Hi

Whist there are minimum standards in building regulations, buildings should be managed on the basis if risk. This is very important when it comes to managing our buildings that have not been built to current regs. We have agreed a set of standards in order to effectively manage the risk in our schools along with the H&S team and Hygiene to Health. These should be referred to as you deal with issues over fire that are currently being raised in audits (and historical actions currently coming across from Parago)

One of the key passages relates to fire stopping:-

Inadequate fire stopping to corridors will be deemed acceptable where ALL the following are satisfied:- 
o The corridor is protected by FD30 fire doors to adjacent corridors (the corridor is separated along its length by 30 minutes fire doors). 
o There is automatic fire detection in the main corridor and any adjacent corridors. 
o There are no specific high risks in the corridor (ie cookers, boilers). 
o The corridor offers 2 directions of escape. 
o All openings are protected by a substantial door or similar which offers defence against the spread of smoke or fire. 
o Partition walls continue up to ceiling level above any suspended ceiling and no gaps will be present for services etc in the partitions.

This is especially so where there are exits to fresh air in classrooms

Be aware that this changes dramatically where there are dead ends

This can offer far cheaper ways of achieving a safe environment without having to completely rebuild our schools. As you consider actions please refer to this. If you choose to close an action based on this please refer to the document in order to demonstrate that the issue has been considered on the basis of risk.

Thanks

Alastair

Alastair Sneddon

Estates Manager

Aspire Academy Trust