Emergency Evacuation Procedures Contents 1. Raising the fire alarm 2. Schedule of patient evacuation 3. Designated fire officer roles 3.1 The Fire Team Leader 3.2 Security personnel 3.3 Shift Technicians 3.4 Fire Point Co-ordinator 3.5 Porter Meets and accompanies the Fire Brigade to the Fire Team Leader 4. Evacuation equipment placement 5. Use of lifts in fire emergencies 6. Fire fighting lobby telephone numbers 7. Fire assembly points 8. Fire incident procedures flow chart 9. Action in the event of fire (Patient Areas) 10. Action in the event of fire (Non- Patient Areas) 11. The Fire Team 11.1 Fire Team Action Card 1 - Telephone Switchboard 11.2 Fire Team Action Card 2 - Fire Team Leader 11.3 Fire Team Action Card 3 - Porter 11.4 Fire Team Action Card 4 - Senior Security Officer 11.5 Fire Team Action Card 5 - Shift Technician 11.6 Fire Team Action Card 6 - Fire Point Co-ordinator 11.7 Fire Action Card Log Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 1
GENERAL INFORMATION 1. Raising the fire alarm Operate the nearest safe fire alarm call point and dial x5555 NOTE: During 0830-1600 on normal weekdays if the fire alarm activation has been via a single detector head (only) there will be a delay of up to 8 minutes before the Fire Brigade are called. This is to allow for a local assessment to be made by the hospitals Fire Wardens and Fire Team. If the Fire Brigade are needed to help with the incident the Fire Team Leader will make this decision if the Fire Team Leader has not contacted the Switchboard within 8 minutes of the fire alarm activation the Fire Brigade will be contacted automatically by the Switchboard Operator. In the event of a fire alarm being activated, the following two-stage alarm will be heard: A continuous alarm in the zone where the incident is located; An intermittent alarm in adjacent zones (horizontally only) 2. Schedule of patient evacuation If evacuation is necessary ensure that patients and other persons who may be in immediate danger are quickly moved away from the effects of combustion. The evacuation priority should be: a. Patients in immediate danger first, then: b. Ambulant patients Patients that need little or no assistance c. Semi-ambulant patients Patients that need some assistance d. Non-ambulant patients Patients furthest from the safe area e. Non-ambulant patients Patients nearest to the safe area 3. Designated fire officer roles The following are key personnel during a fire incident. All staff must act upon instructions given to them by designated persons undertaking any of these roles 3.1 The Fire Team Leader Initially take charge of the incident at the actuated fire alarm panel 3.2 Security personnel - Assist the Fire Team Leader and attend the fire zone affected to assist with evacuation and fire fighting 3.3 Shift Technicians Provide technical advice 3.4 Fire Point Co-ordinator Co-ordinates Trust response; delegated by the Fire Team Leader 3.5 Porter Meets and accompanies the Fire Brigade to the Fire Team Leader Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 2
4. Evacuation equipment placement There are two evacuation Ski Pads in the external stair lobbies each of the Tower Block wards; and. There are two evacuation stretchers in each of the following locations: 4 S/W/E (external stair lobby) 5. Use of lifts in fire emergencies Only wards and departments that have agreed the use of lifts (for patient evacuation) as part of their fire evacuation plans with the Trusts Fire safety Adviser can use them in a fire emergency. If fire incidents escalate into major incidents the Silver Commander can authorise the use of lifts for patient evacuation under the control of the Fire Team Leader Key operated override switches on lifts 7-10 and 11-14 have been provided to give emergency control of the lifts to the Fire Team Leader 6. Fire fighting lobby telephone numbers 13th (Q) floor 12th floor 74110 11th floor 74111 10th floor 74112 9th floor 74113 8th floor 74114 7th floor 74115 6th floor 74116 5th floor 74117 4th floor 74118 3rd floor 74119 2nd floor 74120 1st floor 74121 Ground floor 74122 Fireman s entrance 74500 Lower ground floor 74123 Service level floor 74124 a phone is required for this area Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 3
7. Fire assembly points Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 4
8. Fire incident procedures flow chart Fire Team (8.30 a.m. 4 p.m. weekdays) Rostered Facilities Manager, or Estates Officer Shift Technician Security Portering Services Senior Manager/Nurse on Duty in area affected Fire Team (All times outside of the hours listed above) THE PERSON DISCOVERING THE FIRE OPERATES THE FIRE ALARM CALL POINT & DIALS x5555 The Switchboard identifies the location of the fire from the fire alarm panel and informs LFB via 999 call Duty Site Manager Shift Technician Security Portering Services Senior Manager/Nurse on Duty Switchboard to send voice over to Fire Team over the group bleep system advising of the fire incident location Managers & Senior Nurses are to ensure Departmental/Ward Fire Procedures are put into operation immediately on hearing any Continuous Fire Alarm Isolate all non essential equipment and prepare to implement Departmental Emergency Plan on hearing any Intermittent Fire Alarm Fire Team Leader to establish Control Point and organise initial search Plans of Location to be made available to Fire Brigade Fire Team Leader to declare ALL CLEAR (on authorisation of Fire Brigade). Collate reports and recommendations e-mail to Trust Specialist Fire Safety Advisor Fire Silver Commander to assess action required under Business Continuity Plan NO Fire Team to report to designated assembly point for fire in that location FIRE NO YES YES Is the fire Extinguished? Porters to monitor traffic & meet Fire Brigade @ Designated Rendezvous Point Fire Team to assess situation and advise Fire Team Leader Fire Team to: Extinguish Fire (if safe & possible) Evacuate & secure area Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 5
