Fire Safety Guidance

7/25/2019 Fire Safety Guidance

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Fire safetyGuidance

Health and safety services




Part 1 – General guidanceThe theory of combustion

OxygenHeatFuel

Fire fighting equipmentFire extinguishersWater extinguisher Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher Dry powder extinguisher Foam extinguisher

Means of escapeFire doors

Fire evacuation proceduresWhat to do on discovering a fireWhat to do on hearing the fire alarm

Responsibility of staff False alarmsLiaison with the fire service

Re-entry procedureFire evacuation drillsGeneral precautions summary

Gas leak proceduresOverview

Fire safety strategy and operational procedures

1 - Fire safety inspections and audits2 - Fire wardens3 - Fire safety maintenance4 - Fire safety training5 - Fire incidents

Part 2 practical guidance

IntroductionRisk assessments – an overviewUniversity compliance policy

Maintenance of existing fire precautionsGeneral guidance for risk assessmentsFire safety for disabled people

FormsFor forms, see separate Appendix

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/appendix.pdf

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/appendix.pdf




The Theory of combustion

Every fire needs fuel, oxygen and heat to burn; Remove any one of these and the firewill be extinguished.

Fuel Oxygen

Heat

The type of fuel burning determines which of the three we need to remove.1 - Carbonaceous fire, such as wood and paper - We remove the heat by cooling withwater.2 - Flammable liquid fire - We remove the air and hence the oxygen by smothering thefire.3 - Gas leak which has ignited - We remove the fuel by turning off the gas at themains.

More about oxygen

Rate of burningThe supply of oxygen determines how fast a fire burns. The greater the supply of oxygen, the faster the reaction, so closing the door of a room will slow the rate of burning.

When a solid fuel is divided into smaller pieces there is a greater surface area incontact with oxygen in the air, making the fire burn faster. When a fuel is in dust formand suspended in air, the reaction is so fast that a ‘dust explosion’ can occur if ignited.

Oxidising agentsSome chemical compounds contain a large amount of oxygen, for example:• Potassium nitrate• Sodium chlorate• Hydrogen peroxide

Most of these compounds are non-flammable, but when they are mixed with other fuels they produce additional oxygen. They will burn fiercely if ignited because of thisoxygen and in some cases can even explode. Any such oxidising agents should bestored in a cabinet and kept clear of other combustible materials.




Spontaneous ignitionSome substances can ignite on their own without an external heat source. For example, cleaning rags impregnated with oil or wax polish may spontaneously ignite -This is why all cleaning cloths should be stored in a metal bin with a lid.

Sources of heat

Sources of heat are everywhere around the University, so it is important to be awareof where they are and keep control of them. Sources of heat include:

Electricity

Overloading sockets by using too many adapters

Damaged wiring

Loose plug connections

Arcing caused by faulty insulation

Electrostatic discharge igniting flammable vapours

Portable heatersPeople should be discouraged from using portable heaters, but the following types areacceptable in the event of central heating failure:

Electrical storage convectors

Oil-filled electrical radiators

Electrical convectors with enclosed heating elements

The following heaters should not be used on University premises:

Electrical open element radiators LPG heaters (liquefied petroleum gas)

Material should never be placed on any heater, and flammable materials such ascardboard and paper should never be stored next to them.

SmokingWhere smoking is permitted, a suitable receptacle should be provided for cigaretteends and a separate container for other waste materials.

More about fuel

Fuels can be split into three basic types - gas, liquid and solid.

Gas1 - If you smell gas, immediately look for an obvious cause and switch off the supply if possible.2 - Ventilate the area by opening doors and windows - Remember that domestic gas islighter than air so make sure there is high level ventilation.3 - Do not turn any electrical switches on or off as this will cause a spark and couldignite the gas.

4 - If the source of the gas leak cannot be detected and cut off, the building should beevacuated and the gas company called.




Liquefied petroleum gas – LPGLPG includes Calor Gas, Propane, Butane etc.These gas cylinders should be stored outside and only brought into the building for the

time they are being used.

These gasses are heavier than air and in the case of a leak, will travel a greatdistance at floor level.

The vapours can easily be ignited by a spark or other heat source.

In the event of a leak, the cylinder valve should be turned off.

Remember when ventilating, the gas is heavier than air therefore low levelventing is necessary.

If such gas cylinders are involved in a fire, do not attempt to tackle the blazeand immediately evacuate the building.

Flammable liquidsSome solvents, especially those that are petroleum-based, give off flammable vapoursat normal temperatures and pressures. These vapours are heavier than air and likeLPG, they will travel a great distance, increasing the chance of ignition.

All flammable liquids should be kept in a purpose built store, preferably outside.

Small quantities may be stored inside the building in a fire resistant cabinet or cupboard, and only the smallest quantities removed for immediate use.

All containers should be clearly marked and fitted with a gas-tight lid.

Remember that a seemingly empty can or drum still contains vapours and canexplode in a fire.

If any flammable liquids are spilt, they should be contained and then soaked upby using sand or vermiculite immediately, and the area ventilated.

If a liquid is on fire do not use water to extinguish it.

Solids including wood and paper Solid fires should usually be extinguished with water, and the fire extinguisher or hosereel should be directed at the seat of the fire. The water changing into steamextinguishes the fire.

Water should not be used on electrical equipment, burning metal, flammable liquidfires and on fires involving certain chemicals.




Fire fighting equipment

The University uses three types or fire fighting equipment:

Portable extinguishers

Hose reels

Fire blankets

Advice on using fire fighting equipment1 - Familiarise yourself with the fire fighting equipment provided2 - Read the instructions on the various types of extinguishers3 - If hose reels are provided, physically examine them so you know how they operate4 - Remember that an extinguisher contains only a small amount of water, powder or gas. If you are tackling a large fire or a fire behind a closed door, an extinguisher maynot be suitable.5 - If you are tackling a fire, always check that your means of escape is clear - Look

behind you to ensure the escape route has not become smoke logged.6 - Stop fighting the fire if any of the following circumstances arise:

The fire grows in intensity despite your efforts

Any gas cylinders are nearby

The smoke becomes thick and affects your breathing

Your escape route becomes threatened

Fire extinguishers

You can identify the type of fire extinguisher by the colour of the container, incompliance with the British Standard. New extinguishers now comply with EuropeanStandards and are all coloured red. However all extinguishers manufactured in the UKhave a coloured bar or ring which complies with the old British Standard colour coding.

Colour Type

Red Water

Red with black band Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Red with blue band Dry powder

Red with cream band Foam




Water extinguisher

How to use a water extinguisher 1 - Pull out the metal or plastic split pin,2 - Squeeze the hand grip and use the flexible hose to direct the jet of water at theseat of the fire.

Water extinguishers contain nine litres of water and last for approximately twominutes, throwing a jet of water at least 6.5 metres.

Water extinguishers are best suited for carbonaceous fires such as wood and paper.

Water should not be used on the following type of fire1 - Certain chemicals2 - Electrical equipment

3 - Burning metals4 - Flammable liquids

Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher

The CO2 extinguisher is ideal for electrical fires as it does not cause any damage toelectrical equipment such as computers or VDUs. It can also be used on smallflammable liquid fires.

Carbon dioxide is an inert gas, about 1½ times heavier than air. It thereforeextinguishes the fire by smothering it and starving it of oxygen.

