Premises Address
Occupancy
Fire Safety Administrator
Fire Coordinator(s)
Inpatient
Outpatient and/or
Administrative
Combinations of 3 groups
Name
Location where information can be found
Fire Wardens Location where information can be found
Day/Time for Testing the Fire Alarm System Day of week & Time of day (am or pm)
Fire alarm system Continuous
Continuous & Intermittent
Fire Evacuation Strategy Simultaneous total evacuation
Phased horizontal evacuation
Type of alarm Bells/Sounders
Alarm linked to Alarm Receiving Centre Yes or No
Calling Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Initial emergency (9) 999
Follow up Tel. 0116 229 2222
Assembly Point Designated external point
Named adjacent compartments for PHE
RED – APPLIES TO ALL PREMISES
BLUE- APPLIES TO INPATIENT PREMISES
GREEN – APPLIES TO OUTPATIENT & ADMINISTRATIVE PREMISES
Revision date (Annual review): Actual date information recorded/updated
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Contents
1. Introduction
2. Fire Evacuation Strategy
3. Fire Response Team
4. Fire Alarm Warning System
5. Action on discovering a fire
6. Action on hearing the fire alarm
7. Calling the Fire and Rescue Service
8. Evacuation Procedure, Escape Routes, Assembly Points and Roll Call
9. Fire fighting equipment and it’s safe use in tackling a fire
10. Incident conclusion
WHY HAVE AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN?
1. Introduction
This Local Fire Procedure has been compiled to keep people safe from a fire in their premises. It provides guidance to all occupants of the procedures to be followed in the event of discovery of a fire, or upon hearing the sounding of the fire alarm.
The Premises Assurance Officer has been appointed as the Fire Safety Administrator for
SOMEWHERE UNIT and has prepared this procedure in consultation with local staff and
Fire Advisors.
HOW WILL WE ESCAPE THE FIRE?
2. Fire Evacuation Strategy
Inpatient Premises
The basic strategy is to move patients from the area involved in fire to a safer area on the same floor, ideally separating them from the fire behind a minimum of 2 fire doors. If required, they can be moved further away still on the same floor or directly to outside, or vertically evacuated to a lower floor and then outside.
Outpatient Premises and Administrative Premises
The basic strategy is simultaneous evacuation in which all occupants make their way, by the nearest means of escape, to the designated external assembly point..
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HOW IS EMERGENCY EVACUATION MANAGED?
3. Fire Response
It is essential to have one person in charge, they are known as the Fire Coordinator.
They wear an orange tabard. Nominated for the role, they have authority to take charge until the Fire & Rescue Service arrive.
The Fire Coordinator is supported by Fire Wardens who may wear yellow tabards.
Fire Wardens are nominated from amongst the staff based at premises and will represent the different floors/areas. They assist the Fire Coordinator in their duties.
HOW ARE PEOPLE ALERTED TO POTENTIAL FIRE IN THE PREMISES?
4. Fire Alarm Warning System
Based on the fire evacuation strategy, Inpatient premises are generally fitted with a twostage alarm, whilst Outpatient and Administrative premises have a single stage alarm.
The fire alarm system at these premises can be activated by the following devices: a) Manually - by operating a fire alarm call-point (break glass or key operated) b) Automatically - by ceiling mounted heat or smoke detectors, located throughout the building, which detect signs of potential fire.
In these premises the alarm will sound as follows:
Inpatient Premises
Continuous signal in the area (ward/compartment) where the device has been activated;
Intermittent signal in those areas adjacent to the area (ward/compartment) where the device has activated.
Outpatient Premises and Administrative Premises
Continuous sound throughout the premises.
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WHAT DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DO WHEN THEY FIND A FIRE?
5. Action on discovery of a fire
1. Raise the alarm immediately by activating the nearest fire alarm call-point (breakglass or key operated)
2. Shout FIRE! to attract attention
3. Evacuate the immediate area/room of origin.
4. Close doors around the fire. ie: doors to the room/area of origin
5. Evacuate the area immediately outside the room, e.g. corridor or circulation area, and close fire doors to this area
This ensures that there are at least two fire doors between persons and the fire.
6. Call the Fire and Rescue Service on (9) 999 immediately it is safe to do so, giving as much detail as possible to the Fire Control Operator.
