Fire evacuation information

Procedure on finding a Fire

• Sound the Fire Alarm by activating the Fire Alarm system

• Evacuate the building and proceed to an Assembly Point

• Do Not Use Lifts

• Call the Fire Brigade

Exiting the Building

• Employees should leave by the nearest available Fire Exit

• Employees should ensure that all Visitors follow the above procedures and proceed to an Assembly Point promptly

• Where appropriate – conduct a Roll Call/Head Count

Exiting the Building

• Although there are normally dedicated Fire escape routes All Employees should make themselves familiar with alternative escape routes from your place of work

Fire Action Notice

• All Employees should read the Fire Action Notices located within the building to familiarise themselves with the Assembly Points and action to be taken in the event of a Fire or Fire Alarm activation as this could vary from building to building

Re-entering The Workplace

• Employees must not re-enter the building until informed by the Fire Service/Fire Warden that it is safe to do so

Fire Fighting

• Extinguish a small Fire only if safe to do so and to help facilitate your escape

• Do Not put yourself at risk by attempting to Extinguish Fires

Fire Alarm

• The Fire Alarm must be tested weekly and the results of the test recorded in the Fire Log

Automatic Fire Alarm System Test

• Number all break glass call points in your building

• Activate the individual call points on a rotational basis i.e. Week 1 – test call point No.1; Week 2 – test call point No.2; Week 3 – test call point No.3 etc

• This ensures that all call points and the alarm system is tested regularly

When to test the Fire Alarm System

• The system can be tested on any day of the week – you decide

• It is good practice to stick to the same time and day e.g. every Monday at 10.00am

• Do not test the system when no one is in the building as employees need to be familiar with the sound and ensure it can be heard throughout the building

Who tests the Fire Alarm System?

• A responsible person nominated by the person in charge of the building

• In the event of several services occupying a building the Area Manager may nominate a person to be responsible for Health and Safety issues

Persons with a Disability

• Any employee who has a hearing, visual, physical, mobility or other form of impairment should complete a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) Questionnaire and return it to their Line Manager for action

• Line Managers must contact the Health and Safety Unit for support in completing the PEEP

Persons with a Disability

• Guidance regarding the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is available on Arcadia – My Job – Health and Safety – Woodhill House

• PEEP Questionnaire's are available on Arcadia – My Job – Health and Safety – Woodhill House

Safe Evacuation

• The evacuation procedure must be followed in the event of a Fire or Bomb Threat

• Do not Run when leaving the Building

Evacuation Process

• Do not return to your Desk to Retrieve Personal Belongings

• All Employees, Visitors and Contractors must evacuate the Building when the Alarm is Activated

Evacuation Process

• All Employees must proceed to an Assembly Point when the Fire Alarm is activated

Fire Evacuation Drills

• All Aberdeenshire Council premises must conduct at least two full Fire evacuation drills annually

• The results must be entered in the Fire Log Book

Fire Evacuation Drills

• Although Fire Drills are pre-planned, they can be cancelled at short notice due to inclement weather conditions as long as you rearrange another Drill e.g. there is no point in having a Drill in the middle of Blizzard or in Icy conditions underfoot when people are at risk

Fire Warden Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate Safe Evacuation

• Reporting Incidents regarding Fire Safety

• Providing Information to be used in the Event of an Emergency

• Liaise with the Fire Service

Fire Warden Duties

• Ensure that Help is available for Staff, Visitors, Clients and Children

• Ensure that Help is available for Persons with a Disability

• Ensure that Persons with Hearing or Sight Impairment are Evacuated Safely

• Carry out a quick sweep of your area

• Check Offices, Toilets and Meeting Rooms

Checking for Fire

• If there are no obvious signs of a Fire (Smoke, Flames, Loud Explosions, Broken, Cracked or Discoloured Panes of Glass) then proceed to investigate further

• If there are obvious signs of Fire – evacuate immediately and provide information to the Fire Service – e.g. location of Fire and last known location of any missing persons

Checking for Fire

• Do not enter a room without checking for signs of Fire

• Check for Smoke around the Door Frames

• Check for Heat around the Door and Handle – Use the back of the Hand

• Do Not Open the Door if there is a Fire in the room

Remember

• Fire Wardens are not responsible for rescuing people from a Fire

• The main role of a Fire Warden is to facilitate safe evacuation

Suspicious Packages

• Never open a suspicious looking package

• Never handle a suspicious looking package

• Never place a suspicious looking package in Water

• Clear the area and notify the person in charge of the building

For further info: http://www.mi5.gov.uk

Don’t Forget

• If you have a Fixed Fire Alarm System linked to the Regional Communication Centre (RCC), based at Woodhill House – inform them before conducting a Drill (to ensure that they do not alert the Fire Brigade when the alarm is activated) and after completion

Fire Safety in the Home

To request a Free Home Fire Safety Visit and receive a Free Smoke Alarm just call Grampian Fire & Rescue on 01779 471645 ore-mail HFSVshire@grampiafrs.org.uk