How to use a CO2 extinguisher 1 - Remove split pin from the operating handle,2 - Squeeze the hand-grip and point the discharge horn towards the fire.3 - For small quantities of a contained liquid fire, apply with a sweeping motion acrossthe surface of the burning liquid. Start at the leading edge and force the fire away fromyou.

Important points to remember about CO2 extinguishers CO2 extinguishers give off a loud noise when being discharged, which can

startle the operator.

Only hold the extinguisher by the handle provided and at the base of thecylinder. Do not hold the discharge horn as it can cause cold burns.

Sometimes the operator can get a static electric shock. This is not large enoughto cause injury but it can be surprising.

CO2 extinguishers should not be used on fires involving loose material as theforce of the gas will spread the fire.

CO2 is not toxic but is an asphyxiant. It should not be used in a very confinedcompartment.

CO2 extinguishers are not very effective in the open air or on large flammableliquid fires as the gas quickly disperses and the fire can reignite.




Dry powder extinguisher

These are all-purpose fire extinguishers but are most suitable for flammable liquidsand electrical fires. Dry powder is best for chemical fires and solvents as it does notreact with most compounds. However, the powder is very messy and can damageequipment, particularly machinery with moving parts.

How to use a dry powder extinguisher 1 - Remove the split pin2 - Squeeze the handle and direct the jet of dry powder onto the fire in a rapidsweeping motion, across the area of the fire.

Foam extinguisher

There are several types of foam extinguishers, the most common being a detergentbased compound called AFFF (aqueous film forming foam).

How to use a foam extinguisher 1 - Remove the split pin.

2 - Squeeze the handle. When the burning liquid is contained, direct the foam onto the inside edge of

the container or onto an adjacent vertical surface above the liquid. This breaksup the jet and allows the foam to flow across the burning surface.

For free flowing fire, apply the jet of foam in a slow sweeping motion and notdirectly into the burning liquid.




Means of escape

Departmental fire wardens and other members of staff should consider the following:In an ideal situation, occupants of a building should be able to turn their backs on anyfire and walk to a place of safety. In practice this may not always be possible due to

the design of existing buildings. For example: Single staircase buildings

Rooms within rooms

Dead end corridors

Information about staircase enclosuresIn general staircase enclosures should not be used to store combustible material. Thisrule should be strictly adhered to in the case of single staircase buildings.

Information about rooms within roomsWhere the escape route from an inner room is through an outer room (access room) itis important to make the occupants of the inner room aware immediately of a fireoccurring in the access room.

If the access room is always occupied then the fire warning can be given by word of mouth or by sounding the fire alarm if a call point is in the immediate vicinity. (SeeFigure 1)

FIGURE 1




In cases where the access room is empty and the inner room is occupied, one or bothof the following conditions are desirable:

1 - Provide vision panels in the walls of the inner room, to allow occupants tosee a fire in the access room (see Figure 2).2 - Provide an automatic smoke detector sited in the access room and linked to

the fire alarm system to warn of a fire give immediately. (See Figure 2).

Information about corridorsCorridors should not be used to store combustible material and in dead end corridors

this rule should be strictly adhered to. In a dead end corridor it is desirable that theroute is half hour fire resistant to the point where an alternative exit becomesavailable. (See Figure 3).

FIGURE 3

All doors with access in to the dead end corridor should be fire resistant and self-closing, or at the very least they should be kept shut.

FIGURE 2




Alternative escape routes Alternative escape routes are exits from the building that are not normally used for access. These routes can pass through other departments and doors may be fittedwith special locks for security.

These locks can include Break-the-glass bolts or locks

Panic bolts

Electric locks (with automatic releases when the fire alarm sounds)

Extra informationThe alternative exit routes should be checked monthly by the safety supervisor andfire warden to ensure the routes have not been obstructed, or the special locksdamaged or interfered with. The routes should be followed to the outside of thebuilding.

Most types of break-the-glass locks can be opened with a key but in emergencies itmay be necessary to break the glass. Replacement glass for the locks can beobtained from the University locksmith.

It is essential that these doors are opened every month or two, as they tend to stickand become inoperative.The departmental safety supervisor and/or the fire wardens should ensure that all staff and research students are familiar with the escape routes.

Where the routes are not normally used, all staff should go along the route at leastonce a year, and in the case of new staff immediately after starting.

All alternative exit routes should be clearly indicated by conspicuous "Fire Exit" signs.

Fire doorsFire doors are designed to hold back fire and smoke for a designated period,preventing the spread of smoke and fire giving people more time to get out. Fire doorsare fitted with self closing devices that ensure that they are kept closed, but they aresometimes wedged open in hot weather or in busy areas.

This is dangerous as well as illegal, but to overcome this problem, it is possible to fiteither of the following types of fire door retainers:-

A ‘Dorgard’ type hold open device. A magnetic hold open device.

An automatic self closing device.These devices will hold a door open, while either constantly ‘listening’ for the fire alarmor activate when the fire alarm sounds, the device then releases the door and it closesautomatically.

Fire door retainers are the most satisfactory alternative to propping fire doors open.For more information on fire door retainers, contact Estate Services or your fire safetyadviser.




Fire evacuation procedures

These pages contain the following information:

What to do on discovering a fire

What to do on hearing the fire alarmResponsibility of staff False alarmsLiaison with the fire service

Re-entry procedureFire evacuation drillsGeneral precautions summaryGas leak proceduresOverview

What to do on discovering a fire

1 - The fire alarm should be set off before the fire is tackled.Use common sense and discretion if you discover a fire. In extreme cases it may bepossible to put out a fire before sounding the fire alarm, but only if the fire is very smalland you are confident it can be put out easily.

Use the nearest appropriate fire extinguisher but if this has no immediate effect on thefire, operate the fire alarm.

If the building is not equipped with an electrical alarm, shout the warning "fire", or operate the manual sounders. All staff should be told the correct way of operating thefire alarm and shown the "break-the-glass” call point or manual call point near wherethey work.

2 - Call security on Ext 32222 to confirm it is a real fireWhen the fire alarm sounds on campus, it will automatically inform security control.The controller will not call the fire service immediately due to the large number of falsealarms, so it is essential that you call security on Ext. 32222 to confirm it is a real fireand to give any relevant information.

Security will need information including:

a) The exact location of the fireb) The location of any trapped peoplec) The type of fire (including the type of fuel involved)d) Any hazardous substances that may be involved:

toxic or explosive chemicals,

radioactive substances,

gas cylinders




3 – At premises off campus, call the fire service directly on 999 after raising thealarm.Pass on all the relevant information to the fire service control.Remember the fire service control is in Bradford and the operator may not be familiar with the local area, so it is essential that you give the correct postal address of the

premises. It may be helpful to provide a clear notice next to the telephone which couldbe used for calling the fire service. This notice should include the correct postaladdress.

All staff should be told the system of reporting a fire that is relevant to them.

4 – Only tackle a fire after the alarm has been raised and the fire service or security informed.In practice, the fire may be discovered by more than one person and the aboveactions can be carried out simultaneously.

5 – It is better for several calls to be made about the same incident rather thanno call at all.Where more than one person is present it is possible that no one calls the fire serviceor security, due to confusion. If in doubt call 32222 or 999

6 – Don’t risk your own safety.If your efforts to tackle the fire have no effect or the fire is too big for you to fight,evacuate the building immediately by using the shortest possible route, closing thedoor to the evacuated room behind you.

