Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: March 2024
Aim of inspection
The aim of this inspection is to inspect against compliance with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO).
This inspection focuses on matters relating to life fire safety.
The purpose of this inspection is to gain assurance that Sellafield Limited has met its responsibilities as the Responsible Person by the legislation referenced above. It is also to gain assurance that this specific facility's fire safety management and system arrangements are adequately implemented, effective and integrated to ensure the required application of the general fire precautions.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Fire (Life Safety) Compliance Inspection - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
B170 is a large Category 1 mixed use lab and office building on the Sellafield site. It is operated under a tenant agreement by National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL). A significant portion of of the building is currently under the management of Sellafield Project and Programme Partners (PPP) which is delivering the Replacement Analytical Project (RAP), a full strip out, excavation and refit of new laboratory facilities.
I met with representatives of NNL, Sellafield Ltd and PPP during the course of my inspection.
Having read the Sellafield Ltd Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) of the operating B170 side dated 11/09/2023, and the PPP RAP FRA 06/12/2023, along with the 2014 Conventional Fire Safety Assessment (CFSA) I made enquiries into a number of areas discussed within the documents. These included the following:
- Fire system health and obsolescence
- Fire system maintenance
- Combustible management
- Compartmentation
- Construction interface with RAP
- Fire strategy and actions from assessments
I carried out a sample walk down of the B170 active side and observed several areas of the RAP strip out project from the central atrium. I made the following findings based on what I saw, and as a result of conversations I had with personnel that I met.
Overall I am content that the dutyholder demonstrated an adequate understanding of the fire safety arrangements for the B170 facility and that these were appropriately implemented. Some areas for potential improvement were observed and advice was given to the dutyholder. No significant life fire safety shortfalls were identified. As such, I have rated this inspection as green.
Conclusion
Overall I am content that the dutyholder demonstrated an adequate understanding of the fire safety arrangements for the facility and that these were appropriately implemented. Some areas for potential improvement were observed and advice was given to the dutyholder. No significant life fire safety shortfalls were identified. As such, I have rated this inspection as green.