The Provision of Fire Safety Systems and Procedures - Assignment Example

Name Fire safety Management Plan Course Date Fire safety Management Plan Introduction University of Central Lancashire is devoted to providing a safe environment to its personnel, students and visitors and this includes provision and management of fire safety systems and procedures. Everyone in the university, visitors and a legal duty to ensure they comply with the law and fire safety provisions stipulated in this fire safety management plan. A breakout of even a tiny fire endangers life, property, environment destruction and can also compromise running of businesses. University of Central Lancashire will make sure, so far as is reasonably practical, that the risk allied to fire will be managed in conformity Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any other relevant legislation that may impact upon it. Consequently, the objective of this fire safety management plan is to avail an effective fire safety framework which will be employed to secure the safety and well being of every occupant of JB Firth building and to protect the building’s assets (Daniel, 2014). Fire Safety Policy Statement University of Central Lancashire is totally dedicated to its legislative and moral responsibility to conform to the requirements of: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 The Building Regulations 2000 (as amended) Obligations conferred by various regulations in regard to protection of life from fire This policy statement applies to JB Firth building and the building will be made subject of an appropriate assessment to establish, so far as reasonably practical, the risk which relevant individuals are exposed to from fire. University of Central Lancashire will endeavour support control, monitoring and review of all measures to make sure there are adequate fire safety measure in the building. This policy is officially accepted by the senior management team and the senior management team will do all that is reasonably practical to abide by its prerequisites and avail the necessary resources (The University of Queensland, 2010). Fire Safety Management Structure The Senior Management Team has the prime responsibility of making sure that this policy is complied with and implementation of allied procedure occurs in the individual areas of responsibility. The team should ensure JB Firth building complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the general responsibilities obligated by the Health & Safety at Work 1974. The selected “building officer” has the responsibility of ensuring that this policy is wholly implemented and each and every allied procedure. Additionally, the “building officer” should ensure that the maintenance of fire safety equipment and fire precaution measures in the building is conducted regularly (The University of Queensland, 2010). Evacuation Strategies Fire evacuation exercises will be done every year in the building. This exercise is meant to educate building occupants the appropriate evacuation method in case of an emergency and also to meet University legislative duties. The evacuation exercises will be done by the fire wardens who will be under the instruction of a Fire Safety Officer through a document guideline. N order to train staff members and the building occupants about fire safety, Pre and post de-briefing meetings shall accompany all evacuation drills. In case the building is accessed by the OH & S manager and is perceived to be high fire safety risks, especially now that the building will be housing fire laboratories, more fire evacuation drills can be recommended to be carried out (Wattz, 2009). Emergency Response Fire systems on the building will be monitored and responded by the Lancashire Fire Service and University Security Unit. In case of a fire alarm, the building fire wardens shall evacuate the buildings in the stipulated manner. The university security unit shall respond under procedures of security emergency procedure-Fire and evacuation and will coordinate activities until the arrival of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (Wattz, 2009). . Fire Alarm and Detection JB Firth building will be equipped with an automatic alarm system which has a direct connection to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. Smoke and heat detectors will be located in strategic locations all over the building. These fire system constituents should NEVER be obstructed. Activation of the fire alarm will send a sound alarm in the entire building, call upon Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, close fire doors and operate smoke exhaust system (Clive & Gary 2007). Fire Prevention and Arson Awareness The fire safety officer should ensure that the building has an environment where fire is prevented from starting. This will involve observing the occupant’s behavior, reducing hazards of flammable contents, routine for waste disposal, setting up standards for buying of furniture, laboratory equipment and other building fittings. Additionally, the fire safety officer should ensure that conditions that may result to gas/dust explosion risks are reduced, and the means through which fire starts and spreads are reviewed and appraised (University of Central Lancashire, 2012). Appropriate security arrangements such as ensuring only authorized people enter the building should be implemented to lower the risk of arson. However, the fire safety security