GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASTHA

UNIVERSITY

• PG Diploma in Fire & Life Safety Audit

• Basic of Fire and Life Safety Audit

Hirak Dutta,
Ex-Tech Head, Haldia Refinery, IOC
Former, ED-OISD, MoP&NG
Ex- Advisor & Head Safely, Nayara Energy
 Recap of Lecture -1
Last session we covered the followings:
• Risk, Hazard & Risk Assessment
• Accident, Incident, Near-Miss
• Fire Triangle – Fuel, Oxygen & Heat
• Classification of Fires
• Fire extinguishing media
• Systemic Safety Management System
• Safety – Hardware, Software & Human
Resources
• Role of a Safety Officer
 Introduction to

Fire & Life Safety Audit,

Benefits of Audit &

Fire Safety Management Audit

(PDCA model)
 Course Content Module-2

• Features of Building Fire & Life Safety

• Objectives of Fire & Life Safety Audit
• Few Audit Checks
• Benefits of FLS audit
• Details on Fire & Life Safety Management
• Role & Responsibilities of a Fire & Safety
Manager.
 Objectives of FLS audit
Objectives of FLS Audit:

•To assess organization’s fire safety management system

and identify potential fire & safety hazards against the
standards & Industry best practices.

•To ensure the fire safety management system adheres to

the prescribed statutory requirements as well as safety
policies and objectives set by the organization.

• To put forward implementable recommendations and offer

a structured methodology for continual improvement with
regards to fire safety management.
 Preventing fire in Buildings
• Ensure - No Smoking Environment
• Train All on Use and Location of Fire
Extinguishers
• Follow all precautions for handling & storing
Hazardous Materials
• Minimize Paper Clutter
• Maintain Electrical Equipment

1.0. Important to know the fire evacuation plan for the building
2.0. Practice the floor’s escape plan – conduct drills
3.0. Never allow blockages in fire exit ways, stair case, doors, halls
4.0. Maintain the fire protection system- report if found damaged.
Type of FEs needed in Office / Hi rise buildings:
• For Electrical fire : CO2 extinguishers
• Paper, Card Board : Water, Foam
• Canteen : Wet Chemical, Fire blanket
How many FEs
• As a minimum 2 FEs per floor – assessment on
footage area
Locations of FEs
• Near Exits / near fire alarm call points
• Pair CO2 & Water / Foam Extinguisher to cover all
eventualities
• CO2 FEs @ electrical rooms
• Servicing of FEs every year.
Fire Safety Signage
• It is paramount to have proper signage as
it helps to quickly find the fire-fighting
equipment & exit ways in the event of fire.
• All Fire exits, fire alarm call points, FEs,
fire doors must have signage.
• Photo-luminescent colour must be used
for signage.
Audit
 Audit Checks
• Review of Fire safety policy statement
• Statutory compliance verification wrt codes
• Evaluating the leadership commitment to fire safety
management
• Verifying the records of training imparted to
employees and occupants with regards to fire safety
• Evaluating the competency levels for those with
specific fire safety roles
• Assessing all relevant electrical safety risks
 Audit Checks
• Checking the availability and working of Fire
detection & alarm systems (e.g. smoke detector,
heat detector, manual call point) and Firefighting
equipment & fixed Installations (e.g. fire
extinguisher, sprinklers system, internal and
external hydrant system, fire pump room)
• Reviewing the maintenance and testing records of
fire detection and firefighting equipment
• Evaluating the records of fire life safety-critical
systems
• Checking the adequacy of fire safety signages and
passive fire protection systems (e.g. fire-resistant
walls, floors, and doors)
 Audit Checks

• Checking the adequacy of emergency lights and

ventilation @ appropriate places.
• Cross-checking the fire rating of the fire-rated
doors, building constructions, and false ceilings.
• Assessing the Fire evacuation procedures,
occupancy levels and means of escape routes
• Examining the storage and control of flammable
and hazardous substances.
• Assessing the existing fire preventive and
protective control measures, On-site & Off-site
emergency plans and fire risk assessment report
 Benefits of FLS Audit
Benefits of FLS Audit:
• Enables compliance with fire safety rules and
regulations.
• Demonstrates the organization’s commitment to health
and safety.
• Points out non-conformities and enhances quality and
service.
• Aids in avoiding prosecution, litigation, cost reduction
and loss of reputation.
• Helps in reducing insurance premiums and indirect
cost of workplace injuries.
• Fosters team building, workforce morale & wellbeing.
• Enhances employee awareness on fire safety
measures.
• Helps in maintaining reputation of the Organization.
 Fire Safety Management Audit

