FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - JOULE HOUSE - OCTOBER 2013
INTRODUCTION.
Joule House is a grade II listed building located on the Crescent opposite Peel Building
and houses academic staff. The building is mainly used for office space with some storage
of materials and equipment in the basement.
The construction is of red brick with a tiled roof. The building is made up of two properties
which have at some point in the past been converted into a single building.
METHODOLOGY.
The fire risk assessment was undertaken using the framework outlined in the British
Standard PAS 79:2007. The process involved a visual inspection of all accessible areas
on a floor by floor basis to determine:
1. Potential sources of ignition.
2. Combustible materials.
3. Means of detection.
4. Means of escape.
5. Emergency lighting
6. Means of fighting fire.
7. Fire safety signage.
8. Procedures and training.
9. Structural features.
10. Hazardous areas.
11. Significant hazards requiring further control.
12. Risk level.
FINDINGS.
1. Potential sources of ignition
The potential sources of ignition identified in the building are:
 Electrical appliances, including computer equipment – in offices.
 Arson.
All portable appliances are PAT tested by Estates at defined intervals as per their policy.
The fixed installation and larger items are also tested by Estates or their appointed
contractors at regular intervals.
The building is controlled access and therefore the risk from arson is reduced and there
was no evidence of a build up of combustible materials externally.
2. Combustible materials
These are primarily:


Paper files in offices.
Waste paper bins and recycling bins in offices.
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FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - JOULE HOUSE - OCTOBER 2013
Housekeeping appeared to be of a high standard during the inspection.
3. Means of detection
The building has automatic detection in the form of smoke (or heat in kitchen areas)
sensors as well as manually operated call points in accordance with BS5839 part 1 L4/M.
These points are numerous and situated in convenient locations.
4. Means of escape.
The building has two escape staircases, one internal and one external. The internal stairs
serve all 4 floors whilst the external stairs are only accessible from the ground and 1st
floors.
On the ground floor there is an open seating area and a ‘museum’ area both holding
combustible materials and sources of ignition. This is the only escape route for the building
and as such needs to be a sterile area.
Disabled Visitors.
The building has no specific provision for disabled access above ground floor level.
Wheelchair access is provided by a wheelchair lift in the rear yard allowing access through
the door on the fire escape. In the event of a fire this route would have to be used for
escape purposes for wheelchair users as the other two exits have steps.
5. Emergency Lighting.
The building is fitted with adequate escape lighting to enable safe exit in the event of a
power failure.
6. Means of fighting fire.
Fire extinguishers are provided in accordance with the University policy. The policy
requires that one water and one CO2 extinguishers be provided by manual call points.
Additional extinguishers are provided in plant rooms and kitchens.
7. Signage.
The building is fitted with a variety of fire safety signs. These include fire exit, extinguisher,
fire-action, call point, etc. The signs and notices are compliant with the Safety (Signs and
Signals) Regulations 1996.
8. Fire Procedures.
In the event of the alarm sounding it will automatically relay to Maxwell control (security)
who in turn will initiate the call challenge procedure then call the fire service if required.
A trained Building Controller and Fire Wardens are based in the building and an
evacuation plan has been completed on the University template.
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FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - JOULE HOUSE - OCTOBER 2013
9. Structural features.
There were no obvious structural features that would increase the fire risk of the building.
10. Hazardous areas.
There were no areas which would constitute an increased hazard in a fire.
11. Significant hazards requiring further control.
General Items Identified.
Action required.
See review record for minor actions
Actioned by.
12. Risk Level.
The following assessment of risk is based on the building after completion of the additional
controls identified above.
Likelihood
of Fire
X

2
Severity
=

X
Risk Level

2
=
4
Control measures to manage the fire risk in Joule House are quantified as: Acceptable.
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FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - JOULE HOUSE - OCTOBER 2013
Increasing Consequence
Risk Rating:
5
10
15
20
25
4
8
12
16
20
3
6
9
12
15
2
4
6
8
10
1
2
3
4
5
17-25 Unacceptable – Stop activity and make
immediate improvements/seek further advice
10-16 Tolerable – look to improve within
specified timescale
5-9 Adequate – Look to improve at next
review
1-4 Acceptable - No further action, but ensure
controls are maintained
Increasing Likelihood
Guide to using the risk rating table:
Consequences
1 Insignificant – no impact
2 Minor – minor interruption to activity/process
3 Moderate – some damage to property/business interruption
4 Major – significant internal damage to property
5 Catastrophic –major disaster e.g. loss of life/loss of a
building/impact on surrounding areas
Likelihood
1 Very unlikely – 1 in a million chance of it happening
2 Unlikely – 1 in 100,000 chance of it happening
3 Fairly likely – 1 in 10,000 chance of it happening
4 Likely – 1 in 1,000 chance of it happening
5 Very likely – 1 in 100 chance of it happening
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