Fire Safety Policy - Ardley Hill › wp-content › uploads › 2016 › 02 › Fire-… · FIRE SAFETY STRATEGY 1 INTRODUCTION It is the council’s policy to ensure, so far as reasonably

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FIRE SAFETY STRATEGY (POLICY/SOP)

Policy provided by Luton Borough Council School Support H&S Service in July 2012 – current H&S advice providers to Ardley Hill Academy. Policy amended slightly to fit academy circumstances and staff; appendices not amended.

Policy first adopted by Ardley Hill Academy Governing Body – 7th November 2013. Policy revised and reaccepted by Academy Governing Body – 6th July 2015.

Author: Hazel Bloor, Health and Safety Adviser (Schools) 1st Dated: July 2012, Last Revised: June 2015

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FIRE SAFETY STRATEGY

1 INTRODUCTION

It is the council’s policy to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees and others who may be affected by its undertaking, in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The aim of this Policy is to ensure that all staff, pupils, parents, Governors, contractors and visitors are protected from the risks of fire whilst on school/academy premises.

To achieve this aim, the Policy explains how to achieve compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure that fire is prevented and that any fire risks are adequately controlled.

1.1 POLICY

The main objectives of this Policy are to:

• Safeguard all relevant persons from death or injury in the event of fire • Ensure that, should any emergency incident occur such as fire, explosion,

leak of gas etc, that the means are in place to effect a safe and organised evacuation of the building, so far as is reasonably possible

• Minimise the risk of fire and to limit fire spread • Minimise the potential for fire to disrupt services, damage buildings and

equipment or harm the environment • Ensure the school/academy complies with relevant fire legislation and

standards

This Policy document sets out the management of fire safety in Luton Borough Council and states the basic principles of general fire precautions that must be implemented in all school/academy premises.

Specific advice on fire precaution matters can be sought from the Corporate Health & Safety Team (who will liaise with the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, where relevant).


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2 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (commonly referred to as the RRO) came into effect on 1st October 2006. It replaces all previous fire safety legislation e.g. The Fire Precautions Act 1971, the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 etc. All legislation that refers to fire safety has been amended and now refers to the requirements of the RRO.

The purpose of the legislation is to place a greater emphasis on fire prevention by ensuring that all persons responsible for premises comply with their statutory duties far more robustly than under previous fire legislation and implement the general fire precautions which are needed to protect all relevant persons from death or injury in the case of fire. The RRO applies to all premises which are a workplace and to all owners and occupiers of premises where the council has, to any extent, control of those premises or an obligation in relation to maintenance or repair or the safety of the premises.

2.2 Definition of the Responsible Person

The RRO places duties on the ‘responsible person’ who is anyone who has control of premises or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems. In relation to a workplace, this means the employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his/her control, or for other premises:

a) The person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him/her of a trade, business or other undertaking, whether for profit or not; or

b) The owner, where the person in control of the premises does not have control in connection with the carrying on of a trade, business or other undertaking

2.3 Responsibilities


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The Governing Body are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the academy complies with all statutory fire safety requirements. They delegate the day to day management of this to the Headteacher and in their absence the Deputy Headteacher.

The Headteacher, Mr J Smith, is responsible for: ensuring that an up to date fire risk assessment is in place for the academy buildings; the installation and maintenance of fire detection and warning systems; firefighting equipment; signage and lighting; periodic fire evacuation drills; adequate mean of escape from buildings; ensuring means of access for emergency services is provided in the event of fire.

The Headteacher has day to day responsibility for the fire protection and fire response arrangements in the academy and to ensure that fire evacuation drills are carried out, as well as ensuring that fire issues are included in workplace inspections and risk assessments carried out in the academy; making their staff and pupils aware of fire hazards and local emergency procedures; delegating sufficient staff to carry out fire search officer duties; consulting with the Governing Body on major changes to use of space or work which may compromise the fire integrity of the building(s)

Project Managers (where appointed) for new building works or modifications to existing buildings must ensure that the requirements of relevant fire legislation and standards are considered early in the planning and design stages of the work and the proposed building and modifications work meets those requirements. They must also monitor that contractors minimise fire and explosion risks of their works on academy premises by following safe working procedures and any particular precautions and procedures required by or due to the nature of the work being undertaken.

Disabled students(and their parents/carers) and staff are responsible for informing the Headteacher of a disability which may affect their ability to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency.

The Headteacher in conjunction with the Health and Safety Adviser in the LA are responsible for compiling Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for pupils and staff with relevant (temporary or permanent) disabilities. The Headteacher must ensure that the staff are aware of all disabled pupils within the academy and are provided with a copy of their PEEP.

Staff are responsible, on hearing the fire alarm, for ensuring that all pupils and visitors leave the room immediately and proceed to the designated Assembly Point and report that the room has been cleared.

Fire Search Officer Staff are responsible, on hearing the fire alarm, for checking all accessible rooms in their designated area(s) and reporting their findings to the Incident Control Officer at the designated Assembly Point.

The Incident Control Officer (Mrs N Betchley) is responsible for taking charge at Author: Hazel Bloor, Health and Safety Adviser (Schools) 1st Dated: July 2012, Last Revised: June 2015

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3 ARRANGEMENTS

3.1 Fire Risk Assessments of Buildings

• The Headteacher arranges for fire risk assessments to be carried out on their building(s).

• Emergency plans for the academy building(s) are drawn up by the Headteacher taking account of the findings of the fire risk assessment and seeking advice from the LA Health and Safety Adviser as and when necessary. Copies of these plans are held in the academy office.

• Fire risk assessments and emergency plans must be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary.

3.2 Fire Detection & Alarm Installations and Fire Fighting Equipment

• Arrangements for the maintenance, inspection, examination and testing of the fire detection and alarm installations and fire fighting equipment are delegated by the Headteacher to the Site Manager (Mr C Taylor) (See Appendix A).

• Visual checks on fire fighting equipment are carried out by the Site Manager on a monthly basis. (See Appendix A).

3.3 Training and Instruction

• New staff and student induction training is given by the Headteacher or their nominated representative. (Appendix B).

• Staff training is organised by the Headteacher. • All fire search officer staff are trained in the use of fire extinguishers. • Appropriate information on fire hazards, precautions and emergency

arrangements are provided by the Headteacher to contractors, visitors and relevant organisations.

• Information on fire evacuation procedures is given to pupils by staff. • Fire escape routes, fire exit signage and fire actions notices are displayed at

appropriate locations in all buildings.

3.4 Monitoring by Inspections


! !• The Governing Body will ensure that workplace inspections are carried out

using the Governors Management Inspection Checklist, and any findings reported back to the relevant link Governor to report back to Full Governing Body. The workplace inspections should be undertaken on a termly basis and include fire issues in these inspections.

• The Governing Body in conjunction with the academy management should ensure that a site inspection using the Arson Checklist (Appendix F) is completed on a termly basis and any findings reported to the relevant link Governor to report back to Full Governing Body.

• It is the Kitchen Manager’s (Mrs M McPhillips) responsibility to ensure inspections of the kitchen are carried out and to include fire safety in these inspections.

• Required remedial actions are reported to the Site Manager and the Headteacher. A summary of the actions is included in the fire risk assessment.

3.5 Monitoring by Fire Evacuation Drills

• The Headteacher arranges fire evacuation drills at least once per term as a minimum and at different times of the day and week for relevant groups of staff and pupils.

• Fire drill reports and recommendations are recorded in the fire log (Smartlog).

• The fire bell/siren and fire alarms are tested daily/ weekly by the Site Manager. (See Appendix A).

3.6 Emergency Evacuation

• Emergency evacuation procedures are in place for the academy building. • In the event of a fire alarm activation, everyone should leave the building

immediately, go to the designated Assembly Point and remain there until the “all clear” to return to the building has been given by the Headteacher

• Staff and pupils with disabilities which may affect their ability to evacuate the building in the event of an emergency should follow the emergency evacuation procedures agreed in the PEEP.

