465 Calder Road
Fire Safety Risk Assessment
465 Calder Road is a ground floor flat with access via a front main door and a door from the living room leading to the rear for the property. Due to it being a ground floor property and given the smoke and heat activated fire alarms and fire doors, the fire risk assessment for this property may be considered to be minimal.
Fire Doors
The chief source of fire is considered to come from the kitchen. The kitchen door and all inhabitable spaces have fire doors fitted with door closers. It is of utmost importance that all fire doors are kept closed when not in use. They should not be pinned back. It is especially important that all fire doors are closed at night, especially the kitchen door.
Cooking
As a common cause of fire in flatted properties is `deep fat pan` cooking, this is strictly prohibited.
No chip pans or any type of deep fat or oil cooking is permitted.
Fire Alarm
The property is fitted with a fire alarm system with interconnected alarms, ie if one alarm goes off, all will go off. The alarm in the kitchen is activated by heat and those in the hall and bedrooms are activated by smoke. It is imperative that these alarms are not interfered with and tested on a regular basis, ie at least once per month and the log record of testing completed on each occasion stating name of person testing, date of test, result of test and any action required to rectify any faults found.
To test the alarm system, simply press on the button on the bottom side of the alarm for 2 seconds. It will go off and set all the other alarms off. After releasing the button, all alarms will stop after a few seconds. The person testing the alarms should always warn those persons in the property that they are carrying out a test.
The fire alarm system is connected to the mains electricity but each alarm has an individual battery back up. When the battery becomes `run down` and needs replacing the alarm will emit a low volume intermittent bleep. Batteries must be replaced at a maximum of of every 12 months and the log record signed and dated. The continuous displayed green light on the bottom of the alarm demonstrates that the alarm is getting power. A continuous red light demonstrates that the alarm is not functioning properly. To change the battery the alarm is removed from its base by putting a small flat screwdriver into the 4mm slot at the back of the alarm, which releases the catch and pushing the alarm forward.
Action when alarm sounds.
Should the alarm go off other than when it is being tested, all persons in the property should leave immediately and call 999 and get the emergency services out. GET OUT. STAY OUT. GET THE EMERGENCY SERVICES OUT. On no account should anyone attempt to take belongings with them. The biggest risk with fire is not heat or flames but smoke. Very slight ingestion of smoke can overcome anyone and cause serious health problems and death. In the vast majority of fires in this type of property it is smoke and not heat which kills.
Water Fire Extinguisher
The property is fitted with a water fire extinguisher, which should only be used to deal with fires which are at a very initial stage and have not taken hold. A water extinguisher should never be used on oil fires, ie those caused by deep fat cooking, as the water mixed with oil will make the fire much worse. There is also a fire blanket on the kitchen wall and this must be unfolded and placed over the fire. If any type of fire starts at the gas cooker, the gas should be turned off immediately at the cooker and if not possible at the cooker, at the gas meter which is in the cupboard to the left of the cooker.
Smoking
The property is also a none smoking zone. In Scotland it is Criminal offence to smoke in shared property.
Faults
A note should be kept of any faults or defect in any aspect of the house and reported to the landlord.
The landlord can not rectify faults if he is not aware of them.
The key attached to the inside of the main front door must not be removed as in an emergency this may be needed to open the door from the inside.