Trainer
Gerard McCarthy
Aims and Objectives
 To look at current fire legislation
 To identify fire prevention, precaution and
protection measures.
 To examine the role of the Fire Warden / Marshall
LEGISLATION
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)
Employers, or anyone who has control of a
workplace, have the obligation to provide:
 A means of detecting fire and raising the alarm.
 A means of escape.
 A means of fighting the fire
LEGISLATION
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005)
Employers are also obliged to carry out a fire risk
assessment of the workplace, to:
•Indentify the hazards.
•Identify persons at risk.
•Evaluate the risk.
•Record findings.
•Review the assessment regularly.
Formal Training
Employers are also required to provide formal
training in fire precautions and procedures.
Fires in the workplace commonly occur because:
•They have been started deliberately
•People are unaware or careless of the fire hazard
Compliance with Legislation
If legislation is complied with, the risk of
prosecution is lessened, but more
importantly, Fire precautions and training
saves and protects:
Lives
Property
Jobs
Fire prevention
 Equipment: only operate, service and
maintain according to manufactures
instructions, regular inspection and testing,
don’t overload extension cables, switch off and
isolate equipment which is not in use, (end of
day, holiday periods etc).
 Contractors: ensure they are safe, work is
authorised and monitored.
Fire prevention
 Good procedures: Safe working practices,
regular inspections, end of day close down
procedure, Staff training.
 Good house-keeping: clean and tidy
workplace, waste removal.
 Storage: appropriate storage areas, sufficiently
spaced, only store enough materials for
immediate operational needs.
Fire protection
 Fire Doors: not to be wedged open.
 Fire Exits: routes to remain free of obstacles,
emergency fastenings should be checked
weekly.
 Emergency Lighting: check indicator lamps
within the unit are lit. test on a monthly basis,
serviced every 6 months.
 Evacuation Signage: clearly placed on
evacuation route until final exit is reached.
Fire protection
 Alarm Systems: call points are available at all
times, ensure console indicates normal
operation on a daily basis and the system is
sounded weekly.
 Fire Fighting Equipment: must be available
at all times, weekly inspection(basic check on
tamper indicators, pressure indicator, signs of
damage, serviced on an annual basis by a
competent engineer
Fire protection
 Staff Training: all new staff to be instructed in
evacuation procedures during induction
process, then on a regular basis (at least
annually for day shift workers and quarterly for
night shift workers).
Behaviour of Fire
Heat and smoke
spreads through
upper floors
Heat and
smoke rise
up through
stairway
Smoke and
heat escape
though open
door
Fire starts in
ground floor
room
Actions to be carried out in the event of a fire
On discovery of a fire:
 Raise the alarm.
 Leave by the nearest exit (take any visitors with
you. Do not stop to pick up belongings).
 Close windows and doors behind you.
 Do not use lifts.
 Move to the assembly area immediately make
sure you are accounted for by the designated
person.
 Do not re-enter the building until all clear
has been given.
Actions to be carried out in the event of a fire
On hearing the fire alarm:
 Leave by the nearest exit (take any visitors with
you. Do not stop to pick up belongings).
 Close windows and doors behind you.
 Do not use lifts.
 Move to the assembly area immediately make
sure you are accounted for by the designated
person.
 Do not re-enter the building until all clear has
been given.
Actions to be carried out in the event of a fire
If assisting with the evacuation:
 Begin sweep of the area from the furthest point away
from your nearest exit so you are always heading
towards a place of safety.
 Check all persons have evacuated, (it is important to
check any toilet areas and individual cubicles.
 Never open a door if you suspect there may be fire
beyond it.
 Instruct any persons to evacuate immediately, usher
visitors to the exit.
Actions to be carried out in the event of a fire
 Do not delay your own evacuation if somebody
refuses to evacuate.
 Inform the designated person as soon as you
reach the assembly point.
General rules for fighting a fire
 Always raise the alarm first
 Only attempt to tackle a fire if you have
received training in the safe operation of the
fire fighting equipment and only if it is safe to
do so.
 Make sure you select the correct type of
extinguisher. Do not attempt to tackle a fire if
you are unsure what is burning or if in doubt
about using the equipment. Extinguishers are
designed for small fires in the initial stages.
General rules for fighting a fire
 Always tackle a fire from the furthest point
possible. Always have a means of escape available
to you. Do not let the fire to get between you and
a means of escape.
 If the fire continues to grow or it is too dangerous
to continue, abandon it close the door behind
you and evacuate the building.
 Report your actions to the designated person at
the assembly point.
Fire triangle
Starvation
Smother
Cooling
.
..\CIEH Programme\Level 2\Christmas Tree Fire Safety.mp4
WATER
Class ’A’ Fires
Use on:
Wood, Paper, Textiles
Do not use on;
Live electrical equipment, flammable liquids,
cooking oils or fats
Co2
Class ’B’ Fires
Use on:
Flammable liquids
Safe to use on live
electrical equipment
Do not use on;
Cooking oils or fats.
Use caution in confined space (replaces
oxygen in room)
Danger of re-ignition
DO NOT hold discharge horn
Dry Powder
Class ’A’ ‘B’ ‘C’ Fires
Use on:
Wood, Paper, Textiles,
Flammable liquids.
Gases*
Do not use on;
Cooking oils or fats.
Safe to use on live electrical
equipment
Danger of re-ignition
*Gas supply should be turned
off due to the explosive nature
of Gas
Foam (AFFF) Aqueous Film
Forming Foam Class ’A’ ‘B’ Fires
Use on:
Wood, Paper,
Textiles,
Flammable liquids.
Do not use on;
Some foam extinguishers are not suitable for
use on live electrics
Wet Chemical
Class ‘A’ ‘F’ Fires
Use on:
Wood, Paper,
Textiles,
Cooking oils and fats
Do not use on;
Live electrical equipment, Flammable
liquids
Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are made of highly fire-resistant materials. Usually
they are found in areas where there is a splash hazard of flammable
liquid. Their most anticipated use would be to throw around a
person whose clothes have caught fire, to smother the fire. Other
possible uses would be to smother a small free-standing fire, or to
wrap someone protectively who needs to pass through an inflamed
area to get to safety.
The principal duties of the fire warden are to:
•Take appropriate and effective action if a fire
occurs.
•Ensure that escape routes are available for use.
•Identify potential hazards in the workplace.
•Record and report their observations.
•Conduct a sweep of pre-designated area to
ensure occupants have evacuated.
The principal duties of the fire warden are to:
 Ensure that the alarm has been raised.
 Check that manufacturing processes have
been made safe.
 Evacuate staff from the building or area
involved.
 Check that any staff or visitors with disabilities
are assisted as planned.
 Call the reporting centre and give details of the
location, severity and cause of the fire, if known,
fight the fire if it is safe to do so.