Fire Safety Introduction

1. FIRE SAFETY INDUCTION
Name and ID:

2. OVERVIEW
We will look at
• Legal requirements
• Understanding fire
• Fire hazards and risks
• Fire prevention and control
• Fire extinguisher safety
• Fire procedures

3. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
requires that;
• Fire risks are identified and controlled
• A Fire Risk Assessment is completed and reviewed
regularly or if work areas change
• Findings are implemented, so far as is reasonably
practicable

4. UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Fire is real
• In 2 ½ years from Jan 2007 – June 2009
19 fires occurred in the University of Bristol
• 17 were small and contained
• 2 were serious…

5. School of Chemistry, 2007

6. Faculty of Engineering
Queen’s Building, 2008

7. UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Fire needs 3 things to exist
• Fuel
• Oxygen
• Heat
“The Fire Triangle”

8. UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Fuel
• Chemicals - acetone, ether, methanol, etc
• Gases - hydrogen, natural gas
• Plastics - PCs, cable insulation, research equipment
• Paper and cardboard - packaging
• Wood - desks, benches
• Fabrics - chairs, blinds, clothing
• You…

9. UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Oxygen
• A natural component of air @ 21%
• Enriched atmospheres, > 21% oxygen
 labs, oxygen storage
• Situations where oxygen / air is more difficult to control:
 Outdoors
 Automatic ventilation systems
 Open doors or windows

10. UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Heat (Ignition Source)
• Heating appliances
• Research and computer equipment
• Other electrical equipment
• Smoking materials
• Contractor’s equipment
• Arson

11. UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Hazards and risks of fire
• Smoke & fumes
 Breathing difficulties, asphyxiation, poisoning
• Heat & flames - up to 1250°C
 Burns
• Building debris
 Impact injuries, burns
• Injury while escaping fire
 Trips, falls, trampling

12. FIRE PREVENTION
• Be fire safety aware
• Control ignition sources
• Prevent any accumulation of fuels
• Only use electrical equipment that is
PAT tested
• Abide by the University no smoking policy

13. FIRE PREVENTION
• Do not block fire exits, call points or extinguishers
• Do not wedge fire doors open
• Ensure good housekeeping
• Maintain effective security
• Report any bad practice or risks immediately to your
line manager

14. FIRE PREVENTION
Fire alarm testing
• Is a legal requirement
• Alarm will sound for 15 seconds (add details of your
departmental or building testing regime)
• No need to take action during a test, however if the
alarm sounds for greater than 15 seconds, or at any
other time than the arranged testing,
you must treat as genuine alarm and immediately
evacuate

15. FIRE PROCEDURE - FINDING A FIRE
If you discover a fire
• Shout ‘FIRE’.
• Raise the alarm by breaking the glass on a RED fire
alarm call point.
• Call Security on 112233. Security officers / the Security
control will call 999 on your behalf but you can always
call the Brigade directly if you know there is a fire.
• Do not return to your desk/work area to collect
personal belongings
• Leave the building by the nearest available fire escape
route.
• Go to the assembly area and await instruction.

16. FIRE EXTINGUISHER TYPES
Water Paper, wood, etc.
Not electrical, liquids or gases
FoamFoam Solids & liquids
Not electrical or gases
Powder Solids, liquids, gases &
electrical
CO2 Electrical, safe on most small fires

17. On hearing the alarm
• Call Security on 112233 to advise of the fire alarm – do not
assume someone else has done it.
• Leave the building by the nearest available fire escape route.
• DO NOT delay your escape but if you can turn off
equipment/close doors and windows as you leave then do so.
• Go to the assembly area and await instruction
FIRE PROCEDURE -
EVACUATION

18. • Do not delay to collect belongings
• Do not use the lifts
• If smoke is present then keep low to the floor to add
your escape
• If necessary check that internal doors are cool with the
back of your hand before opening them
FIRE PROCEDURE -
EVACUATION

19. FIRE PROCEDURE -
EVACUATION
Electrically locked security doors
• Lock will auto release when the alarm activates, just
push the door open
• Break glass release button only if door does not unlock
• If you break glass notify the Porters or the
Buildings Manager for replacement

20. People with disabilities
• Need to be assisted by volunteers or
nominated personnel, detail will be available in
their Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
(PEEP’s)
• For special events ensure that disabled
persons have been taken into account and an
evacuation plan is in place
• (Add details of Departmental Evacuation Plan)
FIRE PROCEDURE -
EVACUATION

21. FIRE PROCEDURE -
EVACUATION
On exiting the building
• Report to designated
assembly point promptly
• Don’t block any Emergency Services
route to the building
• Add diagram if
possible of exit
routes for
department or
form building

22. On exiting the building
• Report any missing colleagues to your Fire Warden
• Report any disabled persons left at Refuge Points
• Remain at assembly point until advised otherwise
• Do not wander off as it may be assumed that you
are trapped in the building
FIRE PROCEDURE -
EVACUATION

23. ON YOUR RETURN TO YOUR
WORKPLACE TODAYEnsure that you know;
• The escape routes
• Final exit doors and how to open them
• Location and types of fire fighting equipment
• Locations of call points
• Any specific fire procedures including the
assembly points
• Who your fire wardens are
• Who to report to with any defects or bad
practices

24. EXAMPLES OF DEFECTS
TO REPORT
• Covered smoke detectors
• Fire doors damaged or not closing properly
• Broken/damaged lighting, especially emergency
lighting
• Missing or damaged fire extinguishers
• Service riser covers open.
• Accumulation of rubbish and clutter excessive paper in
offices etc.
• Obstructed corridors.

25. SUMMARY
As a member of staff at the University you have a
responsibility for fire safety. Make sure you know:
• What the fire alarm sound like in your building
• The Escape routes within your building
• If you discover a fire, how to raise the alarm
• What to do if you hear the fire alarm
• Who to call if a fire starts
• How to open final exit doors
• Why is it important to go to the assembly area?
• Why fire doors should remain closed at all times?
• Why are fire extinguishers provided?

26. THANK YOU!
Any Questions?