7. Tackle the fire using an appropriate extinguisher, if safe to do so.
8. Provide as much information as possible to the Fire Coordinator, and then follow their instructions.
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WHAT DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DO WHEN THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDS?
6.1 Action on hearing the fire alarm – Inpatient Premises
Continuous alarm:
Staff should investigate the area in which the alarm is sounding continuously.
As necessary, patients should be moved to an area of relative safety within the ward/area.
Intermittent alarm:
Staff should investigate all parts of their area to ensure that persons are safe and are prepared to evacuate if the signal changes to a continuous signal
Staff should prevent persons from leaving this area (by leaving, they may be heading towards the potential fire)
Nominated staff, Fire Coordinators and Fire Wardens, will carry out their role as follows:
FIRE COORDINATOR (FC) EXAMPLE
1. FC to go immediately to the fire alarm panel at Main Reception
2. Don the orange tabard
3. Identify, from the fire alarm panel, the area in which the device has activated.
4. Upon 2 FWs presenting themselves at the fire alarm panel (and without confirmation of fire at that point)…they should be sent to the room/area identified on the fire alarm panel.
5. Upon confirmation from the FWs that there is no fire, the FC should silence the alarm.
6. The FC informs staff via the FWs that they can return to their original duties.
FIRE WARDEN (FW) EXAMPLE
1. FWs in the area where the alarm is sounding continuously should seek to determine as quickly as possible if there is a fire and if not, which device has activated.
2. FWs to make their way to the fire alarm panel to assist the FC.
6.1
Action on hearing the fire alarm
–
Outpatient and Administrative Premises
Continuous alarm only:
Staff should evacuate the premises by the nearest safe exit taking visitors and contractors with them to the Assembly Point.
Staff should not stop to collect personal belongings.
No –one, under any circumstances, should enter or re-enter the building unless instructed by the Fire and Rescue Service or the FC.
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FIRE COORDINATOR (FC) EXAMPLE
1. FC to go immediately to the fire alarm panel at Main Reception
2. Don the orange tabard
3. Identify, from the fire alarm panel, the area in which the device has activated.
4. Upon 2 FWs presenting themselves at the fire alarm panel (and without confirmation of fire at that point)…they should be sent to the room/area identified on the fire alarm panel.
5. Upon confirmation from the FWs that there is no fire, the FC should silence the alarm.
6. The FC informs staff via the FWs that they can return to their original duties
FIRE WARDEN (FW) EXAMPLE
1. FWs in the area where the alarm is sounding continuously should seek to determine as quickly as possible if there is a fire and if not, which device has activated.
2. FWs to make their way to the fire alarm panel to assist the FC.
The flowchart overleaf shows the principle actions to be followed
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Fire Alarm Sounds
Fire Coordinator (FC) Attends the
Fire Panel to Identify the Location of the Fire
Staff in the Area Know the Cause of the Fire Alarm – Certain that it is
False
Fire Response Staff * Attend Fire
Panel to Support FC
FC Sends Two Fire Response Staff to Affected Area to Confirm or Deny
Fire then Reports Back to the FC
Is There a Fire?
Yes No
No Yes
Try to
Determine
Cause
Staff Then Contact
FC to Inform of
Known Cause of
False Alarm
FC Contacts;
Fire Control (9)999 with details;
Name & Position of caller
Premises/Location
What’s Involved?
FC Waits for Fire Crews to Arrive and Ensure They are Accompanied to the Area of the Fire – Alarm
Silenced
Alarm Silenced
FC Contacts Fire Control
0116 229 2222 with details;
Name & Position
Premises/Location
Cause of Unwanted Alarm/Activation
Alarm Actuation/
Fire Situation Resolved
Alarm Reset
FC Submit E-IRF Report
* Fire Response Staff are
Nominated Locally.
They could be Bleep Holders,
Fire Wardens or Other
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Nominated Responsible Staff
WHEN AND WHO SHOULD CALL THE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE?
7. Calling the Fire and Rescue Service
Inpatient Premises
In the event of a confirmed fire , the FC should ensure the Fire and Rescue Service are called, initially through the emergency operator by dialling (9) 999.
The caller should provide as much information as possible and as a minimum: o Give name and position o Address of premises o What’s involved
In the event of the fire alarm sounding , the Fire and Rescue Service should not be called until there is confirmation of a fire.