9. Action in the event of fire (Patient Areas) DETECTION OF FIRES 1 Raise the alarm immediately by operating the nearest fire alarm call point and telephone x5555 2 Fight the fire if it is safe to do so 3 Close doors and windows in the vicinity if it is safe to do so 4 Prepare to evacuate patients horizontally following the local evacuation procedure ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM (continuous bells) 1 Seek and search for signs of fire 2 Move patients in immediate danger first 3 Fight the fire if it is safe to do so 4 Close doors and windows in the vicinity if it is safe to do so 5 Prepare to evacuate patients horizontally following the local evacuation procedure ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM (intermittent bells) 1 Send a member of staff to the fire alarm panel to liaise with the Fire Team Leader re: the incident, then go back to their department/ward and brief the person in charge 2 Close doors and windows in the vicinity if it is safe to do so 3 Prepare to evacuate patients horizontally following the local evacuation procedure EVACUATION PROCEDURE 1 Move patients in immediate danger first 2 Evacuate patients horizontally to the nearest safe area 3 If necessary continue to evacuate patients horizontally following the local evacuation procedure 4 Immediately report to the senior member of staff or Fire Team anyone that is not accounted for DO NOT: Take any undue risks Stop to collect personal belongings Use lifts unless you are instructed it is safe to do so by the Fire Team or Fire Brigade Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 6
10. Action in the event of fire (Non- Patient Areas) DETECTION OF FIRES 1 Raise the alarm immediately by operating the nearest fire alarm call point and telephone x5555 2 Fight the fire if it is safe to do so 3 Close doors and windows in the vicinity if it is safe to do so 4 Evacuate to your assembly point ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM (continuous bells) 1 Close doors and windows in the vicinity if it is safe to do so 2 Evacuate to your assembly point ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM (intermittent bells) 1 Send a member of staff to the fire alarm panel to liaise with the Fire Team Leader re: the incident, then go back to their department/ward and brief the person in charge 2 Close doors and windows in the vicinity if it is safe to do so 3 Prepare for evacuation DO NOT: Take any undue risks Stop to collect personal belongings Use lifts unless you are instructed it is safe to do so by the Fire Team or Fire Brigade Return to the building until told it is safe to do so Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 7
11. The Fire Team The Fire Team consists of: A Team Leader; Two Security Officers; One Porter; One Shift Engineer The Fire Team will be alerted to fire incidents by the Telephonist via the Group Alert Bleep System The Switchboard will state the incident location, floor number and fire zone. The Fire Team are to: 1 Proceed to the fire alarm panel on the relevant floor and investigate the incident with the assistance of the departmental manager concerned (if available) 2 Ensure that they have all necessary keys/codes etc to allow access to locked areas 3 Provide the main bleep holder e.g. the Fire Team Leader, with all relevant information necessary to assist the Fire Brigade Fire calls will be sent via the Group Alert Bleep System, the telephonist will advise the location, floor number and fire zone Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 8
11.1 Fire Team Action Card 1 - Telephone Switchboard Who: Accountable to: All Switchboard staff The Fire Team Leader Purpose: To alert Fire Team and broadcast fire incident details, and provide ongoing communications Actions: 1 Contact the Fire Brigade via the 999 system stating the location of the incident 2 Broadcast fire incident details to the Fire Team. Using the voice facility give the floor number and display the floor number on the pagers (if a second operator is available, both these tasks should be carried out simultaneously) 3 Provide ongoing communications 4 Call in staff as requested by the Fire Team Leader or Silver Commander 5 Record incident details in the Log Book Major Incidents 1 Should a Major Incident be declared - make further telephone calls and call in staff as per the Major Incident Policy 2 In the event of a Major Incident, the Fire Team Leader may require Switchboard to establish a link with the Communications Officer who will establish a Communications Centre Note Between 09.00-17.00 on normal working days the designated Communications Officer is the Head of Operational Services. At all other times the Site Manager will undertake this role or nominate a senior member of staff on site Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 9
