Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Figure 11.5 Records should be kept in a local fi re safety
log book
Figure 11.6 Misuse of electrical adaptors
the issue together with recommendations to achieve
compliance.
In order to ensure that resources are targeted at the
non-compliance issues that present the most signifi -
cant risk a prioritisation or ranking system may also be
applied.
Monitoring, auditing and reviewing fi re safety systems
This will require high risk areas to be weighted in
such a way that prioritised action is given, for example
the misuse of electrical adaptors which present a danger
of fi re, rather than the provision of signage above fi re
extinguishers to denote their type (which is indicated
on the extinguisher body). Ideally, the inspection record
form will also identify who will be responsible for
implementing any recommended actions, together with
a target date for implementation.
A systematic approach to an inspection programme
is likely to include:
➤ The preparation of a well-designed
inspection form that will help to plan
and initiate remedial action – it may also
assist in ranking any substandard conditions/defi
ciencies in order of importance
➤ Summary lists of any remedial action
required with names and arbitrary timescales
to track implementation progress
➤ A periodic analysis of completed inspection
forms to enable identifi cation of
common trends which may reveal system
weaknesses
➤ The gathering of information to consider
changes required to the frequency, type
or nature of the inspection programme.
11.3.2 Who will conduct the inspection?
The responsibility for either conducting the inspection
itself or nominating persons to undertake the inspection
is likely to be part of the fi re safety manager’s role
(a variety of titles may be given to the person who has
overall control of fi re safety management) in accordance
with British Standard 5588 Part 12 and current best
practice.
Who is responsible and for what should be clearly
identifi ed within the fi re safety arrangements section
within the policy.
For any inspection to be of value, a trained,
competent person or team must conduct it. In larger
organisations the role of the fi re warden/marshal (whose
main function is to assist persons to escape safely
in the event of a fi re) is extended to undertake part of
the inspection process, which may be referred to as a
safety tour, as the process involves a physical check of
the areas for which they are fulfi lling their fi re warden/
marshal function.
These safety tours are slightly less formal than a full
inspection programme; however, they assist in fulfi lling
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