Developing Fire Management Plans

to Protect Our Heritage from Fire

Steve EmeryFire Safety Adviser

for English Heritage

Top threats to Heritage Buildings

• Building no longer suited to the purpose for which it was designed

• Location

• Lack of funds to repair

• Owners who neglect and refuse to repair

You need to have an emergency plan for dealing with any fire situation.

The purpose of an emergency plan is to ensure that people know what to do if there is a fire and that the premises can be safely evacuated.

Your emergency plan should be based on the outcome of your fire risk assessment

In simple premises the emergency plan may be no more than a fire action notice.

In multi-occupied and more complex premises, the emergency plan will need to be more detailed.

What is a Fire Management Plan?

What is a Fire Management Plan?

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Is this plan suitable for protecting Heritage Buildings from Fire?

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Is this plan suitable for protecting Heritage Buildings from Fire?

80 + thatch fires in 12 months

Chester 2002

Who is Responsible?

• Those buildings subject to the Fire Safety Order it will be ‘The Responsible Person’

but

• Vast majority of heritage properties are single domestic dwellings and are not subject to the Fire Safety Order

“Responsible Persons” are only Temporary Custodians

• Owners and their Families

• Managers

• Local Authorities

• Fire and Rescue Services

• The Nation

Corporate Social ResponsibilityAnnexe B

Whilst there is a statutory duty on FRSs to respond to fires, the public may also expect that they will work with other agencies to prevent damage and deterioration to heritage buildings

Emergency Plans

• Address of Property

• Important historic features

• Important contents

• Any special fire risks

• Flood and other risks

Emergency Plans

• Access routes for fire appliances

• Water supplies for fire fighting

• Fire compartmentation of the building

• The means of escape

• Fire alarm and detection

• Emergency lighting

• First aid fire fighting arrangements

Brodsworth Hall

Access Routes

Liaison with Emergency

Services

• Confirmation of adequacy of access routes

• Familiarisation with site and property

• Sharing of Information• Exercises• Updating of Plan

Any Questions?