• Fire, Safety Policy,

• Top Management
Structure, Org, Strategic
Review, Planning
Improvement

Act Plan

Check Do
• Performance • Implementation &
Evaluation Operation
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Ref-British Safety Council

Elements SCOPE – FIRE SAFETY PALNNING CHECK FOR EVIDENCE

Fire safety To ensure that senior mgmt. have Is there a detailed fire safety
policy (scope, documented a fire safety policy policy statement endorsed by
nature and statement endorsed by CMD CMD with a suitable structure
scale) including a structure and and arrangements
arrangements for implementation.
Structure (roles, To confirm Fire Safety mgmt. Is there a documented
responsibilities, system clearly defines & process for ensuring relevant
accountabilities documents all fire safety roles, fire safety competency
and authorities responsibilities & accountabilities requirements are fulfilled and
including name of persons, adequately maintained?
Stakeholder To ensure that Terms of Reference Check - there should be a
consultation (ToR) is documented and agreed documented constitution and
and for fire safety consultation across evidence of a fire safety
participation the organization consultation and worker
participation process .
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE – FIRE SAFETY PALNNING
Legislative (other To ensure that a documented
requirements) procedure / process exists for the
compliance identification of applicable fire
safety legislation ( & other sector
needs).
Provision of To ensure qualified and competent
resources and fire safety advice is available viz.
support personnel, training, finance, fire
safety equipment and support.
Leadership and To ensure that there is enough
commitment commitment to provide training,
instruction and adequate
supervision.
CHECK FOR EVIDENCE
Is fire safety compliance
measured, maintained and
evaluated?
Is there evidence in a
business plan that fire
safety resourcing is taken
into account across the
business?
Check for a member of top
management been
designated with
accountability and authority
for fire safety?
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE – FIRE SAFETY PALNNING
Management To confirm that there is a defined
of change and documented process for
managing all changes affecting fire
safety arrangements.
Competence To ensure that the FSMS clearly
& fire safety identifies the minimum competency
training requirements for those with specific
requirements. fire safety roles.
Emergency To ensure that senior management
incident & have identified all significant and
post event potential fire emergencies and that
planning. these are subject to regular testing.
Fire detection To confirm that design and
systems development includes specific
(design). arrangements for automatic fire
detection (AFD) systems and/ or
manual fire alarm call points
CHECK FOR EVIDENCE
Evidence of communicating fire
safety changes to the workforce
and fire safety training
requirements arising from
structural changes.
Specific documentary evidence
within the FSMS that all
required fire safety competency
&training requirements are met
Is there a current emergency
plan documented including
evidence of post event action.
Is there a technical manual that
provides evidence of correct fire
detection and alarm design.
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE – EXECUTION & OPERATION EVIDENCE

