Fire Safety Management Plan - Report Example

Contents Introduction 1 Fire Safety Policy Statement 2 Fire Safety Management Structure 2 The Development and Maintenance Manager 5 Undertakes the required fire risk assessment operations 5 Ensures the incorporation of fire safety specifications whenever there are plans for structural operations or refurbishments 5 Ensures a proper maintenance of fabric or structure of university premises so that there is no compromising of the escape routes 5 Ensure the maintenance of all fire equipment and systems as well as their testing and inspection in accordance with statutory obligation or tenancy agreement. 5 Ensures that there are arrangements for consultations with the relevant authorities in case of alterations on the buildings within the university 5 Ensures safe keeping and regular inspection of defect reports and test records for all fire safety equipment and systems 5 Evacuation Strategy 5 Emergency response 8 Fire alarm detection 10 Fire prevention and arson awareness 10 Routine procedures for staff 11 Selection and control of materials 12 Figure 6: Table indicating each system/equipment and when it need to be tested 14 Systems of fire safety should be maintained and tested regularly. This entails ensuring fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers are in good working condition and are accessible. 14 Decoration, alterations and extensions 15 Staff training and fire drills 16 Fire risk assessments 16 Record keeping, audit and updating of this manual 16 References 18 Introduction Management plans for fire safety are important since they provide guidelines and information to building owners and other stakeholders concerning the development and implementation of fire safety requirements. The management plans for fire safety that are developed are expected to follow the guidelines provided by fire safety policies and legislations. Several parties who find Fire Safety Management Plans (FSMP) useful include consultants, fire officers, government officers and building designers. This safety plan enables the professionals to have an informed understanding of the features that determine technical standards for the safety of buildings (Purkiss 2006, 102). This safety management plan is expected to facilitate compliance with other safety requirement within buildings. Fire is significantly regarded as a safety in buildings as well as towards their occupants. Government and local authorities are expected to employ due diligence in addressing the provisions of safety requirements in buildings. This plays an important role in determining the suitability and sufficiency of management systems and fire precautions. Fire Safety Management Plans (FSMP) also minimises damages in the event of fire. This management plan for fire safety intends to ensure the safety in JB Firth building which is a new academic building for the school of forensics and investigative sciences. Fire Safety Policy Statement The University Of Central Lancashire understands that there are various risks associated with fire. These risks include the risks of loss of life for students, staff or any other individual within the university premises. Further, there are significant risks that are posed to teaching, learning and research activities when fire interferes with infrastructure and buildings within the university. Therefore, the university is committed to ensuring that fire safety becomes a priority in the entire infrastructure and all facilities within the university. The University of Central Lancashire will put in place practically reasonable measures to avert as well as to manage risks of fire in compliance with fire safety acts and regulations. The university will also undertake risks assessment operations in a manner that is aimed at ensuring prevention of fire or any other injuries students, staff or members of public. The university has a commitment towards ensuring that the Fire safety management plan is implemented and followed to the latter to offer protection to lives and university asserts. Fire Safety Management Structure The fire management structure at The University of Central Lancashire will be executed through a system is expected to consider the positions and responsibilities in the management of fire safety (Billington, Ferguson and Copping 2002, 123) The Fire Safety Management Structure will have an organization that involves the performance of specified tasks and responsibilities in accordance with the required standards. This structure ensures that all the desired results are obtained in relation to fire safety. The Vice Chancellor The Vice chancellor has a responsibility over the safety with regard to fire in the JB Firth building as well as other premises within the university. The Director of Facilities Management Ensures that the provisions for annual budget are within the agreed amounts. He or she also ensures the maintenance and funding of the operations that are consistent with fire safety strategy identified. Performs the identification and allocation of funds and resources used in fire safety training, fire risk assessment, maintenance of fire equipment, as well as identification and maintenance of the