4.6 Requirements for ensuring access for the fire service is provided and maintained Assessment criteria: 4.1-4.6: Outline the principles for fire protection, detection, and prevention. Requirements for vehicle and building access, fire-fighting shafts and stairwells and smoke venting of basements Premises will be required to provide reasonable facilities for and access to, the fire and rescue services. There should be adequate space around the building for the fire service to bring in and manoeuvre their vehicles. The positioning of fire apparatus is critical in the event of a fire. Structures that are located in public streets can provide firefighting access, but others that are set back from public streets, may have private fire apparatus access lanes or 'fire lanes'. These enable fire apparatus to approach the building and operate effectively. The fire service should be able to enter a building as quickly as possible in the event of a fire, so they can quickly begin to tackle the fire. Low-rise buildings will not normally require additional access requirements, as the use of the normal means of escape and the use of ladders are usually sufficient. However, other buildings may require additional facilities, such as firefighting shafts and stairwells to be put in place. Tall buildings are defined as being over 18 metres high and deep buildings as being deeper than 10 metres underground from the fire service access level. A protected shaft may consist of a firefighting lift, firefighting stairs, and firefighting lobbies. These will enable firefighters to reach the scene of a fire quickly and safely. Outlets from the fire mains should be located within the protected firefighting shaft to enable firefighting equipment to be connected safely. The building's dimensions, design and use of the building and the provision of automatic firefighting equipment such as automatic sprinklers will dictate the number of shafts and components. A water supply for the purpose of firefighting will require the premises to comprise a hydrant or a static or natural water supply. The fire service should be able to have easy access to the inlet connection and these should be unobstructed. The water supply should be capable of providing a sufficient flow of water for firefighting purposes. Smoke control systems are mechanical systems that control the movement of smoke during a fire. The primary purpose of most smoke control systems is to protect occupants while they are evacuating or remaining in a refuge area. The build-up of smoke and heat in basements can inhibit the ability of the fire and rescue services to perform their firefighting and rescue operations. Basement fires can be difficult to fight, they may have a few small windows or no windows. Large basements should have smoke outlets which are vented to the open air so heat and smoke can escape, making access for firefighters easier. There are two methods used to reduce smoke and heat build-up in basements: Natural Ventilation: Smoke vents are distributed around the perimeter of the basement and released directly into the open air. They should not be located where they would prevent the use of escape routes. Separate smoke outlets should be provided from places of special fire hazards such as transformers, boiler rooms, storage for fuel, highly flammable substances and rooms which have fixed internal combustion engines.
©SHEilds – All rights reserved FC V 5 JUN 2021
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