Fire Safety
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This chapter informs staff of their responsibility to be vigilant and how to follow the correct procedures to minimise the risk of a fire in a Childhood First Home.
RELATED CHAPTER
Sleeping In and Night Security Procedure
AMENDMENT
In January 2021, this chapter was reviewed and updated.
Contents
1. Responsibility
1.1. Director/Registered Manager
The Director/Registered Manager is responsible for consulting with the local Fire Authority and ensuring adequate precautions are taken against the risk of fire. This must include the adequate provision of equipment, adequate means of escape, and adequate arrangements for:
- Detecting containing and extinguishing fires;
- Giving warning of fires;
- Evacuation in the event of fire;
- The maintenance of fire equipment;
- Reviewing fire precautions;
- Testing fire equipment.
Also the Director/Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring staff are trained in fire prevention, and that drills and practices (see Section 4, Fire Drill) are held so that staff and children so far as practicable are aware of the procedure to be followed.
1.2 Senior Members of Staff/Team Leaders
The senior member of staff on duty at the time of an evacuation needing to take place is responsible for ensuring that this happens safely and thoroughly. The senior member of staff should remain at the assembly point at all times to co-ordinate action.
2. Recording
Every Childhood First centre has a Fire Log Book which records everything to do with Fire Prevention including all checks and drills.
3. Equipment
- All equipment is inspected by regularly by their local Fire Authority or registered fire risk assessor, regarding all aspects of fire safety and fire precaution measures and its recommendations are fully implemented. Any deficiencies in the system noticed in the inspection will be noted in the Fire Book and remedial action taken to remedy the deficiency. The Fire Authority is consulted whenever there is significant change made to the use of the premises;
- All premises are equipped with a comprehensive range of fire safety equipment including fire doors, fire blankets and extinguishers, smoke and heat detectors, emergency lighting and fire alarm with appropriately placed push glass panels. Fire detection and fire fighting equipment is regularly checked and maintained in good working order.
4. Fire Drill
At least four fire drills take place every year, including evacuation of staff and children, and this will include at least one fire drill held at night. A fire drill should take place within 48 hours of a new child arriving.
- All children will be instructed in the actions to be carried out when the Fire Alarm is activated;
- Fire Drills will involve a full evacuation of the building. The evacuation time should be between 2 and 3 minutes;
- Recording of Fire Drills will be in the Fire Record Book;
- Any deficiencies in the system noticed in the drill should be noted and remedial action taken to remedy the deficiency.
5. Training
- All staff are trained as to what to do in the case of a fire or other emergency. Basic induction training in the first week includes fire safety as does the more comprehensive six months induction. Training is provided for all staff and takes place at least once a year. They are familiar with and know how to operate the extinguishers and blankets so that small fires can be dealt with promptly;
- Children are also informed about fire procedures and shown appropriate Fire Exits on their first day.
6. Fire Emergency Procedures
ALWAYS ACT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS A FIRE WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS AND EVACUATE THE BUILDING.
In the event of fire, the system will be activated by a smoke/heat detector, a fire panel is activated or an alarm key switch being turned on.
7. On Discovering a Fire
It is the duty of all staff to prevent injury and loss of life. On discovering a fire staff should take the necessary actions to achieve this:
- Operate the Fire Alarm;
- Summon the assistance of other staff;
- Ensure the Fire Brigade is called;
- Evacuate the children to the assembly point using the safest available route; search all rooms during the evacuation;
- Do not stop to collect personal items;
- Establish if any visitors are in the building and evacuate as for the children and staff;
- Close all doors behind you as you exit the premises;
- Report to the senior person present and await instruction, giving details of any persons not accounted for;
- Switch off the oil/gas;
- Do not re-enter the building or take any personal risk;
- Only use fire fighting equipment if trained to do so - do not take any personal risk;
- Inform the 'On Call' person if outside of office hours.