The Alarm Receiving Centre may call the premises before alerting the Fire and
Rescue Service to the fire alarm. Should they do so, they should be informed that: o “A fire has been confirmed – call the Fire and Rescue Service” OR o If a fire cannot be confirmed because the investigation continues, state
“There are no signs of fire at this time…the investigation is in progress.
Should there be an actual fire, we will call the Fire and Rescue Service
”
The alarm may have originated in an area that is inaccessible to staff, and following initial investigation it is impossible to confirm or deny the existence of a fire. If this is the case, the Fire and Rescue Service should be called. They should be informed that it is not possible to check for the actual presence of a fire and their assistance requested. This should be a (9) 999 call.
Non emergency calls, eg confirming that there is no fire and no requirement for fire appliances, can be made by calling Fire Control direct on Tel. 0116 2292222
Outpatient Premises
In the event of a confirmed fire , the FC should ensure the Fire and Rescue Service are called, initially through the emergency operator by dialling (9) 999.
The caller should provide as much information as possible and as a minimum: o Give name and position o Address of premises o What’s involved
In the event of the fire alarm sounding , the Fire and Rescue Service should be called immediately, via a (9) 999 call, to inform them of the activation of the fire alarm at the premises and that, following an investigation into the cause, a further emergency call will be made, requesting their attendance, if a fire is confirmed.
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Reception staff are most often best placed to make initial calls to the Fire and
Rescue Service informing them of the sounding of the fire alarm at the premises.
Subsequent calls to the Fire and Rescue Service should be made by the Fire
Coordinator or those nominated to do so.
The alarm may have originated in an area that is inaccessible to staff, and following initial investigation it is impossible to confirm or deny the existence of a fire. If this is the case, the Fire and Rescue Service should be called. They should be informed that it is not possible to check for the actual presence of a fire and their assistance requested. This should be a (9) 999 call.
Subsequent non-emergency calls, eg confirming that there is no fire and no requirement for fire appliances, can be made by calling Fire Control direct on Tel.
0116 2292222
HOW DO WE EVACUATE? …WHERE DO WE GO TO?
8. Evacuation Procedure, Escape Routes, Assembly Points and Roll Call
The evacuation procedure is based on simultaneous total evacuation phased horizontal evacuation
The escape routes to be followed are those that lead directly to the nearest safe exit doors internal corridors that lead to the Assembly Point
The Assembly Point is detail the area
Persons assembling at the Assembly Point must not obstruct access for fire crews and must wait at the Assembly point until authorised to leave by the Fire
Coordinator
If a roll call is appropriate, designated fire wardens should carry this out and report the outcome to the Fire Coordinator
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WHEN AND HOW SHOULD WE FIGHT THE FIRE?
9.
Firefighting equipment and it’s safe use in tackling the fire.
Firefighting equipment that staff will have access to is limited to the following:
TYPE Water Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Blanket
COLOUR
IDENTIFICATION
TYPE OF FIRE ON
WHICH TO USE
Red cylinder, Red label
Solid material, paper, wood, fabrics and plastics
Red cylinder, Black label
Electrical fires, apparatus and wiring, electrical switch-gear, x-ray equipment, liquid fires
Red container
Small contained fires with oils/fats
Waste paper bins. Person with clothing on fire
The 9 litre water extinguisher is being replaced with 3 litre hydrospray which is much lighter in weight and will tackle similarly sized fires. Water/hydrospray is provided for use on solid materials, paper, wood, fabrics and plastics
All fire extinguishers should be fitted on purpose-made wall brackets or floor plinths near to exits or on the line of an exit route where they are easily accessible.
Fire blankets are available in kitchens for smothering small fires. They can also be used for extinguishing fires affecting clothing.
In using any of the firefighting equipment, prior to the attendance of the Fire and
Rescue Service, the following points should be adhered to: o Ensure that the fire alarm is sounded before attempting to extinguish the fire o Should the fire grow in size always be sure that you can turn your back on it and walk away o 9 litre water extinguishers are heavy and should be sat on the floor for operation o Keep low and aim at the base of the fire
WHAT MUST BE DONE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE EMERGENCY INCIDENT?
10. Incident conclusion
Upon confirmation that there is no fire and the alarm has been silenced, the Fire
Coordinator should:
1. Contact Estates to reset the fire alarm system and any other equipment that may have been isolated as a result of the sounding of the fire alarm.
2.
Ensure that an E-IRF is completed as soon as possible after the incident.
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