Risk assessment and prevention
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 [1] states that all organisations should:
- complete fire risk assessments and review them regularly and whenever necessary
- ensure that their staff know the location of fire equipment, fire exits and the evacuation protocol for their working area
- ensure that their staff are aware of fire safety procedures, such as raising the fire alarm, fire prevention and attending fire training
- record the fire risk assessments and ensure that staff are informed of any findings which may affect them
- Staff are also personally responsible for ensuring that they comply with above and that their training is up-to-date.
You should be aware of any findings in fire risk assessments that affect you, your role or location.
- What fire hazards have been identified and what are the preventive measures?
- What actions have been taken to remove or reduce the chance of fire occurring?
- Who is at risk? Consider the most vulnerable patients, for example, those in intensive care, high-dependency units, neonatal units and the elderly.
- What should people do in the case of fire?
- What is the emergency plan for your location?
- What information, instruction and training are needed and how will they be disseminated to everyone?
Fire Safety Measures
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Fire Doors
Fire doors provide a minimum of 30 minutes' protection.
The signage on them (for example, 'Fire door keep shut', 'Fire door keep locked shut', 'Automatic fire door keep clear') must be followed.
They must not be wedged in the open position.
They must be reported when damaged or not shutting properly.
Fire Signage
Fire signage is there to indicate emergency routes and exits and the location of fire safety equipment.
Fire Alarms
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Fire alarms alert people when smoke or heat is detected.
A continuous alarm means that the fire alarm has activated in your immediate area and/or fire compartment. Wards are expected to follow the emergency plan to determine the cause of the alarm, and only evacuate if it is a real fire.
An intermittent alarm means that the fire alarm has activated in an area adjacent (including above or below) to the area you are in. Staff are expected to follow the emergency plan which will usually be that you are not expected to evacuate unless told otherwise but are expected to find out the location of the continuous alarm. Staff should also, where necessary, assist people evacuating and be prepared to evacuate should the situation deteriorate.
Emergency Escape Lighting
Emergency lighting should illuminate escape routes and fire safety equipment if the main lighting fails.
Fire Fighting Equipment
Firefighting equipment should be provided and be readily available to use. There are a number of different kinds of extinguisher available depending on the risk associated with the area
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Evacuation Procedures
An emergency evacuation plan will include the action to be taken by all staff in the event of fire and the arrangements for calling the fire and rescue service. Each site should have a specific emergency evacuation plan and staff should familiarise themselves with the procedures and plans.
Please note that false alarms are disruptive to your workplace.
These may be caused by:
aerosols or vapes being used in the vicinity of smoke detectors
steam or smoke escaping from kitchens where the door has been left open