7 – After evacuation, report to the pre-determined assembly point

and await further instructions.

What to do on hearing the fire alarm

1 On hearing the fire alarm, all occupants should evacuate the buildingimmediately by the shortest possible route and then report to the assemblypoint.

2 Fire wardens should check the areas they are responsible for only if safe to doso, to help in the evacuation.

Pay particular attention to "out of the way" rooms such as bathrooms, toilets,preparation rooms and dark rooms.

3 The fire warden should then evacuate and help the security staff to preventunauthorised people from entering the building.

All fire wardens and safety supervisors will be issued with orange arm bands for identification. These armbands should be worn at all evacuation incidents.




Responsibility of staff

1 At all fire evacuations, the security officer arriving at the scene will automaticallytake charge unless relieved by a designated fire warden or safety supervisor. If

no approach is made, the security officer will stay in control until the conclusionof the incident or the arrival of the fire service.2 A designated fire warden or safety supervisor should only take charge of an

incident by approaching the security officer and telling them their name andtheir appointment.

3 When the fire alarm goes off, a designated fire warden should proceed to thefire alarm indicator panel to find out the location of the call point. They shouldthen investigate the area and if there are any signs of a fire they should informsecurity (Ext. 32222) immediately, and then report back to the fire alarmindicator panel.

4 The security officer in attendance will take charge of the incident in the

following instances:

After normal working hours and holiday periods

At incidents where the safety supervisor or designated person is not inattendance at the fire alarm panel and it is apparent that no one is incharge.

False alarms where the fire service are not called

1 If there is a false alarm, inform security control immediately.2 After a building is evacuated where investigations have confirmed it was a false

alarm, the person in charge is responsible for making the decision to allowpeople back into the building. This decision takes place only after consultationwith the security officer and the electrician who may be present.

Sounding of fire alarms

1 Once activated the fire alarm system must not be silenced unless it is anobvious false alarm or is required by the fire service for operational reasons.

2 At all incidents, when the fire service has required the silencing of alarms, the

fire wardens and other available members of staff should help security incordoning off the whole building.3 Hazard warning tape and danger notices can be obtained from security control.

Liaison with the fire service

The departmental safety supervisor and the fire warden who are responsible for thearea with the fire will have relevant local knowledge which may be helpful to the officer in charge of the incident. They should therefore make themselves available to help thefire service by reporting to the University fire officer or the senior security officer

present.




Re-entry after an incident

1 Once at the assembly point, all staff and students should await instructionsfrom the departmental safety officer, fire warden or security.

2 On no account should anyone enter a building when the fire alarm is sounding.

3 At most small incidents the officer in charge of the fire service will decide whenit is safe to re-enter a building. This information will be passed on to securitywho will inform the fire warden and safety supervisor.

4 At larger incidents or where contamination is suspected, the University fireofficer will be responsible for re-entry, having first being given the all clear bythe fire service. In the absence of the fire officer, the responsibility for re-entrywill be taken by a representative from Estate Services. The person responsible

for re-entry will wear an orange arm band.

5 At a prolonged incident or in bad weather the head of the department maydecide to dismiss the staff and students at the assembly point. On suchoccasions the fire warden from the evacuated building should make themselvesavailable to help the University fire officer in carrying out safety tasks prior to ageneral re-entry, e.g. venting the building, checking for water damage, etc.

6 At a prolonged incident, members of staff or students wishing to retrieveimportant documents should contact the departmental safety supervisor whoshould then inform the fire officer.

7 At a prolonged incident the security staff will place "Danger, No access beyondthis point" notices at entry routes to a particular building. Department safetysupervisors and fire wardens should ensure that staff or students do not abusethese notices.




Evacuation drills

Fire wardens should organise and implement an annual fire evacuation drill.

If you want to arrange an evacuation drill for your department, the proceduresare as follows:

1 - Arrange a date and time2 - Send an internal works order to Estate Services requesting anelectrician to attend

3 - Inform security control4 - Inform the University fire safety adviser

In larger buildings or areas containing more than one department, the differentfire wardens should liaise with each other to plan the evacuation drill. For helpin organising these larger drills, contact health and safety services.

If a building is evacuated due to a fire or a false alarm, this may be recorded as

a fire evacuation drill and health and safety services should be informed.

The purpose of an evacuation drill is to:1 - Familiarise the occupants of a building with escape routes and

assembly points2 - Identify any problems such as the volume of the alarm in certain areas

or overcrowding on any escape routes. Any problems should be reported tohealth and safety services.

General fire precautions

1 - If a naked flame is being used or combustible material is being heated for experimental reasons or otherwise, the departmental safety supervisor or fire wardenmust be informed and if necessary extra precautions should be taken.

2 - Any physical alteration to escape routes should be reported to health and safetyservices. This includes:

Sealing doors

Locking previously unlocked doors

Moving furniture to obstruct a previously open thoroughfare

Altering internal walls and modifying the means of escape

3 - Escape routes such as staircases are protected by half-hour fire resistant and self-closing doors. Therefore fire doors should not be wedged open or tied back as this will jeopardise everyone’s safety in the event of a fire.

4 - Check that all alternative escape routes are accessible - Sometimes doors getinadvertently locked or obstructed.

5 - Do not allow combustible materials to be stored in staircase enclosures andcorridors.




6 - Ensure you know how to operate the fire alarm system and the location of thebreak-the-glass call points.

7 - Do not allow waste materials such as paper to build up. Rubbish should beremoved every day.

Gas leak procedures

Suspected gas leaksIf you think there is a gas leak, follow these procedures:

1 - Look for an obvious reason for the leak and where possible turn off the supply.2 - Ventilate the area by opening doors and windows.

Ordinary gas is lighter than air, so ventilate at high level.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is heavier than air, so ventilate at low level.

3 - Do not turn on or turn off any electrical supply, including light switches.4 - Evacuate the area using word of mouth.5 - In the event of a leak that cannot be detected and turned off, call security (Ext:

32222) who will dispatch an officer to the premises.6 - In some cases it may be necessary to evacuate the whole building and this should

be done by work of mouth and by using compressed air horns which are kept atsecurity control.

7 - At all incidents where an evacuation is necessary other than fire incidents, thesenior security officer present will take command. The fire warden should assistthe security officer in any such evacuation.

Summary

The above notes are intended to provide basic fire prevention guidance for firewardens and safety supervisors.

It is not always possible to apply set procedures during a fire and some flexibility mayhave to apply depending on the situation. However for the majority of incidents theabove procedures will be applicable.

Where possible fire prevention issues should be resolved at departmental level, but if the issue is controversial or requires specialist advice please contact health and safetyservices.

The following page is an overview of the above notes and summarises therecommended duties of fire wardens.




Departmental safety supervisors and fire wardensOverview of recommended duties

Theory of combustionThere are three elements of combustion; oxygen, fuel and heat. Take away any one

and the fire will be extinguished. The element we remove depends on which type of fuel is burning.

Means of escape1 - Carry out routine checks of the alternative exit routes.2 - Ensure all staff and postgraduate students are familiar with the alternative routes.3 - Check that corridors and staircase enclosures are not used for storing combustible

materials.4 - Check fire resistant and self-closing doors are not wedged open or fastened back.5 - Check that escape routes are clearly indicated by exit signs.6 - Check that the blue fire notices are still in place and intact.

