FIRE SAFETY

Dean Fenton
Fire legislation has previously been
reactive- Examples include:

1985 - Bradford Fire - 58 Deaths


1987 - Fire Safety and safety at places
of sport regulations 1987

1960 - Top Storey Club Bolton – 19 deaths


1964 - Licensing Act 1964

1987 - Kings Cross – 31 deaths


1989 - Fire precautions (sub surface rail
station) regulations 1989
Every year there are more than 40,000 premises fires in
the UK, resulting in around 300 deaths and 9,000 people
injured.

Around 75% of School fires are started deliberately,

arson continues to be a serious issue for local authorities
and fire services.

The majority of Arsonists are aged between 10 and 19,

so tackling the problem involves educating school aged
children about the dangers of deliberate fire setting.

(Source – Early Intervention – Gordon Mott – Report 88).

National cost of fire in Schools
2000 £65,000,000
2001 £93,000,000
2002 £96,500,000
2003 £73,500,000
2004 £83,000,000
2005 £67,000,000

Source – Zurich Insurance Company (2006)

The Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005
Affects all non domestic premises.

The order applies to England and Wales, it:

Revokes all other ‘fire legislation’ and fire

certificates.

• Creates a single regime for fire safety.

• Is enforced by the ‘fire service’.

Responsible Person
The ‘responsible person’ could be owner,
occupier or employer within a building.

Within RMBC owned buildings it is likely to

be a shared responsibility between the
Premises Management Section, The
Manager / Head Teacher / Most senior
person on site and the site manager.
 Duty of the Responsible Person

Take precautions to ensure the safety of everyone.

Assess risks to the building and it’s occupants.

Record the information as soon as practicable.

The assessment must identify vulnerable people.

Risk of arson is to be taken into account.

Avoid risks or evaluate risks if they cannot be avoided.

Combat the risk at source.

Reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

Risk Assessment
Risk Assessments must be written,
available for inspection and reviewed and
monitored regularly.

The fire service cannot do risk assessments

for us but can advise on areas of
weakness.
 Step 1 – Identify fire hazards
Sources of ignition / heat.

Sources of fuel.

Sources of oxygen.
The Fire Triangle

Oxygen

‘ a fire can only start

when all 3 are present’

Heat Fuel
Step 2 - Identify people at risk
Lone workers eg. caretakers, cleaners
etc.

People who are unfamiliar with the layout

of the building eg. visitors.

People with disabilities / Young People

Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and

protect from risk

Evaluate the risk of a fire occurring.

Evaluate the risk to people from fire eg. spread of fire and smoke
within building (age of building etc)

Remove or reduce fire hazards eg. paper stored safely, litter,

appropriate use and maintenance of portable heaters etc.

Remove or reduce risks to people eg. safer products, safe storage,

housekeeping etc.

Detection and warning systems, fire fighting, lighting, signage,

maintenance, escape routes etc.
Step 4 – Record, plan, inform,
instruct and train
Record significant findings and action taken.
Prepare an emergency plan.
Inform and instruct relevant people.
Co-operate with others eg. multi occupied buildings.
Provide training – e.g. evacuation, fire
extinguisher etc.
Step 5 – Review and Revise

Keep the assessment under review.

Revise where necessary.

 Vulnerable people

How will we get a vulnerable person from

the building in an emergency ?

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS)

Once the alarm is activated – who does
what ?

You will need to designate roles to certain staff

eg. Registration, door security, assist vulnerable
persons to safety etc.
Water Extinguisher

Used for class ‘A’ fires eg:

wood / paper etc

Direct the jet at the base of the flame and

keep it moving across the area of the fire.

Seek out any hot spots after the main fire is

extinguished.

A fire spreading vertically should be

attached at it’s lowest point and followed
upwards.
Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

Used for class ‘B’ and ‘E’ fires eg:

petrol and electrical

DO NOT hold the horn – it becomes extremely cold

during use.

DO NOT use in confined spaces as there is a

danger of asphyxiation.
Dry powder extinguisher
Used for class ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘E’ fires eg:
Wood, paper, petrol, gas, electrical

Liquid fires – direct the nozzle towards the near edge

of the fire. With a rapid sweeping motion drive the
fire towards the far edge until extinguished.

Electrical equipment – switch off the apparatus /

power supply if possible.
Foam Extinguisher
Used for class ‘A’ and ‘B’ fires eg:
Wood, paper, petrol etc

Direct the jet with a gentle sweeping movement, and

allow the foam to drop down and lie on the surface
liquid.

DO NOT aim the jet directly into the liquid as this will
drive the foam beneath the surface and render it
ineffective. In addition it may splash the fire to the
surrounding area.
Fire Blanket
Ensure you are positioned between the
fire and the fire escape route / door.

Pull the tapes to remove the blanket from

it’s container.

Hold blanket by the handles and using as

a shield to protect your face completely
cover the fire.

Turn off the electric / gas supply.

Leave the area closing all fire doors

behind you and contact the fire brigade.

DO NOT remove a fire blanket for at least

30 minutes.
 Finally
DVD – fire safety

Handouts

Evacuation chair - Demonstration

Any Questions?
 Reference

Fire Risk Assessment for the building

where you work.

Fire safety log book for the building where

you work.