The LWF Blog

Fire Safety for Healthcare Premises – Fire Safety Training for Staff – Part 82

October 24, 2019 6:12 pm

In 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 81, LWF discussed fire safety training and in particular, the frequency and duration of refresher fire safety training. In part 82, we’ll look at fire safety training and the fire safety strategy.

A substantial part of staff fire safety training is in enabling those attending to understand and work with the fire safety strategy in place. This is achieved by looking at the wider picture and then applying the specifics to their own areas of work. The areas covered and explained should be as follows:

– The reasons why buildings are separated into fire-resistant compartments and an understanding of fire protected escape routes to the open air.
– A look at the function of a fire door, how it works which leads to understanding why such doors should not be propped open at any time.
– Insights into the most recent fire risk assessment’s significant findings.
– Fire Exit Doors – how they work, why they’re so important and why they should never be locked with a key or via a digital keypad for egress purposes.
– What should be done when contractors work on the premises, how that affects fire safety procedures.
– Site layout, building layout, internal layout and escape routes – familiarity with the environment will help develop fire safety sense and responsibility to keep fire exits clear of rubbish etc.
– How fire, smoke and toxic fumes spreading in a building can be potentially fatal.
– Fire hazards in the local working environment and the merits of vigilance
– Recognising signs of fire.
– Raising the alarm – how to do so, when, how and who should contact the fire service, and local procedures for dealing with a fire.
– Should first-aid firefighting (using an extinguisher, fire blanket etc) be undertaken? Circumstances, equipment training and location should all be covered.
– The need for an evacuation plan, moving patients to a place of safety and recognising the circumstances so the correct procedures are instigated promptly.

In part 83, LWF’s healthcare and fire safety blog series will continue looking at staff fire safety training, including e-learning and if it is appropriate that it should be used. 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.

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