11.2 Fire Team Action Card 2 - Fire Team Leader Who: Senior Porter Mon- Fri 8.30 am - 4.00 pm Senior Nurse, Site Bed/Site management - all other times Purpose: 1 Lead the Trust Fire Team 2 Liaise with the senior Fire Brigade Officer and co-ordinate the actions of the Trust Fire Team 3 Debrief and the Team down 4 Record the incident details Actions: 1 Proceed to the fire alarm panel identified by the Telephonist; don the high visibility jacket to identify yourself. Commence a log of the incident 2 Organise two members of the Fire Team to carry out a search of the fire zone in alarm these staff should remain in radio contact with the Fire Team Leader at all times. If there are insufficient staff available to carry out a search, (e.g. the Fire Team Leader and 2 others) then no search is to be undertaken - searches should only be undertaken if it is safe to do so. Ensure that all staff deployed on any search and/or fire-fighting duties have returned safely to Assembly Point and can be accounted for using the Fire Action Log (10.7) 3 It is the responsibility of the Fire Team Leader to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable all areas have been adequately searched. 4 Brief senior Fire Brigade staff and the Silver Commander on information received from the Fire Team at the fire zone 5 If a fire is confirmed appoint and brief a Fire Point Co-ordinator to carry out the duties outlined on Action Card 6 6 Inform switchboard of the Fire Entry Assembly Point 7 If appropriate organise first aid fire fighting operations but place no one at personal risk Incidents will fall into one of the following three categories: 1 Alarm without any fire e.g. detector activated by dust 2 Minor situation e.g. can be dealt with prior to the arrival of the Fire Brigade, or 3 Major situation (stage II), possible large-scale evacuation, all emergency services involved Silver Commander to assess action required under the Business Continuity Plan Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 10
Personnel assessing an incident should consider, whether it will involve: The initial treatment, rescue and transport of a large number of casualties? Directly or indirectly, large numbers of people? Large numbers of enquiries from public and media? Large scale combined resources of the three emergency services? Mobilisation and organisation of emergency services and support organisations? Large scale hospital medical resources If the answer to most or all of the above questions is yes then call the switchboard and declare internal major incident standby and follow procedures outlined in the major incident policy. If the answer is no proceed with instructions set out below: Fire Alarms with no fire: If a smoke or fire detector has been activated e.g. by dust the Fire Team Leader must satisfy themselves that no fire exists; the fire alarm sounders may be silenced if there is no fire, but cannot be reset until the Senior Fire Brigade officer has established that the area is safe. The Fire Team Leader must brief the Senior Fire Brigade officer of the findings of the Fire Teams investigation/search Fire Alarms with a confirmed fire: Direct the Fire Team members and Senior Staff as appropriate. If safe to do so, direct the Fire Team to fight the fire and assist in the evacuation of patients from immediate danger. The Fire Team Leader must brief the Senior Fire Brigade officer of the findings of the Fire Teams investigation/search. On the authority of the Senior Fire Brigade Officer silence the fire alarm sounders; once stood down by the senior Fire Brigade officer carry out the following actions: Instruct the shift engineer to reset the fire alarm panel Inform staff that have evacuated that they may return to the area Inform Switchboard of stand down Replace all used and part used fire fighting equipment from stock held adjacent to the Security/Porters offices on the lower ground floor Immediately complete the online Fire/UwFS form Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 11
11.3 Fire Team Action Card 3 - Porter Who: Reports to: Porter Fire Team Leader Purpose: Meet and accompany fire brigade to the fire alarm panel identified by the Telephonist. Take the Fire Bag to the fire alarm panel identified by the Telephonist. Provide assistance under the direction of the Fire Team Leader. Actions: 1 On receipt of a fire call open the fireman s entrance door 2 Proceed to the Central Fire Fighting Stair Case (fireman s lift lobby) at ground floor level, switch on the fireman s lift at ground floor level and secure it at that level for Fire Brigade use 3 Open the gate to South Car Park 4 Note time of arrival of the Fire Brigade and report this to the Fire Team Leader 5 Escort the Fire Brigade to the affected floor. Remain at that floor; return to the ground floor to collect further fire fighters as directed by the Senior Fire Brigade Officer. 6 Provide assistance under the direction of the Fire Team Leader When the stand down has been announced 1 The fireman s lift should be switched off with the lift at ground floor level and door closed 2 Secure the gate to South Car Park the Fire Brigade entrance 3 Replace any used fire fighting equipment from stock to the fire bag Note: The fire fighting equipment bag must be checked on a weekly basis by Senior Porter Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 12
