Task Overview

You are given three model templates (1. Fire Risk Assessment – internal/external fire
spread focus, 2. Passive Fire Protection Inspection Sheet, 3. External Fire-Spread /
Environmental Register). Each template is completed line-by-line with a model example
based on a realistic mid-rise office building with shared-use external storage and
adjacent woodland.
Learners must:

1. Study each completed example and the assessor’s line-by-line annotations
   explaining why each entry was made and what to watch for.
2. Produce their own completed versions for a building they are assigned (or for the
   assessor’s scenario if no building is provided), correcting any deliberate minor
   errors highlighted in the assessor notes.
3. Write a short reflective commentary (500–750 words) mapping how the entries
   demonstrate: principles of prevention; competence in inspecting passive fire
   protections; understanding of external fire-spread risk; and how the management
   system should change to reduce spread risk.
   This task is explicitly mapped to these learning outcomes of the Unit:

• Understand & apply appropriate principles of prevention.
• Demonstrate competence to inspect passive fire protection to prevent internal fire
  spread.
• Understand the risk of external fire spread to the premises.
• Review management of Fire Safety in relation to fire spread.

Legal & standards context (UK)

When completing the templates learners must ensure compliance with UK law and
guidance, particularly:

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — dutyholder requirements and
  fire risk assessment responsibilities. Legislation.gov.uk
• Fire Safety Act 2021 — clarifies that responsible persons must consider
• structure and external walls (cladding, balconies) when carrying out risk
• assessments. GOV.UK+1
• Approved Document B (Building Regulations, Part B: Fire safety) —
  guidance on controlling internal and external fire spread in dwellings and other
  buildings. Use the edition/amendments relevant to your work. GOV.UK+1
• BS 9999 (guidance on passive and active measures and fire safety
  management). Designing Buildings
• HSE and other technical guidance on passive fire protection and inspection
  techniques. HSE
  (Learners should reference GOV.UK, BS standards and HSE guidance where they
  make decisions.)

Deliverables (what the learner hands in)

1. The three completed forms (your version).
2. Assessor-style annotations explaining each key entry (max 400 words per form).
3. Reflective commentary mapping entries to the four unit learning outcomes (500
   750 words).
4. Short corrective action plan (max 1 page) listing immediate, medium and long
   term management actions to reduce internal/external spread risks.

Templates + Model, completed line-by-line (use these as demonstration examples)

Scenario used for examples: 6-storey office building (B1 use), built 2001, steel frame
with infill panels; ground-level loading bay and external pallet storage to rear; adjacent
unmanaged woodland 35 m from building; flat external cladding panels on one
elevation; recent minor kitchen fire in staff canteen (contained). Responsible Person:
Building Manager. Fire doors: timber cores, some intumescent strips worn.

1) Fire Risk Assessment (Focused on Internal & External Fire Spread)

(Template fields shown; filled example follows each field with assessor note.)

A. Building details

• Building name / address: Riverside Business Centre, 12 Mill Lane, Anytown
  Assessor note: identify property precisely: needed for statutory records.
• Occupancy / Use: Office (B1 type), retail ground-floor unit, plant rooms in
  basement.
  Why: use influences likely ignition sources and arrangement of compartments.

B. Date of assessment / assessor

• Date: 12 Nov 2025 — Assessor: Jane Smith, FIA Cert.
• Why: statutory requirement to record.

C. Scope & limitations

• Scope: Internal & external fire spread review focusing on passive PFP, external combustibles, cladding/balconies, and openings. Why: keep assessment focused on unit’s learning outcomes.

D. Description of premises — construction & compartments

• Main structure: Steel frame, concrete floors, non-combustible core; external cladding — composite panels (unknown core), external timber decking on rear balcony. Assessor note: unknown core requires investigation due to external spread risk; record materials and unknowns.

E. Identified fire hazards (sources of ignition & fuel relevant to spread)

• Canteen cooking appliances — oil splatter risk.
• Portacabin electrical distribution in loading area (temporary) — overloaded plugs.
• External pallet storage — combustible fuel load adjacent to building (3 m).
• Accumulated leaf litter and low vegetation at edge of site (adjacent woodland).
  Why: list specific items that could cause fire or increase spread
  externally/internal.

F. People at risk (relevant to spread & escape)

• Office staff, cleaners (nightshift), delivery drivers, firefighters (exposure to smoke on approach). Why: identify groups who may be affected by rapid internal/external spread.

G. Existing precautions affecting spread (structural & management)

• Compartmentation: Fire-resisting walls at core floors; some service penetrations
• not fully sealed (basement plant).
• Fire doors: Timber core doors with intumescent strips; 3 of 18 doors noted with
  missing seals.
• External: Pallet storage 3 m from external wall (no permanent barrier), balcony
  timber decking present.
• Detection & alarms: Grade A system throughout.
  Assessor note: specify both good practice and shortfalls (service penetrations
  allow internal spread).

