fire safety for fire wardens richard norris, fire safety adviser
TRANSCRIPT
FIRE SAFETY FOR FIRE WARDENS
Richard Norris, Fire Safety Adviser
2 SESSION OBJECTIVES
Introductions and background General Fire Safety Fire alarm investigation Fire Warden role Home Fire Safety
3 Introductions and Background
• Domestics
•Refreshments
•Toilets
•Fire Alarm / Assembly area
• Format of the session
• Rest break – optional?
• Why the need for trained fire wardens?
4QUESTION:
Who is responsible for fire safety in your building?
EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING!
That includes
Students, Contractors, Visitors
5 What is a fire?
… A fire can be defined as “A chemical reaction called
combustion that involves the rapid oxidisation of
combustible materials, accompanied by a release of energy
in the form of heat and light”…
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8 FIRE TRIANGLEFIRE TRIANGLE
Ignition Sources/Heat
Hot SurfacesElectrical equipmentStatic electricitySmoking/naked flames
Oxygen
Air we breath (21% O2)
Additional sources from oxidising substances & cylinders
Fuel
Flammable gasesFlammable liquidsFlammable solids
9 How does fire spread?
Conduction – occurs when heat is directly applied to a material,
which then transfers the heat to other locations e.g. metal girders
Convection – is the process where heat is transferred by hot air
and smoke travelling through buildings unchecked
Radiation – is the heat we feel given off by a fire
Also consider:
Fire creep
Burning embers
Flashover
10 BURNING ISSUES BURNING ISSUES
Fires don’t make appointments
Fires can occur at home and at work
All big fires start as little fires
People die in fires every day – most are killed by smoke
Knowing what to do saves lives
Flashover
11 University of Bristol fires:
30 since January 1 2007
3 in Hall study bedrooms / 4 in Hall kitchens / Chemistry 07 /
Engineering 08 / Students’ Union September 09
Most caused by faults with electrical equipment
This does not include “cooking fires” where people have left cooking
unattended and it has started to smoulder!
100s false fire alarms EVERY YEAR!
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14 Student building shut after fire (15. 9. 09)
A university students' union building has been closed after a large fire broke
out. The blaze broke out at the canoe club inside the building on Queen's
Road in Bristol. A fire service spokesman said the swimming pool was
also affected. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (PRESS)
A fire in a storage area adjacent to the University of Bristol's Students' Union
Building has caused some smoke damage to the premises, and
consequently the building will be closed for at least 48 hours."
15 WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DISCOVERED A FIRE?WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU DISCOVERED A FIRE?
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17 Raise the alarm
Examples of a current Fire Action
Notice adjacent the red fire alarm
break-glass (Manual Call Point)
18 Escape / Evacuate the building
Pass through fire doors and follow the
escape signs through the place of
relative safety (escape route) to the
place of ultimate safety – through the
final exit to the fresh air outside.
19 Go to the assembly area
A typical assembly point / assembly area sign.
Stay there until you are told it is OK to go back to
work, or the building cannot be re-entered – go
home or elsewhere.
20 ON DISCOVERY OF A FIREON DISCOVERY OF A FIRE
First priority is to raise the alarm, but
how?
Do you call Security or the fire brigade –
dial 112233, 88777, 87848 or 999 or
something else? (0117 33112233 off-precinct?)
Fight the fire ONLY if competent to do so
Leave the building by your NEAREST
means of escape
Go to the assembly area
21When the fire alarms sound…..
Does it mean evacuate or prepare to evacuate?
Is it just a test or the real thing?
It is essential we all react correctly
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23USE OF EXTINGUISHERS IS VOLUNTARY SO DO IT ONLY…
After raising the alarm
If you have a
clear means of escape
To aid your escape (unless you are competent?)
In the very early
stages of a small fire
If you are aware of different types of fire extinguisher
Fire Extinguisher Types
Water Red: paper, wood, etc. – organic solids.
Not electrical equipment, liquids or gases
FoamFoam CreamCream: solids & liquids Not electrical equipment or gases
Powder Blue: solids, liquids, gases & electrical equipment
CO2 Black: liquids, electrical equipment, safe on most
small fires
Fire blanket Good extinguisher for general use – MUST cover the whole fire
25Prevention of fire
Store flammable liquids correctly
Sources of ignition to be controlled
Ensure that electrical equipment is checked
Store combustible waste correctly
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Means of Escape
Can fire doors ever be wedged or held open?
Have fire doors, installed to help prevent the spread of smoke, fumes and fire
Allow a safe exit from a building
Must be kept clear and available at all times
27 PRINCIPAL FACTORS AFFECTING MEANS OF ESCAPE
Building construction: • Primary construction• Secondary construction• Compartmentation• Fire points• Stairwells / enclosures
• Passive fire safety measures
• Active fire safety measures
Occupancy: numbers, activities, capabilities
Design features (intended use, numbers of people: exits, travel
distances, time of evacuation)
Management control
28 Fire Alarm Investigation – Why?
1. To comply with the University’s Fire Safety Policy - approved in July
2007 - aimed at reducing the number of false alarm attendances
the University generates
2. To comply with the Avon Fire and Rescue Service Procedure “Call
Challenge” introduced in October 2007.