3.7 Reporting Fire Incidents


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Appendix A

Maintenance of Fire Doors, Fire Exit Doors, Fire Equipment and Systems

• All fire incidents are reported to the Headteacher. • Fire alarm logs for the academy are maintained by the Site Manager and

recorded on Smartlog (where applicable). • All fire alarm activations must be investigated and this would normally be

undertaken by the Site Manager.

3.8 Maintenance of Fire Doors, Fire Exit Doors, Fire Equipment and Systems

Fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and emergency lighting are maintained by a contracted company. However, the academy will carry out the tests detailed in Appendix A on the systems and precautions between maintenance visits.

3.9 Events Taking Place Out of Academy Hours / Lettings

• Where events are organised outside of academy hours, or by outside organisations, it is the responsibility of the member of staff organising the event or arranging the letting to ensure that the evacuation ‘controller’ is consulted and appropriate precautions including arrangements for evacuation and calling the fire brigade are put in place.

• The responsible person may impose 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 license will be needed for the events being organised. Where a license is required, the licensing officer may specify particular requirements as a condition of the licence and these conditions will have to be met. (See Appendix C)

This Policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Governing Body and Headteacher.

3.10 Application

The Governing Body of Ardley Hill Academy first adopted this fire safety strategy policy/SOP at the meeting of the full Governing Body on 7th November 2013.


! !Fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and emergency lighting are maintained by a contracted company. However, the academy will carry out the following tests on the systems and precautions between maintenance visits:

System Frequency Method of Test

Fire Alarm Weekly Test key operation of different call point every week in rotation

Fire Alarm Daily Visual check of panel for fault indications.

Automatic door holders and closers connected to

the fire alarm

Weekly with the fire alarm

Confirmation that doors close with the operation of the fire alarm.

Emergency Lighting Monthly Operation of test switch or circuit breaker and check that light illuminates.

Fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets etc.

Monthly Check that seals are intact, equipment has not been removed or tampered with and annual inspection and maintenance is in date.

Fire Doors Weekly Check that doors are closing fully and, where fitted, latches are operating.

Stairwell and Stairwell Enclosures

Daily Check that exit doors are unlocked and that escape routes are free from obstruction.

Corridors, Escape Routes and Fire exit

Doors

Daily Check exit doors are unlocked and that escape routes are free from obstruction.

Fire Exit doors Weekly Check that doors are opening freely and that emergency exit fittings are operating.


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! !Appendix B

Records

The following records will be kept by the academy:

Record Type Information To Be Recorded

Fire Alarm Test Date of test, number or location of call points tested and whether it was satisfactory, including whether automatic door releases operated.

Emergency Lighting Date of test, numbers or location of lights tested and whether test was satisfactory.

Free operation of fire exit doors List of all exit doors checked, date of check and results.

Practice fire evacuation drill Date of drill; details of exits or escape routes obstructed; details of number of notices put out, their location and the number returned; and time taken to evacuate.

Fire safety training Nature of training, names of those who attended, name of instructor and duration of training.


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Appendix C

Room Capacity

Room capacity is set by two separate calculations:

1. The total usable area of the room divided by the occupancy factor. (The use to which the room is to be put)

2. The number, size and location of the available exits.

The tables below have been designed to enable you to calculate occupant capacity based upon floor space and the exit widths of available doors.

Table 1 Occupancy Factors (taken from Building Bulletin 100)

* Depending upon minimum aisle space of 0.8m for movement and escape

Room/Area Occupant capacity based on floor space factor (m2 /person)

Assembly Hall/Dual purpose area Persons Standing, seated without chairs.

0.45

Assembly Hall/Dual purpose area Persons seated (chairs in rows)

1.0

Hall used as examinations room Desk and chair per person

1.25 metres between chair centres, 750mm aisle width between desk edges

Dining Room, Restaurant *1.0 to 1.5

Sports Hall (not used for assembly or examinations etc) 5.0

Office 6.0

Staff Common Room 1.0


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Table 2 Number of fire exits needed

Table 3 Exit door widths

* The minimum width of an escape route or door.