8. On Hearing the Fire Alarm
On hearing the alarm staff should always assume there is a fire in the house and take the necessary action to prevent injury or loss of life:
- Ensure the Fire Brigade is called;
- Evacuate the children to the assembly point using the safest available route; search all rooms during the evacuation;
- Do not stop to collect personal items;
- Establish if any visitors are in the building and evacuate as for the children and staff;
- Close all doors behind you as you exit the premises;
- Report to the senior person present and await instruction, giving details of any persons not accounted for;
- Switch off the oil/gas;
- Do not re-enter the building or take any personal risk;
- Only use fire fighting equipment if trained to do so - do not take any personal risk;
- Inform the 'On Call' person if outside of office hours.
9. Contingency Plan if the Fire Alarm System is Out Of Action
In case that the Fire Alarm is out of action, instead of operating the alarm on discovering a fire, the person is to shout very loudly FIRE, FIRE, FIRE.
Summoning The Fire Brigade On Discovering A Fire:
- DIAL: (9) 999;
- Ask the operator for The Fire Brigade;
- When connected to The Fire Service, state the fire is at - give address clearly;
- Do not hang up until the address has been acknowledged.
Floor Plans: Location of Fire Alarm Call Points, Fire Fighting Equipment and Fire Exits.
All staff on induction will be given a tour of the premises to include the location of the above. This process will be repeated in Annual Fire Safety Training.
Safe Operation of Fire Fighting Equipment
Staff will receive Fire Extinguisher Training annually. A record of this is held on the Staff Training Files.
Staff are NOT to tackle a fire unless they have received this training and there is no risk of personal injury.
Do not use a water extinguisher on an electrical fire. All Fire extinguishers have identification as to their contents and application on the side of the cylinder.
Employees and occupants have an obligation not to engage in any action that will render a Fire Extinguisher inoperable or to use it for any other reason other than a genuine need to fight fire.
At Greenfields, Earthsea and Merrywood staff will be instructed on how to reset the fire call points in their induction and in Annual Fire Safety Training.
10. Evacuation
- Evacuate the children to the Assembly Points, using the safest available route;
- The building should be evacuated calmly, using the nearest available exit and ensuring that all doors around the fire are closed. Children should be escorted from the building by staff to the assembly point;
- If the alarm sounds at night, do not stop to dress fully but put on a dressing gown and slippers. Staff should be aware that on waking up, children may be disorientated and need close supervision whilst proceeding to the assembly point;
- When staff and children arrive at the assembly point the person in charge will establish who is present and whether any persons are known to be still in the building. The Visitors' Book should be used to assist in this process. Report to the most senior person present, giving details of any missing persons;
- In the event of any persons being missing the senior person will implement a Sweep Back Plan insuring all toilets and rooms are checked where this is safe to do so;
- Evacuation time should be between 2 and 3 minutes.
11. Evacuation Plan for Those with Mobility Difficulties
In the case that we have a visitor that is disabled or a wheel chair user then the person supporting this visitor is responsible to aid that person if they need during the evacuation process.
12. Sweep Back Plan
If the children or other persons are not accounted for a Sweep Back Plan will be implemented. This will involve nominated persons re-entering the building and starting at the furthest point checking all rooms. Staff are only to do this where there is NO personal risk. The senior member of staff should remain at the assembly point to co-ordinate action and should nominate another member of staff to sweep back.
13. Setting and Resetting the Fire Alarm
Silencing Alarm
If it is clear that there is no fire and that the alarm has been set off accidentally, maliciously, or due to a system failure, then the senior member of staff may silence the alarm.
Re-setting Alarm
Each home has guidance on re-setting the alarm and all staff receive training in this process.
NO ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO RE-SET THE SYSTEM OR TO REPLACE ANY 'BREAK GLASS' OR TURN OFF A KEY SWITCH UNTIL THE SENIOR MEMBER OF STAFF, OR SENIOR FIRE OFFICER WHERE THE FIRE BRIGADE IS IN ATTENDANCE HAS INSPECTED THE CAUSE OF THE ALARM AND HAS GIVEN PERMISSION FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE RE-SET.