officer should make sure that any measures aimed at preventing unauthorized access in the building d not obstruct processes such as evacuation during a fire breakout. The building occupants should educated on how to recognize and report arson attempts (Clive & Gary 2007). Selection and Control of Materials Flammable materials should not be allowed in the building. This is because the building can be rated high risk in terms of fire hazard because the building houses fire laboratories. This will ensure limitation of fire development in the building (British Standards, 2008). Decoration, Alterations and Extensions Normally, it is very unlikely for fire to start from the building structure. Decoration, alterations, extensions, furnishings, chemicals, electrical services are the most likely sources of fire. Therefore, it will be necessary to avoid decorations in the building unless when it is inevitable. In case of an alteration or extension in the building, relevant building authorities as well as fire officers should be consulted to ensure that this is done in accordance with the required standards and that it does not pose any fire risk to the building and its occupants (British Standards, 2008). Routine Procedures for Staff and Students Staff and students have an obligation to conform to the Fire Safety policy which will consist of; following all fire safety instructions, information as well as training aimed at securing fire safety. The staff and students are also responsible for reporting any evident faults associated with fire safety to the university management. Additionally, staff and the students have an obligation to cooperate with the University regarding all issues associated with fire safety and not messing with all equipment in the building provided to ensure fire safety in the building (Daniel, 2014). Maintenance and Testing of Fire Safety Systems The fire safety officer will ensure that there are necessary arrangements in regard to maintenance of fire safety provision for the JB Firth building and this will consist of: Maintaining fire warning and fire detection systems in the building according to the pertinent standard Ensuring fire fighting equipment are undergo maintenance program according to the instructions of the manufacturer The maintenance of means of escape is suitable The maintenance and testing of emergency lighting and escape lighting in the building is done according to the pertinent standard Electrical installation tests on the building are done as necessary Implementation of suggestions from risk assessment reviews as soon as possible (Clive & Gary 2007). Staff Training and Fire Drills All staff members should be educated on the fire safety provisions allied to workplace. The senior management team has the responsibility of making sure that there are arrangements for staff to be informed on: fire safety policy, how to escape in case of an emergency in the building, where fire exits and firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers are located, information allied to outcomes of the fire risk assessment and risky substance. All staff members are required to enroll in a fire safety training course which should be assessed annually to test the staff members’ knowledge on: General knowledge on fire safety How to escape How to use fire extinguishers Pertinent fire safety risk assessments Raising the alarm and personal safety (University of Central Lancashire, 2012). Fire Risk Assessments The senior management team will ensure appropriate and adequate assessment of the risks to which occupants of the JB Firth building are exposed in order to identify the general fire precautions the management in the University should take to conform with the prerequisites and prohibitions obliged on them by and under Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Record Keeping The senior management team will make sure that after risk assessment has been done or reviewed, below information shall be recorded: The important results of the assessment or review and this consists of the measures that were taken or shall be taken by individuals with the responsibility of removing, alleviating, preventing and reducing the risk from fire. Individuals or group of people indentified through the assessment as being in particular at risk. This will be performed as soon as it is practical after the assessment or the review has been carried out (British Standards, 2008). Audit and Updating of this Manual This manual shall be audited annually by accredited persons in fire safety. Upon reviewing and discussing the recommending the appropriate changes, the manual shall be updated appropriately (Daniel, 2014). Bibliography British Standards, 2008, BS 9999:2008. Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings, British Standards. Clive R & Gary C, 2007, Fire Safety Policy & Management Plan (Arrangements, Procedures & Guidance Notes) For Lewisham’s Public Buildings, London: Workplace Law Network. Mackay, A, 2010, Fire Safety Policy, Glasgow: University Of Glasgow. Daniel, D, 2014, Fire Safety Management Handbook, Florida: CRC Press. The University of Queensland, 2010, Fire Safety Management Plan, Queensland: The University of Queensland. University of Central Lancashire, 2012, Statement of Policy Organisational and Procedural Arrangements, Lancashire: University of Central Lancashire. Wattz, A, 2009, Building Fire and Evacuation Plan, Queensland: Griffiths University. Read More