THE CASE FOR A MOBILE ALERTING SYSTEM

Promoting engagementProviding reassuranceKeeping people safe

INTRODUCTIONThe tragic events at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017, when 72 people lost their lives, has brought into sharp focus the need to improve fire safety for those who reside in medium and high-rise residential buildings (MHRRBs) in the United Kingdom.

Fire and Rescue Services have for many years generally adopted what is known as a ’Stay Put: Defend in Place’ policy in relation to fires occurring in most residential MHRRBs.

The policy can however leave building occupants vulnerable where fire spreads extensively and swiftly, as sadly seems to have been the case at Grenfell Tower. This has led some to question the current approach. Some commentators consider the safest default in the case of a MHRRB fire should be full evacuation, as is usually the case where non-residential high-rise buildings are involved. Others contend that this approach has its own limitations, especially for densely populated premises, where dangerous overcrowding of escape routes could potentially occur, and firefighters could be impeded as they strive to gain access to the building to quell the fire and rescue residents.

Medium to high-rise multiple occupancy buildings in general, and MHRRBs in particular, offer unique challenges when it comes to fire safety. Long vertical escape routes (often the single means of escape for residents) and limited vertical accessibility for firefighters leaves occupants significantly more vulnerable than those in low rise buildings.

Below is an extract from www.highrisefirefighting.co.uk:

‘Evacuation is a very complex problem in high rise buildings. There are many aspects, relating to its design, construction, maintenance, pre-planning, occupancy and human behavior that will affect any evacuation. We’ll open by saying that it is our opinion that the safest, default should be to evacuate.

At its simplest, “if you’re not in the building on fire, then the fire cannot hurt you”.

If you stay in the building, who will tell you should you actually need to evacuate (an escalating incident)? In the UK we have very few intelligent evacuation phased alarm systems to enable the fire service to control evacuation (unlike the USA). This means that a fire-fighter has to get to you to tell you to evacuate. This may pose an unacceptable risk.’

There is a strong case to be made for firefighters being given greater scope to exercise their professional judgement, and to have a wider range of tactical options available that enable them in order to keep casualties to a minimum.

In the UK we have traditionally relied on passive fire prevention measures such as the use of low or non-combustible materials, fire doors and fire compartmentation. These measures, combined with active systems such as fire detection and alarm systems which provide early warning, have been employed for many years, especially in older buildings. More modern buildings or those that have been upgraded may include protected escape routes utilising wet/dry risers, sprinkler systems and/or staircase pressurisation.

Another option is phased evacuation whereby, in the event of a fire, building occupants are directed to evacuate in a controlled manner as instructed, usually by means of a Voice Evacuation System (VES).

VESs are mandatory in some jurisdictions, such as the United States, where VES design and installation is governed by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards. VESs are far less common in the UK, especially in older MHRRBs. Installing such systems retrospectively can be prohibitively expensive and can also create considerable disruption to occupants, particularly in residential buildings.

AT ITS SIMPLEST, “IF YOU’RE NOT IN THE BUILDING ON FIRE, THEN THE FIRE CANNOT HURT YOU”

White paper: The case for a text-based fire alert/community engagement messaging system

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONThis paper seeks to make the case for the provision of an alternative to the fixed Voice Evacuation System for existing MHRRBs, using mobile phone messaging technology.

It makes the case for the implementation of Notifire as a mobile device text-based fire alert messaging system for relevant buildings (MHRRBs) that do not currently have a VES system installed, thereby offering an enhanced level of safety and reassurance to residents and greater tactical flexibility for firefighters at a very modest cost in comparison to retrospective fitting of VESs.

The Notifire mobile application system:

• Offers firefighters greater tactical flexibility in tackling fires.

• Enables firefighter to provide reassurance to building occupants in the event of a fire or other major incident (eg toxic emissions).

• Greatly reduces the cost of fire safety enhancement, especially in comparison to retrospective fitting of Voice Evacuation Systems in older buildings.

