Are any staff members given regular instruction and training on the action to take in the event of a fire?

 

N/a  - there are no staff

 

Are frequent checks carried out to ensure exit routes are kept clear and fire exits remain easily openable?

 

Yes

 

 

Are periodic checks carried out on fire doors to ensure they remain in good condition and close effectively?

 

No – there are no fire doors

 

Are domestic smoke and heat alarms tested at least monthly? Include CO alarms in testing.

 

Yes

 

Where fitted, are weekly testing and six-monthly servicing routines in place for the fire detection and alarm system?

 

N/a

In self-catering premises, are all smoke/heat alarms (or fire detection and alarm systems, where fitted) tested at every changeover?

 

Yes

 

Where fitted, are monthly and annual testing routines in place for the emergency escape lighting?

 

N/a

 

Where provided, are fire extinguishers subject to annual maintenance?

 

N/a

 

Are records of testing and maintenance maintained?

 

Yes

 

 

Action plan

If any of the above boxes are ticked with a ‘No’, the deficiencies should be described below, along with proposed action for rectification.

 

Item	Deficiency	Proposed action	Timescale	Person responsible
Doors	Fire retardant spec	Look to improve	6mths	Philip Shaw-Hamilton
Back door	Key in lock	It is considered unecessary to change the mechanism		Philip Shaw-Hamilton
Lighting	Poor on stairs into living room	Install another switch and wall sockets for night lights.	6mths	Philip Shaw-Hamilton
Detectors	Heat detector Smoke alarm	Install in kitchen Install another on landing	6mths   6mths	Philip Shaw-Hamilton