Fire Strategy Code of Practice
Effective from 16 September 2008
Version Number: 2.4
Author: Safety/Fire Safety Officer
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
te
University of Salford
Code of Practice title and Version
Document Control Information
Status and reason for development
Status:
Revised to update previous version
Reason for
development:
This document was developed to ensure compliance with associated legislation and standards,
and University requirements.
Revision History
Date
Author
Summary of changes
Version No.
January 2015
Claire Whittaker
Document transferred to new template.
V2.4
July 2011
Claire Whittaker
Department name change from OHSS to HS&S
V2.3
October 2010
Claire Whittaker
Accommodation no longer managed by the
University was removed
V2.2
February 2010
Claire Whittaker
Typing correction
V2.1
November 2008
Claire Whittaker
Sections on temporary structures and door
devices added
V2.0
Claire Whittaker
Document developed
September 2008
V1.0
Code of Practice Management and Responsibilities
Owner:
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Others with responsibilities
(please specify):
The owner has delegated responsibility for day to day management of the
Code to the Safety/Fire Safety Officer
All subjects of the Code will be responsible for engaging with and adhering
to this policy.
Assessment
Cross relevant assessments
Cross if not applicable
Equality Analysis
Legal
Information Governance
Academic Governance







Author:
Consultation
Cross relevant consultations
Staff Trades Unions via HR
Students via USSU
Any relevant external bodies
(please specify)
Consultation of the original document
took place through the Health and
Safety Committee.
…………………………………..
The Executive
Authorised by:
16 September 2008
Date authorised:
16 September 2008
Effective from:
Every 2 years from date authorised
Review due:
Document location:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/hr
www.salford.ac.uk/university/governance/policies-and-procedures
Page 2 of 13
University of Salford
Code of Practice title and Version
Document dissemination and communications plan
The Safety/Fire Safety Officer will circulate to the Health and Safety Coordinators for the Colleges and Professional
Services to enable promotion throughout their area of responsibility.
Page 3 of 13
University of Salford
1.0
Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to identify the minimum standards of fire safety within the University
applicable to all University owned premises.
Each university premise will be assessed to determine fire safety risks and appropriate action taken to
eliminate or control the risks. Each Fire Risk Assessment will be reviewed every 2 years.
The information contained in this document is based on legislative requirements, appropriate British
Standards and the HM Government Fire Safety Guides and the University approach to managing fire risk.
Therefore, application of this strategy will enable compliance with legal requirements, relevant standards
and the University’s Fire Risk Management Systems.
2.0
Scope
Designers will use this document to ensure design and provision of appropriate fire risk management
systems.
Estates Division Staff will use this document to ensure fire risk management systems are installed and
maintained in accordance with relevant standards.
3.0
Contents
Contents
Page
4.1. Automatic Fire Detection & Warning System
4.2 Manual Call Points
4.3 Portable Fire Extinguishers
4.4 Fire Resisting Doors
4.5 Travel Routes (protected and non-protected)
4.6 Rubbish Storage
4.7 Surface Finishes for Walls, Ceilings & Floors
4.8 Emergency Lighting
4.9 Inner Rooms, Alternative Exits and Occupancy Limitations
4.10 Breaching Fire Separation
4.11 Temporary Structures
4.12 Door Hold Open and Electrical Locking Devices
4.13 Escape Route Requirements within Offices/Occupied Rooms
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4.0
Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
Code of Practice Statements
4.1. Automatic Fire Detection Systems
Fire detection systems will be installed in accordance with BS 5839 part 1.
4.1.1 Non Accommodation Premises/Non Sleeping Risk
This will comprise of an L4 system installed within those parts of the escape routes comprising circulation
areas and circulation spaces, such as corridors and stairways.
The objective of installing the L4 system is to enhance the safety of occupants by providing warning of
smoke within escape routes.
Additional detectors will be installed in high fire risk areas. The installation of detectors in additional areas
is not precluded and the system will still be regarded as a Category L4 system.
In addition to automatic detectors, all buildings will be fitted with manual call points. Therefore, the
Category of system for the University’s non accommodation buildings should be referred to as L4/M.
Specifically, this will consist of: smoke detectors in corridors and circulation spaces; smoke detectors in
stairways; heat detectors in kitchens, plant rooms, labs and other such risk areas; and CO detectors
where risk of false activation is high, providing the existing fire detection equipment panel is compatible.
Where there are occasional exceptions to this requirement, and an L2 system exists, e.g. Humphrey
Booth House, vision panels on doors into rooms off corridors must not be obscured with blinds, or other
cover.
4.1.2 Accommodation Premises
Castle Irwell and Horlock & Constantine Courts will comprise of an L2 system installed throughout all
areas of the building. In addition, the premises will be fitted with manual call points. The Category of
system should be referred to as L2/M
The Mosque within Newton Annexe will be regarded as a sleeping risk and will, therefore, comprise of an
L2 system. In addition, manual call points will be fitted. The Category of system should be referred to as
L2/M.
