NEBOSH Fire and Risk Management Certificate

Issue October 2011

771

Emergency Procedures

Evacuation

• Evacuation of premises is essential to avoid unnecessary casualties

• Typical methods employed are– Single stage– Horizontal– Controlled or Staff Evacuation– Two stage– Phased evacuation

Single Stage

• Quite simply, on sounding the alarm ALL occupants leave the building using the nearest fire exit route

• Ideal for uncomplicated and small workplaces• Requires little in the way of planning• Still requires fire drill practice• Visitors should be directed by their hosts

Horizontal

• Used in hospitals and similar premises• At the alarm movement is to the nearest “place of

comparative safety”• Comparative safety is separation by at least two fire

doors from the fire origin• Safety should not be compromised by smoke ingress

and there should be a direction of escape available• If threat increases further moves away or total

evacuation may be necessary• Requires a good degree of control and communication

Controlled or Staff Evacuation

• General audible alarms may cause unnecessary panic in some premises

• The “alarm” is communicated to staff only• Staff then direct occupants from the building in an

orderly manner, assisting as necessary• Requires staff to be trained and practiced• Must be sufficient numbers of staff available

Two Stage

• On alarm shutdown of plant and evacuation of disabled begins – no other action should be taken

• Allows for investigation and assessment of suspected point of origin

• If necessary decision then made for total evacuation or return to work if no danger exists

• Usually indicated by distinct and different audible alarms egg intermittent followed by continuous

Phased Evacuation

• Often used in tall buildings• On alarm the floor where alarm was activated and

the floor directly above is evacuated• Remaining occupants placed on alert• If necessary further evacuations, two floors at a

time, is carried out under direction• Good communications essential with “Incident

Centre” and Fire Marshall's directing evacuation• Good building fire resistance and smoke control

essential

Command and Control

• Depending on the size of the building responsibilities for evacuation should be allocated

• This can be by area, floor, type of work etc• One member of staff should have overall

responsibility for command and control of the incident and designated persons feed information to that focal point

Action in the Event of Fire

• In groups devise the following

1. Action on discovery of fire

2. Procedures to be adopted for evacuation of the workplace

Roll Call

• A check to ensure that all personnel have reached a final place of safety

• Advantages– Confirmation of evacuation and safety– Emphasis on “getting people out”

• Disadvantages– Needs accurate lists– Its essentially reactive, doesn’t help physical evacuation– List checking time consuming– Presumption that fire evacuation instructions are understood– Needs personnel to do the checking

Fire Marshall

• Controls an area and responsible for searching all spaces to ensure all occupants are clear and reported to Incident Centre

• Advantages– Quick and efficient– Does not hinder fire-fighters– Coverage of all areas– Proactive– Helps control aberrant human behaviour– Allows for searching/clearance of areas

• Disadvantages– Marshall has to be present at the time– Work is usually voluntary

Allocating Fire Marshals

• Fixed Point– Marshall in fixed location– Responsible for search and sweep of location– Report area clear and then evacuate

• Assembly Point– On alarm all report to central point– Marshall allocated location for search– Useful where numbers of available marshals may vary

Allocating Fire Marshals

• Points System– Useful where numbers of available marshals may vary– Fire Marshall Point at specific sites which have “route

cards”– On alarm reports to nearest point, takes card, works

route and reports when completed to Incident Commander

– Requires a good degree of control and communication to be fully effective

Fire Drills

• Essential verification that safe and prompt evacuation is possible and that procedures are understood by all employees

• At least annual practice and where risks are higher then more frequently

• An evacuation plan should be devised and communicated to all employees

• It must take account of any assisted evacuation for disabled employees and any visitors

Alarms & Assistance

• Bells, sirens and klaxons are suitable in most cases but additional means of raising the alarm may be required

• Hearing impairment may require the use of personal “trembler” alarms carried by the individual or “strobe” lights

• Visual impairment may require tactile “way finding” aids to enable safe exit

• Mobility impairment may require use of mechanical assistance or movement to a safe refuge to await final evacuation

• In all cases it is advisable for nominated able bodied personnel to assist in evacuation to a place of safety

• Pre planning and development of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP’s) are useful for ALL employees

Evacuating the Public

• This may present difficulties due to disbelief, annoyance or lack of awareness of danger

• Plans should be drawn up of the most appropriate means of ensuring prompt evacuation and preventing the public from entering areas where escape become increasingly difficult

• Fire Marshals and Security Staff can provide assistance and direction