Risk Assessment and Prevention
Risk Assessment and Prevention
Embedded Files
Risk Assessment and Prevention
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that all organisations should:
Carry out regular and timely fire risk assessments
Ensure that their staff know the location of fire equipment, fire exits and the evacuation protocol for their working area
Ensure that their staff familiarise themselves with the organisation’s fire safety policy and fire risk assessment
Record any significant findings in the fire risk assessment
Staff also are personally responsible for ensuring that they comply with above and that their training is up to date.
You should be aware of any significant findings in any fire risk assessments that affect you, your role or location, for example:
§ What fire hazards have been identified and what are the preventive measures?
§ What actions have been taken to remove or reduce the chance of fire occurring?
§ Who is at risk? Consider the most vulnerable patients.
§ What should people do in the case of fire?
§ What is the emergency plan for your location?
§ What information, instruction and training are needed and how will they be disseminated to everyone?
Protective Measures
There are protective measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of fire.
Fire doors
Fire doors provide a minimum of 30 minutes' protection. They must:
Be kept shut and or locked at all times
Not be wedged in the open position
Be reported when damaged
No signage other than the fire signage relating to the door should be in place
Fire alarm
Fire alarms alert people when smoke or heat is detected. The alarm will be continuous in the area where the fire is and intermittent elsewhere.
Fire signage
Fire signage is there to indicate emergency routes and exits and the location of fire safety equipment.
Emergency escape lighting
Emergency lighting should illuminate escape routes and fire safety equipment if the main lighting fails.
Fire-fighting equipment
Fire-fighting equipment should be provided for fire-fighting in the premises and be readily available to use. There are a number of different kinds of extinguisher available depending on the risk associated with the area.
Evacuation procedures
An emergency evacuation plan will include the action to be taken by all staff in the event of fire and the arrangements for calling the fire brigade. Each site should have a specific emergency evacuation plan and staff should familiarise themselves with the procedures and plans.
Fire Extinguishers
Have a look at the different types of fire extinguisher and their use.
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers
Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are effective on electrical appliance fires.
Foam fire extinguishers
Foam extinguishers are effective on flammable liquids but can be used on all non-electrical fires.
Wet chemical extinguishers
These are developed specifically to deal with deep fat cooking fires so are suitable for fires in kitchens and in food-processing plants.
Water extinguishers
These are suitable for fires involving solid materials and should not be used on electrical equipment fires.
Dry powder extinguishers
These are suitable for small fires and fires involving electrical equipment. However, it should not be used on sensitive electrical equipment such as computers.
Fire Blankets
Contain a fire by smothering it. Fire blankets are typically used for small electrical appliance fires; They can also be used if someones clothes are on fire.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse