The LWF Blog
Fire Safety for Healthcare Premises – Fire Safety Training for Staff – Part 81
June 24, 2019 1:15 pmIn LWFs blog series for healthcare professionals, our aim is to give information on best practice of fire safety in hospitals and other healthcare premises. In part 80, LWF began to discuss fire safety training for staff in healthcare premises in terms of who should attend training and what it should comprise. In part 81, we will continue discussing fire safety training and in particular, the frequency and duration of refresher fire safety training.
When considering how frequent refresher fire safety training for staff in healthcare venues should be, and how long the training itself should last, the organisation should take into account any significant findings of fire risk assessments which are carried out as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005.
The fire evacuation strategy for the workplace should be considered, along with any changes which may have been required. In addition, all members of staff must be familiarised through training with any provided fire evacuation aids.
Any changes to the layout of the workplace will need to be incorporated into refresher training along with any building work which may necessitate temporary changes. In addition, there may be changes to the use of the workplace.
There may be substantial changes to staffing levels or patient care which must be addressed through refresher fire safety training. Also, changes to the role a member of staff is expected to perform in a fire emergency must be dealt with promptly and clearly through refresher training.
All members of staff must understand the action they must take in the event of a fire, which will certainly include some of the actions below and in some instances, perhaps all:
Raising the alarm, informing the main telephone switchboard and requesting assistance.
The removal of patients (and others) who are in immediate danger to a place of safety.
Firefighting with approved equipment only if it is safe to do so and the staff members in question have received the requisite training.
Evacuation of the area as per the evacuation plan.
Closing all doors, windows, hatches and other apertures through which fire, smoke and toxic fumes can spread.
In part 82, LWF’s healthcare and fire safety blog series will continue discussing fire safety training for staff and, in particular, will talk about the fire safety strategy. 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 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.