Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE)

Transcription

1 Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) Fire Safety Policy and Procedure Version 2.0 Date approved: September 2016 Approved by: The Board Review due: September 2017 Policy will be updated as required in response to a change in national policy or evidence-based guideline.

2 Contents Section Topic Page No 1 Introduction 3 2 Purpose 3 3 Duties 3 4 Disabled patients and visitors 5 5 Guidance for fire drills 5 6 Risk assessments 6 7 Bomb Threat 6 Appendix A, Fire evacuation card 7 Appendix B, Record of fire evacuation 8 Page 2 of 9

3 Fire Safety Policy and Procedure 1. Introduction 1.1 Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) recognises that process and procedure for dealing with fire is of vital importance. This policy outlines these processes and responsibilities that will provide the framework to ensure staff, student, patient and visitor safety in the Dental Education Facilities (DEF). 2. Purpose 2.1 The purpose of this policy is to prevent fire and to ensure the correct response to an incident should a fire occur. To successfully achieve its fire safety duties, PDSE employees will be instructed and trained to ensure that they understand the fire precautions and the action to be taken in the event of fire. Fire Marshals are nominated and trained at each dental education facility. All DEFs will complete fire drills at least annually. 2.2 This policy does not apply to PDSE staff when they work in premises that are not managed by PDSE. In these circumstances staff are to comply with the fire safety policy of the premises and should make themselves familiar with the local evacuation procedures. 3. Duties 3.1 Staff It is the responsibility for each staff member to : Read and understand the Local Fire Procedure Prevent any possible causes of fire Know how to operate the fire alarm system Immediately sound the alarm if a fire is found or suspected Know the location of the fire alarm break glass call points in their DEF Know the location and types of fire extinguishers within their area of work and be familiar with the operating instructions Know where the fire exists are located Ensure at all times that fire escape routes are kept free from obstruction Ensure that all fire doors not fitted with approved hold open devices are kept shut Page 3 of 9

4 when not in use and not wedged open Know the location of the fire assembly points. Comply with all requirements laid down in the Local Fire Procedure Undertake any necessary training 3.2 Team Managers and Clinic Team Leaders It is the responsibility of Team Managers and Clinic Team Leaders to: Ensure that fire safety is covered in staff induction immediately on commencement of their employment and that the induction checklist is completed for all staff Ensuring that fire safety instructions are brought to the attention of and observed by staff and students Conduct or support the responsible person in completing fire risk assessments and any audit or monitoring processes such as termly health and safety audit Keep an up-to-date record of staff training and drills Complete the health and safety element of the CQC audit on a termly basis Ensure that a minimum of one evacuation drill is carried out every year and recorded in the fire log (appendix B) Liaise with Lead Fire Marshal from each site to prepare a unit evacuation plan to cover each bay, reception area, patient waiting area and office areas. Report any fire using the normal PDSE incident reporting system. 3.3 Estates staff (will vary depending on contractual arrangements by site) Maintain all fire systems / alarms and detection equipment Organise fire alarm tests 3.4 Supervisors and students To adhere to PDSE fire safety policy and procedure whilst on site Undertake site induction including fire safety training 3.5 Governance and compliance manager Ensure termly safety audit are completed as part of CQC audit and any actions assigned Ensure fire risk assessments are completed annually for each site Ensure staff receive appropriate fire safety training Ensure adequate number of fire marshals in place at each DEF 3.6 Reception/admin team Ensure that visitors to the area are made aware of fire action notices Page 4 of 9

