Introduction to facilities and access provisions in Section 6

The guidance in Section 6 relating to facilities and access is for the purposes of assisting the Fire and Rescue Service to ensure the safety of people in and around a building. Generally in small buildings the combination of the access offered by the normal means of access and egress, and the ability of the Fire and Rescue Service to work from ladders and appliances are sufficient without special access or internal facilities. However, in large buildings and buildings with basements the Fire and Rescue Service will invariably work inside the building and firefighting shafts, fire mains, venting of basements and access will be necessary. Firefighting shafts – the provisions are to ensure that the Fire and Rescue Service will have a secure operating base on every storey of large buildings. Fire mains – the purpose of a fire main within a firefighting shaft is to enable firefighters to connect hoses and receive a supply of water for firefighting and rescue activities. Access – the provisions relating to vehicle access are to enable the Fire and Rescue Service's pumping appliances to supply water to the fire mains and for high reach appliances to be deployed.