A Secure Information Box (SIB) is fixed to either the internal wall of a building, usually located in the entrance lobby with the fire alarm panel (if fitted), or on the external wall of a building near to the main entrance. An enhanced security information box should be selected if it is to be located externally. The box should contain essential information that will help firefighters make safe and effective rescues, if necessary, and extinguish fires quickly.
The information inside a SIB makes up what is sometimes referred to as an Emergency Response Pack.
Having an Secure Information Box increases the safety of residents and firefighters alike. In a fire situation, every second counts, and being able to access a wealth of vital information about a building and its occupants is an essential tool.
Fire and Rescue Services will carry a key or a code to access individual Secure Information Boxes (provided by the Responsible Person of the premises).
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) and the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have jointly prepared a code of practice, which is intended to support new legislation and guidance proposed by the Government in response to the recommendations of phase one of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
What sort of information will be kept in a Secure Information Box?
The Emergency Response Pack (kept inside a Secure Information Box) should contain information that is required for the purposes of operational firefighting and rescue. Accordingly, the contents need to be “tailor made” for the building and residents in question, but should always comprise, as a minimum:
- A log book for the purposes of recording events that occur in respect of the Secure Information Box system, including emergency use, system or information updates etc.
- An ‘off the run’ notice containing details of any firefighting fixed installations which are not available for use and/or any unresolved fire safety issues.
- A summary of information useful to the Fire & Rescue Service on arrival at an incident.
- An orientation plan, showing the location of the building in relation to surrounding buildings and other reference points (e.g. access roads and water supplies).
- A building layout plan showing the internal layout, including up to date floor plans.
- A simple layout plan (if not provided in the orientation plan) showing water supplies for firefighting including hydrants, emergency water supplies, wet riser supplies etc.
- Simple layout plans showing facilities of relevance to operational firefighting and rescue including relevant information regarding any lift(s) intended for use by the FRS or smoke control systems.
- Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) for residents with mobility, cognitive or sensory impairments, or those who require assistance in an evacuation situation
- Significant fire safety issues – any compartmentation, external wall system or other fire safety issues which may affect fire behaviour in the premises.
- The Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) as outlined in The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 (Reg 13) e.g. ‘stay put’ or ‘simultaneous
If you are considering installing an Information Box at your premises, please contact [email protected]