I’m working on the refurbishment of a building and the way it is to be used will change. What is the key thing to consider from a life safety perspective?

When a fire detection system is first commissioned it is configured around a specific building layout and occupancy patterns. If these change for any reason it is crucial to ensure that it continues to do the job it was originally designed to do, so that occupants are protected and can egress the building safely in an emergency.

Changes to the way a building or a room is configured and used can go unnoticed. Take a look around the room you’re in now – what's changed from this time last year? The chances are more than you initially think, with new equipment, additional employees, storage areas and workstations.

Building owners and managers should also consider what I term ‘the importance scale’. They should decide just how important things are within a building when planning changes – does the importance lie with fixtures and fittings, technology, comfort, security or life safety? Put simply, I have never come across a £500 leather executive chair and £1,000 Iroko wooden desk that can protect life and property as well as a £30 smoke detector!

Is it necessary to completely replace an existing fire detection system if a building changes its use?

In the vast majority of cases, no. However, change of use could require modifications to the fire detection system, such as additional detection and alarm devices. This will become apparent after a fire risk assessment.

Why is a fire risk assessment necessary?

A fire risk assessment plays a fundamental role in making sure that a fire detection system is effective after a change of use. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO 2005) places the onus on a designated ‘responsible person’ within an organisation to carry out regular assessments to identify, manage and reduce the danger posed by fire.

Although it is probably the single most important piece of documentation pertaining to life safety, it is only truly effective if everyone involved in the management of the building fully reads and understand it. In my experience, building managers and staff they are surprised at the potential hazards there are. More concerning is that many of them would not have considered items highlighted in a risk assessment as being potentially dangerous.

What exactly does a fire risk assessment process involve when a room is changing its use?

All interested parties should be involved with a pre-risk assessment meeting, as it is vital that everyone understands the building changes and how they impact on the level of protection offered by a life safety system.

In the event that the designated responsible person does not have the required competency to carry out this procedure, they should employ a specialist fire risk assessor who is suitably skilled and has proof of competency such as the BRE BTEC Professional Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment qualification, or third party certification via the BAFE or FRAC schemes.

However, a fire risk assessor will need a full understanding of how the building will be used and any potential hazards. For example, an empty building will have a completely different level of risk once it is filled with equipment, fixtures, fittings and people. Therefore, the provision of relevant information is vital.

If a room is changing its use and will now store hazardous materials, what specific measures need to taken?

It depends on the types of materials – it could be that additional or alternative types of fire detection are required. Unfortunately, a fire risk assessment will only highlight so much, so it is incumbent upon everyone in a building to be aware of the potential consequences of how hazardous materials are stored.

This issue is illustrated in the disaster that occurred at the Rosepark Care Home in South Lanarkshire, when a fire broke out in a cupboard, spread through the building and led directly to the deaths of 14 elderly residents. It was found that one of the contributing factors to the fire spreading so quickly was due to the cupboard being used to store aerosols and cleaning agents.

I’m currently changing the use of a room in a healthcare environment and the job specification refers to HTM 05-01. What is it?

HTM 05-01 sets out the Department of Health's policy on fire safety in the NHS and covers a range of management strategies including the employment of competent persons and fire safety advisors.

HTM 05-03 Part K also deals specifically with the risk assessment process and it is also worth remembering that any proposed changes could require the involvement of building control officers, the fire service and others, depending on the scope of any proposed work.

In a change of use scenario, is it necessary to modify the fabric of the building?

Not always, although it might be necessary to address items such false ceiling heights, wooden beam protection and compartmentation.

While in the majority of cases modifications to an existing fire detection system should be minimal, it is important to remember that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and what’s required will ultimately depend on the result of the risk assessment.