Fire safety equipment weekly checklist for community service organisations August 2015 Fire safety equipment Weekly checklist This checklist must be used weekly to verify that the fire safety equipment does not have any obvious damage that may prevent it from functioning appropriately in an emergency. Any ‘Action Required’ must be reported to maintenance or fire equipment maintenance contractor as required by regional process. File completed checklist for reference. Tick or mark the appropriate box as you check each item. Should the item being checked appear to be damaged or you are unsure that its condition appears normal, mark the “action required” box and report the item to the maintenance company on the designated emergency call number. Fire Extinguishers For the extinguisher to be classified as being in the “ready to use” condition: each fire extinguisher should be fitted with a safety pin and security tie the indicator needle should be in the green section Sprinkler Heads A damaged sprinkler head may not operate correctly by: Not operating immediately if it is damaged Not resisting water pressure fluctuations Over a period of time, or when there is a sudden increase in water pressure, the sprinkler head seal may fail and begin to slowly leak or fully operate spraying water into the room. Therefore it is important that any obvious damage is reported so a technician can check the sprinkler head. Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms with obvious damage will not function or work correctly, which means they may not detect smoke or alert occupants External Sprinkler Control Cabinet The external sprinkler control cabinet is a switchboard type metal cabinet located either at the front or side of the building. Reading and recording the water pressure on the gauge on the checklist will assist with monitoring water supply pressure to the sprinkler system. Should the pressure vary beyond predetermined limits, action can then be taken to upgrade the water supply. These measurements are taken over an extended period of time. Name of document 1 Visual inspection Site Address Date Checked by (print name) 1. Smoke Alarms 2. Fire Indicator Panel Checked Action required Checked Action required All smoke alarms appear to be mounted correctly No obvious damage or missing smoke alarms Green indicator light is on all smoke alarms No fault lights on, on the alarm panel Testing the Smoke Alarms, staff should randomly test at least 4 smoke alarms individually by depressing the smoke alarm test button once. This test is done to ensure that they work correctly. Test the alarm Interlink -by holding down the test button on any smoke alarm for more than 3 seconds (this is to check if all other smoke alarms operate simultaneously when any one smoke alarm has been activated). 3. Sprinkler Heads 4. External Sprinkler Control Cabinet Checked Action required Sprinkler heads have at least 500mm clearance around them Sprinkler heads free of unrelated attachments or decorations No obvious damage to the sprinkler heads or exposed pipe work No sign of water leaking from any sprinkler heads Flat or conical disk concealing a sprinkler head has not been damaged or dislodged Water pressure Top Gauge = Bottom gauge = Checked Action required Open the cabinet using the “003” coded key No loose or disconnected wires No obvious damage or water leaking Record the water pressure indicated on the pressure gauge in the designated record book or on this checklist. Note: If there are two pressure gauges, they should both indicate the same pressure, if either gauge is indicating more than the other, report the pressures to Maintenance or fire equipment contractor. 5. Exits and Exit Paths Checked 6. Evacuation Packs Action required Internal All paths to exits are clear, not obstructed or restricted Exit doors are easy to open. (i.e. doors do not jam ) Designated primary and secondary exit doors are openable from inside without a key (not applicable if door strikes fitted to these doors). Door hardware to be checked weekly OR complete date last checked here: Checked Action required Evacuation pack located in designated location Contents and information on people is current Contents checklist signed Current evacuation floor plans and fire orders notices displayed. Plans and notices either to be checked weekly or complete date last checked here (to be not more than 3 months prior) External There are no obstructions or hazards along the path which may hinder or injure persons evacuating Paths to the designated assembly areas are clear and easy to follow Name of document 2 7. Fire Prevention – Housekeeping 8. Fire Extinguisher Checked Checked Action required Internal Rubbish is stored and disposed of in appropriate containers until removed Paper or clothing is not allowed to accumulate inside (eg newspaper allowed to stack up, piles of clothing stored in rooms, etc) Designated walkways and passages are clear Smoking items stored appropriately and ashtrays emptied and cleaned regularly Combustible materials are kept away from hot elements (eg tea towels kept away from the stove) Lint filters on dryers clean Action required Fire extinguisher/s located in their designated location and securely mounted Fire extinguisher/s easily obtainable in an emergency Fire extinguisher has the safety pin and security tie intact. Indicator needle on the gauge in the green sector External Garden is maintained so it is not overgrown 9. Fire Blanket Checked Action required Fire blanket is securely mounted in its designated position Fire blanket easily obtainable in an emergency No obvious damage to the fire blanket The fire blanket has not been used Note Fire Blanket and bag should only be checked externally and blanket should not be removed from the bag To receive this publication in an accessible format, email fireriskmanagement@dhhs.vic.gov.au Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. © State of Victoria, August 2015. Available at http://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/our-organisation/organisational-structure/ourgroups/fire-risk-management-unit Name of document 3