Maximum number of persons Minimum number of escape routes/ exits

60 1

600 2

More than 600 3

Minimum width of doors on escape route (stated in mm)

Maximum number of persons

750* 100

850 120

1050 200

Additional 75mm increases capacity by 15 persons (or part thereof) e.g. 1200 mm 1500 mm 1800 mm

230 290 350


! !Calculating Exit Capacity

If only one exit is available from a room then the maximum capacity is 60 persons regardless of the width of the exit.

When calculating the overall capacity then if a room has two or more exits it has to be assumed that a fire will prevent the occupants from using one of them.

The remaining useable exit(s) need to be wide enough to allow all occupants to leave quickly, therefore when deciding upon the total available exit capacity the largest exit from the room must be discounted.

• An exit consisting of a double door is regarded as one exit.

• If escape route doors are too close to one another and are likely to be simultaneously disabled by the same fire (e.g. within 45° of each other) then they should be classed as one exit and it may be necessary to discount them both from your calculation.

• Escape routes that may be classed as ‘true alternatives’ should therefore be more than 45° apart when viewed from the furthest point in the room.(see diagram 1 )

• A number of exits which discharge into a common area cannot be regarded as alternative to each other.

The two calculations, occupancy factor and available exit capacity should be undertaken and the calculation which arrives at the lowest number is the maximum permitted capacity.

Worked Example 1

A school hall with a usable area of 210 m2, being used as an assembly hall (All standing or seated without chairs) would have a maximum calculated capacity of:-

210 /0.45 = 466 people (from table 1)

Total exit capacity For > 60 people to be able to use the area a minimum of 2 exit routes are required.

The hall has 2 sets of double doors and 1 single door all at more than 45° apart • 1 @ 2.1m • 1 @ 1.8m • 1 @ 0.75m

The widest exit route must now be excluded from all subsequent calculations.

This leaves


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• 1 Door at 1.8m with a capacity of 350 people • 1 Door at 0.75m with a capacity of 100 people (from table 2)

Total exit capacity = 450 people

Each of the remaining exit routes must be true alternatives at more than 45° apart. Final exits must be marked as fire exits.

Therefore maximum number of persons allowed in the hall equals the lowest calculated figure of 450


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Worked Example 2

Seated persons take up far more space than people standing. If people are seated at tables, the occupancy factor is reduced further.

Should the same hall as in example 1 be set out for a production and chairs are used, then the calculation should be carried out as follows:

Total occupancy capacity 210 /1.0 = 210 people (from table 1)

Total exit capacity 350 + 100 = 450 people (as previously calculated)

In this case the maximum number of persons that can be accommodated in the hall is 210 persons, this being the lowest calculated figure.

Layout and Gangways see diagram 2

As far as practicable, seating should be in regular blocks, having gangways of uniform width.

• Gangways: at least 1100mm wide • Not more than 14 seats in a row with a gangway each end or, not more than 7 in a row

with a gangway at one end • Space between rows; at least 300mm • Seatback to seatback measurements between seats at least 740mm; or 600mm in

bench seats with no backs (See diagram 2)

You also need to be aware of any specific licensing requirements and adhere to any capacity limits set by this.


! !Worked example 3


To calculate maximum capacity

People standing / seated without chairs

From table 1

165m2 / 0.45 = 366 persons

From table 2

2 exit routes required if over 60 people are to occupy the hall; in this example 3 routes are available. (However exits 2 and 3 are within 45 degrees, see diagram 1, and discharge into a common area and thus must be regarded as one exit)

Should a fire occur as in this example both exits 2 and 3 would be disabled. Exit 1 is the only available exit therefore the total capacity is based upon the exit width of this door, in this instance Exit 1 = 1500mm thus from table 3 290 persons is the maximum capacity of the hall.

