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Fire Safety in the Workplace
What is a Fire Evacuation plan?
A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan (FEEP) is a document which explains what actions are to be taken by staff in the event of a fire alarm actuating.
The fire evacuation plan is for the benefit of all staff and should be shared around your workplace so that everyone knows where to evacuate when the alarm sounds.
This document will also state what responsibilities the Fire Marshal’s / Wardens have and will also explain the different cause and effect of your fire alarm systems.
Content of a Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan
- Action upon discovering a fire
- Fire Evacuation strategy
- Calling the fire brigade
- Actions taken upon hearing the fire alarm
- Identification of escape routes
- Duties of the Fire Marshals
- Assembly points
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
- Liaison with the Fire Brigade and Emergency Services
Simultaneous evacuation
This is the most usual evacuation that most premises follow. Once the warning signal is given everyone will make their way via the escape route to a place of safety away from the premises. This simultaneous evacuation will be initiated by an alarm over the fire warning system or via the fire alarm.
Vertical phased evacuation
In larger premises, the emergency arrangements are designed to evacuate those who are at immediate risk from the fire immediately. It some instances it may be appropriate to only warn others that a fire has been reported but to remain calm and await further instructors. The phased evacuation is normally done by immediately evacuating the floor where the fire is located and the floor above. The additional floors are then evacuated one at a time to avoid congestion on the escape routes. The fire warning system should be capable to give two clear, distinct signals (evacuation and warning) or give appropriate voice messages.
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Horizontal phased evacuation
In some cases a horizontal phased evacuation may be more relevant. This is particularly useful in hospitals or care homes where the floors may be divided into a number of fire resisting compartments.
Action on hearing the fire alarm
This plan should instruct everyone upon the hearing the fire alarm to act in accordance with the agreed FEEP strategy and should proceed to pre-determined positions to help guests and staff to leave the building by the nearest safe route.
Lifts and escalators should not be used unless they are part of a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
Personnel should never re-enter the building with the exception of the Fire Team.
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Fire Safety Briefing at Workplace
It is a legal requirement that employers have a fire safety procedure in place and that these are made aware to all staff. Many employers choose to have this part of their induction for new employees, but all staff should be given refresher briefings to help remind everyone on what to do in the event of a fire.
All staff should be made aware of:
- The emergency procedures
- Where the fire exits are located
- Where the designated assembly points are (and which one they should go to if there are multiple points for different parts of the building)
- Fire prevention measures that are already in the building, including equipment
- Why fire doors need to be kept shut or kept free of obstructions
- How to report any fire safety concerns
- Any known fire alarm tests, so that all other alarms should be treated as real.
Visitors should be made aware of the fire safety procedures applicable to them. Also, some staff members may need additional help in getting out of the building quickly, so an appropriate personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) should be put in place that ensures their safety. This may include use of additional equipment like an evac-chair to assist them down the stairwell. Employees should be trained in using this type of equipment.
Alternatively, if occupants of a building require additional assistance, refuge areas are often situated in protected areas of a building with communications linked to building management. Arrangements need to be made in advance to ensure safe evacuation.
Legalities
The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order of 2005 requires employers to ensure that employees are provided with adequate emergency evacuation procedures and suitable fire safety knowledge including Fire awareness and Fire Marshal training. To conclude, fire safety training within any working environment is a legal requirement under this order.