Fire fighting equipment1 - Ensure all staff and postgraduate students are familiar with how to operate fire

extinguishers and hose reels.2 - Ensure all staff and postgraduate students are aware of the dangers of using the

wrong extinguisher on a particular type of fire.3 - Carry out routine checks of fire fighting equipment.

Fire drill procedure1 - Ensure staff and postgraduate students know what to do when:

A fire is discovered

The fire alarm sounds2 - On hearing the fire alarm, check the area is evacuated.3 - Assist security to prevent anyone from re-entering.4 - Liaise with the safety advisers and or security regarding any local knowledge that

may help the fire service.

Re-entry procedures1 - Liaise with security regarding re-entry at small incidents.2 - At prolonged incidents or where contamination is suspected, liaise with the safety

adviser. In their absence, liaise with the representative from Estate Services.3 - Assist the safety adviser or the representative from Estate Services to carry out

any safety checks prior to general re-entry, if requested to do so.

Evacuation drills1 - Arrange evacuation drills to be carried out annually.

General fire precautions1 - Give advice and approval on using naked flames and heating combustible

materials.2 - Ensure that LPG and open element electrical fires are not used.3 - Inform health and safety services of any changes that could affect the means of

escape or other fire precautions.




Fire safety strategy and operational procedures

IntroductionThe following strategy and operational procedures detail how the University managesand maintains a high standard of fire safety in accordance with the above policy.

“Fire safety management structure & responsibility” flow chart details how thefollowing strategy is implemented and clarifies duties and responsibilities for fire safetymanagement.

1- Fire safety inspections and audits

Fire safety advisersThe University’s fire safety advisers will carry out a fire safety inspection or audit onpremises on a risk based inspection programme identified by the fire safety advisers

i.e.

High risk premises – annuallyMedium risk premises – bienniallyLow risk premises – triennially

The fire safety advisers will carry out or review structural and electrical building firerisk assessments using the form in Appendix 2 in liaison with the responsible personor appointed representative. In addition, the fire and rescue service and the fire safetyadvisers or health and safety services will carry out periodic visits and inspections asthey consider necessary.

The fire safety advisers may also visit premises and schools or services on aninformal basis to discuss fire safety procedures with staff. These visits may take placeat a time convenient to the school or service.

Following inspections, the fire safety advisers will prepare a report which includes therecommended actions, the persons responsible and recommended completion dates.

Responsible person / Estate ServicesThe above reports will be submitted as appropriate to the estates zone team leader,electrical energy technical officer and the responsible person for the school or servicewho will arrange for the immediate implementation of any recommendations madewithin their area of control as appropriate.

It is the duty of the responsible person or appointed representative to ensure thatemployees are informed of progress in implementing any recommendations.

The responsible person will nominate appropriate staff to carry out six-weekly firesafety checks (this will normally be a fire warden) and monitor this activity.

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/fire_management_flowchart.pdf

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/building_fire_risk_assessment.pdf




http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/fire_management_flowchart.pdf




Implementing recommendations of fire safety advisersThe major fire precautions meeting is an Estate Services internal committee whichdiscusses priorities and funding in respect of fire precautions

Where any physical structural or electrical alterations are recommended, the fire

safety advisers will classify these according to priority and advise if they are legislativerequirements or could be considered as good practice in order to reduce risk.

Recommendations for medium or large scale physical alterations may need to beconsidered by the above meeting in accordance with priorities and funding availablefrom within the Estate Services budget.

2 - Fire wardens

The duties of fire wardens are described below.

The fire warden should:

Complete an operational fire risk assessment using the risk assessment form(Appendix 3). It should be reviewed annually and particularly if:

(a) They suspect it is no longer valid, or (b) There have been significant changes in what it relates to. This caninclude when changes to special measures, technical measures or organisational measures.

Carry out six-weekly checks of the existing fire precautions within the area of

responsibility using the fire precautions checklist (Appendix 4), and ensure thatany faulty equipment or defects are reported to the responsible person, EstateServices helpdesk or fire safety adviser as appropriate.

Keep a record of the fire precaution checks, together with a copy of the firesafety advisers’ structural and electrical risk assessment

Regularly check the fire alarm panel and report any faults indicated on it

If the fire alarm panel shows an incident in their area of responsibility,

investigate what started it (without putting themselves at risk), contact securityand take charge

If the fire alarm goes off, help in the evacuation of the building and, wherenecessary, redirect people to a less busy exit route.

Try to prevent any re-entry into the building until the ‘all clear’ is given by theofficer in charge of the fire service, security or safety supervisor.

Liaise with the fire and rescue service and security at any incident

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/fire_wardens_risk_assessment.pdf

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/fire_wardens_checklist.pdf






Report any irregularities that happen during the evacuation process to theresponsible person, the fire safety adviser or the health and safety team, soaction can be taken to rectify it.

Organise and supervise an annual evacuation drill via Estate Services

helpdesk, (making sure that security is informed and no direct call is made tothe fire service);

In some areas, duties are shared or organised differently to suit localcircumstances, and this is especially true in specialist areas or large buildings.For example, if a school or service appointed a fire co-ordinator responsible for compiling the operational fire risk assessment and organising fire drills, other fire wardens would then help with the day-to-day duties and responsibilities.

3 - Fire safety maintenance

Estate Services use a planned programme of maintenance (PPM) as follows:

Fire alarm systems, including automatic door release mechanisms, are testedevery three months

Emergency lighting systems are tested every three months

Fire doors, fire exit doors and associated door furniture are examined andtested every six months

Fire fighting appliances are examined and tested annually.

Records are maintained within the PPM system and/or in a fire logbook asappropriate.

4 - Fire safety training

Training for fire wardens - delivered by fire safety advisersHealth and safety services run three fire warden courses.

Course A

Participants will get a greater knowledge and awareness of the threat of fire withinUniversity premises. They will learn how to operate a fire extinguisher, and refreshtheir existing knowledge of fire procedures. The course will also ensure they know theduties and responsibilities of fire wardens.

Course B A continuation of Course A which will give participants a greater knowledge andawareness, so they comply with legislation and the University’s fire policy.

The course will cover the following principles:

Means of escape

Fire compartmentation Fire risk assessments




Following this course, the fire warden will be fully competent to carry out all the dutiesand responsibilities in line with University policy, including fire risk assessments andfire safety checks.

Course CThis is a refresher course and the content will vary from year to year. It will update firewardens on any changes to legislation and policy, and cover different themes.

Newly appointed fire wardens must attend fire warden course A, followed by course Bbefore they can be considered fully competent. They must attend course A within sixmonths of being nominated and then course B within six months of completing course A. Failure to attend could incur a charge and the removal of their name from the list of fire wardens.

Existing fire wardens who have completed courses A and B and have been appointed

for three years or more will attend course C as a refresher every three years.

Additional training is provided as requested, for example using the Evac chair or breathing apparatus.

Training for all staff - delivered by fire wardens

All staff are to be trained in the following:

What to do if a fire is discovered

What to do on hearing the fire alarm

Re-entry procedure after an incident

The location of the area’s fire fighting equipment, and basic operatingprocedures

Any alternative exit routes

The responsible person must ensure that all their staff attend fire training sessions asrequired by this policy, and monitor their attendance. They are also responsible for releasing staff from duty so they can attend.

