SWANSEA UNIVERSITY – Document Ref: SWG/012B Issue 001
Swansea University
Safe Working Guidelines (SWG)
Fire Precautions
Introduction
These guidelines provide advice on the statutory requirement for fire precautions
in the workplace. The guidelines do not address the special requirements that
may be needed in high-risk situations such as petrochemical processing or
storage plants of hospitals.
The term ‘fire precautions’ includes matters that are the subject of legal
requirements under specific fire precautions legislation.
These include the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, the Highly Flammable
Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Regulations and generally, under health
and safety legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act and
regulations made under that Act.
Fire precautions include:
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means of detection and giving warning in case of fire
the provision of means of escape
means of fighting fire
the training of staff in fire safety
Fire prevention is dealt with under separate safe working guidelines.
Dangers
The main dangers of fire are obvious, but others are less obvious:
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fires often spread at a much faster rate than the general public might
expect
inhalation of toxic smoke is the most common cause of death in fires
smoke can spread through a building very quickly unless prevented by
self-closing doors and positive pressurisation (of exit routes etc)
unless properly trained, people generally tend to be slow to respond to fire
alarms etc
unless properly trained, people tend to ignore emergency exits and try to
use the routes by which they entered.
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Risk Control Systems and Workplace Precautions
Risk Assessment
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order require that suitable and sufficient
assessments be made of the risks to employees and others from fire at work.
These assessments should take account of any requirements imposed by statute
or subordinate regulations. The assessments should evaluate the adequacy of
the existing precautions and identify any additional precautions required.
Assessments should be reviewed when relevant conditions change e.g.
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numbers of people present
layout of premises
materials/processes/materials stored or used
relevant standards or legislation used in the original assessment.
Fire Detection
Early detection of fire will increase the time available for escape so that people
can evacuate to safety before exit routes become blocked by fire or smoke. The
need for smoke or fire detection systems should be determined during risk
assessment. Insurers may well impose requirements for detection arrangements.
In simple, low risk situations, observation by employees may be sufficient. Even
where automatic detection systems are installed, means should be provided by
which people can raise the alarm. Consideration should however be given to:
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parts of the workplace where fires could start and spread unobserved
times when the workplace is unoccupied.
Automatic fire detection is essential in workplaces involving sleeping
accommodation or care facilities.
Types of Detection Devices and Systems
A wide range of smoke detection systems are available ranging from
sophisticated linked automatic detection/warning systems suitable for large,
complex or high risk workplaces, to simple household type smoke detectors in
small workplaces. Even some simple smoke detectors can be inter-linked and
provided with battery back up.
Some detection devices respond to ionisation of the atmosphere caused by
smoke, others respond when smoke obscures a photoelectric cell. Others detect
heat or the rate at which heat rises over period. Basic types of detectors are
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more sensitive than others and are therefore more prone to false alarms. The
choice depends upon:
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the nature of the potential fire sources
the level of risk and the need for very early detection
the likelihood and consequences of false alarms (e.g. major evacuation,
process interruption)
the work environment and situations likely to cause false alarms (e.g.
smoking, cooking)
installation and maintenance costs.
Insurers and regulatory guidance should be consulted when choosing or altering
detection systems.
Fire Alarms
In small, single storey buildings it is often sufficient to raise the alarm by shouting
‘fire’. This is only likely to be appropriate where such a shout could be heard from
all parts of the building (including toilets etc.). In slightly larger workplaces, a
simple sounder such as a battery powered alarm or rotary bell may be adequate.
Larger buildings, particularly those with more than one floor are likely to require,
an electrical alarm system complying with a BS/EN/ISO standard operated by
manually operated call points on exit routes. A sufficient number of linked
sounders should be provided so that the alarm is audible from all parts of the
building.
Visual alarms may be necessary where there is an employee with a hearing
impairment or high levels of background noise. In some situations, a public
address system complying with a BS/EN/ISO standard may be integrated into the
alarm system so that clear verbal instructions are given.