routes of escape together with emergency lighting system within the university premises. Human resources director Directly reports to the Vice-Chancellor in relation to developing, implementing and monitoring policies of fire safety Ensure the availability of enough specialist staff to perform duties that are related to fire safety Health and safety advisor Preform audit and services of fire safety within the school Offer advice in relation to fire safety Ensure the performance or risk assessments in relation to fire Carry out the investigations of significant incidences of fire Liaise with local authorities and regulatory bodies In charge of monitoring the performance displayed by safety advisors Safety and assistant health advisors Perform fire safety as well as fire marshal training Offer advice on fire safety and fire and fire risk assessment Offer support to the annual practices of fire drill The Development and Maintenance Manager Undertakes the required fire risk assessment operations Ensures the incorporation of fire safety specifications whenever there are plans for structural operations or refurbishments Ensures a proper maintenance of fabric or structure of university premises so that there is no compromising of the escape routes Ensure the maintenance of all fire equipment and systems as well as their testing and inspection in accordance with statutory obligation or tenancy agreement. Ensures that there are arrangements for consultations with the relevant authorities in case of alterations on the buildings within the university Ensures safe keeping and regular inspection of defect reports and test records for all fire safety equipment and systems Evacuation Strategy Simultaneous evacuation The evacuation strategy will consider the needs of disabled people who may be present at the JB Firth building. The strategy will consider variety of possible cases of individuals with disabilities including those with mobility challenges. In the case of JB Firth building, the strategy used in evacuation is expected to handle people using wheel chairs, those with impaired mobility, those with impaired hearing, those with partial or total blindness as well as those with cognitive disabilities (Craighead 2009, 226). According to BS9999, this evacuation strategy for this particular will involve the issuance or indication of a warning signal in the event of fire for everyone within the building to make his/her way out to a safe place far from the premises. This strategy of evacuation would be initiated by a fire warning system through the sounding of an alarm. The appropriateness of this strategy is expected to involve initial evacuation from those areas that re close to fire and issuing warnings to people in others areas within and outside the premises. This is then followed by the evacuation of the remaining areas in the premises to ease congestion and create more exit routes (Perry 2003, 129). Figure 1: Emergency voice communication system at JB Firth building for evacuation of the disabled Figure 2: Emergency escape and evacuation space at JB Firth building for the disabled The evacuation strategy also ensures that the warning system is properly working and able to transmit accurate signals. In case the severity of fire increases, then the application of the simultaneous evacuation strategy may be considered. This strategy may also involve a combination of precautions such as points of fire control, alarm systems, having sprinklers within the premise as well as introducing fire resistance materials within the premise (Huseyin and Satyen 2006, 104). Figure 3: crossing Bridge at the JB Firth building Emergency response The Fire Safety Management Plan within the new JB Firth building at the University of Central Lancashire intends will involve a systematic and coordinated arrangement that is clearly indicated. This includes strategic allocation and positioning of emergency response staff at various zones within the University and around the new JB Firth building. The chief emergency coordinator coordinates the entire emergency response system and processes involved. Floor Zone Name Telephone Email Ground floor Zone A Emergency response staff 1 Emergency response staff 2 Emergency response staff 3 Telephone 1 Telephone 2 Telephone 3 Email 1 Email 2 Email 3 First floor Zone B Emergency response staff 4 Emergency response staff 5 Emergency response staff 6 Telephone 4 Telephone 5 Telephone 6 Email 4 Email 5 Email 6 Second floor Zone C Emergency response staff 7 Emergency response staff 8 Emergency response staff 9 Telephone 7 Telephone 8 Telephone 9 Email 7 Email 8 Email 9 Third floor Zone D Emergency response staff 10 Emergency response staff 11 Emergency response staff 12 Telephone 10 Telephone 11 Telephone 12 Email 10 Email 11 Email 12 Figure 4: Emergency response schedule Emergency response will also involve the use of an emergency response kit to be maintained within the new JB Firth building as well as the main administrative office at the University of Central Lancashire. The zone emergency response staff will undertake the care and movement of this emergency kit (Huseyin and Satyen 2006, 127). The contents of the emergency response kit will include