5 Ensure visitors sign in the visitor s book on arrival and departure. 3.7 Fire Marshalls As well as having responsibilities during a fire emergency on site, Fire Marshals should also have responsibility for routine duties including the following: Ensure all exits and passageways are kept clear Ensure fire doors are not propped open and that they shut properly Identify, report and eliminate any fire hazards found Ensure fire fighting equipment is in place and appears functional Ensure staff are aware of the fire action procedure Undertake fire marshal training 4.0 Disabled patients and visitors 4.1 Clinic Team Leaders and Team Managers (with assistance from Fire Marshals) are to ensure that any disabled members of staff or patients within the DEF are adequately provided for in the event of a fire emergency. They will: Ascertain from the disabled person how they can best be helped to evacuate a building in response to an emergency If necessary, establish a suitable emergency meeting point with the disabled person, and notify this to all potential helpers Establish a system of communicating the location of the disabled person to the Fire Marshals Ensure that staff who are likely to provide assistance (buddies) to a disabled colleague during an emergency are introduced to that person Ensure that any specialist equipment, such as an evac chair, that may be required is available for use 5.0 Guidance for fire drills 5.1 A drill should take place at least annually in each DEF. This should be arranged by either the estates department for the site or clinic team leader depending on the contractual arrangements. The purpose of this is to identify weaknesses in the evacuation strategy, test the procedure following any building alteration or changes in working practices and to consider staff feedback with designated responsibilities such as Fire Wardens. The drill should where possible take place during student induction to allow students who may be unfamiliar with the DEF to understand the fire procedures. Page 5 of 9

6 For Derriford and Devonport DEFs, Devon & Somerset Fire Control must be called prior to drill on and advise that you are about to carry out a drill test giving your name and address of premise. This will avoid the emergency services being called out should anyone call 999 during the test. This should be organised by the Clinic Team Leader and recorded in the fire log book. A note should be made of the evacuation time and any issues observations (appendix B). A de brief should take place with the Governance and Compliance Manager to identify any actions to improve or support the process. 6.0 Risk assessments 6.1 PDSE will carry out a review of fire risk assessments annually (or following a significant change). Who does this will vary depending on the site and individual estates arrangements. Any actions as a result of that assessment will be the responsibility of the Governance and Compliance Manager. Each site will keep a fire log book located at Reception detailing all fire safety checks, training records and service and maintenance logs. The Clinic team Leader has the responsibility to maintain this log book. 7.0 Bomb threat 7.1 Although this risk is low, staff must still be vigilant and aware of any suspect packages or activity. If a suspicious package is discovered the following must be observed: Do not touch item Report to Clinic team Leader or other appropriate manager who will contact the Police and evacuate the premises if necessary. Should any member of staff receive a bomb threat by post or telephone, an appropriate manager should be informed immediately and the area or premises evacuated as necessary. Details of any telephone calls should be recorded and the information notified to the Police by the manager. Page 6 of 9

7 Appendix A Fire evacuation procedure (Derriford and Devonport DEF) Guidelines in the event of a fire If you discover a fire or one is reported to you, sound the alarm Call fire brigade (9) 999-Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise Derriford PL6 8BT Students stop all treatments and temporise where necessary Nurses collect day sheets for bay and lead their bay out the nearest fire exit and to fire assembly point Office staff to ensure office is clear 4 5 Admin staff check waiting area on ground floor is clear, collect visitors book Evacuate the building by the nearest available exit and proceed to the assembly point Nominated sweepers to check their allocated floors and evacuate Senior Fire Marshal to confirm building is clear and everyone accounted for If you hear the alarm Do not stop to collect personal belongings Do not put yourself at risk Do not attempt to re-enter into the building unless authorised by the fire brigade Help disabled persons where required Obey fire marshal instructions Page 7 of 9

8 Fire evacuation procedure (Exeter DEF) Guidelines in the event of a fire If you discover a fire or one is reported to you, sound the alarm Call fire brigade (9) 999-Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise Exeter EX2 4SG Students stop all treatments and temporise where necessary Nurses collect day sheets for bay and lead their bay out the nearest fire exit and to fire assembly point Evacuate the building by the nearest available exit and proceed to the assembly point Office staff to ensure office is clear Lead fire Marshal (Angela Parker) to sweep ground floor, collect visitors book 5 First floor sweeper (Liz Hole or Paula Dodds) to check floor and evacuate Lead Fire Marshal to confirm building is clear and everyone accounted for If you hear the alarm Do not stop to collect personal belongings Do not put yourself at risk Do not attempt to re-enter into the building unless authorised by the fire brigade Help disabled persons where required Obey fire marshal instructions Page 8 of 9

9 Appendix B, record of fire evacuation PDSE record of fire evacuation DEF Date Time Clinic Team Leader Lead fire Marshall Evacuation time Issues Notes Action to be taken Signed Page 9 of 9