Appropriate fire guidance should be consulted when choosing or altering alarm
systems.
Means of Escape
Assessment
The following is intended to provide general guidance when carrying out
assessments of risk. Advice should be sought in the case of large, complex
workplaces and those involving specialised activities or risks.
One of the most important considerations when assessing fire risks is to ensure
that the time available for escape (the time between the fire starting and the
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means of escape becoming unsafe) is greater than the time needed for escape
(the time it takes for everyone to evacuate once a fire has been discovered).
Modern buildings that have building regulation approval and those that have
been found satisfactory during an inspection by the fire authority are likely to
have satisfactory means of escape. A risk assessment is still necessary to
ensure that the means of escape remains adequate. Appropriate guidance must
be consulted before making any changes that might affect the means of escape.
Assessment of the adequacy of means of escape should take into account:
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the findings of other aspects of the fire risk assessment
the size, construction and layout of the workplace
the contents of the workplace (combustible materials, flammable liquids
etc)
the workplace activities undertaken
the number of people who may be present, their familiarity with the
workplace and their ability to escape without assistance
the number and width of escape routes.
Rather than individually assess every workplace, it is acceptable (except in
respect of large, complex or specialised workplaces) to categorise workplaces
according to the potential fire risk. The maximum travel distance (i.e. the
maximum distance from any occupied point in the building to a place of safety) is
limited according to the fire risk category.
Fire Risk Categories
High risk
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Where highly flammable or explosive materials are stored or used (other
than in small quantities)
Where unsatisfactory structural features are present such as:
o lack of fire resisting separation
o vertical or horizontal openings through which fire, heat and smoke
can escape
o long and complex escape routes created by extensive subdivision
of large floor areas by partitions, or the distribution of display units
in shops or machinery in factories; and
o large areas of flammable or smoke producing surfaces on either
walls or ceilings.
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Where permanent or temporary work activities are carried out which have
the potential for fires to start or spread such as:
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o workshops in which highly flammable materials are used (e.g. paint
spraying)
o areas where the processes involve the use of naked flame, or
produce excessive heat
o large kitchens in works canteens or restaurants
o refuse chambers and waste disposal areas; and
o areas where foamed plastics or upholstered furniture are stored.
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Where there is a significant risk to life in case of fire, such as where:
o sleeping accommodation is provided for staff, the public or other
visitors in significant numbers
o treatment or care is provided where the occupants have to rely
upon the actions of limited numbers of staff for their safe
evacuation
o there is a high proportion of elderly or infirm people, or people with
temporary or permanent physical or mental disabilities, who need
assistance to escape
o groups of people are working in isolated parts of the premises such
as basements, roof spaces, cable ducts and service tunnels etc;
and
o large numbers of people are present relative to the size of the
premises (e.g. sales at department stores) or in other
circumstances where only a low level of assistance may be
available in an emergency (e.g. places of entertainment and sports
events).
Normal risk
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Where any outbreak of fire is likely to remain confined or only spread
slowly, allowing people to escape to a place of safety.
Where numbers of people present is small and the layout of the workplace
means that they are likely to be able to escape to a place of safety without
assistance.
Where the workplace has an effective automatic warning system, or an
effective automatic fire extinguishing, suppression or containment system
which may reduce the risk classification from high risk.
Low risk
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Where there is minimal risk to people’s lives and where the risk of fire
occurring is low, or the potential for fire, heat and smoke spreading is
negligible.
Escape Routes
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There should generally be at least two escape routes from all parts of the
workplace, except for small, normal or low risk rooms and workplaces.
Escape routes should lead to a place of safety and be wide enough for the
number of occupants.
Escape routes and exits should be available for use and kept clear of obstruction
at all times.
Routes that provide means of escape in one direction only should be avoided
and should be protected routes as they may require people to move towards a
fire in order to reach a point of safety.