Siting of heat and smoke detectors will be in accordance with BS5839-1:2013
Alterations or Interruption to the Fire Detection System
All construction, refurbishment or repair work, which may require alterations to the fire detection system,
will only be carried out following the express written permission from Health, Safety & Wellbeing.
Any work on the fire detection system, which may result in the detection or alarm system being
unavailable or inoperable will only be carried out following the express written permission of Health,
Safety & Wellbeing.
Any work on the fire detection system, which may result in the detection or alarm system being
unavailable or inoperable for a period of more than 8 hours, will only be permitted in accordance with the
above; and in addition will require Health, Safety & Wellbeing to notify the University Insurers (UMAL) of
the increased risk.
Express written permission will be obtained in accordance with the Code of Practice for Use of Fire Risk
Information Pro-forma, available on from Estates and Property Services .
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
4.2. Manual Call Points
Manual call points will be located on escape routes and, in particular, at all storey exits and all exits to
open air (whether or not the exits are specifically designated as fire exits).
Those located at storey exits will be sited within the accommodation or on the landing of a stairway to
which the storey exit gives access.
Travel-distances will not exceed 45m to reach the nearest manual call point. This will be reduced to 25m
in high fire risk areas, i.e. kitchens, laboratories, plant rooms
Manual call points will be fixed to the wall at a height of 1200mm – 1400mm from finished floor level.
Manual call points will be signed in accordance with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs & Signals)
Regulations 1996
4.3 Portable Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are provided to assist escape in the event of an escape route becoming compromised.
They are not provided to encourage individuals to fight fires.
The maximum travel distance to a fire extinguisher will be no greater than 30metres. Therefore, fire
extinguisher points will be located no more than 60metres apart. This distance may be reduced where a
high fire risk exists in accordance with BS5306 part 8.
Fire extinguishers will be located on corridors and escape routes as close to manual call points as
practicable.
Fire risk area
Type
Panel
Colour
Size
Quantity
Location
General
office/teaching rooms
Water
Red
9 litre
1
CO2
Black
4.5kg
1
Corridors adjacent to fire
alarm call points and not
exceeding 60m intervals
1
At exit doors
Kitchens
Fire Blanket
Dry Powder (Multi
Purpose)
Blue
Fat Fryers/Cooking oil
Wet Chemical (F)
Yellow
Labs/chemical areas
Dry Powder (Multi
Purpose)
Blue
1
6 litre
At exit doors
1
Corridors adjacent to fire
alarm call points and not
exceeding 60m intervals
CO2
Black
Plant rooms
Dry Powder (Multi
Purpose)
4.5kg
Blue
1
1
At exit doors
CO2
Black
4.5kg
1
Fire extinguisher points will be clearly identified by fire extinguisher signs, which will be in accordance with
the Health and Safety (Safety Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
Fire extinguishers will be wall mounted using fire extinguisher brackets.
Fire extinguishers with a total weight no greater than 4kg will be mounted with the handle height at
approximately 1.5m from floor level.
Fire extinguishers with a total weight greater than 4kg will be mounted at approximately 1m from floor
level.
4.4 Fire Resisting Doors
Fire resisting doors are provided to ensure occupants can evacuate to a place of safety.
Fire resisting doors will be provided to hold back fire and smoke, preventing escape routes becoming
unusable, as well as preventing fire spread from one area to another.
Fire resisting doors will be fitted to protected corridors; between staircases and corridors or rooms;
corridor partition doors on corridors exceeding 12metres length; laboratories; workshops, plant rooms,
service ducts, kitchens and tea points; and to define fire compartments.
Specification
FD30S or E30S
FD60S or E60S
Timber doors will be fitted in accordance with BS4787 part 1 and certified accordingly.
Existing doors not meeting the standard will be upgraded or replaced as required. (Upgrading will be
carried out in accordance with the information provided by: Building and Research Establishment or
Timber Research Development Association).
Fire resisting doors will be fitted with:
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Intumescent Seals to enhance the protection afforded by the door
Brush Smoke Seals to restrict the spread of smoke
Self-closing devices in accordance with BSEN 1154
Correct type and quality of hinges in accordance with BSEN 1935 incl. Annex B.
Glazing which is fire resisting, etched to identify its standard and documentary evidence will be
required
Glazing vision panels to comply with disability access requirements as per Building Regulations Part
M
Handles and locks to BSEN 1906 Annex C and BSEN 12209 Annex A
Double swing doors will not be permitted
Rising Butt hinges will not be permitted.
4.4.1 Signage
Fire resisting doors fitted with Self-closing devices will be labelled “Fire door keep shut” on both sides of
the door at eye level.
