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Following on from my previous thread about modernising a smallbore club, I was wandering what other clubs do regarding fire exits down range?

18 metres is the recommended travel distance where only a single escape route is provided; although this could be stretched to circa 25m at a real push.

Obviously if you're changing the targets on a 25 yard range and the only exit is at the back of the clubroom behind the FP, your beyond the recommended travel distance...

Your thoughts, as ever, greatly appreciated.

Tiff

Is that just a recommendation or are there actual regulations detailing the allowed distances etc?

Demonic69 wrote:Is that just a recommendation or are there actual regulations detailing the allowed distances etc?

From my understanding 'The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005' is the actual legislation.
The most relevant part states:

"Emergency routes and exits
14. (1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times.

(2) The following requirements must be complied with in respect of premises where necessary (whether due to the features of the premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons—

(a)emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a place of safety;
(b)in the event of danger, it must be possible for persons to evacuate the premises as quickly and as safely as possible;
(c)the number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits must be adequate having regard to the use, equipment and dimensions of the premises and the maximum number of persons who may be present there at any one time;
(d)emergency doors must open in the direction of escape;
(e)sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits;
(f)emergency doors must not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency;
(g)emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs; and
(h)emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting."


There is a basic guide which states:
"If there is only one escape route, the travel distance should not normally be more than 18 metres. This distance should be shorter (12 metres or less) in any parts of the premises where there is a high chance of a fire starting or spreading quickly. The distance can be longer (up to about 25 metres) where the chance of a fire starting or spreading quickly is very low."
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... -guide.pdf

The more in-depth guide is here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... sembly.pdf

It states on page 64:
"Table 2 gives guidance on travel distances.
It should be understood, however, that these distances are flexible and may be increased or decreased depending upon the level of risk after you have put in place the appropriate fire-prevention measures."

The main thing after all of this, is that the local fire and rescue authority enforce the order and they will work from the recommend travel distance - unless the risk assessment can show the travel distance can be further...

Thus I'm wandering if by mitigating a few risks and suitably wording the risk assessment the travel distance could be increased to 35m +, or if most clubs just install a fire exit midway down range?

It is possible to significantly increase travel distances beyond those recommended in the guides however you must be able to justify any increase and show that the routes that are available are sufficient and that they are adequately protected. There are a number of ways of doing this and this will be addressed in your fire risk assessment. By law the fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person. Indoor ranges because of their design can present some awkward problems and it would generally therefore be strongly recommended by the fire authority that the fire risk assessment is carried out by a suitably qualified person, someone who is trained and experienced in fire safety.
I am a fire safety consultant and fire risk assessor if you would like further advise get in contact by the pm system and perhaps I can point you in the right direction.

P.S. I should warn you that the fire safety industry has its fair share of rogues. Those that don't know their arse from their elbow but still know how to charge and the larger companies who simply know how to charge. Many will try to push you to carrying out unnecessary expensive work so be warned.

presumably you will also have to address the safety and security issues of having a door downrange ?

kennyc wrote:presumably you will also have to address the safety and security issues of having a door downrange ?

If you did require have a door down range those problems are not insurmountable but it does require a bit of thought.

kennyc wrote:presumably you will also have to address the safety and security issues of having a door downrange ?

That bit is easy - internal opening only, as per NGB/JSP403 guidelines.

Chapuis pm inbound shortly.

Tiff wrote:

kennyc wrote:presumably you will also have to address the safety and security issues of having a door downrange ?

That bit is easy - internal opening only, as per NGB/JSP403 guidelines.

Chapuis pm inbound shortly.

as a kid I and many others were able to enter cinemas for free due to someone getting in and opening the door locks on the fire escape, now I am sure that the locks are far better now, however the point is still a valid one, what is more likely to happen ? the faint possibility that someone would be trapped at the end of a range or the possibility that the door would be opened and left unsecured during range use? also not a great possibility , but one that should be considered none the less. Please don't make the so common mistake of concentrating on the issue at hand without considering the knock on problems that will need to be discussed and factored in.
I have no idea of the layout of your range ,nor how flammable it and its surrounding are, is fire a higher risk than the ingestion of airborne lead? have you sorted out the range ventilation and removed the obstructions you eluded to in your earlier posts ? if you are trying to bring your commitee on board then beware hitting them over the head with too many high cost issues at once, prioritise and sort out the most urgent first.

Reasonable measures aren't always costly. Very often an adequate solution to a potential safety problem can be resolved for little or no cost, just a little bit of thought.
Kenny I am assuming you are talking about panic bolt devices when you talk about kids and cinemas. I remember something similar very well on a Saturday matinee at the local flea pit. However if and it is a big IF an emergency exit door would be required down range there are systems that would ensure such exits are both secure, safe and available if ever required.

Chapuis wrote:Reasonable measures aren't always costly. Very often an adequate solution to a potential safety problem can be resolved for little or no cost, just a little bit of thought.
Kenny I am assuming you are talking about panic bolt devices when you talk about kids and cinemas. I remember something similar very well on a Saturday matinee at the local flea pit. However if and it is a big IF an emergency exit door would be required down range there are systems that would ensure such exits are both secure, safe and available if ever required.

thank you that was my concern