Travel Distances
The length of the escape route from any occupied part of the workplace should
not exceed:
Where more than one route is provided
25 metres
high fire risk area
32 metres
normal fire risk
(sleeping) area
normal fire risk
area
45 metres
Where only a single escape route is
provided
12 metres
high fire risk area
16 metres
18 metres
25 metres
60 metres
low fire risk area
45 metres
normal fire risk
(sleeping) area
normal fire risk
area (except
production areas
in factories)
normal fire risk
area (including
production areas
in factories)
low fire risk area
Exits
A sufficient number of exits of adequate width should be available from every
room, storey or building. Adequate width means:
A door of no less than 750 mm in width is suitable for up to 40 people per minute.
Where the use of wheelchairs is foreseeable, the width should be at least 800
mm. A doorway of no less than 1 metre width is suitable for up to 80 people per
minute. For larger numbers the width should be increased by 75 mm for every
additional 15 people.
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When calculating the suitability of exits, assume that the largest door from any
part of the workplace may be unavailable for use. The remaining exits must meet
the above requirements
Rooms within Rooms
Situations should be avoided in which the occupants of a room have no
alternative escape route apart from escape through an outer room. The
exception to this is where the people in the inner room are made aware of fires in
the outer room by means of automatic fire detection or vision panels.
Corridors
Corridors should generally be 1 metre wide although wheelchair users will need
1.2 metres. Long corridors should be subdivided by close-fitting, self-closing fire
doors (every 30 metres or every 45 metres in offices and factories).
Where there is means of escape in only one direction, or where a corridor serves
sleeping accommodation, it should be a protected route (i.e. constructed of fireresisting partitions and self-closing doors).
Stairways
Stairways should be of sufficient width for the number of people who are likely to
use them and should not normally be less than 1 metre wide (unless only ever
likely to be used by only a few people who are familiar with the escape route).
Where there is more than one stairway, it must be calculated that should the
widest one become unusable, the remaining stairway(s) must be sufficient to
provide a satisfactory escape route for everyone. This may not be necessary if
the stairways are reached through protected lobbies or where other precautions
such as sprinklers are provided.
Stairways should normally be protected by fire-resisting partitions and fireresisting, self-closing doors (except toilet doors) and lead directly to an exit from
the building. Unprotected stairways may be acceptable in medium/low risk
situations provided that:
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the stairways do not link more than two floors and those floors are not
linked to another floor by an unprotected stairway
the unprotected stairway is in addition to that required for escape
purposes
no escape route from a dead end situation on an upper floor passes the
access to such a stairway.
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In low or normal fire risk workplaces, a single stairway may be adequate,
provided that people on each floor are within the appropriate travel distance. A
single stairway should also:
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be constructed as a protected stairway and serve no more than three
floors above, or one floor below, ground level
be accessed, other than on the top floor, by means of a protected lobby or
protected corridor
be of sufficient width to accommodate the number of people who may
need to use it in an emergency
lead directly to open air.
Unprotected single stairways may be satisfactory in small, low/medium risk
workplaces, provided that:
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the stairway provides access between the ground and first floor and/or
ground floor and basement only, and an exit can be reached from any part
of those floors within the escape distances given earlier for single escape
routes
access to the stairway is clearly visible from any part of the floor it serves
and it exits not more than 6 metres from a storey exit leading to open air at
ground level.
Means of Escape for Use by Staff
Non-conventional escape routes such as revolving doors, window exits, wicket
doors and gates etc are not acceptable as means of escape for members of the
public. They may, in certain circumstances, be used by a small number of staff
who are trained to do so or use the exits as normal access.
Escape Routes through Open Floor Areas
Clear passageways must be maintained to all escape routes in rooms to which
the public has access. This may be achieved through the arrangements of the
contents of the room but may require defining by means of floor markings etc.
