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News Release from: Passive Fire Protection Federation | Subject: Fire in the Penhallow Hotel
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 August 2007
Newquay Hotel fire raises serious
questions
David Sugden, Chairman of the Passive Fire Protection Federation comments on the implications of the recent fire in the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay.
The recent fire in the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay raises serious questions given that the new regulations on fire safety (The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) came into operation less than a year ago At least one person is dead, two missing and several injured
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Sep 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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It appears the Penhallow management complied with the regulations: we are told that under the old legislation the hotel received its fire safety certificate in 2006, and under the new legislation they had a complete safety survey conducted only two weeks ago.
Despite apparent compliance with the Regulations this tragedy has occurred.
Before a business undertakes a risk assessment - and virtually every business in the country is now obliged to do this - the following questions must be asked: How knowledgeable is the person making the assessment?.
What are their qualifications in fire safety? Are they competent to assess more than the immediately visible fire precautions and the visible fire risks?.
Fire safety involves the complete structure of the building as well as the fittings.
Is the building divided into compartments to limit the spread of smoke and flames?.
Is the structure sound and does it contain the right fire-resistant materials with the necessary level of performance in the right places?.
Has any work been carried out (e.g wiring or plumbing) which compromises the integrity of fire separating elements?.
Most fire protection measures are passive, built into the fabric of a building.
It is these fire protection measures that maintain the structure of the building so people can get out and the fire service can get in to fight the fire.
But this protection does have to be appropriately designed, constructed and maintained.
Responsibility for fire safety now lies with the individual who must have access to the best information and advice.
Our website offers some, but we believe the depth of responsibility under the RRFSO is not yet fully understood, even by some experts.
David Sugden Chairman Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF).
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