Importance of Fire Safety Management at the Gym - Assignment Example

FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN (Author’s name) (Institutional Affiliation) Outline I Introduction II Fire safety management policy statement III Fire safety management structure IV Evacuation strategy V Emergency response VI Fire alarm and detection VII Sprinkler system VIII Routine procedures for staff IX Maintenance of testing of fire safety systems X Decorations and alteration and extensions XI Staff training and drills XII Fire risk assessments XIII Record keeping XIV Audit and updating of this manual XV Bibliography I. Introduction Fire accidents can be castratrophic leading to loss of human lives and financial losses in terms of damage to property, loss of business, fines and compensation claims (Miller & Miller 2006). Fire safety management plan includes mitigating outbreaks of fire (Dailey, 2000). This fire management plan is meant to be used by students, staff and members of public who will use Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre (STFSC). II. Fire safety policy statement The University of Central Lancashire recognizes the importance of fire risk assessment in order to safeguard the lives of students, staff and members of public who use Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre. This policy is developed in line with the regulatory reform fire safety order 2005 – RR FS O guidelines published by Department of Communities and Local Government. III. Fire safety management structure In order to ensure that the STFSC has an effective fire safety management plan it is important to have person(s) responsible/involved in the process of planning and implementation of the fire safety management plan as follows. a) Vice chancellor/University Board The University board as employing authority will monitor and bear legal responsibility for fire safety compliance. Their responsibility is to ensure that; i. Resources are available for planning and implementation of fire safety strategy ii. Fire safety programs are agreed and discussed with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services b) The Director of Facilities Management is responsible for; i. Availing budget provision for maintenance works ii. Allocate funds for risk assessment and fire safety training for staff iii. Avail funds for maintenance of fire alarm, detection and extinguishing systems c) The Development and Maintenance Manager will ensure that; i. Fire risk assessments are undertaken to identify fire hazards and find ways of reducing the risk ii. Consultations are done with relevant fire management when planning for refurbishment or structural alteration iii. Fire systems are maintained and tested by competent technicians iv. Building plan showing fire escape routes and fire systems is updated and well displayed v. Proper records are kept detailing inspection and test records of all equipment d) The accommodation, Buildings and grounds manager will ensure that; i. Appointment of a STFSC staff as Emergency Incident Manager responsible for implementing fire safety plans and evacuation procedures for the centre ii. In conjuction with centre’s emergency incident manager conduct periodic evacuation drills iii. Any flammable waste is not stored in escape routes in the sports centre by cleaners or contractors iv. Weekly checks of escape routes in the sports Centre to ensure that corridors, stair way and fire doors/exits are clear of any obstacles v. The centre is provided with security staff who are trained to respond to fire incidnces e) Emergency Incident Manager will be directly responsible for planning and implementing fire safety programs at the center and ensuring that; i. Appointment of fire marshals to assist in implementing fire safety programs ii. Compliance in risk assessment and review to be conducted iii. The center has an up to date fire safety plans iv. Availability of an evacuation procedure, fire drill and fire safety training IV. Evacuation strategies The following guidelines should be adhered to during an evacuation; a) On discovery of fire proceed to safety and pull the nearest fire alarm and shout ‘Fire!’ to alert other occupants (Miller& Miller 2006). b) Remain calm and walk towards the nearest emergency exit (Walsh 2012). c) Check for heat presence before exit any door and if the door handle feels hot proceed to the next emergency exit (Grice 2008). d) Close all doors as you leave but do not lock (Eskell 2000). e) Proceed to assembly area once out of the building and await head count (Tondon 2008). f) Do not return to the building unless authorized or are part of fire safety team (Furness & Muckett 2007). V. Emergency response Emergency plan will be developed after undertaking fire risk assessment as this will ensure a plan of action to safely evacuate occupants of the premises following a fire outbreak. The plan should be shared with people at risk including and relevant authorities. The plan will give clear and simple instructions in English on fire safety arrangements, fire risk assessment and actions to be undertaken in an emergency situation. VI. Fire alarm and detection In line with governing large places of assembly- Section 2 Further guidance on fire detection and warning systems- the STFSC will be expected to be installed with electrical fire warning system with indicator, flashing electric alarm signals and have manual call points. The manual call points are to be placed at least 1.4 m from the floor reachable to people on wheel chairs. The system may also include a voice message warning occupants of building of impending danger. The system will have a master control located at the reception area with a repeater panel placed at an accessible location in each floor where fire marshals