Clubhouse Fire Risk Assessment
Prepared by
Premises
The present clubhouse was completed in May 1999 and is
of modern construction. The walls are of breeze block with wooden exterior
facings. There is a pitched slate roof which is supported by a wooden frame.
The interior is divided into 3 main occupied spaces –
male and female changing rooms and a Club room. The changing rooms have shower
areas and toilet facilities. They have concrete/stone floors, breeze block
walls and are fitted with light wooden benches. There are electrical points in
the changing rooms. The Club room is
carpeted and has a number of upholstered chairs. The room contains a number of
electrical points to which are presently connected television equipment and two
refrigerators. In one corner of the Club room is a sectioned off area of
kitchen. This contains an electric hob and a number of electric points to which
are presently connected assorted equipment including an urn.
There are two means of entering and leaving the
building – a doorway of maximum 75cm width in the side of the building which is
fitted with a push-bar opening system, and double doors of approx 150cm maximum
opening at the front of the building. The double doors are closed with a mortise
lock and have latches securing them to the frame of the building. When the
building is shut-up they are also enclosed by heavy wooden leaf shutter doors.
At present the only exit designated as a fire escape
route is the door in the side of the building which has the appropriate signage
and is covered with emergency lighting. The corridor leading to this exit has
‘composite’ notice boards fixed to the walls.
The main electrical power supply is controlled from a
panel on the external wall of the building. This is housed in a shuttered cabin
secured by a bolted door which is situated close to the nominated exit route.
The premises are heated by an oil-fired
central-heating system. The fuel is kept in a bunded tank housed in a brick structure
external to the main building. The boiler is a modern managed system with the
heating unit in the mens changing room.
Existing fire detection is limited to one smoke
detector, however an alarm raised from any point within the building can be
heard by everybody within the building
The premises contain one powder-type fire extinguisher
and one fire blanket both of which are indicated by appropriate signage.
Occupancy
The Clubhouse is open to all members of Sudbury Rowing
Club and their guests. The Club also periodically rents out the space to 3rd
Party organisations. The general rate of occupation is between 10 and 40
individuals. There are specific functions during which higher numbers are
anticipated. The Clubhouse is occupied both during daylight and night time.
Herewith
a table of the specific hazards I have indentified, their risk factor
(likelihood of happening x potential
danger to people), existing control measures and recommendations.
|
Hazard |
Risk factors |
Existing Control measures |
Recommendation |
|
Kitchen Fire |
Moderately likely Moderate danger |
|
|
|
Mains Electrical Fire |
Low likelihood Moderate danger |
Secure supply. Monitor and
maintain |
?Padlock for ‘cabin’? Annual Maintenance by qualified
person |
|
Central
Heating Boiler igniting |
Low likelihood Low danger |
Monitor and maintain |
Annual Maintenance by qualified
person |
|
Electrical equipment short-circuit/ignition |
Low likelihood Moderate danger |
|
Portable Appliance testing Educate membership. Regular closing
routine. |
|
Leaves or rubbish against external wall of club
alight |
Low likelihood Moderate danger |
Regular evaluation of situation
and removal of waste. |
Consider clearance of North
side of Clubouse |
|
Fuel Tank fire |
Low likelihood High danger |
Maintain security of tank. Only
open under qualified supervision |
|
Exit Route
I have read the appropriate guidance from the
Government and I can confirm that the existing designated route does conform to
recommendations being no more than 12 metres from the furthest point of
occupations and being of a width sufficient to evacuate the numbers of people
we have within an appropriate timescale for the risk inherent in our building.
However, there are several specific hazards that have the potential to come
between people and that route, being the kitchen itself, the notice boards and
the external electrical supply. Accordingly I recommend that we have a policy
of opening the leaf shutters and unlocking the double doors whenever the Club
room is occupied.
Fire Emergency Plan
I am not aware that we have one. It needs to consist
of what to do in the event of a Fire :
1. Raise the alarm
2. Evacuate
3. Call the Fire Brigade to “
4. Assemble (we need to designate a point)
5. Count heads
We also need to ensure that Members are aware of their
responsibilities (electrical equipment, closing routines), of the Exit Routes
(I understand that Sophie thought she was locked in the Clubhouse the other
night) and of our Fire Emergency Plan
Miscellaneous
Not covered above but when we do any PAT or Mains
testing we should have the emergency lighting checked also.
I have NOT covered the boat shed as a) it is not often
‘occupied’ and b) it’s scary! Once we have agreed on the Clubhouse stuff then……