Supervisors must ensure that new employees attend an induction course of fire safety

training as soon as possible after the start of employment. Supervisors must alsoinform these new employees of the following on their first working day:

Relevant fire evacuation procedures

Means of escape

The location of fire alarm points and fire-fighting equipment




5 - Fire incidents

The following procedure for fire incidents is generic throughout the University. Theremay be a requirement to vary the procedure in special circumstances to suit localrequirements. If it is necessary to do this, the procedure should be approved by the

fire safety advisers.

On hearing the fire alarm, all occupants should evacuate immediately by theshortest possible route and go to the assembly point designated on the fireaction notices. (Areas where there is a need to shut down experiments or equipment prior to evacuation should have specific procedures in place. Inlecture theatres the lecturer is responsible for evacuation.)

If safe to do so, the fire wardens should check the areas they are responsiblefor, ensuring that such areas as toilets, rest rooms, dark rooms etc arechecked.

The fire warden should then evacuate and assist security staff.

All fire wardens will, if possible, wear the orange identification arm band.

On hearing the fire alarm, a designated fire warden will proceed to the firealarm panel to ascertain the location of the call point or detector that hasactuated.

The fire warden in the area of the fire alarm actuation should investigate(without placing themselves in danger) and if a fire is suspected immediatelyinform security who will call the fire and rescue service. On arrival of security,the fire wardens will make themselves known, giving their name anddesignation and information regarding the incident.

At all fire alarm actuations where fire wardens are not present, security willattend and take charge until a fire warden, with specific building knowledge,takes charge.

The fire alarm must not be silenced until the cause of the fire alarm actuation isknown or may be silenced by the Fire and Rescue Service for operational

reasons.

The person in charge will make the decision when to allow persons to re-enter the building only after discussion with security.

The school’s or service’s safety supervisor or the fire warden should liaise withthe Fire and Rescue Service officer in charge to relay local knowledge of anyrelevant information regarding the part of the building involved.

Confirmed fires must be reported on the Sentinel incident and accident reportingsystem, giving a full description of the incident.




Part 2 - practical guidance

Contents

IntroductionRisk assessments – an overviewUniversity compliance policyMaintenance of existing fire precautionsGeneral guidance for risk assessmentsFire safety for disabled people




The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Introduction

The purpose of this circular is to assist the departmental safety supervisors and firewardens to carry out their duties and hence comply with the order.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 replaces previous fire safetylegislation. Any fire certificates previously issued under the Fire Precautions Act 1971to many of the campus buildings are no longer valid and will cease to have any affect.

If a risk assessment has been carried out previously under the Fire Precautions(Workplace) Regulations 1997, as amended 1999, and this assessment has beenregularly reviewed then all that will need to be done is revise the assessment to meetthis order.

The order applies to England and Wales and covers general fire precautions and other fire safety duties which are needed to protect ‘relevant persons’ in case of fire in or around ‘premises’. The order requires fire precautions to be put into place ‘wherenecessary’ and to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable in the circumstancesof the case.

Responsibility for complying with the order rests with the ‘responsible person’. In aworkplace this will be the employer or any other person who has control of any part of the premises. In all other cases the persons in control will be responsible.

The above order applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space. The only exceptions are private homes, includingindividual flats in a block or house.

The responsible persons must ensure that a ‘fire risk assessment’ is carried out by a‘competent person’ who must consider all ‘relevant persons’ i.e. everyone who mightbe on the premises, whether they are employees, visitors or members of the public. Itshould pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as disabled people, thosewho have special needs, and children, and it must include consideration of anydangerous substances liable to be on the premises.

In premises where there are five or more people employed, the premises are licensedor an alterations notice is in force then a record of the significant findings of theassessment must be recorded.

Other fire safety duties within the fire safety order that the ‘responsible person’ needsto comply with are:

They must appoint one or more competent persons, depending on the size anduse of the premises, to carry out the preventative and protective measuresrequired.

They must provide the employees with clear and relevant information on therisks to them identified by the fire risk assessment, about the measures that




have been taken to prevent fires, and how these measures will protect them if afire breaks out.

They must consult with their employees about nominating people to carry outparticular roles in connection with fire safety and about proposals for improving

the fire precautions.

They must inform non employees, such as students and temporary or contractworkers, of the relevant risks to them, and provide them with information aboutwho are the nominated competent persons, and about fire safety precautions inthe premises.

They must co-operate and co-ordinate with responsible persons, who also havepremises in a building, inform them of any significant risks, and how theresponsible person will seek to reduce or control those risks which might affectthe safety of their employees.

They must provide the employer of any person from an outside organisationwho is working in the premises (e.g. agency providing temporary staff) withclear and relevant information on the risks to those employees and thepreventative and protective measures taken.

They must establish a suitable means of contacting the emergency servicesand provide them with any relevant information about dangerous substances.

They must provide appropriate information, instruction and training to their employees, during their normal working hours, about fire precautions in theworkplace, at the start of and periodically through their time of employment.

They must ensure that the premises and any equipment provided in connectionwith fire fighting, fire detection, or emergency routes and exits are covered by asuitable system of maintenance, and are maintained by a competent person inan efficient state, in working order and in good repair.

Risk assessments – An overview

Good management of fire safety is vital to prevent fires from starting, and to detectand control them quickly if they do start. Departments should carry out fire riskassessments to ensure the fire safety procedures and measures for preventing fire areall in place and working properly.

In the event of a fire, anyone in the building should be able to escape to a safe placeeasily and quickly. The purpose of the risk assessment is to find where fires couldstart and identify anyone who could be put at risk from that fire.

This assessment method follows the 5 step model used in general health and safetylegislation. The results of the risk assessment must be recorded on the fire wardens’

risk assessment form (Appendix 3).








The 5 step approach to a fire safety risk assessment

1. Identify fire hazards

Sources of ignition

Sources of fuel

Sources of oxygen.

NotesSources of ignition that may cause a fire include naked flames, heaters, cookers,boilers, electrical equipment and some commercial processes.

Sources of fuel include built-up waste, display materials, textiles, posters andnotice boards (particularly on escape routes), curtains, stocks of paper,cardboard, plastics etc. Sources of oxygen include as air conditioning, medicinalor commercial products

2. Identify people at risk People in and around the premises

People who are especially at risk.

NotesPeople at risk include people working near to fire dangers, people working aloneor in isolated areas, and disabled people.

3. Evaluate, remove or reduce, and protect from risk

Evaluate the risk of fire starting

Evaluate the risk to people from a fire

Remove or reduce fire risks Remove or reduce the risks to people from a fire

Protect people by providing fire precautions

NotesWhen assessing the level of risk in your area you should remove or reduce firehazards where possible and reduce any risks you have identified. For example,replace highly flammable materials with less flammable ones.

Make sure you separate flammable materials from sources of ignition and have asafe smoking policy. When you have reduced the risk as far as possible, assess

the remaining risk and decide whether any further measures are needed to reacha reasonable level of fire safety.

The minimum fire precautions you should have are:

A fire detection and warning system

Means of fighting a fire

Safe routes for people to leave the premises.

Suitable fire exit doors

Emergency lighting

Fire safety signs

A management system to make sure you maintain your fire safetysystems.




4. Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

Record any major findings and the action you have taken

Discuss the work with other responsible people

Prepare an emergency plan

Inform and instruct relevant people

Provide training

NotesIn this step you will record the dangers and people at risk you identified in step 1and step 2. You should record what you did about it in step 3. You will tailor anemergency plan to your premises, to ensure the people in your area know whatto do if there is a fire and that the premises can be safely evacuated.