can easily monitor. Back up in cases of breakdown of the electric system will include: i. Training of staff members as fire marshals to man all the floors of the center. The marshals will be provided with alternatives like whistles, gongs and air horns to alert occupants of the building of any danger. ii. The fire marshals will also be expected to evoke hand signals to alert people especially in areas with background noise like the fitness studio on 1st floor. iii. The marshals will also be instrumental in alerting and guiding people with hearing difficulties. Visual beacons will also be installed so as to alert those with hearing difficulties. The fire alarm systems schematics for the center will be strategically displayed next to the control panel for ease of reference. Automatic fire detection will be installed in isolated areas of the building and connected to the control panel. The system is to be installed by a reputable service provider who will carry out regular maintenance and test. Scheduled maintenance and testing will be undertaken on weekly basis. The control panel and its indicators will be checked by Emergency Incident Manager or appointed persons every day before beginning operations at the sports center. Members of staff and other occupants of the center should be informed of the maintenance routine to avoid panic movements. Records of maintenance and tests undertaken should be kept in order. Backup power supply system will be installed to ensure the electric fire alarm and detection system are running for 24 hours in case of disruption of power supply as per Health and Safety (Safety Signs And Signals) Regulations 1996. VII. Fire prevention and arson awareness The following will be observed in as measures of fire prevention and arson awareness. i. All combustible materials should be properly stored and clearly marked ‘Combustible Material’. The storage area containing combustible material will be built of fire resisting material to avoid rapid fire growth. The store keeper will keep the doors locked at all times and ensure that the storage area is well arranged, displayed and record of all materials in the store is well displayed. ii. Relevant documents will be typed and stored in softcopy to avoid accumulation of papers in the center iii. There will be clearly marked designated areas of smoking outside the center. ‘No Smoking’ signs will be placed visibly in the center to deter smoking in the center. iv. Cleaners will be expected to regularly check the floor area to ensure that no littering inside and outside the center. Collection bins will be placed at strategic locations free from obstructing corridors and exit points. Collected litter should be disposed off regularly to avoid accumulation of same. v. All electrical training equipment will be installed by competent persons who will ensure that the equipment is guarded against overloading and short circuits. An electric engineer will schedule regular inspection to ensure all electrical equipment meets requirement as per Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The following measures will be put in place to check on arson threats; i. All small fires incidences will be investigated and recorded to ascertain cause and prevention measures put in place to deter same from occuring. ii. Entry points should be secured and respective staff, students and public users of the center will be screened on entry. iii. Staff and users of the center should be informed on importance of being vigil and report any intruders or suspicious characters to relevant authority. iv. Combustible and flammable items should be stowed ion a secure location away from the public. v. The premises will be mounted with security lights to ensure it is well lit. vi. Rubbish bins should be placed at least 6 meters from the wall of the premises or secured in a separate compound. vii. Proper housekeeping rules should be observed by ensuring that all combustible litter is removed regularly. vi. All escape roués will be established and kept in good condition from obstruction VIII. Routine procedures for staff Clear instructions are to be given to staff on need to observe fire safety to in order to reduce risk of fire incidences. The instructions need to be reviewed with new working practices and introduction of new hazardous substance in the center. The following tasks need to be checked routinely; a) Cleaners to check for litter and clear same immediately when discovered b) Place hazardous material in proper storage at all times c) Clear corridors and exit routes of any obstacles for safe evacuation d) Removing security locks on exit doors at the start of business IX. Maintenance and testing of fire systems The center will be installed with appropriate and adequate firefighting equipment for different classes of fire. a) Portable fire systems Portable fire extinguishers will require annual maintenance by a certified technician who will inspect and carry out a hydrostatic test (Grimaldi & Simonds 2009). b) Fixed fighting installations Hydrants shall be maintained annually by running water fully for at least a minute to dislodge foreign particles (Maguire 2006). Hose reels should be checked regularly for damages which could lead to leaks. Sprinkler systems should be tested for 30 minutes each week by a competent technician who will check pressure gauge, anti-freezing device, water supply system and automatic booster pumps. X. Decorations, Alterations and Extensions Fire risk assessment should be carried out before placing decorations in the premises as this may increase the risk of igniting and spread of fire. Decorations that are hazardous should not be placed along escape corridors and exits. Fabrics used for various purposes should be non-combustible and should