a copy of Fire Safety Management Plan alongside staff and student roster. The roster will be useful in accounting for student and staff with the building following an evacuation. The other content of this emergency response kit will include first aid apparatus and supplies that may be useful to emergency response personnel in offering first aid to these injured. Fire alarm detection In certain cases, especially the premise has several operations taking place; it may not be appropriate or advisable to sound a general fire alarm to signal the commencement of evacuation immediately. This fire alarm detection issues usually ensues whenever there are a large number of individuals occupying the premise at the time of fire. Thus, it is necessary for the concerned fire officers to have prior arrangement plans for safe evacuation response upon the detection of fire alarm. In such situations, the staff’s fire alarm can be signalled through an audible public address system. Once the staffs alarm is signalled, then there can be a signal from the general alarm to initiate the process of evacuation. There should be a provision for automatic or manual activation and deactivation of the fire alarm system (Barrows and Thurman 1998, 136). Fire prevention and arson awareness Prevention of fire is an important practice within the fire safety measures in JB Firth building. The important areas for fire prevention and arson awareness are indicated below: Keeping the loading of fire at minimum in the premise and any deviance from the suggested guidelines must seek the approval of the Fire Safety Adviser at the university. There should be quarterly inspections within the premise followed by recording of findings for auditing purposes Any storage of solvents, chemicals etc. should be done according to Health and Safety guidelines Flammable substances should not be stored within the building special arrangements by the institution’s Fire Safety Advisor Any gas lines within the building should be isolated when they are not in use Storage of gas cylinders should be done externally away from the building There should be regular removal of waste and rubbish from the premise Escape routes and corridors should be inspected and kept clean regularly by security personnel and fire wardens Routine procedures for staff The routine procedures for staff at the University of Central Lancashire in relation to this Fire Safety Management Plan will entail the following (Lawrence 2015, 242) Paying attention to all the fire safety precautions on a regular basis Ensuring that routes and exits for escape from all the floors of the new JB Firth building and all other buildings in the institution are readily available and kept free from obstructions at all times. Escape exits should always remain unlocked whenever the premise is occupied. Ensuring that doors to fire places remain closed at all times Carrying a regular inspection of the fire fighting equipment as well as first aid kit This involves testing of the alarm system, fire detection system and emergency lighting system among other systems. Ensuring that fire instruction notices are maintained in conditions that are legible and located in places and positions that are accessible Carrying out periodic drills of fire evacuation Training students and other staff members concerning the use fire fighting equipment, as well as first aid equipment Ensuring that adequate precautions are taken when using flammable materials with the buildings to prevent them from initiating fire incidences Exercising utmost care while carrying out any activity that involve fire within or around the building Selection and control of materials Materials used within and around the new JB Firth Building and other building in the institution must meet all are the acceptable standards and requirements. Some of the materials under consideration here includes internal linings of the building, partition materials; materials used in furnishing the internal structures of the building, ceiling structure and all the structures within the building. The materials used in furnishing floor and stairs should be subjected to thorough selection and control process that ensures safety of those occupying the building in the event of fire (Barrows and Thurman 1998, 176). Figure 5: Fire doors are provided with black material that close the space so fire and smoke talk longer to spread Maintenance and testing Figure 6: Table indicating each system/equipment and when it need to be tested Systems of fire safety should be maintained and tested regularly. This entails ensuring fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers are in good working condition and are accessible. Figure 7: Properly maintained and functional fire fighting equipment Figure 8: Emergency Isolation Laboratory Gas System at the JB Firth building Decoration, alterations and extensions Decoration, alterations and extensions done on the design of the new JB Firth Building should be aimed at enhancing safety measures against fire outbreak and facilitate ways and means of handling incidences of fire. Alteration and extensions that may be done on the design of the building include space separation that ensures the