Bread and Butter Collective

Bread and Butter Collective Multiple Student Accommodation Properties Nottingham

Project Overview

Property: Student Accommodation with communal dining and kitchen areas.

Industry: Accommodation

Contract Awarded to: RiskFire

Type of Contract: FRA

Project Scope: Conducting comprehensive Fire Risk Assessments

Location: Nottingham

Project Duration: 1 day per property

Scope of Works

RiskFire conducted detailed Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) across three Bread and Butter Collective’s student accommodation properties. The assessments focused on communal dining and living areas to identify potential fire risks, ensure compliance with fire safety standards, and recommend actionable solutions to safeguard the safety of residents and staff.

Challenges

The FRAs identified several challenges requiring immediate attention:

• Electrical Systems:
• Absence of a fixed electrical testing schedule, increasing risks of faults.
• Lack of formal testing and inspection of portable electrical equipment.
• Fire Doors:
• Identified faults in fire doors requiring a detailed fire door survey to ensure effective compartmentation.
  
• Signage:
• Insufficient "no smoking" signage in communal areas and entrances.
• Inadequate directional exit signage along main escape routes and stairwells.
• Training and Documentation:
• Gaps in staff training on emergency plans, fire safety measures, and fire equipment usage.
• Insufficient training and induction for third-party workers on-site.
• Lack of documented fire drills and training records for staff.
• Systems and Maintenance:
• Emergency lighting not discharge-tested annually per BS 5266.
• Smoke and fire detection systems not periodically serviced per BS 5839.
• Missing records for weekly fire alarm tests, monthly emergency lighting tests, and inspections of escape routes.

Solution Provided

RiskFire implemented the following solutions to address these challenges:

• Electrical Safety:
• Established a routine schedule for fixed electrical testing and portable equipment inspections.
• Fire Door Survey:
• Conducted a comprehensive survey to identify and repair faults, enhancing compartmentation.
  
• Signage Installation:
• Installed additional "no smoking" signs and directional exit signage to improve visibility and clarity.
• Training and Fire Drills:
• Developed a robust training program covering:
• Fire risks and safety measures.
• Use of manual call points, fire extinguishers, and evacuation protocols.
• Building tours highlighting escape routes, exits, and fire-fighting equipment locations.
• Mandated induction and annual fire drills for staff, including third-party workers, with comprehensive documentation.
• System Maintenance:
  
• Scheduled annual servicing of smoke detection and alarm systems per BS 5839.
• Initiated annual discharge testing of emergency lighting per BS 5266.
• Established frequent inspections of escape routes, exits, and gangways.
• Record-Keeping:
• Implemented systems to maintain records for:
• Weekly fire alarm tests and monthly emergency lighting tests.
• Fire training sessions and fire drills.

Results

RiskFire's interventions delivered:

• Enhanced electrical safety with regular testing schedules.
• Improved fire door integrity through fault identification and rectification.
• Clear, visible safety signage, aiding evacuation preparedness.
• Well-trained staff equipped to manage fire emergencies.
• Compliance with BS 5266 and BS 5839 standards for emergency lighting and detection systems.
• Accessible and transparent documentation ensuring fire safety compliance.

Conclusion

RiskFire’s thorough Fire Risk Assessments and tailored recommendations improved safety standards across Bread and Butter Collective’s student accommodations. By addressing gaps in electrical systems, fire doors, training, and maintenance, the properties now offer a safer environment for students and staff. This project underscores the critical importance of proactive fire safety measures in high-occupancy settings.

This FRA was completed using the Firehub app.

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