Fire safety risk assessment : a case study of the ADT offices at Sa Maison, Floriana

Abstract

The ADT offices in Sa Maison, Floriana date back to the early 20th century. It was originally a naval bakery in use by the British Royal Navy and then converted by the Department of Social Housing into a mint. Large iron beams, typical of British colonial constructions of this type, support the old building, except the new wing. The new wing was added in 1996 and is entirely of new construction overlying a water reservoir. In the last few years some attention was given to the fire safety of the building. Although there has been some progress, in my opinion there is still a lot to be accomplished. The aim of this report is to make this building safer for the people working in and visiting the place and to make the management and staff aware of the dangers of fire and complacency. This report will cover the fire safety issue including risk assessment, dynamics of fire, people at risk, spreading of fire, fire detection and warning, means of escape, fire fighting, maintenance and monitoring, training of staff, the emergency plan and other practical measures.