Fire resisting doors to cupboards, stores, service ducts, etc., that are not self closing because they are
kept locked, will be labelled “Fire door keep locked” on the outside.
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
4.4.2 Security and Door Fastening
Where members of the public or others who are not familiar with the building are present, doors will be
fitted with panic exit bar devices, i.e. push bars or touch bars, to BSEN 1125.
Where staff or others who are familiar with the premises are present; alternative devices may also be
used. The safe operation of these devices will be included during staff and student induction.
These alternatives may include:
Thumb Turn devices– lever type and which require only one action to operate
Redlam Bolts (break glass bolts)
Electro-magnetic devices – which will only be permitted where a manual override (green break glass) is
provided.
Doors will be hung to open in the direction of exit travel where the occupancy is greater than 60 people; or
where a high fire risk exists.
4.5 Travel Routes
Where corridors result in a dead end situation and form part of the means of escape, they will be
maintained as protected corridors.
All doors leading onto the protected corridor will be fitted with self closing fire doors.
Where corridors providing access to alternative escape routes are more than 12 metres long, they will be
subdivided by self closing fire doors at approximately the mid-way point.
Protected corridors and staircases will be maintained as “sterile” and no items of furniture will be
permitted, unless they are non-combustible. Notice boards must be enclosed or covered to prevent
access to contents.
Non Protected (also known as accommodation routes) may contain fire resistant furniture providing the
introduction of furniture in a corridor does not result in an inner, inner room situation: i.e. where inner
rooms exist off a corridor, the corridor must be maintained as protected or “sterile”.
Floor coverings on protected routes will be non combustible.
In non-protected areas, floor linings will be resistant to ignition.
4.6 Rubbish Storage
Waste materials in buildings will be kept to a minimum and waste removed from campus buildings daily.
Outdoor waste receptacles e.g. Euro Bins, skips and recycling points will be located a minimum of 10
metres away from the nearest building.
Skips and bins will be lidded and capable of being locked to prevent arson.
Flammable materials and oxidising agents or other high fire risk chemicals for disposal will be stored in an
appropriate place, e.g. laboratory of origin, until final disposal.
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
4.7 Surface Finishes on Walls, Ceilings and Floors
Class 0: Materials suitable for circulation spaces and escape routes
Such materials include brickwork, blockwork, concrete, ceramic tiles, plaster finishes, wood-wool cement
slabs and mineral fibre tiles or sheets with cement or resin bindings.
Class 1: Materials suitable for use in all rooms but not on escape routes
Such materials include all the Class 0 materials. Additionally, timber, hardboard, blockboard, particle
board, heavy flock wallpapers and thermosetting plastics will be suitable if treated to achieve a Class 1
standard.
Class 3: Materials suitable for use in rooms of less than 30 metres square.
Such materials include all those referred to in Class 1, including those that have not been flame-retardant
treated and certain dense timber or plywood and standard glass-reinforced polyesters.
4.7.1 Paint Finishes
Paint finishes on walls and floors in circulation spaces and escape routes will be capable of providing
Class 0 performance to prevent flame spread across the surface.
When applying a painted coating:
If applying over previously coated surfaces, the surface will be free from evidence of poor paint adhesion,
e.g. paint flaking, etc.
If in doubt, paint adhesion testing will be performed over a representative sample of the coated surface
before further application.
If it is suspected that the existing coatings may be layered in excess of 10 coats, paint adhesion testing
will be performed over a representative sample of the coated surface before further application.
In all cases, if paint adhesion tests fail, the paint layers will be removed to back to a sound paint layer
before further application takes place.
4.7.2 Floor Coverings
Floor coverings on protected routes will be non-combustible.
In non-protected areas, floor linings will be resistant to ignition.
4.8. Emergency Escape Lighting
All emergency escape lighting systems will cover:
 Each exit door
 Escape routes
 Intersections of corridors
 Outside each final exit and on external escape routes
 Emergency escape signs
 Stairways so that each flight receives adequate light
 Changes in floor level
 Windowless rooms and toilet accommodation exceeding 8 metres square
 Fire fighting equipment
 Fire alarm call points
 Equipment that would need to be shut down in an emergency
 Lifts
 Areas in premises greater than 60 metres square
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
Individual lights (luminaries) will not be provided for each of the items listed, but there will be sufficient
overall level of light to ensure they are visible or usable.
Licensed premises will be fitted with maintained lighting, i.e. on all the time whilst the premises is
occupied.
Peel Hall, Maxwell Hall, Robert Powell Theatre, Bar Yours, Bryant Suite and Adelphi Theatre.
Non-licensed premises will be fitted with either as appropriate to the use of the building.
All new buildings or major refurbishment will require installation of emergency lighting systems in
accordance with BS5266 part 1, BSEN 1838 and BS 5266 part 7.