Your emergency plan should be based on the outcome of your fire riskassessment and be available for your employees, their representatives (whereappointed) and the enforcing authority.

In simple buildings the emergency plan might be no more than a fire actionnotice, but in multi-occupied and more complex premises, the emergency planwill need to be more detailed. It should include the following information whereappropriate:

The names and duties of staff and students who have specificresponsibilities if there is a fire

Arrangements for the safe evacuation of people at risk, such as youngchildren and babies in a crèche, disabled people, contractors, members of the public and visitors

Any machines, appliances, processes or power supplies that need to bestopped or isolated if there is a fire

Arrangements for an emergency plan to be used by anyone who has hiredpart of the premises

Procedures for meeting the fire service on their arrival and telling them of any special risks, e.g. the location of highly flammable materials;

All employees should get enough information and training about the risks in thepremises. Fire wardens will undergo more detailed training.

5. Review

Review your fire-risk assessment regularly Make changes where necessary

NotesYou should make sure your fire risk assessment is up to date, and you will needto re-examine the risk assessment if you suspect it is no longer valid. This maybe after a near miss or a significant change to the level of risk in your premises,such as:

If the layout of the premises changes

If new procedures or equipment are introduced

If the number and location of people working in your premises changes.

Remember to review your fire-risk assessment regularly.




University policy for compliance

The ‘responsible person’ must ensure that the school or service has sufficient firewardens to carry out specific duties. The names of the fire wardens must be forwarded

to health and safety services together with the following information:

Name of school or service.

Name and/or address of building.

Fire wardens’ e-mail address and telephone number.

Location of area within building.

Health and safety services will then arrange for the appropriate training to be given.The training consists of two half-day courses.

Fire warden course A

After completing this course, the fire warden will be competent to carry out thefollowing duties:

Assist in the fire evacuation of the building.

Carry out training for other staff and postgraduate students in:o Fire evacuation procedures;o Use of fire fighting equipment.

Organise and implement a fire evacuation drill.

Fire warden course B After completing this course, the fire warden will be competent to carry out the

following additional duties:

Routine inspections of the existing fire precautions.

A fire risk assessment.

The completion of the appropriate forms

Staff training on means of escape.

Training of staff and postgraduatesThe fire safety order requires that all staff are trained in the following fire safety issues:

Fire evacuation procedures

The location and when appropriate, the basic operating procedures for the firefighting equipment provided.

Means of escape

General fire safety

Evacuation procedures All staff and postgraduate students should know precisely “what action to take if theydiscover a fire” and also “what to do on hearing the fire alarm”.

Further information on evacuation procedures is given in the ‘Fire Precautions Notesfor Guidance’ which is issued to all fire wardens who attend Course A.




Means of escape All staff and postgraduate students should be familiar with any alternative exit routethey may have to traverse in the event of a fire. In some cases the routes are acrossroofs and through adjacent buildings. In such cases the relevant staff should be shownthe routes and where appropriate led to the fire exit.

Many fire exit doors are fitted with special locking devices, e.g.

Panic bars

Break-the-glass locks

Electronic locks which are linked into the fire alarm system.

In such cases the staff should be told and shown how to operate the mechanisms.

Use of fire fighting equipment All staff and postgraduate students should be told and shown how to operate the fireextinguishers and how to identify the various types. They must know which

extinguisher is suitable for the various types of fires, and also the dangers of usingwater on certain fuels. Further information can be found in the ‘fire wardens’ notes for guidance’.

General fire precautions

Staff and postgraduate students should be made aware of any fire resistantdoor in the areas they frequent and the dangers in wedging such a door open.

Staff and students should also be made aware of any specific risks they mayencounter whilst carrying out their duties, eg. working with highly flammableliquids or gases, carrying out ‘hot work’, etc.

All staff and postgraduate students should be trained immediately after their appointment and annually thereafter, and all such training is to be recorded on the firerisk assessment form (Appendix 3).

Maintenance of the existing fire precautions

Following the completion of the fire risk assessment and the recording of thesignificant findings, it will be necessary to provide a plan of the building showing the

fire precautions that are in place.

Most schools or services are already in possession of suitable plans and these willonly need annotating. Where necessary such sketch plans can be obtained from theEstate Services helpdesk.

Once the plans have been prepared the relevant fire warden can check the areahe/she is responsible for and ensure that all fire precautions are being maintained.

Obsolete fire certificate plans may be used for this purpose, however in some casesthey only refer to parts of buildings which are used as office premises and other areas

have been “hatched”. If these plans are to be used then all areas will need to beshown on the plan.








An A3 plan drawing should be annotated with the following existing fire precautions:-

a) Fire resistant screens, walls and doors: These items should be indicated bydouble lines or outlined in red.

b) All doors required as an exit for means of escape purposes.c) All Exit signs and other notices, eg fire Instruction notices, fire exit keep clear signs, etc.

d) All fire fighting equipment, eg. hose reels, fire extinguishers (including type),fire blankets.

e) Any special locking devices on doors required for means of escapepurposes, e.g. panic bolts, “break the glass” type locks, electro-magneticlocks which operate on the activation of the fire alarm.

f) Fire alarm call points and any visual warning in case of fire, eg. flashinglights.

g) Automatic fire detection where required for means of escape purposes, eg.

room within rooms, single staircase enclosures, dead end corridors.h) Electro-magnetic door retainers.

See Appendix 5 for the recommended symbols for annotation.

Fire wardens’ routine inspections - check listFire wardens should carry out routine inspections regularly, every four to six weeksdepending on the risk in the area. The following information will help you fill in the firewardens’ fire precautions checklist and to report any problems you find during theinspections.

1 - Check all escape routes are kept free of obstructions and combustiblematerial.2 - Check all fire exit doors can be easily opened in the direction of travelwithout needing a key.3 - Check all fire resistant doors self-close fully and do not stick in the openposition.4 - Check the fire alarm call points are clearly visible.5 - Check the escape lighting luminaires and exit signs are in good condition.Where fitted, check that the charge indicators are visible.6 - Check all fire fighting equipment is still in the right location and the plastictamper seals are still intact. If you find any defects, report them to estatesservices helpdesk (ext 35555) and remove the extinguisher from service.7 - Check that all escape routes are indicated by clear and legible fire exitsigns, and the blue ‘fire instruction notices’ are displayed clearly.8 - Check that any other fire safety measures are being maintained.

Reporting procedureIf any work is needed to maintain the existing fire precautions, report it to EstateServices helpdesk (ext 35555). This includes problems such as:

• Fire doors not self-closing properly• Smoke seals or luminescent strips damaged or missing• Fire exit doors difficult to open

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/fire_precaution_symbols.pdf





http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/fire_precaution_symbols.pdf




Quote a reasonable time limit for the work to be done. This time factor will depend onthe severity of the fault, for example:

• A fire exit door that cannot be opened should be attended to immediately.• A damaged smoke seal is less urgent, so a month is a reasonable time.

The urgency of this corrective work is at the discretion of the inspecting fire warden.

When reporting any faults it is essential that you obtain a ‘job number’ from thehelpdesk to verify the report. Then record the type of work, job number and completiondate on the routine inspection form

While carrying out these duties, all fire wardens should be aware of the existing fireprecautions. Any faults should be reported as a routine inspection and recordedaccordingly on the fire precautions checklist.

