Common questions often asked are ‘what fire signs does my premises require? and ‘why do we require so many signs?’

Fire safety signs are designed to warn building occupants of any fire hazards, provide information on fire safety equipment and procedures, and give concise instructions about the actions all occupants at anytime should take in the event of a fire. Installing and maintaining fire safety signs is not only essential to saving lives and protecting property, but is also a legal requirement.

The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 outlines the types of fire signs, their placement, and the importance of maintenance, while the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 requires the Responsible Person to take responsibility for fire safety within commercial premises.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 which came into effect in England from 23 January 2023 made it a legal requirement for way finding signs to be installed in all high-rise residential buildings in England, including clear markings identifying floor and individual flat numbers to assist the Fire and Rescue Service.

There are several types of fire safety signs. Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment, as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, should ultimately determine which signs are essential for your premises.

• – Fire exit signs highlight the safest evacuation route and nearest emergency exit of a building.
• – Fire door signs provide mandatory instructions to ensure effectiveness.
• – Fire alarm signs highlight the nearest fire alarm and provide information regarding its activation.
• – Emergency door operation signs offer simple instructions on how to operate emergency exit doors.
• – Stairway and floor level identification signs enable occupants of multi-storey high-rise buildings to accurately and quickly inform Fire and Rescue Services of the location of a fire and assist firefighters in navigating their way around the building.
• – Fire assembly point signs show where a building’s assembly point is located to enable evacuees to report to their designated point and identify any missing persons quickly.
• – Fire extinguisher signs indicate the position and type of extinguishers present in a premises, show the classes of fire they can be used on and how to operate them safely, and help identify any missing extinguishers that need replacing.
• – Fire equipment signs ensure that equipment is present, and correctly and clearly identified (where provided) to enable firefighters to gain immediate access to facilities such as rising main outlets on arrival at the scene of a fire.
• – Fire safety notices reinforce important messages of life safety arrangements to occupants.
• – Fire action notice signs include step-by-step instructions for occupants to follow in the event of a fire.
• – Hazard signs identify the location of potential hazardous materials or environments.

In the event of a fire, smoke and power outages can reduce sign visibility. Photoluminescent signs which function without the need for any additional illumination help maintain their visibility.

RES FIRE supplies high quality, affordable internal and external fire safety signage in a range of different formats and sizes to ensure your premises is compliant.

For further details on fire safety signage audits and maintenance or to ensure your premise emergency escape/exit lighting is fit for purpose please call RES FIRE on 0800 731 0727

For HM Government Wayfinding Regulations go to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022/fact-sheet-wayfinding-signage-regulation-8

In addition to the new Regulations that came into force on 23^rd January 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022/fact-sheet-overview further new fire safety guidance comes into force on 1^st October 2023.

The new Regulations will improve cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons (RPs), increase requirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fire safety information, make it easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance, and ensure residents have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building.

GOV.UK published the following news storey 30^th March 2023 concerning the new guidance.  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-fire-safety-guidance-comes-into-force-on-1-october-2023 Commencement regulations for new fire safety legal provisions within section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 have been laid in Parliament.

Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) makes a number of amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in all buildings regulated by the FSO. These improvements form Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme, building on Phase 1 (the Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022).

Phase 3 further strengthens fire safety in all FSO regulated premises by:

• – improving cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons (RPs)
• – increasing requirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fire safety information thus creating a continual record throughout a building’s lifespan
• – making it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against non-compliance
• – ensuring residents have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building

GOV.UK are not at this stage commencing a requirement for RPs to ensure that anyone they appoint to do a fire risk assessment is competent. GOV.UK are actively working with the sector to develop a robust roll out plan and will provide more information on this in the coming months.

Guidance to support RPs in understanding and meeting these new requirements will be published before they come into force.

Three new fire safety guides have been published 30^th March 2023 on small non-domestic premises, small blocks of flats and for small sleeping accommodation. These replace the old short guides to making your premises safe from fire. GOV.UK have also published and updated the fire risk assessment checklist.

Fire Door Safety Week aims to raise the awareness of the critical role that fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property in the unfortunate event of a fire. Make Time to Save Lives.