11.4 Fire Team Action Card 4 - Senior Security Officer Who: Reports to: Senior Security Officer Fire Team Leader Purpose: Provide access to areas if required and provide assistance under the direction of the Fire Team Leader Actions: 1 Proceed to the fire alarm panel identified by the Telephonist 2 Provide access to secured areas 3 Assist with evacuation and fire fighting under the direction of the Fire Team Leader Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 13
11.5 Fire Team Action Card 5 - Shift Technician Who: Reports to: Shift Technician Fire Team Leader Purpose: Give technical advice and support to the Fire Team Leader and the Fire Brigade, and provide assistance under the direction of the Fire Team Leader Actions: 1 Proceed to the fire alarm panel identified by the Telephonist 2 Establish which fire zone/address has the incident. Under the direction of the Fire Team Leader proceed to, and investigate the incident with a Security Officer 3 Assist with evacuation and fire fighting under the direction of the Fire Team Leader 4 Provide advice on the layout and contents of the boiler house, plant rooms and other Estates areas 5 Provide advice and technical support on the systems listed below to the Fire Team Leader/Fire Brigade: Fire Alarm System Water Supplies Fixed Fire Suppression systems Medical Gases (including liquid oxygen supply and vacuum systems) NOTE: All operation of this equipment is to be carried out on the specific instructions of the Fire Team Leader - details regarding any operation of this equipment, including emergency procedure, must be relayed as soon as possible to the authorised officer. (Senior Engineer who normally authorises the shut down of these systems) Lifts and associated equipment, including the procedure for rescue from lift cars/machinery Control of gas, electricity, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as requested by the Fire Team Leader or Senior Fire Brigade Officer Steam Systems Refrigeration Plant Emergency Generators and associated lighting equipment Fuel Oil (bulk storage) Pneumatic Systems 6 Silence the fire alarm when instructed by the Fire Team Leader 7 Reset the fire alarm panel when instructed by the Fire Team Leader Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 14
11.6 Fire Team Action Card 6 - Fire Point Co-ordinator Who: Reports to: Appointee by Fire Team Leader Fire Team Leader Purpose: To co-ordinate Trust response to the incident as instructed by the Fire Team Leader Actions: 1 On being delegated by the Fire Team Leader don the co-ordinators arm-band 2 Stay at the Assembly Point and liaise with the Fire Team Leader and other team members 3 Ensure that all staff report to you before being sent to the scene of the fire 4 Record the time and names of staff sent to the scene of the incident in the fire action log (s10.7) 5 Instruct staff to return to you after completion of work or on stand down 6 Make arrangements to obtain equipment or assistance as instructed by the Fire Team Leader 7 When the Fire Team is stood down collate all entry forms and pass to the Fire Team Leader along with a written report of your observations of the incident Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 15
11.7 Fire Action Log Name of Fire Point Co-ordinator Date, time and location of incident Name Time Sent Time of Return Location/Comments Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 16
Appendix G G Fire Safety Training and Competency Procedures Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 17
G FIRE TRAINING Introduction G.1 The provision of adequate fire safety training is a legal duty placed on the responsible person by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust is committed to excellence in patient care and recognises that the training and development of its staff is a contributory factor in achieving this; fire safety training is essential to ensuring that fire prevention and emergency action plans can be put into practice. In many healthcare environments, the safe evacuation of patients in the event of a fire will rely on the effective action of staff in implementing the emergency plan. Training is provided in accordance with the training needs matrix - additional training will be provided if a need is identified. Trust Specialist Fire Safety Advisor G.2 The Trust Specialist Fire Safety Advisor is responsible for ensuring that an appropriate programme of fire safety training is developed and ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place for the delivery of that training. Clinical Directors, Directorate Managers and Heads of Departments G.3 The Clinical Directors, Directorate Managers and Heads of Departments are responsible for ensuring that staff attend fire training as detailed in the training needs analysis matrix. G.4 The Organisational Development and Learning Department will manage and keep a database of staff attendance. Staff responsibilities G.5 All staff, whether employed whole or part time or in a voluntary capacity will be responsible for keeping their fire training up to date and alerting their line manager when fire training is due to expire. G.6 Staff that fail to attend fire training for any reason must report this to their line manager. Induction Training G.7 Fire training is a part of the Trust Induction training programme. General induction training for all staff groups is managed by the Trust Organisation Development and Learning Department (ODLD). Linked nursing induction programmes are managed by the Directorate of Nursing, and induction programmes for all medical staff are managed by the Postgraduate Education Department, which is a sub-section of the ODLD. Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 18
