FRA Phoenix Children’s Foundation

Project Overview

Property: Animal premises and stables

Industry: Charity and education

Contract Awarded to: RiskFire

Type of Contract: FRA

Project Scope: Fire Risk Assessment

Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Project Duration: 1 day

Scope of Works

RiskFire was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) for the Phoenix Children's Foundation. The assessment focused on electrical safety, smoking policies, fire extinguisher provision, and fire safety management to ensure the safety of all occupants and compliance with fire safety regulations.

Challenges

The following issues were identified during the FRA:

• Electrical Safety:
• Regular testing of the building’s wiring structure was not documented as scheduled.
• Portable electrical equipment lacked a structured inspection and testing regime.
• No policy was in place restricting the charging of personal electrical equipment, increasing the risk of fire hazards in escape routes or near combustible materials.
• Smoking Policy:
• No designated smoking areas were provided.
• Insufficient signage indicating smoking policies or permitted smoking locations.
• Ash disposal practices posed a fire risk, with no suitable containment measures for cigarette waste.
• External Combustible Materials:
• Combustible materials were stored too close to the exterior of the premises, posing a fire risk.
• Lack of external lighting or CCTV for deterrence and security.
• Fire Extinguishers:
• Existing extinguishers were insufficient and not placed in visible or accessible locations.
• Additional extinguishers and directional signage were required.
• Fire action notices were missing above extinguishers in multiple buildings.
• Ten replacement extinguishers were required due to damage or non-compliance.
• Fire Safety Management:
• Policies outlining responsibilities for fire safety were not documented.
• Fire warden/marshal training was inadequate, and no training records were maintained.
• Fire drills were not conducted annually, and records of drills and training were unavailable.
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Solution Provided

RiskFire proposed and implemented the following solutions to address the identified issues:

• Electrical Safety:
• Recommended implementing a routine schedule for the testing of the building’s wiring structure in line with regulations.
• Established a regime for inspecting and testing all portable electrical equipment.
• Developed a written policy restricting the charging of personal electrical equipment to designated rooms with fire doors, smoke detection, and no combustible materials nearby.
• Smoking Policy:
• Advised creating designated smoking areas equipped with non-combustible ashtrays.
• Installed appropriate smoking policy signage throughout the premises.
• Recommended daily disposal of ashtray waste into metal bins kept outside the premises to reduce fire risks.
• External Combustible Materials:
• Relocated combustible materials a safe distance from the exterior of the premises.
• Suggested installing external lighting and CCTV to enhance security and deter unsafe practices.
• Fire Extinguishers and Signage:
• Supplied ten replacement extinguishers and ensured their placement within sight in each building.
• Installed additional fire action notices above extinguishers and directional signs above all exits.
• Implemented a schedule for the annual servicing of extinguishers as per BS5306.
• Fire Safety Management:
• Developed a written fire safety policy outlining board-level responsibilities, the responsible person for the premises, and nominated individuals for maintenance and testing tasks.
• Delivered comprehensive training for fire wardens/marshals, including portable and fixed firefighting equipment use.
• Introduced periodic reviews of the emergency plan, building tours, and staff training covering fire safety measures, evacuation procedures, and manual call point use.
• Scheduled annual fire drills and ensured all staff were involved, with detailed records maintained for compliance.

Results

By implementing RiskFire’s recommendations, the Phoenix Children’s Foundation achieved the following:

• Improved electrical safety through regular testing and policy implementation.
• Reduced fire risks associated with smoking practices and external combustible materials.
• Enhanced fire extinguisher availability and visibility, supporting first-aid firefighting.
• Established a proactive fire safety management structure with clear responsibilities and regular staff training.
• Maintained compliance with BS5306 for fire extinguishers and created a safer environment for building occupants.

Conclusion

RiskFire’s Fire Risk Assessment and tailored solutions addressed critical fire safety concerns at the Phoenix Children’s Foundation. By enhancing fire safety policies, procedures, and training, the foundation is now better equipped to prevent and respond to fire emergencies, ensuring the safety of its staff, visitors, and premises.

This FRA was completed using the Firehub app.

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