Keeping Escape Routes Fire Clear of Hazards and Obstructions
Escape route corridors and stairways must be kept clear of items that could
present a fire hazard or obstruction. It is particularly important that items such as
the following are not located in protected routes, corridor’s stairways or stairwells
that serve as the only means of escape:
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upholstered furniture
portable heaters
LPG cylinders
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oil fuelled heaters
heaters with unprotected naked flames or radiant bars
lighting using naked flames
gas boilers, pipes or other fittings (except those permitted in the standards
supporting the building regulations and installed in accordance with the
Gas Safety Regulations)
gaming or vending machines
electrical equipment (other than normal lighting, emergency escape
lighting, fire alarm systems, or equipment associated with security
systems), e.g. photocopiers, shredders.
Fire Exit Doors
Doors through which people have to pass in order to escape from the workplace
should open in the direction of travel where:
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more than 50 people may have to use the door
the door is at the foot of a stairway
the door is part of the escape route from a high fire risk area
the door is on an exit route from a building used for public assembly, such
as a place of entertainment, exhibition hall or conference centre.
Doors must be capable of being opened easily without the use of a key at all
times when the workplace is occupied. Outward opening exit doors which have to
be kept fastened when the building is occupied should have a single release
device such as a panic latch, panic bolt or push pad.
Security devices such as glass bolts are unsuitable for buildings used by the
public and should only be used where staff have been instructed in the method of
operation. Operating instructions should be displayed and any tools (e.g.
hammers) needed for safe operation must be provided.
Fire Doors
Fire doors (i.e. doors provided to resist the spread of fire or smoke) must be fitted
with self-closing devices and marked ‘Fire Door-Keep Shut’. Fire doors to
cupboards and service ducts etc need not be self-closing provided that they are
kept locked and labelled ‘Fire Door-Keep Locked Shut’.
Self closing fire doors may be held open by means of automatic door release
mechanisms provided they are either connected into a manually operated
electrical fire alarm system, or are actuated by smoke detectors on each side of
the door.
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Where such mechanisms are provided, it must be possible to releases them
manually and they must be released in the event of a power failure to the door
mechanism. Such doors should be marked ‘Automatic Fire Door-Keep Clear’.
Emergency Escape and Fire Exit Signs
Fire safety signs (with pictogram and directional arrow) complying with the Health
and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations must be clearly displayed to
indicate emergency escape routes and exit doors that are not in common use.
Exit doors that are commonly used as the normal means of access need not be
marked except in special circumstances such as places of public assembly.
Emergency Escape Lighting
Sufficient lighting is necessary for people to see their way to safety and to locate
fire fighting equipment and alarm call-points. Emergency escape lighting may be
needed where there is insufficient natural light or light from other sources such as
streetlights or unaffected lighting circuits. Emergency lighting should function on
the failure of normal lighting.
Emergency lighting may also be needed for other safety reasons such as the
safe shutdown of machinery.
Fire Fighting Equipment
There are three main types of fire extinguishing systems:
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portable extinguishers (hand held or on a wheeled trolley)
hose reels and fire blankets
fixed Installations (sprinkler, foam spray and gas flood systems).
Portable Extinguishers
All workplaces should be provided with suitable means by which people in the
premises can fight fire. Portable extinguishers enable suitably trained people to
tackle a fire in its early stages, provided they can do so without putting
themselves in danger. It is essential that the correct type of extinguisher is
selected for the nature of the materials likely to be found in the workplace.
The type, capacity, number and positioning of fire extinguishers can be
determined with reference to BS/EN/ISO standards.
Classes of Fire
Fires are classified in BS/EN/ISO standards as shown on following page:
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Class A
Class C
Fires involving solid
materials where
combustion takes place
with the formation of
glowing embers.
(e.g. wood, paper etc).
Fires involving
flammable liquids or
liquefiable solids.
(e.g. paints, oils or fats)
Fires involving gases.
Class D
Fires involving metals.
Class F
Fires involving cooking
oil or fat.
Class B
Water or foam
extinguishers. Multipurpose powder can
also be used.