• Removes the need for disruption to existing building owners and occupants that retrospective VES fitting would entail.

• Provides a platform for greater engagement between the Fire and Rescue Service, building owners and residents.

• Offers a means for promoting the engagement of residents in the management of their buildings.

• Vandal proof. As the app goes direct to residents’ phones, vandalism, power cuts and sabotage are simply not issues.

All this can be achieved in real time and in a simple to learn and operate package. NotiFire allows Fire and Rescue Services to communicate directly with occupants by sending text-based information and instructions directly to those who have downloaded the app. This enables firefighters to provide reassurance to occupants and encourage them to stay calm and to prepare themselves to follow instructions. It also enables firefighters to send bespoke messages to groups of occupants, for example where they wish to confirm the number of persons in a given area (perhaps a floor or a wing of a building), or to identify any visitors who may have mobility issues and therefore require special support in any evacuation.

’Red box’ data can also be loaded onto the system, enabling fire crews to familiarise themselves on the fire safety measures, escape routes and muster points at a given location on the way to the incident, rather than on arrival as is usually currently the case. This also makes the “red box” data available for use in firefighter training programmes. Overall, Notifire is a valuable tool that enables firefighters to respond flexibly and effectively to any given incident.

Notifire also enables building owners and firefighters to communicate with occupants in non-emergency situations, e.g. to encourage their engagement in community safety meetings, fire drills, etc and to send messages about fire safety and routine maintenance issues such as lift maintenance and power/water outages.

Potential demand and requirementThe potential demand for the Notifire system is substantial. It is reported(1) that in the UK there are over 4,000 residential buildings over six stories high, the vast majority of which will be older buildings that do not have a Voice Evacuation System installed.

In 2017 it was estimated that 77% of UK residents own a smartphone and as many as 92% own a mobile phone. We therefore believe that mobile devices provide an effective tool for communicating with communities such as MHRB occupants.

Reference (1) - Source – Wikipedia

NotiFire is designed to supplement and complement - not to replace – existing fire detection and protection systems. It provides a means for firefighters to communicate with building occupants, providing reassurance (“We are at the scene and are being reinforced”) and encouraging them to remain calm. Notifire can also enable firefighters to gather information on a bespoke basis by messaging individuals or groups of occupants.

Notifire enables firefighters to reinforce ’Stay Put: Defend in Place’ instructions where appropriate, or to order a full, partial or phased evacuation in an orderly and controlled manner using their professional judgement.

THE PHYSICAL ACT OF DOWNLOADING NOTIFIRE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO BE BETTER INFORMED AROUND “STAY IN PLACE” AND EVACUATION POLICIES, AND THEREFORE BETTER PREPARED TO ACT RESPONSIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY SHOULD THEY EVER BE INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT.

Use by Fire and Rescue Services NotiFire has been developed for use by the Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) and will be issued to regional services free of charge. Each regional service will register via the NotiFire web portal and may add as many authorised users as is deemed necessary to meet operational requirements. Authorised users’ details can be updated by FRSs as required.

Incident Commanders managing major incidents at MHRRBs will be able to activate NotiFire via a tablet, to locate registered buildings and, where such details have been uploaded by the building owner, to review building details such as number of floors, number of dwellings, building plans, existing fire safety features and contact person details.

Should the need arise, the NotiFire app will provide the FRS with the means of providing authoritative predefined or bespoke instruction to building occupants in the crucial initial stages of a major fire or similar incident, potentially saving life and minimising casualties in a wide range of situations. Communications surrounding such incidents must provide clear, concise instructions and reassurance in the early stages of a major incident.

Notifire allows building owners/approved persons to identify occupant groups, which may assist the FRS in managing a timely phased evacuation should it be required.

We encourage Fire and Rescue Services to utilise Notifire for sending routine general home fire safety reminders, as this reinforces safety awareness and reminds occupants of the importance of the app. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 places a duty on Category One Responders to communicate with the public, and Notifire helps them evidence the effective discharge this duty.