29 Fire Alarm Investigation – How?
Ideally the investigation team is three people: one at the alarm
panel, two to investigate cause of activation. Circumstances must
dictate.
“Searchers” use correct techniques.
Maintain radio or mobile phone contact with the person at the alarm
panel.
Always be prepared to abandon the search.
30 Fire Alarm Investigation - Failsafe
Always rely on your instinct – if it doesn’t feel right, don’t go any further,
abandon the search and get the Brigade out.
If you see smoke or flame or if you smell smoke, abandon the search and get
the Brigade out.
“Double Knock” – smoke is spreading and more detectors are activating
Manual call point – assume a real fire, do not investigate, call the Brigade
Heat detector – less sensitive than a smoke detector – assume a real fire
and call the Brigade
Investigation time (two-stage alarm system only)
31 Investigation Techniques
Use hands, eyes, nose and ears!
Scan the area you are approaching but don’t forget to regularly check to the sides and
behind
Note locations of manual call points and fire extinguishers
Touch walls/doors etc with the back of the hand
Feel doors for heat before opening, starting at the top
How to open the door safely …
If heat felt or smoke seen/smelt DON’T open the door – ABANDON THE
SEARCH AND CALL THE BRIGADE
• Look for signs of detector activation: (rapid flash or permanently
on LED)
32 THE FIRE WARDEN ROLE
What is a Fire Warden ? The primary objective of a fire warden is to check that their
designated area has been cleared and report to the person controlling the evacuation
They may be required to assist people from the building that cannot escape unaided
They may be involved with “crowd control” and moving people away from the building towards the assembly area.
They may be involved in monitoring final exits to prevent people re-re-entering the building before being authorised to do so.
Fire Wardens may also be involved in the preparation of fire evacuation plans, in risk assessments and generally promoting fire safety
33 FIRE WARDEN ROLE – normal day to day activities
Monitor access and egress routes including refuges if installed
Don’t allow house-keeping to slip (build-up of fire load)
Keep an eye on extinguishers, smoke detectors, emergency lights, escape signs and fire doors.
Co-ordinate / liaise with other Fire Wardens
Over a period of time check the fire alarm can be heard in all locations/rooms.
34 FIRE WARDEN DUTIES – when the alarm sounds
Put on any issued distinctive clothing (e.g. high viz jacket)
Plan your sweep so that you always move towards your floor exit
If possible, turn off equipment and close doors/windows as you pass
Check all accessible rooms including toilets, and refuges if installed.
Communicate to all the need to evacuate using designated routes
Post-evacuation debriefing meetings
What if you find someone who refuses to evacuate?
What if you are not in your area when the alarm sounds?
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Report to the incident controller that your floor is clear, or advise of the name and
precise location of any person needing assistance.
Take the name of any one who refuses to leave and report them to the officer in
charge of the evacuation.
Fire Warden Duties – when the alarm sounds
Assist the incident controller with crowd control, ensuring adequate access for the fire brigade
Monitor final exit doors to prevent unauthorised re-entry into the building?
REMEMBER IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCESREMEMBER IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
DO NOTDO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT ANY EXTRA RISKPUT YOURSELF AT ANY EXTRA RISK
Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
7. It shall be the duty of every employee while at work :
a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work ; and
b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.
36 EVACUATION OF DISABLED PERSONS
PEEPs
Refuges
When should disabled evacuate?
Who provides assistance?
What about the “unknown” visitor
People organising meetings / events
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Home fire safety
…Install smoke alarms
… Close downstairs doors at night
…Teach the family how to react to fire
… Know what to do if a fire starts …
GET OUT !
STAY OUT!!
GET THE FIRE BRIGADE OUT !!!
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BRADFORD CITY FOOTBALL BRADFORD CITY FOOTBALL STADIUM FIRE 1985STADIUM FIRE 1985
58 PEOPLE KILLED58 PEOPLE KILLED
100100SS INJURED INJURED
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Summary
Fire deserves our respect
Treat all alarms as real unless told otherwise
On discovery of a fire - raise alarm - call the
Fire Brigade - leave building
Know all of your escape routes
Fire Prevention is better than Fire Fighting
We all carry responsibility for fire safety
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Further Information
www.avonfire.gov .uk or 0800 1693 999 for a free home fire safety visit
www.firekills.gov.uk/ (Home Fire Safety)
Health and safety Executive (HSE) website:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/index.htm
Health and Safety Office website:
http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Safety/Fire/FireSafety.shtml
42 OBJECTIVES COVERED
Introductions and background General Fire Safety Fire alarm investigation Fire Warden role Home Fire Safety