The Importance of a Premises Information Box (PIB)

One tool stands out for its simplicity yet profound impact on fire safety – the Premises Information Box (PIB). This seemingly unassuming box plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of residents and the effectiveness of emergency response teams during a crisis. This article delves into the concept of a PIB, its components, its importance, and the guidelines for its installation and maintenance.

What is a Premises Information Box (PIB)?

A Premises Information Box (PIB), also known as a Secure Information Box (SIB), is a secure container within a building that holds crucial information about the premises. This information is intended to assist the fire and rescue services during an emergency. The concept of a PIB was developed in 2005 by Gerda Security Products Ltd in collaboration with the London Fire Brigade. The initiative aimed to improve the provision of premises plans and information for the Fire & Rescue Service. Recognizing the term ‘PIB’ as synonymous with the ‘Premises Information Box’, Gerda Security Products and the London Fire Commissioner have authorized its use in the marketplace, making it a standard term in fire safety.

Components of a PIB

A PIB typically contains an Emergency Response Pack, which includes detailed building layout plans and other pertinent information. These plans offer an unambiguous representation of the building, including safety and emergency features. The plans should be printed in A3 size to ensure all text and symbols remain legible. The list of symbols used on these plans is comprehensive and includes the most common fire safety and emergency features associated with a high-rise building. Only symbols relevant to the specific premises should be used. If a feature in the building is not represented on the list, a suitable standard symbol should be used.

What is an Emergency Response Pack (ERP)?

An Emergency Response Pack (ERP) is a crucial Premises Information Box (PIB) component. It is a package of information that contains vital details about the building and its residents, which can be of immense importance to the fire and rescue service during an emergency, such as a fire. The ERP is designed to assist the fire and rescue service by providing the necessary information to manage the incident effectively and ensure the safety of all residents, particularly those with mobility, cognitive, or sensory impairments.

What Should Be in The Emergency Response Pack (ERP)?

The ERP should contain various information to assist the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) during an incident. Here are the key components that should be included in an ERP:

• Log Book: This records events related to the PIB system, including emergency use and system updates.
• Off The Run Sheet: This document contains details of any firefighting fixed installations unavailable for use and/or unresolved fire safety issues.
• Orientation Plan: This plan shows the location of the building about surrounding buildings and water supplies for firefighting, including hydrants, emergency water supplies, and wet riser supplies.
• Fire & Rescue Service on Arrival Information: This is a summary of information useful to the Fire & Rescue Service upon arrival at an incident.
• Building Layout Plans: These are up-to-date floor plans showing the internal layout of the building.
• Fire-fighting Facilities/Controls Location Plan: These simple layout plans show facilities relevant to operational firefighting.
• Personal Rescue Emergency Plans: These are plans for residents with mobility, cognitive, or sensory impairments or those requiring assistance in an evacuation.
• Significant Fire Safety Issues: This is a list and description of any compartmentation, external wall system, or other fire safety issues which may affect fire behaviour on the premises.
• Description of Current Fire Evacuation Strategy: This describes the current fire strategy, for example, whether it’s a ‘stay put’ strategy or a simultaneous evacuation strategy.

The ERP is a critical tool for ensuring the safety of residents during an emergency. It provides the fire and rescue service with the necessary information to manage the incident effectively and ensure the safety of all residents, particularly those with mobility, cognitive, or sensory impairments.

The Importance of a PIB

The importance of a PIB cannot be overstated. It is a critical tool for the fire and rescue service, providing them immediate access to vital information about the premises. This is particularly crucial for individuals with mobility, cognitive, or sensory impairments who may require additional assistance during an emergency. The PIB ensures that those who most need support are fully considered in the decisions and plans for managing an incident.

PIB in the Context of New Legislation and Regulations

The significance of PIBs has been further highlighted in the wake of new legislation, regulatory changes, and recommendations from inquiries such as the Grenfell Tower inquiry. These developments have underscored the need for consistent application and regulation of fire safety measures, including PIBs, to ensure the safety of residents in high-rise residential buildings and other premises.

Installation and Maintenance of a PIB

The installation and maintenance of a PIB are guided by a set of recommendations designed to ensure its effectiveness and security. The location of the PIB, for instance, is determined in consultation with the local Fire & Rescue Service. Once installed, the PIB and its contents, including the Emergency Response Pack, should be regularly inspected, reviewed, and maintained to ensure they remain up-to-date and in good condition. The installation also involves fitting any necessary directional signs, gathering information on people with mobility, cognitive or sensory impairment, and preparing various plans, including premises orientation plans, layout plans, and safety and emergency feature plans.

Security of the PIB

The security of a PIB is a paramount concern, given the sensitive nature of the information it contains. The physical security of the PIB, including the structure of the enclosure, the locking system, and associated hardware, is crucial. Equally important is the management of the key or code system, which should be by established key control and access protocols. The security of PIBs falls into two basic categories based on the level of public access: Category A for PIBs mounted externally on a building or those installed in the common parts of a block of flats, i.e., accessible to the public, and Category B for PIBs mounted internally in a secure area where the fire and rescue service has established a rapid access protocol or other alternative arrangements.

Conclusion

The Premises Information Box (PIB) and its integral component, the Emergency Response Pack (ERP), are invaluable tools in the realm of fire safety. By providing emergency responders with immediate access to vital information about a building and its residents, these tools can significantly enhance the effectiveness of emergency response efforts. They are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals with mobility, cognitive, or sensory impairments who may require additional assistance during an emergency.

The adoption and proper maintenance of PIBs and ERPs should be a priority for all responsible persons in charge of residential buildings and other premises. This includes ensuring their installation in optimal locations, regular inspections and updates of their contents, and maintaining their security. By doing so, we can ensure that these tools can effectively aid the Fire & Rescue Service in their response to an incident, potentially saving lives and property in the process.