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

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THANK YOU!

Contact me on: 01179 298784, 07786 397655 or

Richard.norris@bristol.ac.uk