The LWF Blog

Fire Safety Training | P.A.C.E. yourself

February 26, 2014 1:26 pm

Fire safety training is not just a hoop businesses must jump through; it can be the difference between fire safety and fire disaster in a facility. Many of those people responsible for delivering fire safety training go through the motions and while they may be within the letter of the law for doing so, the result does not seem particularly relevant or ‘real’ to those participating.

Two levels of fire safety training are required for any organisation. The first level is advanced fire training and is essential for the nominated ‘Responsible Person’ within the organisation, as well as any persons with a position of responsibility, for example, Health and Safety officers and fire wardens.  This level of training will encompass a far greater depth of knowledge than most occupants of a building will require and includes elements such as fire resistant walls and doors and how to assess risk which may change when building contractors, for instance, are added into the equation.

This training is an essential to help to protect the building and its occupants at all times.

In addition, it may be that following this training, the ‘Responsible Person’ is in a position to construct or assist with putting together the fire safety training at the second level, which is then delivered to all building occupants.

How this training is comprised and delivered is the responsibility of the facility, but we suggest that you P.A.C.E. yourself:

Personalise – Consider how the basic fire safety training will be personalised to reflect the building and its occupants. Be specific about, for instance, where fire doors are within the building. Personalisation helps those being trained envisage actual circumstances where they may need to put this training into practice.

Adapt – When change comes, the training should reflect this and any amendments be communicated to all building occupants. Adaptions to training can arise as a result of temporary or permanent changes within the building, such as IT contactors or building works.

Connect – Simply putting on a fire safety training video will not encourage those being trained to connect to the subject matter. Ensure your session is interactive and encourage questions and discussion. If practical, do not simply discuss the fire doors and fire exits, take a walk and point them out.

Examine – Look at how successful you feel the fire safety training was. Do you feel all points were received and understood? Talk to those who participated and ask them questions about specific areas to check their understanding. A summary sheet can be a useful reminder for building occupants.

Fire safety training at both levels can be provided by an external supplier, but you should check their credentials and ensure that they too will personalise the training for your facility and occupants.

Effective and thorough fire safety training can help to ensure the continued operation of your facility with a reduced risk of fire and should the worst happen and a fire starts in your premises, all parties will know their role in the evacuation.

If you would be interested in knowing more about fire safety training, or fire engineering services, please contact Peter Gyere on 0208 668 8663.

LWF is a fire engineering and fire risk management consultancy established in 1986, with extensive experience in the development of fire engineered technology and the application of fire safety standards including fire engineered techniques.