Foam (including
aqueous film forming
foam), carbon dioxide
or dry powder.
Dry powder may be
used, but the risk form
unburnt gas should be
considered. Stopping
the leak is usually
preferable.
Should be extinguished
only by specially
trained persons using
special equipment.
Special extinguishers
should be used.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are colour coded. For extinguishers manufactured to the pre1997 code, the entire body of the extinguisher will be colour coded; these
extinguishers are still acceptable for use. Since 1997 all new extinguishers
should be red with a 5% colour coded zone panel.
Water (red colour coded panel)
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suitable for class A fires (which are the most common)
should not be used on liquid, electrical or metal fires
Carbon dioxide / CO2 (black colour coded panel)
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suitable for electrical and liquid fires
should not be used on metal fires
Halon (green colour coded panel)
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suitable for any type of fire but will be banned except for defined essential
uses after 31 December 2003 due to their ozone depletion effects
Foam (cream colour coded panel)
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suitable for use on flammable liquid (class B) fires
should not be used on metal fires.
Powder (blue colour coded panel)
Various types of powder are available, but the standard (multipurpose)
extinguisher:
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suitable for liquid and fires involving live electrical equipment or circuits
should not be used on metal fires.
Wet Chemical Foam (yellow colour coded panel)
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designed for hot oil or cooking fat fires
Siting of Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be sited at conspicuous locations on escape routes,
preferably near exit doors. Generally there should be one extinguisher (usually
water) for every 200 metres of floor-space. This means that an extinguisher will
be located within approximately 30m of any point in the building. Extinguishers
should be mounted on wall brackets or suitable baseplates (i.e. not on the floor).
Extinguishers are heavy so the handle should be at a convenient height, not
more than 1.1m above the floor.
Hose Reels and Fire Blankets
Hose reels, where provided, should be located in corridors or other conspicuous,
accessible locations.
Fire blankets, used by trained staff, are suitable for extinguishing small fires in
containers (e.g. cooking oils and fats) and fires involving clothing.
Fixed Installations
Sprinkler systems
In complex buildings, or where it is necessary to protect the means of escape
and/or the property or contents of the building, it may be necessary, in
consultation with insurers, to consider sprinkler systems.
Sprinkler systems are designed to prevent the spread of fire, protecting buildings
from extensive damage and also reducing the risk of loss of life from fires. A grid
of water pipes incorporating spray heads (usually at ceiling level) is installed in
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vulnerable areas such as where combustible materials are stored. Such
installations are common in large open plan buildings where
compartmentalisation is not practicable. The spray heads are usually held closed
by glass bulbs designed to burst at a given temperature.
Flood systems
Flood systems are sometimes installed in on critical installations such as
electrical sub-stations and computer rooms. Cylinders of fire extinguishing gases
(usually carbon di-oxide) are released automatically when fire or smoke is
detected. Since such a release could be harmful (fatal in the case of carbon dioxide) arrangements must be made for the systems to be disabled when the
protected areas are occupied.
Maintenance and Testing of Fire Precautions and Equipment
All equipment provided to safeguard the safety of employees in the workplace,
e.g. fire doors and fire fighting equipment, should be inspected and maintained
by a competent person in accordance with the relevant BS/ENO/ISO standard
and with manufacturer’s recommendations. Records should be kept of all
inspections and tests. A summary of the inspections to be carried out and the
relevant frequencies is given below.
Daily Checks
Checks should be carried out to ensure that:
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the fire detection/alarm control panel shows that all electrical detection
and alarm systems are operating normally, or indicated faults are recorded
and dealt with
emergency lighting systems (including signs) are working normally or
defects recorded and dealt with
all emergency escape routes are clear of obstruction and free of slipping
and tripping hazards and available for use when the premises are
occupied
all doors on escape routes operate freely so that they can be opened
quickly in an emergency
self-closing devices and automatic door holders/releases work correctly
and that each door closes completely (flexible edge seals should be
capable of providing an effective smoke seal)
exit and directional signs are correctly positioned and can be seen at all
times
all fire extinguishers are in position, have not been discharged, are at the
correct pressure (if provided with visible indication) and are free of obvious
damage
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Summary of periodic inspections
Equipment
Fire detection and fire warning
systems including self-contained
smoke alarms and manually
operated devices.
