Crown Woods College Fire Safety Policy Reviewed July 2013
Contents 1 Fire Policy Statement 2 Policy Objectives 3 Fire Safety 4. Fire Safety Precautions 5 Roles and responsibilities 6 Evacuation of people with special needs 7 Calling the Fire Brigade 8 Meeting the Fire Brigade 9 Events Taking Place Out of School Hours Such as School Plays or External Lettings 10 Maintenance of Fire Doors, Fire Exit Doors, Fire Equipment and Systems 11. Risk assessments
1. Fire Policy Statement Crown Woods College consider fire safety to be very important and wish to assure all staff, pupils and visitors that it has appropriate policies and procedures in place to safeguard all from the effects of fire and dangerous substances which could give rise to fire. With this aim appropriate fire prevention/precaution measures shall be taken, also evacuation procedures will be tested regularly. 2. Policy Objectives The objectives of this policy are to ensure - Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood in order to secure fire safety - Risks from fire or from dangerous substances which could lead to fire are assessed and control measures are carried out to either eliminate the risk or to reduce the risk - Procedures are in place to reduce risks to persons in the event of a fire and that all persons affected are able to reach a place of safety in the event of an emergency - All fire equipment is maintained by G4S on site FM company - All members of the community, including contractors and visitors are provided with clear and relevant information regarding fire risks and measures - All building are designed in accordance with relevant standard - Staff are consulted about policy, procedures for ensuring fire safety 3. Fire Safety Fire safety is everyone responsibility. All Staff, students, contractors and visitors are expected to follow safety procedures to ensure the safe use of electrical/gas appliances, the safe use and storage and disposal of hazardous/combustible materials and compliance with the requirements of the schools policy on smoking. 4. Fire Safety Precautions Fire doors must be kept closed at all times to prevent the spread of the fire and toxic smoke Corridors, stairways, landings and escape routes must be kept clear at all times of anything that is likely to cause a fire or a accident or to impede evacuation in an emergency. Hazardous materials must be stored, used and disposed of in accordance with all legal requirements. All fire equipment must be kept free form obstruction and ready available for use in emergency. If any equipment is missed used or missing must be reported immediately.
5. Roles and responsibilities Principal Has overall responsibility for fire safety which is delegated to the following Head of school/centre Ensure effective governance on fire safety issues Ensure that sufficient competent/trained fire wardens are nominated Ensure that designated fire wardens carry out their duties G4S Ensure fire risk assessments are carried out and reviewed Maintenance of fire alarm and emergency lighting systems Maintenance of fire equipment Head of school/centre When the fire alarm sounds the Head will assemble pupils and visitors to the assembly areas and with the help of the fire wardens will check that the building is clear. The Head will wait for further instructions before allowing anybody back in to the building. Fire Wardens Ensure that the alarm has been raised, Assist in the evacuation of the building Check that any staff, pupils or visitors with disabilities are assisted as planned, Once the building is clear report to the Head of school/centre and wait for further instructions. Teachers with a class must: Close windows, line pupils up and ensure that every pupil leaves the classroom. Close the door. Escort the class from the building in silence according to the Fire Exit route displayed in the classroom or best alternative if the prescribed exit is overcrowded. Do not bring personal belongings if this hinders speedy evacuation of the building. Teachers not in charge of a class must: Should help supervise the evacuation of the building, on reaching the assembly point, pupils line up in tutor groups and wait for further instructions. LSAs and Mentors LSAs and Mentors with responsibilities for students with disabilities will escort the students to the Refuge Area located in all staircases. Any person who may require using a Refuge Area during fire alarm activation should make themselves familiar with their location in advance. LSAs should inform fire wardens/staff that help will be need. G4S G4S will respond to any alarm evacuation, check the fire panel and report to the Head of school/centre of the situation. G4S will meet the fire bridge if needed and control the situation.
6. Evacuation of people with special needs Building regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 are designed to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded better access to and within the school building. It follows that facilities must also be provided to ensure such people can be evacuated safely in the event of an emergency LSAs and Mentors with responsibilities for students with disabilities will escort the students to the Refuge Area located on all staircases. The areas are identified by a green and white sign with a wheelchair symbol. Any person who may require using a Refuge Area during fire alarm activation students should make themselves familiar with their location in advance On reaching the refuge Area LSAs and Mentors will inform fire wardens/staff notify Learning Support staff/ fire wardens the location of the students. Students and staff waiting in Refuge Areas will position themselves so as not to block pedestrian flow or access to the stairwell. Any person who is visually impaired should familiarise themselves with escape routes, especially fire exits which are not in general daily use. Where possible, a sighted person should accompany the individual along the escape route to the assembly point. 7. Calling the Fire Brigade It is the school policy that the fire brigade will be called on any confirmed outbreak of fire. The school office is responsible for calling the fire brigade when the alarm is sounded, G4S will also take reasonability to call if needed. Where the alarm is raised by the school s/centre automatic smoke detection the school office/g4s will call the fire brigade if a fire is confirmed, or within 60 seconds of the alarm being raised if a false alarm is not confirmed. 8. Meeting the Fire Brigade G4s is responsible for ensuring that one member of staff is available to meet the fire brigade on arrival and to inform them of the situation. 9. Events Taking Place Out of School Hours Such as School Plays or External Lettings Where events are organised outside normal College hours, or by outside organisations, it is the responsibility of the member of staff organising the event or arranging the letting to ensure that G4S is consulted and appropriate precautions including arrangements for evacuation and calling the fire brigade are put in place. G4s may impose specific restrictions on the type of letting or activity the number of persons involved and the number and layout of any seating. It is particularly important to consider whether a public entertainment licence will be needed for the events being organised.
10. Maintenance of Fire Doors, Fire Exit Doors, Fire Equipment and Systems System Frequency Method of Test Fire Alarm Test key operation of different call point Fire Alarm Visual check of panel for fault indications. Automatic door holders and closers connected to the fire alarm Confirmation that doors release and close with the operation of the fire alarm. Emergency Lighting Operation of test switch or circuit breaker and check that light illuminates. Fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets etc. Check that seals are intact, equipment has not been removed or tampered with and annual inspection and maintenance is in date. Fire Doors Check that doors are closing fully and, where fitted, latches are operating. Stairwells and Stairwell landings Corridors, Escape Routes and Fire Exit Doors Check that combustible material and storage has not been placed inside protected stairwell enclosures. Check exit doors are unlocked and that escape routes are free of obstruction. Fire Exit Doors Check that doors are opening freely and that emergency exit fittings are operating Correctly.
11. Risk assessments Type Reviewed Evaluated by Fire Extinguishers / Fire G4S RBG hose Fire Panel G4S RBG Delaying the fire alarm G4S RBG School day without fire G4S RBG panel Fire Precautions G4S RBG Fire keys G4S RBG Classroom G4S RBG Portable appliance testing G4S RBG R.Gunn Director of Buildings and Facilities