H. Risk evaluation (how likely & consequences re: spread)

• External pallet store near cladding — HIGH likelihood of external flame
  impingement; consequence — rapid external spread to cladding & possible
  breaching of compartmentation.
• Unsealed service penetrations — MEDIUM likelihood of internal spread between
  compartments; consequence — smoke & fire reaching escape routes.
  Why: connect hazards to spread mechanisms (radiant heat, flame impingement,
  smoke migration through penetrations).

I. Action plan (immediate/short/medium/long)

• Immediate (within 24–72 hrs): Remove all pallet storage to >18 m or install 1.8 m
  permanent non-combustible barrier; clear leaf litter; temporary sealing of
  identified service penetrations with fire-rated sealant.
• Short (2–6 weeks): Replace missing intumescent strips on fire doors; formal
  permit for canteen hot work; remove temporary portacabin electrical loads or
  relocate.
• Medium (3–6 months): Survey cladding core material and commission remedial
  works if combustible; install 2-hour fire rated barrier around loading bay;
  management to adopt external storage policy.
• Long (>6 months): Review external site layout to increase separation from
  woodland; management training on fire spread risk.
  Assessor note: actions must be time-bound and risk-ranked.

J. Residual risk & review date

• Residual after actions: Medium. — Review: 12 Feb 2026 (or sooner if changes).
  Why: show that risk is controlled but requires surveillance.

K. Sign off

• Responsible person: Building Manager (name)

Assessor annotations (key teaching points)

• Service penetrations are common failures — always inspect with torch, probe
  and record type (cable trunking, ventilation ducts). Passive fire protection must
  be rated to maintain compartmentation.
• External fuel loads (pallets, waste skips) are frequent sources of external
  spread — maintain separation distances or non-combustible barriers. Guidance
  from the Fire Safety Act & Approved Document B requires considering external
  walls in risk assessments. GOV.UK+1

2) Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Inspection Sheet — model
example

(Template columns — then filled example row by row.)
Header: Building / Area / Inspector / Date / Weather / Reference drawings checked
(Y/N)

• Building: Riverside Business Centre — Area: Basement plant room, level 0
  corridor, stair core 1 — Inspector: Jane Smith — Date: 12 Nov 2025 — Drawings
  checked: Y (2001, revised 2010)

Row format: Item → Location → Condition/Observation → Evidence (photo ref) → Risk
rating → Recommended action → Priority → Completed (date)

1. Compartment wall (fire-resisting) → Basement plant wall adjacent to services

o Condition: Gap at cable penetration ~20 mm; no fire sealant; cables
unprotected.
o Evidence: Photo 01
o Risk rating: High (breaks compartmentation allowing hot gas/ flame
spread).
o Recommended action: Install intumescent fire-stop; use appropriate
mineral wool and fire sealant to maintain rating.
o Priority: Immediate (24–72 hrs)
o Completed: —

2. Fire door (FD30) → Level 0 corridor door to stair core

o Condition: Timber door, intumescent strip worn on hinge side; closing was
slow.
o Evidence: Photo 02
o Risk rating: Medium (reduced integrity; may allow smoke/heat to pass
during fire).
o Recommended action: Replace/repair intumescent strips; adjust closer to
ensure 10 mm gap.
o Priority: Short (2 weeks)
o Completed: —

3. Linear gap under service riser → Stair core 1 penetration at level 3

o Condition: Unsealed gap ~10 mm, suspected missing fire collar on plastic
drain.
o Evidence: Photo 03
o Risk rating: High
o Recommended action: Fit fire collar rated for plastic pipe and seal.
o Priority: Immediate
o Completed: —

4. External cladding junction → Rear elevation at loading bay

o Condition: Panel joints with gaps; suspected combustible core; no cavity
barrier at floor lines.
o Evidence: Photo 04
o Risk rating: High (external fire spread & cavity transference possible).
o Recommended action: Arrange cladding material assessment; if
combustible, plan remediation; install cavity barriers at each floor level.
o Priority: Medium/High (survey immediately)
o Completed: —

5. Wall cavity barrier → Between ground floor shop and stairwell

o Condition: Intact at ground, but missing at level 2 due to refurbishment.
o Evidence: Photo 05
o Risk rating: Medium
o Recommended action: Reinstate barrier to match original rating (refer to
drawings/BS 9999).
o Priority: Short
o Completed: —

Inspector comments & signature: Note multiple immediate items affecting compartmentation — work with building owner for rapid sealing; all remedial work to be
documented and certificated. — Inspector signature/date.

