The Management of Fire Safety at the University of Central Lancashire - Report Example

FIRЕ SАFЕTY МАNАGЕMЕNT Name Institution Subject Instructor Date Introduction The management plan for fire safety ensures appropriate guidance especially in buildings blocks and other structures. This management plan also offers advice and mechanisms on the assessment of the risks associated with fire outbreak. Further, in the plan, there is provision for regulations and standards in the existing buildings as well as, the up combing ones. The management plan for fire safety is important in formulation of emergency steps in facilitation of secure, organised and appropriately timed evacuation. This document offers guidance to all the staff and student in the university in relation to safety against fire related accidents. The procedures and plan in this particular document are subject to reviewing and updating depending on the decisions of changes in the fire safety requirements from the relevant authorities (Craighead, 2009). Policy statement for fire safety The University of Central Lancashire understands that fire is a serious risk with regard to the lives students, staff as well as individuals visiting the students’ hub from the public. Losses of infrastructures and buildings as a result of fire also presents serious risks to the undertaking of studying and other activities within the University. It is, therefore, upon the university administration to prioritize fire safety in all areas within it control. The university, through its administration, ensures that it is within its control to manage the risks associated with fire in compliance with the fire safety regulations. The university has the obligation to undertake the management of risks associated with fire in a manner that prevents injuries to the staff, students, workers or any other member of the public. Structure of Fire safety management The management structure with the mandate to oversee the management of fire safety at The University of Central Lancashire it to comprise of the offices and officials as follows: (Beard, 2005) Principal Officer This one will be in charge of fire safety planning and governance in order to ensure that the fire safety arrangements and plans in place are robust and in accordance with the policy of the institution. This officer also has responsibility in ensuring that there is the consideration and following of the correct steps in fire risk assessment. Vice Principal Officer The roles of the Vice Principal Officer include those delegated by the Principal Officer in the management and coordination of fire safety and health. The other responsibility associated with this office is to ensure that the necessary procedures in the assessment of fire risks are available and implementable the students’ hub at the University. Environmental and Safety Services Director This is the officer with the mandate to ensure that the reports regarding all the fire incidences that take place in the building at the university get to the safety and Health Executive. The other role played by this officer involves making sure that there is competency in the management of fire safety services at the University and appropriate advice is available to the students, staff and managers (Craighead, 2009). Director of estates This officer plays a role in ensuring the refurbishment of old buildings and construction of new buildings in compliance with the present legislations regarding the fire safety. The officer makes sure that the students’ hub and other buildings at the university are in such a condition that minimizes the risks of fire outbreak and spreading Heads of Units The heads of Units have the responsibility of ensuring that their respective units, students and staff comply with the arrangements and procedures for fire safety at the university. Event Organisers These ones are charge with the responsibilities to ensure that there before the organisation of any event; the people in charge are compelled to provide an elaborate and detailed organisation structure. They also ensure adequate provision of safety within the equipment that they provide in the course of organisation. Residence Staff They have a responsibility to serve as fire marshals or fire wardens. Where it is reasonably practicable, they play a role in ensuring that the evacuation of the occupants of the students; hub building takes place as fast as possible in the event of fire. They are also supposed to notify the fire rescue personnel in the event of fire (Foley, 2003). Fire Wardens Where inspection, audit or fire risk assessment finds it necessary, the heads of units should select fire wardens. Their role is to examine certain specific areas that lead to the exit from the University student hub to make sure that all the occupants of the building are leaving in case of fire. Fire Marshals Their selection happens through the intervention of heads of units where inspection, audit or fire risk assessment finds it necessary. They have a responsibility to collate the information from the fire wardens and other officers in the fire management structure. The also liaise with rescue service personnel in attending to emergencies in the event of fire (Great Britain, 2006). Evacuation Strategies The evacuation strategies shall involve emergency evacuation procedures as in the event of fire. This involves instructions to occupants of the University student hub as follow (Craighead, 2009): If you notice fire 1. Press the nearest alarm key immediately, ensure that the rescue service personnel are notifies, and called immediately 2. Machinery, equipment or processes that are potentially dangerous should be put off in the event of fire 3. Evacuate the building premise immediately through the nearest exit which is safe. 4. Report the fire incidence in the building to the ward concerned 5. Remain outside the building premise until everything is clear If you hear fire warning or alarm 1. Stick to the instructions from the warden on your floor 2. Follow the evacuation and fire exit sign displayed on the walls off the building 3. Do not run but leave through the nearest route of exit that is safe 4. Help persons with disabilities to find their way out through safe exits 5. Assembly at the fire emergency assembly area 6. Notify the security of the fire incidence and pass on the information to others Emergency response The plan for fire safety management identifies and defines emergence response as situations that may include but not limited to the following: 1. Sounding of the fire alarm in the building 2. The smell of a burning odour or presence of smoke 3. The occurrence of imminent or uncontrolled fire in the area or building surrounding the University student hub 4. Abnormal or spontaneous heating or uncontrolled release of a toxic gas 5. The spilling of a highly inflammable liquid The emergency response, therefore, should involve pulling the closest and evacuating the building premise immediately. Fire alarm and detection With regard to the University student hub, the management plan for fire safety considers the components of fire detection system within the building. These include the fire alarm, the panel of fire alarm, the manual pulling stations as well as, other devices for detection like those detecting smoke. The requirement for fire alarm and detection involves installation based on regulations. Where installation of alarms happens to signal areas of sleeping, the levels of sound are to be at least 15 dBA over the ambient level of sound (Foley, 2003). Staff training and fire drills The entire membership of the staff at the University goes through relevant instructions and training with regard to the safety and management of fire incidences. The information about such training is made available and presented in records the offices of Human Resource and the Fire Safety Register. The planning and organisation of fire drills takes place through the involvement of the officer in charge of buildings in coordination with the University administration. The steps and methods used during drills are expected to bring about stimulation of actual emergency procedures to be applicable in reasonably practical cases. A review of each drill is performed immediately after the stimulation of the drill stimulation of actual emergency steps. The entire exercise shall be performed on a yearly basis and a report tabled before the Committee of Fire Safety under the management program (Beard, 2005). Risk Assessment The assessments of risks of fire associated with the use of University student hub will require periodic review. The review of risk assessment is to take place upon any alteration to materials in the building or in the event of a considerable change in matters considered during the first risk assessment exercise. The performance of risk assessment to the student hub building becomes a requirement when there are reasons for suspecting the validity of the initial risk assessment exercise (Perry, 2003). Routine procedures for staff The staffs in the University are routinely expected to oversee the performance of the following pro-active roles: (Foley, 2003) 1. Inspect for deficiencies in appropriate fire prevention requirements and report to the Safety officer concerned 2. Encourage safety practices and offer guidance to students and their colleagues in ensuring the visitors to the premises are aware of the fire safety measures in place. 3. Be vigilant with regard to challenging areas and make special arrangements for installation of special fire protection devices in such areas devices 4. Actively rate part in emergency evacuations 5. Report any cases of fire incidences to the security officer concerned References Beard, A. (2005). The handbook of tunnel fire safety. London, Telford. Craighead, G. (2009). High-rise security and fire life safety. Amsterdam, Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier. Foley, S. N. (2003). Resources for fire department occupational safety and health. Quincy, Mass, National Fire Protection Association. Great Britain. (2006). Fire safety risk assessment: factories and warehouses. Wetherby, Dept. for Communities and Local Government. Perry, P. (2003). Fire safety: a practical approach. London, Thomas Telford. Read More