Fire Safety Legislation - Case Study Example

Contents Page Introduction 2 Fire safety policy statement 2 Aims/Objective 2 General responsibility 3 Evacuation strategies 7 Test evacuation 8 Staff training 9 Escape routes 9 Signs 9 Record keeping 12 Arson 12 Audit and updating this manual 12 References 13 Appendix: 14 Appendix 1 14 Appendix 2 15 Appendix 3 16 Appendix 4 18 Introduction Having a comprehensive fire safety plan not only reduces uncalled for repercussions of fire but gives solution the undesired consequences. Based on this need, the regulatory reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 has been constituted to cover general fire precautions other related fire safety duties to protect relevant individuals in case of fire. With this, the report will carry analysis of the needed procedures and guidance of fire safety that might arise at Media Factory Building. Fire Safety Policy Statement In accordance with the regulatory Policy University of Central Lancashire has a mechanism that ensures safety related activities and responsibilities assigned to individuals at designated areas. Just like it is stated in articles 8 to 22 of the Fire Safety Order (2005), duties of the responsible person will protect employees, visitors, students or any other individual who might be a victim within the premise. Due to the Order (see Paragraph 5.4 (a) the University should take the responsibility of training its staff so as to deal appropriately with fire related events. Objectives/Aims a) Minimise chances of the risk of any occurrence of fire within the premise b) Reduce the spread of fire in case c) Demonstrate fire evacuation tests constantly d) Adequate fire safety training to all staff e) Regular testing of fire equipment Representative Diagram for Responsibilities Vice Chancellor The responsibility will be in accordance with articles 8 to 22 of the Fire Safety Order (2005). Being the top management of the University, the Fire Safety Order expects the vice chancellor to: a. Ensure the University institutes and apply risk assessment gadgets that are outlined in the Fire Safety Order (2005) and acceptable within the institution b. Follow up to affirm that regulatory policies are adhered to strictly to avert cases of fire breakout c. Coming up within a short and long term objectives that should be accomplished Director of Facilities Management a. Ensure that within the framework of corporate annual budget provisions, there is adequate financing of the needed maintenance. Also expected of the director in this regard is that the maintenance is in consistent with the identified strategy as stipulated in the Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order (2005) b. Allocate the needed funds to cater for assessment of risk as well as provision of requirements for fire safety training. c. Keep track of all statistics related to fire safety within the institution d. Be in liaison with managers of other departments so as to ascertain the required number of fire marshals within a given time The Development and Maintenance Manager Key responsibility of Development and Maintenance Manger are; a. Raise an alarm regarding issues that are likely to compromise smooth delivery of fire safety plan in the University’s building especially to the Safety, Health and Environment. b. Maintaining the University fire related structures. This will further ease escapes in case of fire. c. Through his/her supervision, there will be inspection and testing of the above gadgets. This is detailed in article 13, paragraph one of the Fire Safety Order (2005) d. Provide and fix fire safety signs in accordance with risk assessment the University has undertaken. Good example of fire safety signs is as shown (Appendix 1) e. In line with article 9 of the Fire Safety Order (2005) The Development and Maintenance Manager will be expected to make assessment of all possible risks in the University. Doing so will also be in line with article 12 of Fire Safety Order (2005) (Priority order 2, Mitigation) f. Be in liaison with relevant authority/enforcing authority in case there are structures within the University that require remodelling The Accommodation, Building and Grounds Manager According Fire Safety Order (2005) the University should realise that core responsibility are; a. Ensure that Media Factory Building and the University at large are inaccessible to intruders. S/he will also be expected to avail to the University trained members of the University fraternity so that these people become responsive in the event of fire (should comply with article 21 of the Fire Safety Order (2005) b. Systematic or periodic evacuation of drills will be done by this manager at least once a calendar year c. Ensures that any potential ignition sources are manned and properly secured or such is relocated to a more safer point within the university d. Ensure that cleaning staff do not leave flammable substance or rubbish in the areas designed for escaping Safety, Health & Environment Manager a. Ensure that fire safety plans are prepared b. Through the approval of the University Safety, Health and Environment Committee, this manager is tasked to come up with the needed policies, procedures and guidance to be used c. That University premises are inspected as stipulated by the above committee d. All University buildings are not only given building risk profiles but also such incorporate emergency plan arrangement Dean of Faculty/Department/School The person will involved will be expected by the University to; a. There is availability of fire preventative and or protective gadgets b. Highly flammable substances are safely kept in the University c. New members of the University are acquainted with emergency evacuation instructions Fire Marshals/Staff a. The University is fitted with the required fire safety plans which covers Media Factory Building b. The top management organ of the University are regularly informed about fire management plans or fire safety issues within the University c. The implementation of evacuation drills is held at least every twelve months d. Bring to the