Page 15 - food store model (with basement accomodation)

Reference Guide Fire Strategy

1.7 B5 – Access and Facilities for the Fire Service

It is noted that the access and facilities for the Fire Service will vary for each store and will

depend on a number of factors such as vehicle access to the store, situation within larger
building complexes and adjacent tenancies. It is not therefore reasonable to provide
exemplar recommendations, and each store should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

It is noted that a good relationship with the Fire and Rescue Service will have benefits for
both the occupier and the Fire Service. In particular, it will ensure that the Fire and Rescue

Service will have an appropriate pre-determined response strategy for the premises. To
further assist operational crews, drawings containing essential information for firefighting,
such as clear routes through the store and location of any special fire hazards, should be

prepared and stored in a readily accessible location adjacent the main fire alarm panel.

1.7.1 Basement Ventilation

Approved Document B requires that any basement storey with a floor area greater than
200m2 in plan area and a floor level >3m below ground floor level is provided with fixed

smoke outlets which discharge directly to outside. Where required, the combined clear
cross-sectional area of all smoke outlets should not be less than 1/40th of the basement
storey they serve. Outlets should be positioned in such a way that they do not impact upon

escape routes at Ground Floor level.

1.8 Fire Safety Management

Responsibilities exist for the effective management of retail premises under the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RR(FS)O) 2005. Under the Order it is the duty of the

responsible person to ensure that ongoing fire risk assessments are undertaken and
periodically reviewed.

Staff members should be provided with fire safety training during induction and be aware of

available escape routes and fire safety provisions. It is the responsibility of Co-op staff to
ensure that premises are evacuated safely in the event of an alarm activation and members
of the public do not re-enter the store until it is deemed safe to do so.

Document Classification Final Document Ref: 3.1-RCS-RHSE-(110)-263 Version 1.1
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