The LWF Blog

Fire Engineering Design and Risk Assessment – Fire Safety Management – Part 27

May 4, 2020 11:51 am

In LWFs Fire Engineering blog series for Architects and others involved in building design, we have been looking at those activities of a company which can be classed as fire safety management. In part 26, LWF discussed how to plan for a fire emergency. In part 27, we will continue by looking at particular areas which should be included in the emergency plan, before talking about training and education.

Specific areas which should be covered when planning for a potential fire emergency include the development and maintenance of an emergency plan. The emergency plan should include details of evacuation plans for the building(s), any personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs), victim help and emergency accommodation plans.

Plans should take into account the potential for bad weather and should include the possibility of evacuation into poor weather conditions. Evacuating outside into sub-zero temperatures, for example, could be harmful to the building occupants.

The environmental impact of a fire should be assessed and a plan of how to mitigate should be put into place.

A risk management plan should be prepared to include contingency and restart planning for the business.

Contingency plans should be put into place for salvage and damage control.

Training and Education Tasks

The Fire Safety Manager (or person taking on equivalent duties) is responsible for the provision of appropriate fire safety training for all staff. In a fire emergency, staff will be required to undertake appropriate action to safeguard themselves, other staff and to ensure safe evacuation.

The training on fire emergency actions is in addition to the fire safety and prevention training and should incorporate a knowledge of the fire emergency plan. The staff should be aware of what action they should take upon discovering a fire in the workplace, details of escape routes, exits, refuges and exit routes, how to raise the alarm and the locations of alarm indicator panels.

It is important that the training also includes the actions that should be taken upon hearing the fire alarm, the arrangements for summoning the Fire and Rescue Service and staff should be familiarised with all firefighting equipment, including placement and training on how it can be used safely.

In part 28, LWF will continue looking at the content of fire emergency training. 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 the LWF office on 0800 410 1130.

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.