Fire Safety Induction

Overview

We will look at

• Legal requirements
• Understanding fire
• Fire hazards and risks
• Fire prevention and control
• Fire extinguisher safety
• Fire procedures
 Legal Requirements
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
requires that;

• Fire risks are identified and controlled

• A Fire Risk Assessment is completed and
reviewed regularly or if work areas change
• Findings are implemented, so far as is reasonably
practicable
 Understanding Fire
Fire is real

• In 2 ½ years from Jan 2007 – June 2009

19 fires occurred in the University of Bristol
• 17 were small and contained
• 2 were serious…
School of Chemistry, 2007
Faculty of Engineering
Queen’s Building, 2008
 Understanding Fire

Fire needs 3 things to exist

• Fuel
• Oxygen
• Heat

“The Fire Triangle”

 Understanding Fire

Fuel

• Chemicals - acetone, ether, methanol, etc

• Gases - hydrogen, natural gas
• Plastics - PCs, cable insulation, research equipment
• Paper and cardboard - packaging
• Wood - desks, benches
• Fabrics - chairs, blinds, clothing
• You…
 Understanding Fire

Oxygen

• A natural component of air @ 21%

• Enriched atmospheres, > 21% oxygen
 labs, oxygen storage
• Situations where oxygen / air is more difficult to control:
 Outdoors
 Automatic ventilation systems
 Open doors or windows
 Understanding Fire

Heat (Ignition Source)

• Heating appliances
• Research and computer equipment
• Other electrical equipment
• Smoking materials
• Contractor’s equipment
• Arson
 Understanding Fire

Hazards and risks of fire

• Smoke & fumes
 Breathing difficulties, asphyxiation, poisoning
• Heat & flames - up to 1250°C
 Burns
• Building debris
 Impact injuries, burns
• Injury while escaping fire
 Trips, falls, trampling
 Fire Prevention
• Be fire safety aware
• Control ignition sources
• Prevent any accumulation of fuels
• Only use electrical equipment that is
PAT tested
• Abide by the University no smoking policy
 Fire Prevention
• Do not block fire exits, call points or extinguishers
• Do not wedge fire doors open
• Ensure good housekeeping
• Maintain effective security
• Report any bad practice or risks immediately to your
line manager
 Fire Prevention
Fire alarm testing

• Is a legal requirement
• Alarm will sound for 15 seconds (add details of your
departmental or building testing regime)
• No need to take action during a test, however if the
alarm sounds for greater than 15 seconds, or at any
other time than the arranged testing,
you must treat as genuine alarm and immediately
evacuate
 Fire Procedure - Finding a Fire
If you discover a fire
• Shout ‘FIRE’.
• Raise the alarm by breaking the glass on a RED fire
alarm call point.
• Call Security on 112233. Security officers / the Security
control will call 999 on your behalf but you can always
call the Brigade directly if you know there is a fire.
• Do not return to your desk/work area to collect personal
belongings
• Leave the building by the nearest available fire escape
route.
• Go to the assembly area and await instruction.
 Fire Extinguisher Types
Water Paper, wood, etc.
Not electrical, liquids or gases

Foam Solids & liquids

Not electrical or gases

Powder Solids, liquids, gases &

electrical

CO2 Electrical, safe on most small fires

 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

On hearing the alarm

• Call Security on 112233 to advise of the fire alarm – do

not assume someone else has done it.
• Leave the building by the nearest available fire escape
route.
• DO NOT delay your escape but if you can turn off
equipment/close doors and windows as you leave then
do so.
• Go to the assembly area and await instruction
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

• Do not delay to collect belongings

• Do not use the lifts
• If smoke is present then keep low to the floor to add
your escape
• If necessary check that internal doors are cool with the
back of your hand before opening them
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

Electrically locked security doors

• Lock will auto release when the alarm activates, just

push the door open
• Break glass release button only if door does not unlock
• If you break glass notify the Porters or the
Buildings Manager for replacement
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

People with disabilities

• Need to be assisted by volunteers or

nominated personnel, detail will be available in
their Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
(PEEP’s)
• For special events ensure that disabled
persons have been taken into account and an
evacuation plan is in place
• (Add details of Departmental Evacuation Plan)
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

On exiting the building

• Add diagram if
• Report to designated possible of exit
assembly point promptly routes for
• Don’t block any Emergency Services department or
route to the building form building
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

On exiting the building

• Report any missing colleagues to your Fire Warden

• Report any disabled persons left at Refuge Points
• Remain at assembly point until advised otherwise
• Do not wander off as it may be assumed that you
are trapped in the building
 On Your Return to Your Workplace Today

Ensure that you know;

• The escape routes
• Final exit doors and how to open them
• Location and types of fire fighting equipment
• Locations of call points
• Any specific fire procedures including the
assembly points
• Who your fire wardens are
• Who to report to with any defects or bad
practices
 Examples of defects to report
• Covered smoke detectors
• Fire doors damaged or not closing properly
• Broken/damaged lighting, especially emergency lighting
• Missing or damaged fire extinguishers
• Service riser covers open.
• Accumulation of rubbish and clutter excessive paper in
offices etc.
• Obstructed corridors.
 
 Summary
As a member of staff at the University you have a
responsibility for fire safety. Make sure you know:
• What the fire alarm sound like in your building
• The Escape routes within your building
• If you discover a fire, how to raise the alarm
• What to do if you hear the fire alarm
• Who to call if a fire starts
• How to open final exit doors
• Why is it important to go to the assembly area?
• Why fire doors should remain closed at all times?
• Why are fire extinguishers provided?
Thank You!

Any Questions?