Note - In multi-departmental buildings, the safety supervisors and fire wardens shouldliaise with each other to ensure all communal areas are covered in the routine checks.It is also important to include areas such as computer clusters and lecture rooms inthe inspections.

Further guidance on completing risk assessments

Sources of ignitionPossible sources of ignition include

Heaters

Boilers Engines

Naked flames

Heat from processes or electrical equipment.

Portable heaters are considered to be high risk especially LPG heaters and electricalopen bar radiators. Such types of heaters must not be used on University premises.

Combustible materialsCombustible materials do not normally cause concern if they are handled safely and

stored away from sources of ignition.

Some combustible materials such as flammable liquids, gases and plastic foams areparticularly hazardous. They ignite very easily and can produce large amounts of heatand dense smoke.

Flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 40ºC should be stored in purpose builtcupboards, metal bins or storerooms and only the minimum amount required for aspecific use should be removed.

Flammable gas cylinders are extremely hazardous because of the risk of explosion,

either from a leak or if involved in a fire. They should be stored in an outside securecompound if possible, or in a fire resistant storeroom sited well away from any other




combustible material. On no account should gas cylinders be sited on escape routesor in staircase enclosures.

Waste combustible materials such as polystyrene awaiting collection must never bestored on escape routes such as staircases, corridors or other circulating areas. A

discarded cigarette or even an arsonist could ignite the waste with disastrousconsequences.

Any concerns regarding the storage of flammable liquids should be reported to healthand safety services.

Dangerous substances

Specific measures must be taken in respect of dangerous substances. A "dangerous substance" is:

1 - A substance or preparation that meets the criteria in the “approvedclassification and labelling guide” for classification as any of the following:

Explosive

Oxidising

Extremely flammable

Highly flammable

FlammableThis applies whether or not that it is classified under the CHIP regulations.

2 - A substance or preparation which creates a risk because of its physicochemical or chemical properties, and the way it is used or is present in or onpremises

3 - Any dust that can form an explosive mixture with air or an explosiveatmosphere, whether in the form of solid particles, fibrous materials or otherwise.

To control the risk from dangerous substances, the following must be considered inorder of priority:

1. Reduce the quantity of dangerous substances to a minimum2. Avoid or minimise the release of dangerous substances3. Control the release of a dangerous substance at source4. Prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere, including the application of

appropriate ventilation

5. Ensure that any release of dangerous substances that could give rise to risk iseither:

Suitably collected

Safely contained

Removed to a safe place

Or otherwise rendered safe, as appropriate.




6. Avoid ignition sources including electrostatic discharges, and avoid other adverse conditions that could result in harmful physical effects from adangerous substance.

7. Segregate incompatible dangerous substances.

If it is not reasonably practical to eliminate the risk, the following measures must beapplied:

1. Reduce the number of people exposed to a minimum2. Take measures to avoid the propagation of fires or explosions3. Provide explosion pressure relief arrangements4. Provide explosion suppression equipment5. Provide plant which is constructed to withstand the pressure likely to be

produced by an explosion6. Provide suitable personal protective equipment.

Other considerations in respect of buildings, plant and equipment:

Ensure the premises are designed, constructed and maintained to reduce risk

Ensure that suitable special, technical and organisational measures aredesigned, constructed, assembled, installed, provided and used to reduce risk

Ensure that special, technical and organisational measures are maintained inan efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair

Ensure that equipment and protective systems meet the followingrequirements:

o Where power failure can allow the spread of additional risk, equipmentand protective systems must be able to be maintained in a safe state of operation independently of the rest of the plant in the event of power failure

o Manual override must be possible for shutting down equipment andprotective systems, incorporated within automatic processes whichdeviate from the intended operating conditions. This override must beoperated by competent employees, and carried out as long as it doesnot compromise safety;

o On emergency shutdown, accumulated energy must be dissipated asquickly and as safely as possible or isolated so that it no longer constitutes a hazard

o

Necessary measures must be taken to prevent confusion betweenconnecting devices;




People at riskSome people are at greater risk if they work in areas where fires are more likely tooccur or where fires could grow quickly. In such cases, it is important to control thehazard which causes this increased risk.

Appropriate procedures, and specific steps should be taken to ensure people in thehigh risk areas and adjacent areas are made aware of the dangers, and the actionthey should take to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.

All such high-risk areas should be provided with alternative fire escape routes.

Fire detection and alarmsEstate services are responsible for providing and maintaining fire alarms and makingsure University premises are provided with adequate systems. However it may benecessary to provide additional sounders and smoke detection if there are changes in

the workplace, such as refurbishment or a change in occupancy,

Additional sounders may be needed if a person reports difficulty hearing a fire alarm ina test or evacuation drill.

Extra detection may be needed where people need an early warning of fire, includingdead-end corridors and rooms within rooms.

If you are concerned that a fire could break out in an unoccupied part of a building andput people at risk, contact health and safety services on ext 34201.

Means of escapeIt is likely that all University premises have adequate structural means of escape –enough to satisfy the fire safety order if they are maintained. The risk assessment,however, should take into consideration the following circumstances where the meansof escape may have been affected:

Minor alterations to structure where estate services have not been involved.

Alterations to the layout of furniture.

Occupancy of rooms that were initially empty or used as storage.

Change in use of rooms. Locking doors for security reasons.

If you consider the means of escape to be unsatisfactory, inform health and safetyservices on ext 34201.

Remember that the basic principle is that people should be able to turn their backs onany fire and walk to a place of safety. In cases where there is escape in only onedirection, it may be necessary to fire-protect the route or provide additional smokedetection.




DoorsWhere large numbers of people are likely to press up against an inward opening door so that it cannot be opened, it may be necessary to re-hang the door so that it opensin the direction of travel.

Considerations should be given for doors to open in the direction of travel in thefollowing circumstances:

Doors from a high-risk area such as a paint spraying room or a flammablesolvent storeroom.

Doors at the foot of staircases where there is a risk of people being crushed.

Doors that may be used by fifty people or more.

If your risk assessment reveals cause for concern, health and safety services shouldbe informed on ext 34201.

Fire fighting equipment All University buildings should already be provided with adequate fire fightingequipment, which is maintained by estate services.

Sometimes extinguishers are misplaced and additional fire fighting equipment may benecessary when new apparatus is brought into the department. Therefore the riskassessment should consider the provision of additional fire fighting equipment.

The most useful form of fire fighting equipment for general risks is the water fireextinguisher. One such extinguisher should be provided for approximately 200 square

metres of floor space with a minimum of one per floor. If hose reels are provided andthey are of long enough to cover the risk area, the water type extinguishers are notnecessary.

Other types of extinguisher such as CO2, foam and dry powder are needed for specialrisk areas. If you have risks such as flammable liquids or electrical equipment, you willneed one of these extinguishers – If you think you need more extinguishers contacthealth and safety services on ext 34201.

Emergency lightingEstate services are responsible for providing and maintaining emergency lighting, andmost University buildings already satisfy the fire safety order.However, alterations tobuildings and general layout may reduce the effect of such lighting, and the riskassessment should take this into consideration.