attention of Building managers problems or potential sources of risks witnessed e. Ensure that fire alarms are checked and tested regularly (appendix 2) Evacuation Strategies To ensure safe evacuation points at Media Factory Building and the University at large, the following will be considered: a. In accordance with BSI (2008) the University will report fire related incidences in its residence (Educational Premises, 2006) b. Areas that are not manned or supervised will under constant checking c. Reach out for the fire services by dialling either 112 or 999 Disabled People a. In accordance with Disability Discrimination Act (1995) (DDA), the University should ensure that wheelchair users are given the needed assistance in the event of fire b. The law also requires that visitors, staff, and students should be made to fill Personal Emergency Evacuation plan form (PEEP). For instance, when filling the form, appropriate information should be given. (Appendix 3) c. Areas designated to be refuge should be clear and in use during the event of fire. This should be in line with Means of Escape for Disabled People (2007) and CIBSE (2010) Evacuation Chairs a. To ensure level of competency while handling such kinds of chairs, operators will be subjected to prior training b. In accordance with Means of Escape for Disabled People (2007), the University will be tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that fire marshals carry the needed evacuations The figures below show the sign, example of evacuation chair and such in action Assembly Point It is required by the Fire Safety Order (2005) that at assembly point or during evacuation process members of public be given necessary guidance. The sign below will be designed at those points. Test Evacuation a. Just as required by BSI (2008), there should be records kept at all times b. There should be adequate training to the staff responsible c. A test evacuation should be given every year Staff Training For effective management of fire, staff should be given trained to; a. The best method of opening emergency exit doors b. Better methods of using fire fighting equipment c. Proper methods of evacuating people to the assembly point in accordance with Large Places of Assembly (2006) Escape Routes a. Responsible persons to ensure that all escape routes are kept clean b. Fire doors are kept closed c. Escape corridors should be kept clean Signs 1. Escape Signs Provision of escape signs is necessary to ensure that in the event of fire, people find escape routes. These should be: a. For visibility, the signs should be positioned above the doors (see figure below for invisible sign) b. The signs should comply to the needed visibility ability c. Keep exit signs off any advertising signs Escape sign which complies with Fire Safety Order (2005) Example of invisible escape signs Fire Action There should be even distribution of fire action in the University which should comply with Large Places of Assembly (2006) Fire Door –Keep shut And Fire Door-Keep Locked This signs should be visible (doors) (Large places of assembly, 2006) Handrails This should be fitted from the third floor to the ground floor and in every building to help those with mobility problems. Fire Warning Systems The following signs should be fitted in the Media Factory Building; Call points They need to be located in the second and if possible third flow and as low as possible for access. Fire Alarms The gadget should be sounded in the Media Factory Building immediately when there is fire. Vibrating Devices This should be placed at Media Factory Building and the University so as assist those with hearing problem. (Appendix 4) Voice Evacuation This device should be fitted to ensure that once alarm rings it sounds throughout the premise, BSI (2008) (Large Places of Assembly, 2006) Record Keeping As required by Fire Safety Order 2005, recording of the following aspects will be necessary: a. Hazards likely to cause fire b. People who are at risk c. Safety measures that have been taken to reduce injury Arson Being a subject to major threat, there is a need for security measures. Such security should be: a. Video surveillance checked regularly b. Setting intrusion detection c. Fire detection gadgets Audit and Updating Manual Depending on the changes that will be made to the Media Factory Building and the University at large, the report should be reviewed at least annually. References British Standard (2008). Code of practice for fire safety, in the design, management and use of buildings. London: BSI. P53-238-232-94. British standard (2002). Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance. London: BSI. P15-16-18 CIBSE (2010). Fire safety engineering- Guide E. London: CIBSE. P78-96-97. HM government (2007). Fire safety risk assessment, Means of Escape for Disabled People. London: the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eland House. P6-7- 20-21. HM Government (2006). Fire safety risk assessment, large places of assembly. London: the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eland House. P37-109-21-55-56- 112. HM government (2006). Fire safety risk assessment, Educational premises. London: the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eland House. P14-15. UCLAN.(2007).Strategy for Fire Safety Management. Available: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/services/fm/safety_and_health/fire_safety/files/Fire_Safe ty_Strategy_Dec_2007pdf.pdf. Last accessed 06/02/2013. Appendix 1 FIRE SAFETY MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST Yes No N/A Comments Daily checks (not recorded) Escape routes Can fire exits be opened immediately and easily? Are fire doors clear of obstructions? Are escape routes clear? Fire warning systems Is the indicator panel showing ‘normal’? Escape lighting Are luminaires and exit signs in good condition and undamaged? Do any emergency lights and sign lights have any visible defects ? Firefighting equipment Are fire extinguishers in place? Are fire extinguishers clearly visible? Yes No N/A Comments Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Read More