Asset Integrity Specialist Jishaan Husain Solkar discusses how to ensure fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity

Fire and building safety are essential for any building owner or manager who wants to provide a safe and comfortable environment for their occupants and visitors.

However, fire and building safety can be compromised by various factors, such as aging infrastructure, poor maintenance, design flaws, human errors, natural disasters, or malicious acts.

To prevent or mitigate the risks and impacts of fire and building safety incidents, building owners and managers need to implement a comprehensive asset integrity program that covers all aspects of fire and building safety, from prevention and detection to response and recovery.

Asset integrity is the ability of an asset to perform its required function effectively and efficiently, while protecting health, safety, and the environment.

Asset integrity encompasses the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of physical assets, such as buildings, structures, equipment, and systems.

Asset integrity also involves the management of human and organisational factors, such as policies, procedures, standards, regulations, culture, and leadership, that influence the performance and safety of assets.

Asset integrity is important for fire and building safety because it ensures that the assets are fit for purpose, reliable, and resilient, and that they can withstand and recover from fire and other hazards.

Asset integrity also helps to prevent or minimise the occurrence and consequences of fire and building safety incidents, such as injuries, fatalities, property damage, business interruption, reputational damage, legal liability, and regulatory penalties.

Asset integrity also contributes to the sustainability and value of the assets, by reducing the risks of obsolescence, deterioration, and failure, and by enhancing the efficiency, performance, and lifespan of the assets.

In this article, we will discuss how to ensure fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity, by following a systematic and proactive approach that involves the following steps:

Identify and assess the fire and building safety hazards and risks

The first step in ensuring fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity is to identify and assess the fire and building safety hazards and risks associated with the assets, and to establish the performance and safety criteria and objectives for the assets.

This involves conducting a thorough and regular analysis of the potential sources and scenarios of fire and building safety incidents, such as electrical faults, gas leaks, combustible materials, fire load, occupancy, fire spread, structural collapse, and evacuation.

This also involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of the incidents, and the potential impacts on the people, the assets, and the environment.

Based on the analysis, the building owners and managers should set the performance and safety standards and goals for the assets and develop a risk management plan that outlines the preventive and mitigative measures, the roles and responsibilities, and the resources and budget required.

Design and construct the assets according to the applicable codes, standards, and best practices

The second step in ensuring fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity is to design and construct the assets according to the applicable codes, standards, and best practices, and to ensure that they have adequate fire and building safety features.

This involves following the relevant engineering and architectural principles and specifications and complying with the local and national regulations and guidelines, that govern the fire and building safety aspects of the assets.

This also involves ensuring that the assets have sufficient and appropriate fire and building safety features, such as fire detection and suppression systems, emergency exits, fire doors, sprinklers, alarms, signage, lighting, ventilation, and structural integrity.

These features should be designed and installed in accordance with the performance and safety criteria and objectives and should be verified and validated by qualified and independent professionals.

Operate and maintain the assets in a safe and efficient manner

The third step in ensuring fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity is to operate and maintain the assets in a safe and efficient manner, and to ensure that they are regularly inspected, tested, and audited for fire and building safety compliance and performance.

This involves following the established policies, procedures, and protocols, and adhering to the best practices and standards, that govern the operation and maintenance of the assets.

This also involves ensuring that the assets are routinely inspected, tested, and audited by competent and authorised personnel, and that any defects, anomalies, or deviations are promptly reported and corrected.

The inspection, testing, and auditing activities should cover all the fire and building safety features and systems and should be documented and recorded for future reference and improvement.

Train and educate the staff, contractors, and occupants on the fire and building safety policies, procedures, and responsibilities

The fourth step in ensuring fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity is to train and educate the staff, contractors, and occupants on the fire and building safety policies, procedures, and responsibilities, and to ensure that they are aware of the fire and building safety hazards and risks, and the emergency preparedness and response plans and protocols.

This involves providing regular and updated information, instruction, and guidance to the staff, contractors, and occupants, and conducting drills and exercises to test and enhance their knowledge and skills on fire and building safety.

This also involves ensuring that the staff, contractors, and occupants are familiar with the location and operation of the fire and building safety features and systems, and the evacuation routes and procedures, and that they know how to report and respond to fire and building safety incidents.

Monitor and review the fire and building safety performance and effectiveness of the assets

The fifth and final step in ensuring fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity is to monitor and review the fire and building safety performance and effectiveness of the assets, and to implement continuous improvement measures to enhance the asset integrity and reduce the fire and building safety risks.

This involves collecting and analysing the data and feedback from the inspection, testing, and auditing activities, and the fire and building safety incidents and events, and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the assets against the performance and safety criteria and objectives.

This also involves identifying and implementing the improvement opportunities and actions, such as upgrading, repairing, or replacing the fire and building safety features and systems, revising the policies, procedures, and protocols, or providing additional training and education, to improve the asset integrity and reduce the fire and building safety risks.

Conclusion

Fire and building safety are vital for the well-being, safety and security of the people and the assets in any building.

By ensuring fire and building safety through comprehensive asset integrity, building owners and managers can protect their assets from fire and other hazards, prevent or mitigate the impacts of fire and building safety incidents, and improve the performance and value of their assets.

 A comprehensive asset integrity program for fire and building safety requires a holistic and integrated approach that covers the entire lifecycle of the assets, and that involves the collaboration and commitment of all the stakeholders, including the staff, contractors, occupants, regulators, and emergency services.

Effective asset integrity management is paramount for ensuring fire and building safety in today’s dynamic environment.

By adopting a proactive approach to maintenance, embracing technological advancements, and prioritising compliance and risk assessment, organisations can mitigate fire risks, enhance occupant safety, and protect valuable assets.

Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, stakeholders can forge a path toward a safer, more resilient built environment.

This article was originally published in the May 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.