Re-entering the Building
No children should be allowed to re-enter the building until the senior member of staff has confirmed that it is safe to do so.
14. Assembly Points
The Earthsea House Assembly Point is situated at the front of the Building in front of the parking bays and is denoted by the red tarmac.
The Merrywood House Assembly point is situated at the front of the property in the car park away from the house.
The Greenfields House Assembly Point is situated in the children's garden.
The Gables House assembly point is on the lawn in front of the house.
The Oakwood House assembly point is situated in the front of the house.
TRY AND KEEP THE MAIN COURTYARD, FRONT OF HOUSE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE FOR FIRE ENGINES.
The Head Office Assembly Point is situated outside the Trinity pub on the Borough High Street.
15. Fire Prevention
It is the responsibility of every member of staff to be alert to the dangers of fire and to contribute to preventing fires by:
- Good housekeeping;
- Clear all rubbish away at the end of the day;
- At the end of the working day all non-essential electrical equipment is to be switched off and unplugged;
- We have a NON SMOKING POLICY. There is no smoking on the premises. See Smoking and Alcohol Procedure;
- All combustible or flammable materials are to be stored safely;
- Do NOT cover viewing panels in fire doors, cover or obstruct fire safety signage, emergency lighting or introduce any obstacle that may jeopardise the safe operation of fire doors, fire exits or escape routes;
- Shut all doors and windows at night;
- Electrical equipment brought in by employees is to be in very good condition.
16. Procedures for Any Period in which the Premises are Left Unoccupied
When the premises are left empty for any period the following checks must take place prior, to ensure the unoccupied building is left safe from fire:
- All non-essential electrical equipment must be switched off and where possible unplugged;
- All doors and windows to be closed;
- The Fire Alarm Panel indicates normal operation;
- One or two persons are to be designated responsible for this check taking place prior to the door being locked.
17. Routine Attention
The following is a general guide to the routine that should be adopted to ensure that the continued good operation of the system.
Daily
A daily check should be made to ascertain that:
- The Alarm Panel indicates normal operation; if not the fault indicated is recorded in the Log Book for urgent attention;
- Any fault warning recorded the previous day has received attention;
- Visual check of escape routes and fire detection equipment.
Weekly
The following tests should be made every week to ensure that the system is capable of operating under alarm conditions:
- Fire alarm tested by activating a call point or detector in each zone. This activation point is to be varied in a fixed sequence to ensure all devices are tested regularly. Ensure fire alarm can be heard in all zones;
- Check the fire doors close correctly;
- Check automatic door releases;
- Visual checks of all fire fighting equipment;
- Each test to be recorded in the Fire Book.
Any deficiencies in the system noticed in the checks will be noted in the Fire Book. Remedial action will be taken urgently and this also recorded.
For Earthsea: Each time a particular zone is tested a different call point is used. An entry should be made in the Log Book quoting the Call Point that has been used to initiate the test.
Check for a satisfactory operation of the Plant Room Indicator Panel.
Check the Plant Room is empty and clean.
Monthly
Monthly visual checks recorded of:
- Fire Book
The fire book will be checked monthly by the Regulation 33 visitor whose reports go to the Registered Manager of the Community (and Director if a different person); the Responsible Individual of the organisation; and the Care Education and Treatment Committee of Childhood First which meets bi-monthly;
- Emergency lights;
- All Fire Extinguishers;
- Smoke Detectors.
Quarterly
Fire-Fighting Equipment and Emergency Lights tested by Fire Service engineer from (community to complete).
Full inspection and maintenance visit from an accredited and approved fire safety company. All fire equipment including panels, detectors, lights, sounders, call points and associated equipment is tested and repaired or replaced if necessary. Work sheets are completed and retained by the property.
Annual Inspection
Annual inspection of the fire extinguishers and every emergency lighting installation should be tested by Local Fire Authority or UK Fire International. All faults must be noted in the Fire Log and acted upon urgently.
Annual inspection of the fire extinguishers by an accredited and approved fire safety company.
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