The issues around fire door safety don’t just exist in high rise, high risk buildings. They are prevalent in pretty much any sector and building type that you think of, from care homes and hospitals to schools and specialist housing.

Launched in 2013 in response to a legacy of fire door neglect, Fire Door Safety Week is a ‘mass market’ awareness campaign to increase public understanding of the vital role that fire doors play in protecting life and property. The campaign is managed by the British Woodworking Federation and is supported by a number of partners, including the Home Office’s National Fire Safety campaign, the National Fire Chief’s Council and London Fire Brigade.

It’s crucial to understand the factors that ensure a fire door performs as intended – product manufacture, quality, installation and maintenance all play a part. Their correct specification, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death for building occupants, as can their use. Propping a fire door open means that they won’t perform as they should in the event of a fire.

Everyone plays their part in ensuring a fire door performs as it should, from the manufacturer through to the building users, and this is why the annual Fire Door Safety Week campaign exists.

RES will publish a number of articles during Fire Door Safety week to support this campaign.

For more info goto https://www.firedoorsafetyweek.co.uk/

Article Updated 20/10/22

INSURER AXA UK has warned of the growing fire risks associated with the lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters. Lithium-ion batteries pose a significant fire risk when damaged, over-charged or otherwise exposed to extreme temperatures. Across the past two months, AXA UK has covered almost half a million pounds’ worth of losses on two large claims caused by lithium battery fires

It’s expected that both the frequency and cost of these fires are likely to grow exponentially as transport via e-bikes and e-scooters becomes more popular. AXA UK’s claims data shows that these fires most frequently occur within residential buildings where the associated damage can be devastating.

One of the recent large claims was the result of a faulty e-scooter battery, which was being charged in the kitchen of a ground floor terrace flat. An explosion occurred and fire spread through the home, reaching two storeys above.

The second occurred in a block of flats where an e-bike battery was being charged. The fire totally destroyed the flat and caused smoke damage to the flats on either side. Thankfully, nobody was injured in either incident.

Reducing the risk

To reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, AXA UK recommends the following precautionary steps are taken:

*Never leave batteries charging in a building that’s unattended or overnight when people are asleep in the property

*Unplug or disconnect from the battery once charging is complete

*Do not allow the battery to overheat and ensure that it’s charged on a hard surface where heat can disperse

*Monitor and assess for damage to the battery and the charger and always follow the manufacturer’s guidance for replacement or repairs

*Ensure smoke alarms – preferably interlinked detectors located around the property – are fitted where charging is taking place and, if possible, store and charge away from the main living area

As well as the increasing danger of fire in residential properties, AXA UK is also alerting those responsible for commercial businesses (such as Shopping Centres, retailers and e-bike and scooter storage and repair facilities) about the risks posed by these batteries. Businesses must ensure they have put in place reasonable precautions, reviewed and updated existing fire risk assessments and purchased specific fire extinguishers designed for use on fires involving lithium batteries.

Dougie Barnett, director of customer risk management for AXA UK’s commercial insurance operation, informed Fire Safety Matters: “Fire safety should be the foremost priority when it comes to charging and storing electric bikes and scooters. These forms of transport are becoming increasingly common due to the range of benefits they provide. However, this truism makes it even more essential that people understand the risks around storing them in the wrong way or using damaged batteries.”

Barnett added: “As an insurer, we’re there for individuals when the worst happens, but we want to make sure such risks are managed and reduced so that they can avoid the very often devastating consequences of a fire in their homes or within their business.”

Incredibly concerning

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade commented: “It’s incredibly concerning that we’re continuing to witness a rise in incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters. When lithium-ion batteries and their chargers fail, they do so with ferocity and, due to the fact that the resultant fires develop so rapidly, the situation can quickly become one that’s incredibly serious in nature.”

The spokesperson added: “Our advice is to try and store and charge e-bikes and e-scooters in a safe location if possible, such as in a shed or a garage. If they have to be stored inside, make sure there’s smoke detection fitted and that the means of escape is not obstructed in any way. We know this will not be possible for everyone, so if charging is being carried out indoors, then safe charging must be the way forward, while everyone in the property should know what to do in the event of a fire.”

Published by Fire Safe Matters