Fire Procedures

- drills - tests - signage - escape routes - extinguishers -

Fire Drills

With premises that are occupied or partially occupied, fire drills are required to be undertaken, with full evacuation arranged, at the intervals that will be required by the fire certificate (generally at 6-monthly intervals but not exceeding 12 months if not defined). All such exercises will require to be entered and signed in a log book which should be held and maintained by the management upon the premises. Fire Wardens should have been identified from within the occupiers' staff, but names will need to be reviewed as any vacant space is occupied, with representatives being available from each occupier (and this should be amended to include new occupiers as occupiers change) and each floor level should be represented. It is recommended that Fire Wardens work together with the management to refine and regularly examine and test the procedures and to ensure all training, instruction and exercises satisfy the requirements of the Fire Officer.

The names of the Fire Wardens should be held current in written form.

It is recommended that the Building Manager arranges to be in attendance to monitor the evacuation exercise and to assist in agreeing any modification to the procedures as necessary, to always ensure the smoothest and safest performance. The names of the Fire Wardens, should be held by Building Manager and reviewed from time to time to ensure all remain current and able to undertake the responsibility.

- drills - tests - signage - escape routes - extinguishers -

Fire Alarm Tests and Emergency Route Lighting

(The Fire Certificate and/or Fire Risk Assessment should take priority but generally the following should be actioned.)

It is an essential part of the management controls for properties that regular testing is undertaken to ensure the reliable operation of the fire alarm system. This is to be in accordance with the fire certificate but if no regular programme is given, the Building Manager should arrange a suitable time and day each week when the integrity of the system can be checked, with attention given to any sounders etc., that are not active, or are ineffective, or require adjustment or maintenance work undertaken. The method of testing should involve a programme of working through all emergency call points and/or detectors on a rota basis and should include the main control panel. This work is best dealt with as a two-person exercise in order "remote" bells can be included in the exercise.

The system shall be the subject of a regular examination and testing by a competent contractor at maximum 3-monthly intervals and an annual service arranged. All testing and the regular maintenance/servicing work should be recorded and signed in the log book. There should be a daily check of the indicator panel to show normal function.

The emergency escape route lighting should be regularly serviced with testing undertaken at maximum 6-monthly intervals, and all work should be recorded in the log book.

The emergency lighting system should generally be tested and serviced in accordance with British Standard 5266: Part 1: 1988 which incorporates the following:

a. A daily check to ensure the system is functioning correctly.

b. A monthly test simulating failure sufficient to ensure that each lamp is illuminated.

c. A six-monthly test simulating prolonged failure.

d. A three-yearly test simulating full duration.

e. An agreement with a competent person should be made to carry out testing and maintenance of the system.

The emergency lighting should be operative during the whole of the time it may be required to facilitate escape from the premises (minimum duration 1 hour) and should be effectively maintained in good working order. All fire protection testing work should be logged, dated and signed and any remarks included as appropriate.

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Fire Emergency Signage

The fire escape emergency route signage must be accompanied with directional arrows where appropriate, and pictograms should be included in all locations. It is recommended that the signage be displayed throughout all landing levels throughout the circulation and escape stairs etc. and including all lobbies and corridors. All fire doors should have signage displayed upon both faces to advise “Fire door – Keep shut/locked” (as appropriate), (blue and white in colour – the discs incorporating the general hazard pictogram “!”, with the text in under).

Fire routine (action) notices should be completed to show the action required in the event of an emergency to include the external assembly point. Such signs should be located near fire alarm call points and inside the occupiers' "front doors" to their areas etc. “Fire point” signs and pictograms shall be displayed at all break glass call points.

- drills - tests - signage - escape routes - extinguishers -

Fire Escape Routes

Fire escape routes throughout should have all doors marked internally to suit the above but additionally on the external face of the outer doors a blue and white sign shall be displayed to read “Fire exit – Keep clear” to the safety signage format. Where vehicles can park and obstruct an escape exit, yellow cross-hatching (1m deep) should be painted on the ground beyond to form a “box”, with parking restriction signage in support.

- drills - tests - signage - escape routes - extinguishers -

Fire Extinguishers, Hose Reels, Dry Risers & Sprinklers

Fire extinguishers, hose reels, dry risers and sprinklers must be subject to a regular check, to include a monthly inspection, routine maintenance, and an annual examination, and the record of the latter work must be signed and dated on the body of all equipment. All fire extinguishers should be wall mounted on a suitable bracket or held secure in a specially designed cradle. All storage locations should be identified with “Fire point” signage, incorporating the “flames” pictogram. The word “MISSING” should be applied behind each fire extinguisher.

- drills - tests - signage - escape routes - extinguishers -

Contact Information

Telephone

+44 (0)1480 471733

FAX

+44 (0)1480 393955

Postal address

1 Avenue Road, St Neots, Cambs. UK. PE19 1LJ

GEGS is listed on Chartered Consultant

Copyright © 2005 Graeme E Gaskell Services
Last modified: 9 December 2005