The University of Central Lancashires Media Factory - Fire Safety Management - Case Study Example

Please see edited floor plans I uploaded. Please just send a message if you need anything. Thanks! Fire Safety Management Plan Media Factory, University of Central Lancashire Table of Contents Contents Contents 2 1. Introduction The University of Central Lancashire’s Media Factory was opened in 2008 to provide students with means to develop their talent and help new businesses to grow. The Media Factory offers studio space, offices and high tech areas, theatre halls, art cinema, publishing house, and a number of small business spaces. As a consultant engaged in the preparation of fire safety management plan for the Media Factory, the first consideration is given to laws applicable to such as premises which in this case in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and a number of guiding documents. These include application of required fire safety practices specified by the guiding documents for educational premises, large places of assembly, open air events and venues, and means of escape for disable people. 2. Fire Safety Policy Statement Fire in the new Media Factory building can have a devastating effect thus fire safety is being given the utmost importance particularly in complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that came into force in 2006. This fire safety management plan takes into account the most realistic steps to protect occupants and those in the vicinity of the building from the harmful effects of fire. These include ensuring that fire hazards in the building are removed or reduced to acceptable level, appropriate fire protection measures are in place, and evacuation procedures are correct and understood by all concern. Moreover, to ensure the validity and reliability of the fire safety management plan, audit and updating will be conducted particularly when there are alterations or modifications that can greatly affect existing fire safety measures. 3. Fire Safety Management Structure The fire safety management structure will be headed by the head of the school who will ensure that fire safety responsibility is delegated to senior management below. Deans – allocated resources for members of the evacuation team and fire marshals HR Director – development and implementation of this fire safety management plan Head of Services – ensure availability of building services personnel Fire Marshalls – implement evacuation and carry out duties according to evacuation strategy Head of Health and Safety – ensure fire risk assessment is conducted and provide advice on fire safety Head of Property Service – ensure regular maintenance of fire safety equipment and ensure work identified in the risk assessment is implemented. 4. Evacuation Strategies The success of fire evacuation depends on the quality of escape route and fire safety measures in place (HM Government- Means of Escape for Disabled, 2007, p.4) thus this selective or phased evacuation strategy (see floor plans for details) take into the account the adequacy of means of escape and the circumstances of those who will escape. These include visitors and disable people who need to overcome physical barriers (HM Government- Means of Escape for Disabled, 2007, p.7). Provide PEEP (Personal Evacuation Plan) system for employees and visitors, refuge enclosed with fire-resistant structure, reduce travel distance, ensure escape routes are adequate to the estimated maximum number of people in the building in a certain time, provision of escape signs, raise awareness and provide training for people that will assist in the evacuation, and conduct regular fire evacuation drills (HM Government- Educational Premises, p.108). 5. Emergency Response The emergency response will be in line with the evacuation strategy and will be executed by the Emergency Response Team or ERT who will ensure safety of occupants in case a fire broke out. These include alerting occupants, prevent people from entering the building, operate the fire alarm system, and undertaking regular training and evacuation drills. If a major fire broke out, these procedures should be followed (HM Government- Open Air Events and Venues, 2007, p.65). Report the incident to Fire and Rescue Service and ERT Leader Activate alarm and notify occupants Activate emergency lighting Proceed with the evacuation plan Attend to medical emergencies (if any) and assist individuals with disabilities 6. Fire Alarm and Detection Fire alarm and detection include installation of automatic fire detection, manual call points (see floor plans for details) near the exist, electronic sirens, voice alarms, visual beacons, and vibrating devices for people with hearing difficulties. University buildings should be equipped with sophisticated form of warning (HM Government-Educational Premises, 2007, p.23) thus it should have an alarm receiving centre, alarms are loud enough for everyone in building to hear, schematic plan displayed in strategic locations, a control and indicator panel (HM Government-Educational Premises, 2007, p.56). False alarms should minimal and this can be done following BS 5839-1 recommendations, implementing a staged alarm system, installation of protective cover around call points, placing call points in areas where it can be supervised, and so on (HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, p.57). 7. Sprinkler System Sprinkler system can very effective in controlling growth of fire, minimise the number of necessary portable extinguishers required, and reduce insurance premiums (HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, p.61). Installation of sprinkler system is therefore recommended for critical areas in the building (see floor plans for details). It should comply with BS EN 12845 and BS 5306-2 and installed by certified contractor. It should be maintained properly and supported by spare parts such as sprinkler bulbs to ensure good working order (HM Government-Educational Premises, 2007, p. 62). 