Frequency
Weekly
Annually
Emergency lighting equipment
including self-contained units and
torches.
Weekly
Monthly
Annually
Fire fighting equipment
Weekly
Annually
Action
Check all systems for
state of repair and
operation. Repair or
replace defective units.
Test operation of systems,
self-contained alarms and
manually operated
devices.
Full check and test of the
system by competent
service engineer. Clean
self-contained smoke
alarms and change
batteries.
Operate torches and
replace batteries as
required. Repair or
replace any defective unit.
Check all systems, units
and torches for state of
repair and apparent
working order.
Full check and test of
systems and units by
competent service
engineers. Replace
batteries in torches.
Check all extinguishers
including hose reels for
correct installation and
apparent working order.
Full check and test by
competent service
engineers.
Where automatic sprinklers or other fire fighting systems are installed, they
should be tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. They
should also be serviced annually by a competent person.
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Disabled Persons
The Disability Discrimination Act applies to most workplaces and
requires employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their premises to ensure
that no employee is at a disadvantage. This would include provision for disabled
persons to leave the premises safely in the event of fire. Consideration should
also be given to the needs of disabled employees (and others who have access)
when developing fire safety arrangements and emergency procedures.
Means of escape for disabled persons in new or altered buildings is provided for
in building regulations and, in existing buildings, by fire safety legislation.
BS/EN/ISO standards detail guidance for most buildings.
Use of Lifts as Means of Escape
Whereas normal lifts should not be used in the event of fire, where provided, firefighting lifts and evacuation lifts specially designed for the purpose (as described
in BS/EN/ISO standards) may be used.
Refuges
Since some disabled persons may not be able to use stairs without assistance, it
may be necessary to provide refuges* on all storeys. This should be done in
consultation with the local fire authority.
*A refuge is an area that provides a temporary safe space for disabled people to
wait for others to help them to evacuate without obstructing the exit route. A
refuge must therefore be separated from the fire by fire resisting construction
have access via a safe route to a storey exit.
Assisting Wheelchair Users and others with Impaired Mobility
Evacuation plans should consider how wheelchair users and others with impaired
mobility could be assisted. Where people with disabilities may need to be carried
down stairs, consideration should be given to training some able bodied staff in
correct lifting methods.
Assisting people with Impaired Vision
Fire instructions should be printed with a sufficiently large, clear typeface so that
they can be read by individuals with some vision impairment. Staff with impaired
vision should be familiarised with escape routes. In evacuation, a sighted person
should lead visually impaired members of staff to safety.
Assisting persons with Impaired Hearing
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Where members of staff or the public are known to have impairment that would
make it difficult for them to hear the alarm, other members of staff should be
given responsibility for alerting the individual concerned. Provision should be
made for cover in their absence.
Assisting people with Learning Difficulties or Mental Illness
Staff with learning difficulties or mental illness must be told what to do in the
event of fire. Arrangements must be made to ensure that they are assisted and
reassured in a fire situation and are accompanied to a place of safety. They
should not be left unattended.
Records
Records should be kept of the following:
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risk assessments undertaken
inspection and testing of:
o fire/smoke detectors
o alarms and alarm systems
o emergency lighting
o extinguishers and extinguishing systems
o training provided
o evacuation drills.
Further Information
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Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
Fire Risk Assessment Guidance (Sector specific titles) HM Government
Disability Discrimination Act
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations.
The above guidelines provide advice on the statutory requirement for fire
precautions in the workplace. However, they should not be construed as an exact
interpretation of legislative requirements.
For additional information, Please contact the Safety Office or Estates
Department.
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