Fire
Policy
Statement
of Intent
Introduction
This
is the statement of Organisation and Arrangement for fire safety at the above
premise and complements the guidance detailed in Torbay Council’s Health and
Safety Manual.
The
Statement underpins the commitment and responsibilities of the Community
Interest Company in setting the fire policy and the Nursery Manager and staff
in the centre implementing this on a daily basis.
The
aim of the statement is to require that all reasonably practical steps are
taken to ensure that the risk from fire and arson attack is minimised and that
robust arrangements are in place and reviewed regularly.
In
securing these arrangements it is necessary to ensure that the CIC and all
staff are aware of the fire risk associated with the activities of the centre
and in the construction of the building. This requires an understanding
of;
·
The
relevant regulations and guidelines provide by the DFEE, Torbay Council, Fire
Authority and the internal fire procedures within the school.
·
The
need for staff to work collectively to identify potential fire hazards and
report these to the Nursery Manager, Centre Manager or Relevant person (head
teacher in school).
·
The
legal obligation imposed on the Centre by the Fire(workplace)Regulations 1997
that require a written Fire Risk Assessment to be undertaken (and reviewed from
time to time)to ensure the adequacy of the;
1. Means
of escape from fire.
2. Means of raising the alarm.
3. Means of fighting fire.
4. Emergency lighting.
5. Maintenance of fire equipment.
6. Instruction and training of staff
in use of fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures.
7. Training in relation to fire
hazards, arson prevention and control.
Organisation
Local
management of school buildings require the centre/ nursery staff,
CIC and the L.E.A. to work collaboratively to ensure fire safety objectives are
achieved.
Liaison
with the local Fire and Rescue service is essential in ensuring the fire policy
arrangements meet all legal regulations.
The Community
Interest Company and Sure start
In consultation with the Head teacher in school the CIC ,
·
Approve
a clear written fire policy which is reviewed annually;
·
Ensure
that measures are in place to comply with the Fire (Workplace) Regulations 1997
and monitor the effectiveness of the
policy;
·
Ensure
that where required, support and advice is obtained on fire safety issues from
the appropriate Authority/ Professional bodies.
The Nursery/ Centre
Managers
The day to day responsibility for all fire safety rests with
the Nursery Manager/ Centre Manager who will;
·
Co-ordinate the implementation of the fire
policy and ensure that all staff are aware of it contents.
·
Ensure
that all fire equipment is maintained and tested routinely and proper records
are kept.
·
Ensure
that staff are properly trained in fire safety including; Risk assessment
principles, identifying fire hazards and the usage of fire extinguishers and
evacuation procedures.
·
Ensure
that that fire risk assessments are carried out by a competent person and are
reviewed annually or whenever new hazards are introduced.
·
Ensure
that all portable electrical appliances (PAT Test) are carried out annually by
a competent electrician and records of testing are kept.
·
Ensure
that fire evacuation drills are carried out at least once every 3 months using
different scenarios and maintain records of all fire drills.
·
Make
provision for evacuation of children (including those with disabilities),
contractors and visitors to the centre
·
Monitor
the effectiveness of all procedures.
·
Conduct
an assessment of vulnerability from arson attack and implement measures to
prevent and control this in liaison with Rescue Services.
·
Ensure
that the Non smoking policy is enforced.
Staff
All
staff has a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of the children from the risk
of fire and is expected to abide by the procedures set out in the fire policy.
Nursery and Centre staffs have additional responsibilities in:
·
Maintain an accurate class register that can be
used to conduct a roll call at the designated Assembly point.
·
Exercise effective supervision of children in
case of fire, rehearsing the procedures for evacuating them including those
with any disabilities.
·
Maintain an awareness of fire risks within the
nursery and centre. This will minimise the likelihood of fire occurring and
spreading.
Caretaker
/ H.S Co, Nursery/ Centre Managers
The Caretaker / H. S Co,
Nursery Manager and Centre Manager will liaison with each other and , ensuring
that a watching brief is maintained on any activity in the centre that may give
rise to the risk of fire e.g.
·
The inappropriate sighting of rubbish bins
outside the school that may provide an allurement to would- be arsonists and
the accumulation of rubbish near to sources of ignition,
·
Control over contractors working on school
premises ensuring that safe working is exercised particularly when using
cutting equipment, open flame and portable gas cylinders.
·
Conduct daily hazard spotting while working and
report any potential fire risks to the relevant person
·
Ensure there is no unauthorised access to the
centre during the day-time and observance of the no smoking policy.
·
Undertake weekly visual check on all fire
extinguishers.
·
Undertake weekly check on fire detections and
alarm installations.
·
Undertake monthly check of emergency lighting
units.
·
Ensure all checks are recorded and kept.
Fire
defence awareness
The centre’s fire defence arrangements are detailed on a
“fire plan” which is attached to the fire policy. A copy of the fire plan is kept in the Fire
and Emergency log for reference by the Rescue Services, along with further
copies which can be find in the;
v Main
office for contractors responsible for maintaining fire defence equipment.
v Displayed
around the centre on the corridor walls and in the Consulting rooms, Nursery,
and Community rooms.
Fire
log
A comprehensive log of activities relating to fire safety
shall be maintained by both managers and kept for inspection. The contents
shall include provision for recording;
1. Weekly
check of fire extinguishers and alarm systems.
2. Monthly
check of emergency lighting.
3. Fire
risk assessments.
4. Annual
service checks on all the above by a competent engineer.
5. Records
of any faults and action plans put in place.
6. Termly fire
evacuation drills record sheets.
These will be regularly checked by the Health and Safety
Co-ordinator.
Bibliography
Fire safety- An Employer’s Guide. HSE Books (1999)
Fire
Risk Management in the workplace (1998)
The
Prevention and Control of Arson (1999)
How
to Combat Arson (1998)
© 2010