People seated chairs in rows From table 1

165m2 / 1 = 165 persons Since the maximum number is taken from the calculation which arrives at the lowest number in this instance the maximum capacity are 165.

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Diagram 1

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Doors may be counted as 2 separate exits

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Doors must be counted as one exit


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Diagram 2

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Appendix D

Checklist for First day Fire Safety Instruction

Take the new starter through the fire safety procedure as displayed at the fire alarm call points, in particular:

• Show them the location of the fire alarm call point and describe the way it operates. Emphasise that the first action on discovering a fire is to raise the alarm even if the fire is small.

• Describe the sound of the fire alarm and the action to be taken when it sounds, in particular, leaving the building with any pupils for which the staff member is responsible for and going to the assembly point.

• Describe and walk the escape routes and alternative escape routes that the member of staff is likely to need to use and show the operation of any push bars or exit fittings.

• Show the new member of staff the location of the fire extinguishers, but emphasise that they should only be used if the staff member has previously been trained in their use, if it is safe to do so and the alarm has been raised first and after an evacuation has been started.


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Appendix E

Checklist for person hiring the school/academy premises

Take the new hirer through the fire safety procedure as displayed at the fire alarm call points, in particular:

• Show them the location of the fire alarm call point and describe the way it operates. Emphasise that the first action on discovering a fire is to raise the alarm even if the fire is small.

• Describe the sound of the fire alarm and the action to be taken when it sounds, in particular leaving the building with any persons for whom the hirer is responsible and going to the assembly point.

• Describe and walk the escape routes and alternative escape routes that the hirer is likely to need to use and show the operation of any push bars or exit fittings.

• Show the new hirer the location of the fire extinguishers, but emphasise they should only be used if he/she has been previously trained, if it is safe to do so and the alarm has been raised first and after an evacuation has been started. Explain how to contact the fire brigade (whether or not an automatic call is made) and where the nearest telephone point can be found. Give clear instructions of location of school/academy.


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Appendix F

ARSON CHECKLIST

The Governing Body and the Headteacher are responsible for the day-to-day running of the school/academy and the management of all systems including those for fire safety.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE THE RISK

Good housekeeping is the key to reducing the risk of arson at your school/academy. The Fire Service and the Health and Safety Adviser for the LA will work with you to assess the risk and where necessary, will recommend actions you can take to reduce it. Things to look out for:

• Litter • Graffiti • Minor and Major break-ins • Minor arson incidents

The Fire Service Arson Audit covers the following areas:-

• Entry onto premises • Entry into buildings • Opportunity to start fires • Scope to start a fire


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ARSON CHECKLIST Deter unauthorised entry onto premises:

Satisfactory Remarks

Yes No N/A

1. Hedges, fences, gates ………………………...

2. External Lighting ………………………….

3. CCTV surveillance ………………………….

4. School staffing levels (daytime, holidays, evenings) .......................................

5. Does any member of staff live on site? …………………………

Deter unauthorised entry into buildings:

1. Doors and windows secured ………………………

2. Condition of doors and windows ………………………

3. Low level glazing – toughened glass ……………………….

4. Intruder alarms ……………………….

5. Neighbourhood watch patrol ……………………….

6. Roof lights and windows ……………………….

Reduce opportunity to start a fire:

1. Refuse containers in secure compound ………………………..

2. Containers 8m from buildings ………………………..

3. Recycling bins 8m from buildings ………………………...

4. Containers chained or secured …………………………


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5. Storage shed secured …………………………

6. Refuse bins emptied regularly …………………………

7. Security precautions for oil, gas and LPG. …………………………

Reduce scope for a fire:

1. Storage of flammable materials ………………………….

2. High value equipment in secure places ………………………….

3. Programme for contractors on site (safe storage of flammables etc) ………………………….

4. Repairs and maintenance …………………………..

School: ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Inspected by: ……………………………………………………………………………….

Date inspected: ……………………………………………………………………………..

Signature: …………………………………………………………………………………...


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