The LWF Blog

Facilities Management & Fire Safety – Content of Fire Training – Part 16

October 4, 2018 11:55 am

In LWF’s blog series for those who work in facilities management, or who have an interest in or responsibility for fire safety, we have been looking at what elements should be included in staff fire training. In part 15, the importance of including training on the subject of fire extinguishers and, where possible, including practical training on using the equipment was discussed. In part 16, we look at the inclusion of general fire precautions and fire drills.

 

General Fire Precuations

While most people working in an organisation might understand that a fire door is there for fire safety purposes and that they often use them to exit the building if there is a fire, they may not be aware of the function they fulfil as a fire-stopping device.

 

Fire training should include instructions on such matters as ensuring doors with self-closing mechanisms are kept closed and not propped open, for instance. In addition, in order for the instructions to be understood and taken on board for the long term, the reasons why these precautions must be taken should be explained. This might involve explaining how compartmentation works to keep fire within the area of fire origin and how any openings, such as fire doors, must be kept closed in order for the compartment to enclose the fire.

 

Other elements of fire safety which people should be made aware of might include keeping exit routes clear and unobstructed or detailing any hazardous activities or dangerous substances which may be particular to that organisation or place of work.

 

Fire Drills

In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires that fire drills be carried out where necessary. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the equivalent legislation has those same requirements.

 

Fire drills should be carried out as they are the only practical means of illustrating evacuation procedures and monitoring their effectiveness. Staff duties such as fire warden can be evaluated and adjusted where necessary.

 

The aim of such ‘rehearsals’ is to ensure that in a real fire situation, the building occupants are aware of what they have to do and will calmly go about the business of making themselves and their colleagues safe.

 

Next time, LWF’s blog series continue on this subject with ‘Facilities Management & Fire Safety Content of Fire Training – Part 17’. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this blog, or wish to discuss your own project with one of our fire engineers, please contact us.

 

Lawrence Webster Forrest has been working with their clients for over 25 years to produce innovative and exciting building projects. If you would like further information on how LWF and fire strategies could assist you, please contact Peter Gyere on 020 8668 8663.

 

While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in LWF’s publications is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information.