c

b

A)

A

Seriously defective

Defective

Not satisfactory

Satisfactory/NA

HHSRS VERSION 2

SEPTEMBER 2004

FIRE

Vulnerable group

Persons aged 60 years or over

Related hazards

Hot surfaces

A) Gas heater in bedroom

A) Close up of heater

A) Room plan

drawers

Multiple locations

Secondary hazards

Yes

Yes

No

No

Elevation

table

# Secondary hazards

-

None

Key

3

2

1

-

i

2.7 m

wardro

be

DESCRIPTION OF HAZARDS

Dwelling:

A gas convector fire is situated directly under the bedroom window, such that the curtains drape

over the fire. The small size and shape of the room and door position make it difficult to position the

furniture - a double bed, a small wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside tables - without the bedding

also being in close proximity to the fire. The dwelling has one smoke detector.

double bed 200 x 135 cm

2.4m

table

1980's 'Cluster' , 1 bedroomed, starter house

HHSRS VERSION 2

LIST OF RELEVANT MATTERS

LIKELIHOOD

A

a

Heater/cooker position

3

b

Space heating

2

c

Defects to heating

-

d

Clothes drying facilities

-

e

Number/siting of sockets

-

f

Electrical installation

-

g

Non-fire resistant fabric

-

h

Smoke permeable fabric

-

i

Fire stops to cavities

-

j

Defects to fabric

-

k-l Internal doors/self-closers

-

m

Smoke/heat detectors

-

n

Fire fighting equipment

-

OUTCOMES

A

a

Smoke/heat detectors

1

b

Means of escape

-

c

Combustible furnishings

-

d

Fire fighting equipment

1

e

Lighting protection system

-

Score:

17

Average likelihood, outcomes and HHSRS score for risk of fire for persons aged 60 years or

more in post 1979 houses, 1997-99.

HHSRS VERSION 2

SEPTEMBER 2004

HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM SCORES

Post 1979 House

LIKELIHOOD

Average: 5701

4200 2400

1 in

320

Example

560

1300 750 420 240 130

75

42

24

13

7.5

4

2.5

1.5

Justification

OUTCOMES

Class I

Class II

Class III

Class IV

Justification

RATING

Shortening the curtains to lessen the fire risk is the responsibility of the owner-occupier

or tenant. However, the fixed position of the gas convector heater means that, even if

this were done, there would remain an increased risk of the curtains catching fire.

Similarly, the small size and shape of the room and door position make it difficult, if not

impossible, to position the bed away from the fire, thereby also increasing the risk of fire.

%

Average: 5.7

4.6

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

Av: 0.0

0.0

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

Av: 32.8

31.6

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38

4.6

0.0

31.6

63.8

100

100

100

Av: 61.5

63.8

The dwelling has one smoke alarm (albeit battery operated) and generally provides a

relatively straightforward and easy means of escape, both through the doors and via the

windows. Consequently, in the event of a fire in the bedroom, there is nothing to

indicate that the likely spread of harms would be either significantly more or less than

average (67% of all occupied dwellings now have smoke alarms).

Average: 12

H

I

J

Example

A B C D E F- G

Score:

100

RATING SCORES AFTER IMPROVEMENT

IMPROVE

Justification

NEW RATING

Av: Nos

Likelihood to

1 in 3,200

Outcomes to

4.6

0.0 31.6 63.8 %

Replacing the gas convector heater, ideally with a radiator served by a water-borne

central heating system would reduce the likelihood of a fire to that average for the post

1980 stock. With no change in the spread of harms, this would give a new score of

under 20 and reduce the rating band from F to I.

Improved

A B C D E F G H

I

J