availability of reasonable room, passage and openings. These alterations and extensions may be useful in facilitating evacuation exercise and other fire control measures during a fire incidence. Decorations made to the building should be of materials that meet all the fire safety requirements and specifications (Kumar and Sharma 2010, 249). Staff training and fire drills All the staff in the institution should undergo a training to equip them with information and skills necessary for fire safety. Staff training and fire drills ensures that the members of staff are properly informed in relation to fire hazards, as well as processes and materials necessary for ensuring the safety of a building and its occupants. Techniques used in training and fire drills also form an important consideration by the institution in the entire Fire Safety Management Plan in order to optimize the available resources (Kumar and Sharma 2010, 231). Fire risk assessments Fire risk assessment within the buildings in the institution and particularly the new JB Firth Building is expected to reflect the design of those buildings. Fire risk assessment forms an important part of building safety in construction engineering thus, the design of a building presents a significant perspective in planning for the management of safety from fire incidences. In this case, risk assessments play an important role in examining the possibility of occurrence of fire incidences and the potential consequences associated with such incidences (Fire Strategy Company 2009, 117) Record keeping, audit and updating of this manual Record keeping in relation to Fire Safety Management Plan for the University of Central Lancashire is important since it makes it easy to retrieve critical information, ensures that the institution demonstrates compliance with safety policies and other regulations. Record keeping is also necessary in facilitating monitoring of previous fire safety performance (Lawrence 2015, 257). Auditing and updating of this manual is an important practice in making the necessary adjustments and improvements to the fire safety measures. Auditing and updating for the Fire Safety Management manual is facilitated by record keeping. References Barrows, C & Thurman, Q 1998, "Fire Safety on Campus: Are College Students Prepared?" College Student Journal, Vol. 22, pp.310-314 Billington, M. J., Ferguson, A., & Copping, A. G. (2002). Means of escape from fire. Oxford, Blackwell Science. Chow, W 2001, "Review on Fire Safety Management and Application to Hong Kong," International Journal on Engineering Performance-Based Fire Codes, Vol. 3, No. 1, p.52-58, 2001 Craighead, G. (2009). High-rise security and fire life safety. Amsterdam, Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier. Department for Communities and Local Government 2006, Fire safety risk assessment: educational premises, viewed 12 Feb 2015, Department for Communities and Local Government 2006b, Fire safety risk assessment: large places of assembly, viewed 12 Feb 2015, Department for Communities and Local Government 2007, Fire safety risk assessment: means of escape for disabled people, viewed 12 Feb 2015, Department for Communities and Local Government 2007b, Fire safety risk assessment: open-air events and venues, viewed 12 Feb 2015, Ferguson, L. H., & Janicak, C. A. (2005). Fundamentals of fire protection for the safety professional. Lanham, Md, Government Institutes. Fire Strategy Company 2009, A Guide to BS 9999:2008, viewed 12 Feb 2015, Huseyin, L & Satyen, L 2006,"Fire safety training: Its importance in enhancing fire safety knowledge and response to fire," The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 21 No. 4 Kavaler, F., Alexander, R. S., & Kavaler, F. (2014). Risk management in healthcare institutions: limiting liability and enhancing care. Burlington, MA, Jones & Bartlett Learning. Kumar, R & Sharma, S 2010, Fire Safety in Buildings - An Engineering Approach, central Building Research Institute, Roorkee Lataille, J. I. (2003). Fire protection engineering in building design. Amsterdam, Butterworth-Heinemann. Lawrence Webster Forrest 2015, BS9999:2008 - Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings, viewed 12 Feb 2015, McConell, C, Leeming, F & Dwyer, W 1996, ‘Evaluation of a fire safety-training program for preschool children,’ Journal of Community Psychology, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 213-227 National Fire Protection Association 2007, Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People with Disabilities, viewed 12 Feb 2015, Netherlands Institute For Safety Nibra 2009, Consumer fire safety: European statistics and potential fire safety measures, viewed 1 October 2013, http://www.verbraucherrat.at/download/firesafetyconsumer.pdf Newton, F & Ender, S 2010, Students helping students: A guide for peer educators on college campuses, 2nd ed, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco Satyen, L Sosa, A & Barnett, M 2003, ‘Applications of cognitive theories to children’s fire safety education,’ Proceedings of the 39 the Annual Conference (pp. 250–254), Melbourne, Australia: The Australian Psychological Society Ltd. 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