Assessor teaching notes (PFP inspection):

• Always inspect the line of the compartment — floor lines, service shafts, wall
  junctions, door sets and windows. Small gaps lead to smoke migration and rapid
  internal spread. Use an inspection torch, mirror, probe, and thermal imaging if
  available. Refer to BS 9999 and product/installation guidance for correct
  materials and ratings

3) External Fire-Spread / Environmental Register

(Purpose: capture external fuels, exposures, potential ignition sources, and control
measures.)
Header: Site name / Assessor / Date / Last review

• Site: Riverside Business Centre — Assessor: Jane Smith — Date: 12 Nov 2025
  — Last review: N/A (new register).
  Register columns: Item / Location / Description / Likelihood of ignition / Consequence
  of spread / Existing control / Additional control recommended / Responsible / Target
  date / Status

1. Pallet storage

o Location: Rear loading bay, 3 m from cladding.
o Description: Stacked wooden pallets up to 1.5 m high; used for deliveries.
o Likelihood: High (outdoor, unsecured).
o Consequence: High (flames/radiant heat to cladding & windows).
o Existing control: Occasional removal by contractor; no permanent policy.
o Additional control: Remove pallets or move to a designated compound
≥18 m away OR provide 1.8 m non-combustible barrier + sprinklers over
compound.

2. Waste skip

o Location: Side alley, 6 m from building.
o Description: Mixed waste skip; evidence of hot ash disposal.
o Likelihood: Medium–High
o Consequence: Medium
o Existing control: Weekly collection.
o Additional control: Install covered fire-resistant bin store; signage
prohibiting hot ash; CCTV.
o Responsible: Contractor/Facilities — Target: 2 weeks — Status: Open.

3. Adjacent woodland — leaf litter & brash

o Location: North boundary, 35 m from building.
o Description: Unmanaged vegetation can carry wildfire or smouldering that
could spread during dry season.
o Likelihood: Low–Medium (seasonal)
o Consequence: Medium–High (radiant heat/embers)
o Existing control: None
o Additional control: Create 10 m defensible gravel strip; regular clearance;
liaison with local authority for vegetation management.
o Responsible: Site manager — Target: 3 months — Status: Open.

4. External cladding & balconies

o Location: Rear & east elevations
o Description: Composite panels + timber balconies.
o Likelihood: Medium (depends on cladding core)
o Existing control: Periodic visual checks only
o Additional control: Material assessment, restricted use of balconies for
storage, install external cavity barriers, consider horizontal/vertical fire
breaks.
o Responsible: Building owner — Target: Survey 2 weeks — Status: Open.

Assessor notes (Environmental register)

• Use measurable separation distances where possible; if not achievable, use non
  combustible barriers, sprinkler coverage, or relocation. External registers must be
  updated after any site changes (e.g., new storage, landscaping). The Fire Safety
  Act requires external walls and cladding to be considered during risk
  assessments — document decisions and evidence.

Common mistakes (highlighted for learners)

• Vague actions e.g., “repair doors” without specifying how and to what standard
  (FD rating, intumescent specification).
• Not recording inspection evidence — no photos, no product data or
  certificates for PFP repairs.
• Ignoring external factors such as vegetation and neighbouring activities
  (barbecue areas, contractors).
• Assuming detection alone prevents spread — detection reduces time to
  response but does not stop flame impingement or cavity spread. Link active and
  passive measures.
• Missing legal documentation — RRFSO duty holder must sign and keep the
  assessment; cladding assessments require evidence under Fire Safety Act
  context.

Marking / assessment criteria (how assessor grades learner work)

• Completed templates accuracy (40%) — entries are technically correct,
  evidence present, realistic remedial actions.
• Annotations & rationale (20%) — clear justification linking entries to prevention
  principles and standards.
• Reflective commentary (20%) — demonstrates understanding of learning
  outcomes and management implications.
• Corrective action plan (20%) — priorities, timescales, measurable controls and
  named responsibilities.

Quick checklist for learners before submission

• All actions time-bound and risk-ranked.
• PFP repairs reference the required rating (e.g., “install 60-minute fire-stop with
  intumescent/rockwool in accordance with manufacturer’s certificate”).
• External register includes separation distances or barriers and evidence of
  decisions.
• Signatures: assessor & responsible person.
• References to UK law/standards included where used (RRFSO 2005, Fire Safety
  Act 2021, Approved Document B, BS 9999, HSE guidance).

Useful references (UK) — for learner reading & citatio

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  Legislation.gov.uk
• Fire Safety Act 2021 — GOV.UK guidance.
• Approved Document B — Part B: Fire safety (Volume 1 & 2).
• BS 9999: Fire safety in design, management and use of buildings — guidance
  and application.
• HSE technical guidance on passive & active fire protection and inspections