Building owners and approved persons useBuilding owners will be briefed on the benefits of adopting Notifire. We would encourage the FRS to work with us to promote the adoption of Notifire by all landlords, be they local authorities, housing associations or landlords in the private sector. It is hoped that, over time, insurers will offer premium discounts or otherwise incentivise building owners to adopt Notifire.

On joining the scheme, a building owner will pay for registration and an annual subscription based on their building portfolio. This monetarisation of the scheme will facilitate the extension of its use, record keeping and maintenance of the system, ongoing system development, recovery of capital expenditure and modest profit.

Building owners must nominate an Approved Person (AP) for each building. That person will be responsible for inputting and keeping up to date building details such as the number of dwellings, floors, building plans, existing fire safety measures (including escape routes, sprinkler systems and muster points) and their contact details via the NotiFire Web Portal.

Once registered, APs will download the app and will then be able to send routine building-related messages to occupants (e.g. routine fire alarm testing, notification of resident engagement meetings, scheduled lift maintenance, power/water outages, etc. This can alleviate the administrative burden of having to deliver leaflets and other forms of communication. Building owners will be encouraged to utilise Notifire as part of regular fire evacuation exercises. We strongly recommend that Notifire is only used for generic, non-contentious messages: its use for things such as rent demands or carrying advertising may encourage residents to delete or ignore it. We will produce best practice guidelines to reinforce this.

Building owners/APs will be encouraged to ensure the maximum number residents possible download the app. This may be achieved through tenancy conditions, mail drops, local signage and resident meetings, among others.

Building owners/APs should be aware that some residents may need assistance in how to use the app or may not have a mobile device and therefore require traditional means of support. In the fullness of time building owners may be able to use the uptake of the NotiFire app to negotiate discounts on their public liability insurance premiums.

Medium to high rise residential building occupants’ useBuilding occupants will be required or strongly advised to download the NotiFire app by the FRS and building owners, with the benefits being drawn to their attention. Notifire facilitates direct receipt of timely messages from the FRS in the event of an emergency, routine fire safety reinforcement messaging and more routine building related maintenance messaging from the building owner.

Notifire is available free of charge to every building occupant, who will be required or strongly encouraged to register as an occupant for their particular building by the building owner. The amount of personal data occupants are required to give will be limited to the bare minimum in order to comply with data protection legislation (GDPR) and to encourage the highest possible take-up rate.

Training will be available to those acting as Approved Persons, as well as induction briefings and written guidance notes for residents. The briefings will strive to effect the culture change envisaged in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review of Building Regulations, encouraging residents to become more engaged in the management of their buildings.

CONCLUSIONBenefits of NotifireFor the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), NotiFire offers greater tactical flexibility in how they protect the occupants of high rise multiple occupancy buildings. It provides a means for the FRS to communicate instructions directly and in real time to groups of building occupants in the event of a fire or other emergency, and to gather better intelligence regarding the number and nature of persons actually in residence at a given point in time. An additional benefit of Notifire is that it can also be used to provide a means of reinforcing general fire and safety guidance through regular safety bulletins.

For building owners, Notifire provides additional safety protection to its residents without incurring major capital expenditure, and may offer the potential for discounted

insurance premiums. The app also facilitates messaging of routine safety notifications to residents, thereby enhancing community engagement.

Residents and other occupants gain the reassurance that in the event of an emergency they will be able to receive clear instructions directly from Incident Commanders.

For further information on the possibilities and subscription rates for building owners see www.notifire.org.com

NotiFire is a registered trademark of Rissington Applications Ltd.

Notifire: Promoting engagement, Providing reassurance, Keeping people safe

RESIDENTS AND OTHER OCCUPANTS GAIN THE REASSURANCE THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS DIRECTLY FROM FROM AUTHORISED SOUCES.

CONTACT US 01451 822 203

enquiries@rissiapps.com

rissingtonapplications.com

Rissington Applications LLP, 2 Orchard Bank, Great Rissington, Cheltenham GL54 2LT