4.9 Inner Rooms, Alternative Exits and Occupancy Limitations
4.9.1 Inner Rooms
Where the only way out of a room is through another room, an unnoticed fire in the outer room could trap
people in the inner room.
If inner rooms cannot be avoided, certain precautions will be implemented.
One of the following will be employed:

A vision panel between the two rooms will be provided to give adequate vision of the outer room. The
vision panel will be at least 0.1 metre square or greater where the room layout obscures vision.
OR

An automatic smoke detector will be provided in the outer room to provide early warning of fire.
OR

A minimum of 500mm gap between the dividing wall and the ceiling will be provided so that smoke will
be seen.
N.B. The inner room will only be used as sleeping accommodation if smoke detection is fitted in the outer
room.
In addition, for all inner rooms all of the following will apply:




The number of people using the inner room will not exceed 60
Outer room will be under the control of the same person as the inner room
The travel distance from any point in the inner room to the exit door from the outer room will be no
greater than 18 metres.
The outer room will not be an area of high fire risk, e.g. kitchen area.
Inner-Inner room situations where more than one outer room would have to be passed through to exit will
not be permitted.
All of the above precautions will not apply if the inner room has 2 alternative exits to 2 different areas.
4.9.2 Alternative Exits
Rooms with an accepted occupancy of greater than 60 people will require 2 alternative exits. The
alternative exits will be located at least 45 degrees apart, unless the routes and exits are separated by fire
resisting construction.
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
Exit doors will be hung in the direction of exit travel where the occupancy is greater than 60 persons or
where a high fire risk exists.
4.9.3 Occupancy Limitations
Rooms with a single exit will have a maximum occupancy of 60 persons imposed.
4.10 Breaching Fire Separation
Walls and floors providing fire separation will form a completed barrier with an equivalent level of fire
resistance provided to any openings such as doors, ventilation ducts, service shafts, etc.
Where services such as water pipes, electrical cables and telecommunications cable pass through fire
resisting partitions, they will be adequately fire stopped.
Where fire resisting partitions are installed, they will be extended to true ceiling height to maintain fire
resisting integrity.
4.11 Temporary Structures
Wherever possible temporary structures should be located a minimum distance of 10 metres away from
an existing building. If temporary buildings are to be located closer than 10 metres from large existing
buildings the exposure can be limited by choosing LPS 1195 “Temporary buildings for use on construction
sites” where the units achieve a 30 minute fire rating. These units are really only suitable for site offices
and not classrooms where no units are fire rated and so placing units for this purpose closer than 10
metres from buildings would give rise to a fire exposure.
4.12 Door Hold Open and Electrical Locking Devices
4.12.1 Hold open devices
Hold open devices - electro-magnetic fitted to the fire resisting door which release when fire detection and
warning system operates allowing the separate self closer to close the door.
The automatic device should release the fire resisting door allowing it to close effectively within its frame
when any of the following conditions occur:




detection of smoke by automatic detector;
actuation of the fire detection and alarm system by manual means, e.g. operation of the break
glass call point;
any failure of the fire detection and alarm system; or
any electrical power failure
4.12.2 Electrical locking devices
Electromechanical devices comprising of electromechanical lock keep and draw bolt, which can
be controlled by entering a code or using ‘smart cards’. These devices may only be fitted to
escape doors where they are fitted with a manual means of overriding the locking mechanism
such as a push-bar, push-pad or lever handle or that they do not rely on a spring mechanism, fail
safe open and are not affected by pressure, in which case the criteria for electromagnetic
devices should be applied.
Electromagnetic devices comprising of a magnet and a simple fixed retaining plate with no
moving parts and are, therefore, generally considered to be more reliable dues to their inherent
‘fail-safe unlocked’ operation. Electromagnetic locking devices go some way to addressing the
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
particular concerns surrounding electromechanical locking systems. The release of this type of
device is controlled by the interruption of electrical current to an electromagnet either manually
via a switch or other means, break-glass point (typically coloured green), or by linking to the fire
warning and/or detection system of the premises.
4.13 Escape Route Requirements within Offices/Occupied Rooms
Escape and circulation routes within offices/occupied rooms will be in accordance with the requirements
of the New Metric Handbook.
The diagram at the appendix outlines the space requirements to be followed to ensure safe access and
egress.
5.0 Code of Practice Monitoring and Performance
Failure to adhere to the standards determined in this code of practice may result in lack of compliance
with legislation and enforcement action.
Application of this code of practice will be monitored through the fire risk assessments, building
inspections and condition surveys.
6.0 Related Documentation
Managing the Risks from Fire Policy
7.0 Training and Support
Support can be obtained from Health, Safety and Wellbeing
8.0 Appendices
Diagram of space requirements to ensure safe access and egress
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Fire Strategy Code of Practice V2.4
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