the university of strathclyde - iosh · 2020. 1. 14. · university of strathclyde • 27 academic...

Wes Boulstridge

University Fire Safety Adviser

Fire safety challenges in a university environment

Fires happen and when they do, some of them can be destructive and have a devastating effect on

the organisation.

York University 2012

Nottingham University 2015

Southampton University 2005 & 2014

Glasgow School of Art 2014 & 2018

Bristol University 2018

University of St Andrews 2019

The Cube – Bolton 2019

University of Strathclyde 2012

University of Strathclyde

• 27 academic buildings

• Approx. 3,500 staff and 21,500 students

• 10 large student residences

• Approx. 1,500 residents

• 8 off campus sites

My top 10 Challenges

1. Occupancy of buildings

• A large multi sited organisation with many large multi occupied buildings.

• A number of different faculties made up of a number of different departments.

e.g. the Faculty of Science has Chemistry, Physics, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences etc. ……………. each of which effectively operates as a separate business.

• All departments will use a number of different buildings at different times.

2. ResponsibilityIn multi sited organisations, there is a need to establish responsibility for fire safety within the organisation as a whole, which will require the occupiers to collaborate and not work in silos.

• The University Principal will be the designated Duty Holder for ensuring that the organisation is suitably resourced to manage fire safety.

• Director of Estates will be a designated joint Duty Holder for all of the buildings.

• Heads of Department will also be designated joint Duty Holders in relation to their areas of responsibility.

Resistance

• Not my responsibility

• The Security Wardens will do it

• The Fire Service will do it

• I don’t usually work in this building

• The last fire officer said it was okay

• I’ve seen it in another building

• Building Control have passed it

• It’s been like this for years

• We don’t have the resources

Our solution

• Clear ‘Fire Safety Policy’

• Define who the duty holder(s) is/are

• Define delegated responsibilities e.g.

• Dept. fire safety coordinator

• Fire marshals

• Persons to use fire extinguishers

• Persons to assist with the disabled occupants

• In-house ‘monthly fire safety checks’

3. People

Different cultures and attitudes towards fire safety

Challenges

• Different cultures and attitudes towards fire safety

• Apathy, reluctance for change and a reluctance to accept responsibility

• Young, vulnerable and maybe immature regarding life skills and independence in general

Solutions

• Acknowledge

• Culture change needed

• Information and guidance -welcome packs, handbooks, induction training, building familiarisation, lead by example

People (cont’d)

Challenges Solutions

• Issues involving unauthorised access –multiple points of entry, tailgating, city centre location

• Differing staff resources available to assist in different locations

• Reduced resources in common areas (libraries, canteens etc.)

• Reduced resources when the building is occupied after normal working hours

• ID cards, access control devices, CCTV, security warden patrols

• Training and reminders of responsibility to manage their areas of responsibility

• Consider utilising and resourcing a small number of buildings for ‘out of hours access’

• Ensure suitable and sufficient resources are available

Emergency fire action plans

• Different buildings

• Where to get them

• Guests and visitors

• Make them as generic as possible

• Delivered during staff induction training, available for all staff on website and reflected on the fire action notices; displayed on the escape routes

• Delivered during ‘safety briefs’

4. Fire drills

• Lectures

• Weather

• VIP visits

• Examinations

• That’s the whole point!

• Don’t carry them out in the rain

• Liaise with all departments to confirm that there are no VIP visits or important events

• Obtain the examination time tables and plan around them

PROVIDE FEEDBACK / REPORT

5. Training attendances

• Why – can’t somebody else do it?

• Too busy

• Waiting lists

• Mandatory – roles and responsibilities

• Schedule between semesters or Wednesday afternoons

• Offer depts’ their own training courses – arrange in their facilities.

• On-line training

Relevant Training

• Fire awareness training for all

• Fire marshal training

• Fire extinguisher training

• Evacuation lift training

• Evacuation chair training

• Investigation of fire alerts training

• Refresher training requirements

6. Fireloading

• Contractors

• Departments

• Robust arrangements with contractors

• Regular site checks

• Raise issues and concerns

• Provide guidance on removal and collection of waste

• Challenge issues and concerns

• Take photographs – build up a record to identify trends

• Communicate via email

7. Security or Fire Safety?

• Security is an automatic thought

• Installation of electric door locking devices are not adequately controlled

8.Issues identified in the FRAs

• 102 FRAs with about 1500 ‘ish actions

• All with multiple duty holders

• Shared areas

• Checking that remedial actions have been acknowledged and addressed – although all significant issues are managed to conclusion directly by myself

9. Unwanted Fire Alert Signals (UFAS)

Too many false alarms. In order to address these issues, it is important to acknowledge and understand the possible consequences;

Consideration should be given to the following;

• Procedure of carrying out an investigation of the fire alert

• Upgrade or adapt the existing fire alarm system

10. Adapting to changes

• Cladding

• Change of approach to construction sites and asset protection

• Updates to the sector specific guides

• Updates to the Technical Handbook – Non-Domestic

Continual work required with the addition of new staff and obviously ……………

A new batch of students every year!

My Top TipsFire safety is a hard sell at times. To assist with this, I would suggest the following:

• Communication is vital and don’t expect overnight action;

• Be realistic and set achievable targets;

• Consider working groups;

• Adopt a positive ‘can do attitude’ – or at least explore all possible avenues before saying no.

• Get out and be seen;

• Back up your meetings and advice with confirmatory emails;

• Consider meeting with your counterparts;

• Be consistent;

• Be available to listen to concerns, provide clarity and when necessary, take on board other suggestions and recommendations;

• Be reasonable – recommendations should be proportionate to the costs and resources required to achieve it;

• Fire risk assessments and fire drill reports - highlight good practice and don’t simply identify failings.

My Top Tips

• Work on your people skills to win friends and influence people and enhance your credibility;

• Be persistent;

• Be approachable;

• Have thick skin;

• Ensure that you are seen to be part of the solution.