In today’s fast moving world it can be difficult to keep abreast of changes in legislation and how these can affect you as building owners and system users.  Not all statutory obligations are well known or are readily publicised, so we at Scotshield Fire & Security have highlighted a selection of key points to help create awareness.

Fire Detection & Alarm Systems:

Each Employer, Building Controller or Building Owner (The Responsible Person) must protect employees or any other persons legally entering their premises.

• Systems must meet requirements of BS5839-1 or will be deemed non-compliant
• Systems must be maintained at the required intervals by a competent person or an accredited fire alarm service company in accordance with the requirements of BS5839-1
• BS5839-1:2002+A2:2008 recommends that property protection with automatic detection systems is remotely monitored.   For mechanical (call-point only) systems, this would not necessarily be a requirement, as the system could only be activated whilst the premises was occupied and therefore a direct call to Fire and Rescue would be an option
• Always check with your insurer for remote monitoring  requirements
• The design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the system must be certificated by accredited fire alarm system designer and service provider
• Any modifications to existing systems must be certificated
• End user defined responsibilities within BS5839 -1 stipulate that a responsible person must be appointed to supervise all matters pertaining to the fire alarm and the system must be tested weekly by a responsible person and at other prescribe intervals
• Multi-storey buildings and sports venues or similar premises require to have Emergency Voice Communications System (Disabled Refuge) installed with remote call stations at strategic locations.  Reference: BS5839-9:2011

Your Statutory Obligation – Fire Risk Assessment:

Statutory Orders are in place within the UK and each of these requires a fire risk assessment to be carried out by a competent person to ensure that fire precautions are fit for purpose for the type of premises and its use.  A responsible person must arrange for any remedial works and preventive actions to be implemented arising from the fire risk assessment.

References:

- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - England and Wales
- Fire Safety (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2010

Fire Extinguishers:

• Extinguishers must be compliant with Standard BS 5306-3:2009
• Extinguishers must be maintained at required intervals by a competent person or accredited extinguisher service provider to remain compliant
• Visual inspections of extinguishers should be carried out by the responsible person in accordance with Section 5 of BS 5306-3:2009 and any defects must be recorded and relayed to the accredited service provider for correction

Emergency Lighting:

• Systems must be compliant with Standard BS 5266-1:2005
• Systems must be maintained at the required intervals by a competent person or accredited emergency lighting service provider
• Systems must be regularly tested by a competent person in accordance with the standard BS 5266-1:2005 and any defects must be recorded and relayed to the accredited service provider for correction

Access Control:

• Systems must be compliant with standard BS EN50133-1:1997 +A1&A2 and NACOSS Code of Practice NACP30
• Systems must be maintained at required intervals by a competent person or accredited access control service provider
• Any modifications to existing systems must be certificated by and accredited access control system installer or service provider

CCTV:

• Systems must be compliant with Standard BS EN50132-7:1996, BS 8418:2003, BS 7958 : 2009  and NCP104 V2
• Systems must be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office to comply the Data Protection Act 2003
• Perimeter Warning Signage must be prominently displayed
• Systems must be maintained at the required intervals by a competent person or accredited CCTV service provider
• Images transmitted and recorded must be of clear quality
• Data recorded must be protected and securely stored
• Cameras must not view individual’s private property, only relevant areas, objects or subjects
• Monitors displaying images of persons must not be on view to the public

Guidance in CCTV Code of Practice is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office

Intruder Alarms:

• Intruder Alarm Systems must be compliant with standard BS EN50131-1, PD6662-2004/10, DD243:2004 and BS8434:2010
• Intruder Alarm Systems must be maintained at the required intervals by a competent person or accredited alarm service provider
• The design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of the system must be certificated by accredited intruder alarm system installer and service provider
• Any modifications to existing  intruder alarm systems must be certificated by accredited intruder alarm system installer or service provider
• There would be no police response to intruder alarm systems which are not remotely monitored. Under the ACPO or ACPOS policies you must register your system with your local police authority
• Your insurer may require remote monitoring of your system depending on the use of the premises
• False alarms activations must be within parameters set by ACPO / ACPOS policies

Further guidance on Access/CCTV and Intruder Systems can be obtained from the NSI Website at www.nsi.org.uk

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA):

To comply with BS8300:2009 Code of Practice for the ‘Design of Buildings and their Approaches to Meet the Needs of Disabled People’, the following facilities in relation to access control and alarm systems, must be included:

• Correct height of call-points for fire alarms and disabled refuge systems
• Heard of hearing visual warning beacons on alarm systems
• Access control panels and exit buttons suitably located at suitable height
• Wheelchair access and egress

Lone Workers:

Legislation was introduced in April 2008 which exposes organisations to prosecution where a safety failure is the cause of a work-related death.