Definitions used in the RFIC Guide

Much of the guidance within this document is applicable to structures formed from insulated panels, but which are used in buildings outside the refrigerated food industry.

1.2 The following definitions apply when using this RFIC Guide.

1.2.1 Boundary
The boundary of the land belonging to the building, or where the land abuts a road, railway, canal or river, the centreline of the road, railway, canal or river.

1.2.2 Chilled Store (for chilled products)
A building or structure designed for the storage of chilled food products with a temperature capability from -10°C to +10°C (although chilled food products are normally stored in a temperature range from 0°C to +8°C).

1.2.3 Compartment Walls
Loadbearing and non-loadbearing vertical fire-resisting separating elements of construction designed to contain a fire within an area for a pre determined duration in order to minimise the risk of fire spread. (Previously known as fire break walls). NOTE: A compartment wall provided for property protection may or may not coincide with one required to satisfy the regulatory requirements.

1.2.4 Cold Store (for frozen products)
A building or structure designed for the storage of frozen foodstuffs operating at temperatures below -10°C.

1.2.5. Fire Resistance
The ability of an element of construction of a building to satisfy, for a period of time, some or all of the appropriate criteria specified in the relevant Part of BS 476: Part 20 the basic method and criteria or Parts 22 (non-loadbearing elements) or Part 21 (loadbearing elements).

1.2.6 Food Processing Area
An area within a building used for the purpose of processing raw materials into food products by cleaning, shaping or cooking.

1.2.7 High Bay Store
Stores where pallets are stored in racking up to a height of 33 metres.

1.2.8 Material of Limited Combustibility is either:

• a non-combustible material;
• or any material of density 300 kg/m³ or more which,
  when tested in accordance with BS 476: part 11, does not flame
  and the rise in temperature on the furnace thermocouple is not more than 20°C
• or any material with a non-combustible core of 8mm thick or more,
  having combustible facings (on one or both sides) not more than 0.5mm thick.

1.2.9 Non-Combustible material
The highest level of reaction to fire performance and a material either of the type described in the appropriate recommendations in the Approved Document to England & Wales Regulations, or in respect of prescribed performance levels against BS 476: Part 11:1982.

1.2.10 Sandwich Panel
A panel used in the construction of walls or ceilings (some of which may be of a walk-on type) consisting of two separate skins either side of a structural core which derive stability from each other by composite action.

1.2.11 Means of Escape
Structural means whereby a safe route, or routes is, or are provided for persons to escape in case of fire from any point in a building to a place of safety, clear of the building and without assistance.

1.2.12 Place of Safety
A place in which persons are no longer in any danger from fire, normally clear of the building.

1.2.13 Protected Lobby/Corridor
A circulation area forming part of a means of escape consisting of a lobby or corridor enclosed with construction that is fire-resisting for an adequate period, normally 30 minutes (other than any part that consists of an external wall of a building).

1.2.14 Protected Space
An area, forming part of an escape route, separated from the remainder of the building by fire-resisting construction.

1.3 Relationships with Statutory Provisions
This procedure does not carry any statutory powers and in all instances it is important to ensure that all national legislation with respect to the premises and the employment of persons is otherwise observed.

In various recommendations in the text the word shall is used to indicate those measures that are considered vital if fire safety is to be maximised. However its use does not infer any legal obligation to conform.

When building new facilities it is important that the relevant national building regulations are satisfied and that the fire protection measures are subsequently maintained and the building managed to provide the levels of fire safety required under the Fire Precautions Act 1971. It is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (as amended) which covers the 'process risks' which a site manager needs to consider.