not be placed along escape routes. Fire risk assessments should also be carried out before undertaking building works or alteration. Consultations should be held with the contractors to assess fire safety risks that will occur as a result of building works and mitigating measures to be put in place. XI. Staff training and fire drills All staff working at the STFSC will be expected to undergo fire safety training with scheduled refresher courses. Staff will receive various levels of training depending on level of responsibility and fire safety management structure. The trainings are aimed at familiarizing staff on STFSC fire safety management plan for effective implementation of the procedures incase of fire accident. Training will cover general safety briefing, evacuation plan, location and use of firefighting equipment, fire risk assessment, operation of exit devices and procedures of guiding the disabled. Training will be conducted for all new staff and also when renovations or alterations are made to the building structure. Fire drills will be conducted as a means of ensuring effectiveness of trainings conducted on fire safety. This can be conducted at least once a year or depending on fire risk assessment recommendations. The drill should have possible objectives. The drill should be planned such that all participants are aware of their roles during the exercise. Relevant firefighting and emergency crew in the area should be informed of the exercise to avoid unnecessary response. Appointed observers of the drill with the person(s) responsible for fire safety management will debrief and record necessary information on crowd response to the drill. Recommendations should be addressed and incorporated in the fire management plan. XII. Fire risk assessments Fire risk assessment entails the identification of fire hazards, looking into ways of reducing exposure to fire incidents and putting in place measures that will safeguard occupants of the premises in case of fire incident. Fire risk assessment should be an ongoing exercise carried out regularly and records kept up to date. The following steps will be considered whenever undertaking fire risk assessment; a) Identification of fire hazards This entails identifying potential items that can be a source of ignition, fuel and oxygen for a fire to occur. The items should be recorded with the specific locations. b) Identification of those who are at risk in case there is a fire including staff, contracted service maintenance crew who make regular visits, students and public members. In cases of emergency the following people should be given extra attention; i. Disabled persons ii. Cleaners and security guards who work in isolated areas iii. Visitors who are unfamiliar with the center iv. People operating next to the vicinity of the center c) Evaluation of risk of fire occurrence and putting in place mitigating measures to contain the impending danger. This will also include removing or reducing hazards around the premises which should be given priority. Potential sources of ignition should also be removed, kept away from flammable materials or replaced by a safer alternative. XIII. Record keeping Proper record keeping is of importance in fire risk assessment and development of an effective fire safety management plan. Keeping an up to-date record also serves to prove compliance with fire safety law. The following records should be kept by the person responsible for safety and health:- a) Maintenance or service records of fire prevention and fighting equipment b) Training records on fire safety drills. The records should indicate the date of training, next date of training and a list of all attendees c) Evacuation plans which give detailed action plan on evacuation procedures in case of fire. d) Plans and specifications of the structure which are essential in fire risk assessment and emergency planning. This document should contain detailed information on structural lay out of rooms, location of escape routes for the disabled, location of firefighting equipment (number and type), location of high risk areas including main electrical supply switch which ought to be shut down during a fire. The document should also indicate any recent structural changes like renovations and extensions. XIV. Audit and updating of this manual The emergency incident manager will be responsible for auditing and updating this manual. Review of this document entails a continuous process deemed necessary when; a) An incident of fire occurs b) Alterations are made to the building structure c) Firefighting installations fail to operate effectively d) Increased number of people use the premises e) Introduction of hazardous materials Audit is not limited to these reasons but any significant changes that affect safety standards should be looked into and mitigation measures incorporated in the document. XV. Bibliography DAILEY, W. (2000). A guide to fire safety management. Leicester, Perpetuity Press. ESKELL, C. (2000). Fire safety management. London, Tolley. FURNESS, A., & MUCKETT, M. (2007). Introduction to fire safety management. Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann. GRICE, A. (2008). Fire risk: fire safety and its practical application. London, Thorogood. GRIMALDI, J. V., & SIMONDS, R. H. (2009). Safety management. Homewood, IL, Irwin. MAGUIRE, R. (2006). Safety cases and safety reports meaning, motivation and management. Aldershot, England, Ashgate. MILLER, R., & MILLER, R. (2006). Fire safety management handbook. Haywards Heath, West Sussex, Tottel Pub. TONDON, S. (2008). Fire safety management. New Delhi, Arise Publishers & Distributors. WALSH, D. W. (2012). National incident management system: principles and practice. Sudbury, MA, Jones & Bartlett Learning. Read More