Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is required to comment on fire safety measures and to notify the Licensing Authorities on the suitability of the premises.
In addition to providing Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service with copies of the application, the operating schedule, and a plan of the premises, you should also provide a fire safety risk assessment.
The operating schedule should include sufficient information to enable an assessment to be made of the fire safety measures in the premises.
The fire risk assessment is an organised view of the activities of your premises regarding anything which could cause harm to persons. This allows you to consider whether you have taken adequate precautions or should do more to avoid harm. Should a hazard be significant, details of your compensatory fire precautions will be included so that the risk is acceptably low. (Practical guidance on compliance can be obtained by referring to the guidance document applicable to your premis)
The risk assessment should give details of the following:-
- The Means of escape.
- Lighting and emergency lighting.
- Means of giving warning in case of fire or other emergency.
- Signs and instruction notices.
- Fire-fighting equipment.
- Permitted occupancy levels & adequate arrangements to ensure they are not exceeded. Guidance on how this can be done can be found in The Building Regulations 2000 Fire Safety Approved Document B 2006 Edition, BS 5588 Fire Precautions in the Design, Construction and Use of Buildings and BS 9999:2008 Code of Practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings.
- Fire performance details of furnishings, curtains, fabrics and decorations etc.
- Staff training, drills and methods of their recording.
- Evidence of testing and maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment and general electrical systems.
- Arrangements for calling the fire service and access for emergency vehicles.
The plan of the premises should be drawn in the standard scale 1:100 and include a key of symbols used (see example) through which the matters listed below are sufficiently illustrated:-
- The dimensions of the building boundary and any external walls and openings.
- The access and egress points from the premises including escape routes.
- Those areas used for each licensable activity.
- Fixed structures including furniture & fittings, which may impact on the ability of persons to use the escape routes.
- Location and type of fire safety measures and fire-fighting equipment.
- The location of any raised stage, floor areas, steps, stairs, elevators or lifts.
- The location of any kitchens or areas of hot food preparation.
