Fire Safety Policy This document was: Generated by SMT//Headteacher/Site Supervisor in January 2016 Review date: January 2019 Approved at a meeting of the Health and Safety Committee held on 8 th December 2016 Signed: Chairperson schools governing body, on behalf of the governing body Date: Signed: Headteacher Distribution: Staff and governors/staff, pupils, parents and governors
Background The Local Authority (LA), Governing Body and the Head Teacher have a shared responsibility for safety. They must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the general fire precautions to be taken or observed in relation to the risk to the safety of all employees, pupils and visitors in the event of a fire. It is the responsibility of all staff at Ysgol Ty Coch to ensure that they are constantly mindful of the risk of fire, and, that they do not undertake any activities which risk a fire event. FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT In ensuring the risk of fire is minimised it is the duty of the Head Teacher to: Complete risk assessments Be responsible for safety training Produce an emergency plan and put up fire notices Conduct fire drills Check the adequacy of fire- fighting apparatus and its maintenance Consult with and implement the recommendations of the local fire brigade Make frequent informal checks Ensure all fire escapes and fire doors are unobstructed and that the doors operate correctly Check fire detection and protection systems are maintained and tested and records of the maintenance/tests are kept Include fire safety in regular health and safety reports to the Governing Body Ensure close-down procedures are followed FIRE SAFETY WARDENS At Ysgol Ty Coch the following members of staff have been appointed Fire Wardens: Name Krissy Evans: Cedwyn Jones Juliet Grainger/Carly Harris: Sara Nuthall: Sara Nuthall: Sharon Arnold/Dani Rees/Karen Pitman Sara Fargher: Chris Myhill: Katie Broad: Huw Bowen: 1 Area which they cover as wardens Primary / Heulwen KS3 and Gates / Gwdihw Sensory 1 &2 / Seren Fach & Seren Nursery / Enfys Nurture / Ty Hywl ASD Post 14 (Upstairs) Post 14 (Café/House) Admin. Area/Library Fire Alarms/Fire Brigade
Andrew Chick Jean Bassett Ashlie Holland/Scott Giles Daniel Hitchings Steven Bassett P.E./Hall Nurse ICT BYC BYC These members of staff have been allocated areas of the school to oversee (as indicated above) in respect of fire precautions, ensuring fire doors and passageways are kept unobstructed and when a fire bell is sounded, ensuring all staff, pupils and visitors are evacuated. CLOSE-DOWN PROCEDURE CHECKLIST 1. All valuable equipment. 2. All flammable materials are locked away. 3. No cash is unsecured overnight. 4. All rubbish/waste has been removed from the building and placed in an appropriate secure area of the school. 5. Everyone has vacated the premises and all rooms have been checked, especially toilets and showers. 6. External lighting is working correctly. 7. All windows are shut and locked where possible. 8. All internal doors are closed to prevent the spread of fire. 9. All external doors are secured. 10. All key locked doors are left with lock open. ELECTRICAL FIRE SAFETY 1. TV s should be unplugged when not in use. 2. Sockets should not be overloaded. 3. A blown fuse should only be replaced when the cause of its failure has been discovered and always replaced with the same capacity fuse. 4. Portable heaters should not be used in school without the Head s permission. 5. Procedures are in place for the regular inspection and testing of equipment, including fire safety equipment. 6. Flammable materials must not be kept in the electrical switch rooms and boiler houses. 7. Materials stored in switch rooms must not obstruct the access to the switchgear. DISPLAYS (see Display Policy) Displays on walls and in corridors should: Be kept away from curtains, doors and heat sources Not obstruct escape routes/emergency exits 2
