I am just looking for some clarification / explanation from someone on something noted in the HM Guide for Fire Safety In Factories and Warehouses please!
"a minimum clear space of 0.5m, between stored goods and the internal walls to provide access (e.g. for the fire and rescue service)"
Does this mean that internal storage i.e. racking, should not be found next to the internal side of external walls? Or does it just refer to any walls internally of the warehouse / factory?
What does the 500mm distance mean in terms of access for fire and rescue service too please?
Warehouse fire safety
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- Paul1979
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Re: Warehouse fire safety
I havent seen that, and frankly it's nonsense!
It makes sense to maintain access where there is maintenance requirements, but access for firefighters is not necessary a requirement unless they need to get to a DRM or similar
The FRA is required to determine control measures to protect 'relevant persons'
Paraphrasing a bit, the definition of relevant persons is anyone in or near the premises but not operational firefighters.
So I question whether why this 500mm gap is necessary
It makes sense to maintain access where there is maintenance requirements, but access for firefighters is not necessary a requirement unless they need to get to a DRM or similar
The FRA is required to determine control measures to protect 'relevant persons'
Paraphrasing a bit, the definition of relevant persons is anyone in or near the premises but not operational firefighters.
So I question whether why this 500mm gap is necessary
- Paul1979
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Re: Warehouse fire safety
In my limited FRA knowledge, I was always told (even by ex-FRS) that the FRA didn't need to consider FRS trying to fight the fire / rescue...?
Again, I am no fire-fighter (I am scared of heights and too fat to squeeze into tight gaps...) so my only thinking about the 500mm was maybe to allow firefighters to squeeze in between walls and stacked storage to access the seat of the fire??
The FRA we do have for the Warehouse states that the doors to the Warehouse are wide enough (800mm) for firefighting access and our client has also put hatched markings down on the floor next to the exit door (2m x 2m) to make sure storage is not placed in positions which may block the exits too.
But, they do put storage up against the inside of the external walls (corrugated metal sheets) so there is no 500mm gap.
Again, I am no fire-fighter (I am scared of heights and too fat to squeeze into tight gaps...) so my only thinking about the 500mm was maybe to allow firefighters to squeeze in between walls and stacked storage to access the seat of the fire??
The FRA we do have for the Warehouse states that the doors to the Warehouse are wide enough (800mm) for firefighting access and our client has also put hatched markings down on the floor next to the exit door (2m x 2m) to make sure storage is not placed in positions which may block the exits too.
But, they do put storage up against the inside of the external walls (corrugated metal sheets) so there is no 500mm gap.
"If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor."
- Messy
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Re: Warehouse fire safety
Paul
Where in the FS Guidance does it mention the 500mm gap. I have had a flick through and can't find it. If I could see it in the guide, it might provide more context ????
Where in the FS Guidance does it mention the 500mm gap. I have had a flick through and can't find it. If I could see it in the guide, it might provide more context ????
- Paul1979
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Re: Warehouse fire safety
Hi Messy
Its noted on page 44 of the current HM Gov guidance for fire safety in Factories and Warehouses.
Stacked goods and high stacked storage
a minimum clear space of 0.5m, between stored goods and the internal walls to provide access (e.g. for the fire and rescue service);
"If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor."
- Messy
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Re: Warehouse fire safety
Yes- got it now thanks
It is the softest of advice within a guidance document as it suggested you should consider the 500mm access gap as a measure to reduce the risk of stacked goods. I am still not convinced it provides any value in most warehouses I have looked at.
Fire service breathing apparatus crews do like sticking to walls when searching in smoke as the reassurance is like a comfort blanket as opposed to having to go deeper into the warehouse. But as its not a requirement to leave the gap, and there is no duty to consider operational fire service crews in an FRA, what business will realistically give up many square metres of storage space unless they need to???
It is the softest of advice within a guidance document as it suggested you should consider the 500mm access gap as a measure to reduce the risk of stacked goods. I am still not convinced it provides any value in most warehouses I have looked at.
Fire service breathing apparatus crews do like sticking to walls when searching in smoke as the reassurance is like a comfort blanket as opposed to having to go deeper into the warehouse. But as its not a requirement to leave the gap, and there is no duty to consider operational fire service crews in an FRA, what business will realistically give up many square metres of storage space unless they need to???