8. Fire Prevention and Arson Awareness In terms of fire prevention, dangerous substances particularly those that are highly flammable should be handled and stored safely. Storing these materials in locked storage areas minimise the chances of arson attack as they cannot be use for such purpose. Employees must be aware of fire risk and encourage taking precautions when dealing with flammable materials and being vigilant with arson attack. A fire risk assessment should be conducted to indentify, remove, and reduce ignition sources such as smoking materials, improperly maintained office equipment, arson attack on external rubbish bins or open storage (HM Government, 2007, p.17). 9. Routine Procedures for Staff Aside from regular test and maintenance of fire safety equipment, staff should be aware of routine fire safety procedures. These include being fully aware of any restrictions, daily checks of obstructions in the escape route, check fire warning systems if indicator panel is working correctly, check exit signs and inventory of fire extinguishers. Staff should routinely test manual call point on a weekly basis and condition of other fire safety warning and safety measures (HM Government, 2007, p. 118). 10. Selection and Control of Materials Result of fire risk assessment will enable the reduction and control of indentified fire hazards including waste material, materials with potential for ignition such as glue and other flammable liquids, display lighting that are close to combustible display material, damaged electrical equipment or wiring, minimise quantity of stored flammable materials, management and control of materials entering the premises particularly those that can enhance fire growth (HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, p. 109). 11. Decoration, alterations, and extensions Flammable decorations particularly those that are placed near lights and electrical equipment should be avoided. Similarly, alterations should not affect fire-resisting construction of escape routes, compartmentation, and other fire safety measures. Consider the effects of wear and tear in the surface finishing and notify the Fire and Rescue Service of any plan for extension (HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, p.112). 12. Staff Training and Fire Drills Staff training and drills are important elements of the fire safety management plan thus staff particularly those that are assigned in the emergency team must have proper training and participate in evacuation drills. Based on the fire risk assessment, the fire safety training should include familiarities with actions that will be undertaken in the event of fire and mitigating measures to control and handle the effects of fire. They should also be aware of the details regarding the emergency plan, fire prevention measures, proper reporting of fire incident, the location of exit routes and absolute place of safety, and operating exit or warning devices (HM Government, 2007, p. 114). 13. Fire Risk Assessments Fire risk assessment not only identifies fire related issues but help ensure that fire prevention measures and safety procedure will work properly (HM Government – Educational Premises, 2007, p. 11). Therefore, a practical and systematic fire risk assessment should be conducted and identify sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen. It should also include identifying people that are most at risk and evaluation of the likelihood of fire occurrence. The result should be able to recommend the necessary detection and warning system, fire fighting equipment, escape routes, lighting, signs and notices, and maintenance. Moreover, it should result to a realistic and well-coordinated emergency plan. It should be reviewed regularly and revised when necessary (HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, p.13). 14. Recordkeeping In order to comply with fire safety law, details of fire protection equipment maintenance, test results of escape routes, fire exit locking mechanism, fire warning systems, lighting, fire extinguishers, fire drills, and so on must be recorded and kept in the management office (HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, p.108). Records should be in the format readily understandable and include details of findings, actions taken, any alterations, repair, results of safety audits, incidents and circumstances relevant to the safety of the occupants and subsequent actions or arrangements taken in order to mitigate the fire safety problem (HM Government- Large Places of Assembly, 2007, p.114). 15. Audit and Updating of this Fire Safety Management Plan Alongside the fire risk assessment, an audit of this fire safety management plan is necessary to ensure that it is working correctly and performing according to the needs of the building and its occupants. Audit of this fire safety management ensure identification of fire safety impact of changes in the premises and updating of existing provisions. It should be reviewed regularly to ensure its validity and practicality in meeting fire safety requirements of the building particularly when new hazards are introduced or significant changes have been made in the structure and material composition of the building. Audit should be done on a regular basis and updated following new fire safety requirements. 16. References and Bibliography HM Government- Educational Premises, 2007, Educational Premises, Department for Communities and Local Government Publications, UK HM Government- Large Places of Assembly, 2007, Large Places of Assembly, Department for Communities and Local Government Publications, UK HM Government- Means of Escape for Disabled People, 2007, Means of Escape for Disabled People, Department for Communities and Local Government Publications, UK HM Government- Open Air Events and Venues, 2007, Open Air Events and Venues, Department for Communities and Local Government Publications, UK Read More