Emergency lighting is only necessary in escape corridors, staircases and largeoccupied areas, and where:

There is no natural lighting, such as in basements

In premises which may be occupied after normal working hours.For small buildings, hand lamps and torches provided as a result of the risk

assessment will satisfy the fire safety order. If you are concerned about emergencylighting, contact health and safety services on ext 34201.




Fire exit signs All University premises should already be provided with adequate “Exit” signs and“running man” signs.

All exit routes must be clearly indicated so that strangers in the premises can find their way out in the event of a fire evacuation. The risk assessment should include theidentification of all exit routes and if necessary additional signs should be provided.If you are in doubt of the location of such signs, contact health and safety services onext 34201.

Contractors and hot workDuring maintenance and refurbishment, contractors can bring combustible materialsand additional sources of ignition into the building, such as cutting and weldingequipment. It is important to assess these activities to reduce the risk of fire.

Assessments of hot work should consider the following:

The area should be kept clear of any combustible materials, and physicallycordoned off if appropriate.

If any smoke detectors are in the vicinity of the work area they should be madeinoperable by placing a plastic bag over the detector head - The bag should beremoved immediately after the work has finished.

If the hot work affects a large area, contact estate services helpdesk to arrangefor the automatic detectors to be isolated.

When hot work produces sparks or burning embers, then the area should be

inspected one hour after the work is completed. This means that hot work should stopone hour before the end of the working day so the inspections can take place.

The area of work should be provided with the appropriate fire fighting equipment.

Where hot work is initiated by the estate services, the relevant technical officer isresponsible for supervising any fire safety precautions. In other cases thedepartmental safety supervisor or fire warden is responsible. Where such work isextensive, consideration should be given to issuing hot work permits.

Hot work permitsHot work permits apply to all temporary operations involving

flame

arc welding

cutting equipment

brazing

blowlamps

bitumen boilers

grinding of metalsThe use of hot air equipment may also require a permit if in a high-risk environment

such as solvent and chemical stores. Hot work permits are not necessary in purpose-built work places such as workshops.




It is important to inform the school or service’s safety supervisor or fire warden of thelocation of any workmen - particularly if they are working in isolated areas such asducting or on the roof. They should also be made aware of any emergency.

You can download the hot work permit or get copies by contacting the Estate Serviceshelpdesk.

Fire safety for disabled people

Everyone has different abilities, and the unique characteristics of each building meanit is vital to prepare with disabled people in mind.

What is a Personal emergency egress plan (PEEP)? All disabled people need a PEEP - basically an individual plan, detailing how they will

be alerted to danger in an emergency, and how they will then reach safety. Everyperson and every building in the University is different, so disabled people whoregularly visit several buildings will need a PEEP for every building they visit.

The legislationPEEPs are based on the need to consult with disabled employees and take intoaccount the different features of every building.

The ‘fire safety order’ requires the responsible person to make provision for the safeevacuation of disabled people in the event of a fire. In cases where a disabledmember of staff or student requires assistance it is necessary to provide a PEEP.

More about PEEPs - University proceduresThe department’s safety supervisors are responsible for talking to all disabled peopleand seeing whether they need any help in the event of an emergency.

If a member of staff or student will need assistance, the disabled person mustcomplete an emergency egress questionnaire, with support from the departmentalsafety supervisor or fire warden.

A PEEP should then be created from this information, and the PEEP form completed(see Appendix 6). Advice and support for completing the PEEP is available fromhealth and safety services, and equality services can help if required.

A PEEP will often build on existing evacuation procedures, so information on generalprocedures should be available to everyone. Copies in alternative formats such asBraille and tape are available through the transcription unit in equality services.

If assistance with escape procedures is required, the amount of assistance should beidentified in the PEEP, for example the number of assistants and the methods to beused. Fire wardens and other assistants will get appropriate training where necessary.

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/hot_works_permit.pdf

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/emergency_egress_form.pdf

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/peep.pdf



http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/fire/documents/appendix/hot_works_permit.pdf




Evacuation in an Emergency

Helping wheelchair users down stairs

Where disabled people are above the ground floor there are a number of factors to

bear in mind:

Refuges - A refuge is a designated space where a disabled person can wait for help. It is a safe area that is protected by fire-resisting construction andprovides a safe route to the exit, as a stage of the evacuation.

An example of a refuge is the head of a stairway. The refuge should have clear signsand be large enough to accommodate the flow of people who will also be evacuatingthe building.

Lifts – Lifts must not be used for evacuation unless they are either a ‘fire

fighting lift’ or ‘rescue lift’. In an evacuation these lifts can be commandeered bya fire warden or security officer to rescue any disabled people from the refugeareas.

For further information on using lifts please contact health and safety services whocan also arrange the appropriate training.

SaferRoutes - A PEEP should contain details of the escape route disabledpeople will use. Clear, unobstructed gangways and floor layouts should beconsidered at the planning stage.

In areas of a building frequently visited by wheelchair users, it may benecessary to provide special evacuation chairs which can be used onstaircases. It is also necessary to provide additional chairs for specific caseswhich have been identified in PEEPs. Two types of evacuation chairs areavailable - The PAR-AID and the SIROCCO

The PAR-AID is the preferred chair as it is easier to use, but for some types of disability the SIROCCO is more suitable. The PAR-AID chair is also unsuitable for very wide staircases.

Where the PEEP assessment shows evacuation chairs are needed, health and safety

services should be contacted.

Evacuations to adjacent buildings - Some buildings or groups of buildingshave a system of integral fire resisting compartments within their structure.Where this is the case a wheelchair user could move to an adjacent buildingwhen the fire alarm is activated.

Where wheelchair users are on the upper floor, they should proceed to therefuge area. The designated assistants should check these areas immediatelywhen the fire alarm sounds. The wheelchair user can then be evacuated fromthe refuge as set out in the PEEP. Departments must review and update

PEEPs at regular intervals.



Deaf and hearing impaired people

Most deaf people working alongside hearing colleagues will be able to see andunderstand the behaviour of those around them. They do not need special equipment,as long as they know what to do in the event of a fire.

However, deaf or hearing impaired people working alone may need an alternative wayof being alerted to an emergency. Many alarm systems have visual indicators such asa flashing light, and additional units can be provided if necessary.

Deaf alerter systems are being added into existing alarm systems and will be built intoall new buildings. These are linked to vibrating pagers which are issued to deaf students and staff.

Where a PEEP shows the need for a deaf alert pager, contact equality services.

Blind and partially sighted people

Blind and partially sighted people should be offered orientation training. Contactequality services if needed.

Training

For an escape plan to work, it relies on the ability of staff to respond well. Staff will getinstructions, practical demonstrations and training appropriate to their responsibilities.This might include some or all of the following:

• Fire drills for staff and students• Specific courses for fire wardens• Training in how to use evacuation chairs, fire fighting equipment etc.

For further advice on the issues in this section, contact health and safety services Ext:34201. The fire safety adviser will involve equality services if appropriate.

Summary

A fire risk assessment should be carried out annually and reviewed after anychanges to the premises or changes in their use. The findings must berecorded on the fire risk assessment form (appendix 3).

Fire wardens are to carry out routine inspections and complete the checklistform (appendix 4).

Where a disabled member of staff or student needs help in the event of a fire,a personal emergency egress questionnaire and PEEP should be completed(appendices 7 and 8).

All of these documents should be kept at the school or service and beavailable for inspection by a fire authority officer.

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Fire Safety Guidance

Documents

Transcript of Fire Safety Guidance