Managing fire risk in commercial buildings: A guide for facilities managers
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Managing fire risk in commercial buildings: A guide for facilities managers (IP 11/14) was published by BRE on 23 September 2014. It was written by Jeremy Fraser-Mitchell and Tom Taylor. It is one of a number of BRE publications offering guidance for facilities managers, maintenance contractors and building owners about the operation and management of commercial buildings.
In England and Wales, employers and other people who have control of premises must carry out an assessment of the fire risks to occupants of buildings and other people in the vicinity, to ensure that they are safe from fire and its effects. IP 11/14 provides guidance about how improved facilities management can help deliver fire resilience in commercial buildings.
The first part of the 8-page Information Paper explains how to carry out a fire risk assessment and how best to deal with residual risks. The second part gives an overview of operational and maintenance requirements for fire detection systems, fire suppression systems, firefighting equipment and emergency lighting.
The contents of the Information Paper are:
- Fire risk assessment: identifying hazards and people in the premises.
- Fire risk management: coping with residual risks.
- Planning, recording, instruction and training.
- Fire protection equipment and facilities.
- Conclusions.
- References.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wik
- Automatic fire detection and alarm systems, an introductory guide to components and systems BR 510.
- Automatic fire sprinkler systems: A good practice guide.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- Building Research Establishment.
- External fire spread, Supplementary guidance to BR 187 incorporating probabilistic and time-based approaches.
- External fire spread: building separation and boundary distances (BR 187).
- Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multistorey buildings, third edition (BR 135).
- Fire risk in high-rise and super high-rise buildings DG 533.
- Fire safety certification from CIOB.
- Fire suppression.
- Managing risks in existing buildings: An overview of UK risk-based legislation for commercial and industrial premises (FB 86).
- Risk assessment under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- The role of codes, standards and approvals in delivering fire safety.
- Understanding the factors affecting flashover of a fire in modern buildings.
- Visual alarm devices - their effectiveness in warning of fire.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.






