G.8 The ODLD organises and delivers a staff induction programme on a twice monthly basis. All new staff are expected to attend the first induction programme available to them after joining the Trust. Induction training will include instruction on: Basic fire safety and the fire safety protocols; How to raise the fire alarm; Actions to be taken on discovering a fire; Actions to take on hearing the fire alarm; Procedures for evacuation (horizontal and vertical); The importance of fire doors and their correct use; Staff responsibilities during a fire incident; Use of first aid fire fighting equipment Local induction training G.9 The corporate induction programme is supplemented by a local induction, which will be specific to the individual roles and responsibilities of staff within departments. G.10 All staff, including bank, part-time and agency staff, should receive local fire safety induction training on or before their first day of employment, or on their relocating to a new work area. This may be delivered by the staff member s line manager or the person in charge of the area in which they are to work. Where a member of staff is to work in a number of areas, it will be necessary to provide local fire safety induction training for each workplace. The local fire safety induction training must include: Any specific instruction necessary to prevent fire in the area as a result of hazardous processes, substances and/or equipment; Details of the local fire emergency action plan including: the action to be taken on discovery of a fire The means of raising the fire alarm The actions to take on hearing the fire alarm Staff responsibilities during a fire incident Procedures for evacuation The location of fire exits and evacuation equipment The location of fire extinguishers Update Training G.11 To ensure that staff are up to date with current legislation and Trust requirements, staff must receive fire training on an annual basis; topics covered are the same as those covered in Induction Training. This training is provided for two broad categories of staff: Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 19
G.12 Staff with patient contact (all types of contact both clinical and non clinical): staff must attend face to face training annually G.13 Staff without patient contact (all grades of manager, admin and support staff without direct patient contact): staff must attend face to face training annually Ward evacuation training G.14 Covers the topics provided in Induction Training but also includes a walk through fire drill and practical use of evacuation training. The practical use of evacuation equipment is also part of clinical manual handling training sessions Fire Wardens G.15 Current fire safety legislation requires a fire safe environment for patients, visitors and staff 24 hours a day the provision of Fire Wardens can provide an assurance that local day to day fire safety issues are being effectively managed. G.16 Fire wardens have two recognised fire safety roles: a day-to-day role and a role when the fire alarm sounds; to achieve this training will be provided on the following topics: The action to be taken on discovering or suspecting a Fire The action to be taken on hearing an alarm of Fire Fighting fires Assembly points Evacuation routes How to manage an evacuation of a non-clinical area How to manage an evacuation of a clinical area Practical use of evacuation equipment (where relevant) Hospital Fire and Emergency Procedures Hospital Fire Alarm System European Extinguisher Colour Coding Practical use of Fire Extinguishers Fire Team G.17 Training will be provided to ensure that the fire team can take initial control of a fire emergency; this training will include: How to manage an evacuation of a non-clinical area How to manage an evacuation of a clinical area Practical use of evacuation equipment Hospital Fire and Emergency Procedures Fire Team Roles and Procedures Practical use of Evacuation and Fire Fighting Equipment Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 20
Training needs matrix Trust induction (30 minutes) Local induction General fire training (30 minutes) General e-learning fire training (30 minutes) Evacuating very high dependency patients (1 x hour) provided for staff working with high dependency patients only e.g. ICU/SCBU/THEATRES Ward evacuation training (1 hour) Staff with patient contact (all types of contact both clinical and non clinical) Before or immediately upon joining the Trust Immediately upon joining the Trust Yearly Not available Yearly Yearly Staff without patient contact (all grades of manager, admin and support staff without direct patient contact) Before or immediately upon joining the Trust Immediately upon joining the Trust Staff are to attend general fire training within 12 months of joining the Trust; after this session general e- learning fire training can be alternated with general fire training Not required Not required Fire Warden training 3 Yearly 3 Yearly (2 hours) Fire Team training (2 hours) Yearly Yearly Royal Free FSMS : 22 October 2013 : 01.04 21