Not obscure fire notices, fire alarms, fire- fighting equipment, emergency exit signs or lights FURNITURE 1. The selection of furniture and soft furnishings must comply with the Fire Safety Regulations. 2. The layout of loose furniture and equipment should, particularly in the open plan teaching areas, not obstruct escape routes or impede the evacuation of wheelchair users from the building. OTHER MATERIALS 1. Use/storage of flammable liquids must be kept to a minimum. 2. Chemicals must be stored in locked cupboards or outside cabins when not in use. 3. The use of these items must be supervised by a member of staff at all times. EVACUATION FROM THE HYDROTHERAPY POOL If anyone is in the hydrotherapy pool at the time of a fire/fire alarm test the evacuation guidelines set down in the Hydrotherapy Policy must be followed. DURING PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS Competent personnel must be in attendance to oversee the event. They should: Be identifiable Have the use of a torch Ensure that there is no overcrowding Keep exits and gangways clear Be aware of individuals in wheelchairs/using other mobility aids ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO SMOKING INSIDE OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE SCHOOL. BUILDING CONTRACTORS 1. Any risk that may be associated with the work is discussed with the contractors who will be working in the school. Necessary steps are taken to offset anything identified. 2. Arrangements are made to ensure that a process is in place to remove any obstruction that may impede the progress of a fire evacuation. 3. All contractors should report their area of work to the office/designated fire warden for the area. 3
GAS LEAKS/SILENT ALARMS In the event of a gas leak, or any other situation felt to necessitate the instigation of a silent alarm, the following procedure must be followed. The fire alarm must not be sounded as this may cause a spark which, in turn, may ignite the gas. 1. The person noticing/suspecting a gas leak must immediately report it to the receptionist /member of the senior management team. 2. The receptionist will raise a silent alarm through the schools tannoy system by informing all those on site that; There is a gas leak, please evacuate the building by following the fire alarm evacuation plan. Please ensure that no electrical switches/devices or mobile phones are used from this point and during this evacuation. 3. Anyone using the hall will immediately be instructed to evacuate. 4. Immediately after raising the alarm the receptionist will contact the fire brigade and take instructions which will be implemented/conveyed to staff. 5. Upon leaving the building the fire evacuation procedures will be followed. 6. No electrical switches, devices or mobile phones should be used during this evacuation process. 7. Transco should be notified of the gas leak 0800 111 999 8. The Local Authority should be notified of the gas leak 01443 744455 or 01443 425011 (Out of hours) FIRE DRILLS The fire alarm will be sounded during the first assembly of each school year so the pupils know the sound. Fire drills will be held once a term. LEAVING THE BUILDING Do not, under any circumstances, use the lift during an actual fire evacuation/fire drill. All staff must be made aware of the escape route out of the classroom during their induction periods. In each classroom the door to the outside of the building has a maglock and key exit. In the event of a fire the maglock will release itself. The key must be kept near to the door, at all times, in the event of it being needed to deal with non- fire critical incidents. 4
In the event of a fire the staff should lead the pupils through the door into the outside areas and from there go to the muster point in the A2/A3 playground (see Appendix A). Pupils in wheelchairs should be removed by staff members and all unallocated staff should go to areas where there are pupils in wheelchairs to aid the evacuation IF THEY CAN SAFELY DO SO. Wheelchair pupils upstairs will be assisted by staff trained in the use of the EVAC + Chair and be brought down the fire escape. The teacher/staff member should pick up the class register to use as a checklist to account for the safe evacuation of pupils. Pupils should not be allowed to pick up personal belongings as they evacuate the area as this may impede their/someone else s exit. If the fire presents a danger when the pupils are in the A2/A3, the staff should lead the pupils through the gate and into the park at the back of school. Fire Wardens (as listed) will have keys for all outside gates and should open these immediately they hear the fire alarm. Pupils in Sensory will have a staged evacuation. They will be made ready and placed by the door to exit the building. If the need for a full evacuation is necessary additional staff will be directed to assist. Staff should be aware of visitors to the school and ensure that they evacuate in line with policy. The Fire Brigade will take over co-ordinating the evacuation when they arrive. Any missing pupils or members of staff should be reported to the administration staff or a Fire Warden. Staff or pupils should not re-enter the building to look for missing people. RE-ENTERING THE BUILDING The Fire Brigade will advise when it is safe to re-enter the building. When (teachers) staff return to classrooms they should secure the fire doors. 5