Fire risk To ensure that organization have Documented fire risk

assessment undertaken fire risk assessments assessments, completed remedial
process for the installation. actions and regular workplace
inspections.
Fire detection To confirm that adequate fire Is there a fire log book which
& alarm detection is provided throughout provides evidence of weekly fire
systems & PM the premises either automatic or alarm testing, monthly
schedule manual depending on the FRA. emergency light testing & testing
of portable fire extinguishers.
Firefighting To ensure that there is adequate A log book or equipment
equipment & fixed / portable firefighting servicing manual should be
fixed equipment available on site. current & up to date clearly
Installations defining the provisions of
firefighting equipment
Fire Effective procedures are in place Is there a documented fire
evacuation to ensure that all persons on site evacuation procedure maintained
procedures & can be safely evacuate to an with evidence of regular fire drill
escape routes earmarked assembly point in the exercises recorded.
event of a fire emergency.
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE – EXECUTION &
OPERATION
Fire safety To ensure that relevant fire
training safety training is delivered in
accordance with a structured
plan based on the level of risk.
Fire emergency To ensure that the premises
lighting have protected escape routes
& emergency lightings
CHECK FOR EVIDENCE
Is there evidence of a fire
safety training plan that is
delivered in accordance with
an agreed training needs
analysis and plan.
Are records available for the
installation and testing of
emergency lighting systems?
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE – EXECUTION & OPERATION
Storage and control Confirmation on control
of flammable and mechanism for safely using &
hazardous storing hazardous substances and
substances. / or flammable materials within
the organization.
Management and To ensure that a documented
control of electrical process is established for
fire safety hazards. assessing and managing all
relevant electrical safety risks.
Implementing To ensure senior management
emergency incident provided relevant details and
and post event requirements of emergency
recovery controls. incident and post event recovery
procedures and assessments
Implementing fire Confirm processes been
safety preventive developed for identifying all
and protective potential fire emergencies that
controls. may adversely affect the
organization.
CHECK FOR EVIDENCE
Is there evidence of safe
usage, storage and
transportation of
flammable substances.
Is there suitable evidence
of statutory compliance
with the Electricity at Work
Regulations.
Is there a sufficient
evidence that emergency
fire incident and post event
control measures are
achievable.
Check whether emergency
fire safety protective and
preventive measures are
linked to fire risk
assessment.
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE –EVALUATION & REVIEW
Workplace fire To ensure that the suitable
safety inspection arrangements are in place for
completing fire safety workplace
inspections in accordance with
the level of risk.
Fire incident and To confirm that effective
near miss procedures are in place to ensure
reporting & that all minor & major fires and
investigation. near miss incidents are reported
& analyzed.
Loss/damage Check all fire loss events and
analysis near misses are included in
statistics and analyzed. Check all
costs of fire incidents, accidents
and ill health are calculated and
used to aid performance
evaluation and review.
EVIDENCE
Are written inspection reports
available for inspection
including remedial action
planning.
Check Fire incident, in-house
accident & near miss
reporting. Investigation
reports should be
comprehensive and detailed.
Potential litigation costs (civil
and statute) should be
included within evaluation
and review.
 Fire Safety Management Audit
Elements SCOPE –EVALUATION & REVIEW
Continual To ensure that there is evidence
improvement documented to prove that the
(evaluation and FSMS plan has been informed by
planning). previous audits and that
progress has been made to
action recommendations from it.
Management To ensure that there’s a defined
review and (documented) and visible
internal process for the top-level
performance management evaluation and
monitoring review of FSMS performance. Do
Board level reports confirm that
fire safety performance is
monitored and evaluated by
senior leaders.
EVIDENCE
Does the organization use the
outcome of leading & lagging
performance monitoring,
(including top management
review), to improve the FSMS.
Is this available in an annual
report.
Is there suitable evidence that
the leading and lagging
performance information
prepared for the management
review, includes the results of
internal and external fire safety
audits, internal & statutory
inspections, accidents and fire
incident statistics and fire risk
assessment reviews.
 Role of Fire Safety Manager
• Responsibilities of Fire safety manager include
safeguarding lives & properties of people by
planning, formulating, implementing, and
supervising fire safety plans.
• To effectively carry out this role, fire safety manager
works hand-in-hand with his role set members /
employees and also supervises their activities.
• Interalia a fire safety managers have the
responsibility to advise / direct employees & provide
them with necessary information so that they
understand their duties and duties iro of fire &
safety.
 Role of Fire Safety Manager
• Fire safety manager must ensure that all fire and
life safety appliances & equipment are available,
maintained & positioned at proper places at all
times.
• FSM must ensure that all fire protection systems
like smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, etc.
are installed properly, maintained & are functional
at all times.
• Checks the readiness and preparedness of fire
prevention & protection systems and at regular
intervals conducts fire drills/simulations.
 Role of Fire Safety Manager
• FSM ensures that emergency procedures are
in place and all concerned are aware how to
handle them in case of an emergency.
• FSM maintains close liasion with external fire
service departments to create an effective
emergency response plan.
• FSM must also plan and organize routine fire
safety checks and inspections.
• Inspections include the assessment of fire
hazards to ensure the safety of life &
properties.
 Tutorial - Questions
• What is Fire & Life Safety (FLSA) Audit? Elaborate.
• Why is Fire & Life Safety Audit done?
• Narrate the benefits of FLSA audit. Elaborate with
examples.
• What is the difference between Internal & External
Fire & Safety Audit?
• What are the essential components of Fire Safety
audit?
• Is it essential to check records of Auditee during an
Audit process – Why?
• What are the features of building fire & life safety?
• Narrate the role of a Fire Officer.
 Thanks

Take Care & Be safe

hirak1955@gmail.com