APPENDIX A IN THE EVENT OF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDING FOLLOW THE FIRE EXIT SIGNS. EMERGENCY LIGHTING WILL OPERATE. FOUNDATION: LEAVE THE BUILDING VIA THE INNER PLAY YARD DOOR, TURN LEFT ALONG THE SIDE OF THE SCHOOL AND INTO SENSORY 2/A2 PLAY YARD. ENSURE THE CLASS DOOR IS LEFT OPEN DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE THE LIFT TRAINED STAFF SHOULD USE EVACU CHAIRS TO EVACUATE IMMOBILE PUPILS AND STAFF 1. Pick up your fire register. 2. Do not wait to pick up personal belongings. Do not allow pupils to pick up any belongings. 3. The muster point is in Sensory 2/A2 play yard. 4. All gates will be opened by the Fire Wardens. 5. Keep all pupils together until you are given further instructions. 6. If the fire can be isolated to one area of the school you may be advised to take your pupils to a holding area until the all clear is given. 7. You may be advised to take the pupils through the gate and into the park as a precaution. 8. If it is not possible to return to the school you will be advised of the emergency evacuation procedure. All fire drills will be advised so if you hear the alarm, it is a real emergency. 6
APPENDIX B VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL IN THE EVENT OF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDING FOLLOW THE FIRE EXIT SIGNS. EMERGENCY LIGHTING WILL OPERATE. Visitors to the school should; Note the fire exit for the area that they are visiting on entering. Follow the lead of school staff in observing the fire evacuation procedures should a drill or alarm be sounded. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE THE LIFT TRAINED STAFF SHOULD USE EVACU CHAIRS TO EVACUATE IMMOBILE PUPILS AND STAFF 1. Do not wait to pick up personal belongings. 2. Follow staff to the muster point. 3. All gates will be opened by the Fire Wardens. 4. Remain at the muster point until you are given further instructions. 5. If the fire can be isolated to one area of the school you may be advised to go to a holding area until the all clear is given. 6. If it is not possible to return to the school you will be advised of the emergency evacuation procedure. All fire drills will be advised so if you hear the alarm, it is a real emergency. A copy of this could be kept in a poly-pocket in the signing in file for visitors and governors so that everyone can see it as they sign in. 7
APPENDIX C BYC IN THE EVENT OF THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDING FOLLOW THE FIRE EXIT SIGNS. EMERGENCY LIGHTING WILL OPERATE. YOU ARE NEVER FAR FROM A FIRE EXIT AT BUARTH Y CAPEL MUSTER POINT IS THE PEDESTRIAN GATE IN THE MAIN CAR PARK Visitors to the school should; Note the fire exit for the area that they are visiting on entering. Follow the lead of school staff in observing the fire evacuation procedures should a drill or alarm be sounded. 1. Most Staff have keys to unlock padlocks (orange dot) 2. Fire Marshalls are Daniel Hitchings and Steve Bassett 3. Responsibilities Jo Tilley = class register, Kerry Murphy = Class register 4. Julia Render/Clare Williams = Staff register and phone fire Brigade 5. Do not wait to pick up personal belongings. 6. Class 1 should leave the building via the bottom door (door used by the pupils). 7. Office staff should leave via the main entrance. 8. Class 2 should leave the building via the top door (near the nurses room) 9. Make for the muster point. 10. All gates will be opened by the Fire Wardens. 11. Remain at the muster point until you are given further instructions. 12. In the event of the main entrance being blocked, make your way safely around the school to the same muster point. All fire drills will be advised so if you hear the alarm, it is a real emergency. A copy of this could be kept in a poly-pocket in the signing in file for visitors and governors so that everyone can see it as they sign in. 8