Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2. Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.
Fire Drills (Test Evacuations) should be carried out in accordance with current the British Standard BS9999. For a premises such as a shopping centre, a test evacuation with members of the public is generally regarded as disruptive to trade, however, it is extremely important as staff members gain invaluable practice in communicating with the public during evacuations.
While the disruption caused might be reduced by holding exercises at less busy times, the greatest experience gained by holding and monitoring a periodic exercise and tests of communications between staff in units, and between units and the central control room, can be gained during more regular staff training exercises in which members of the public are not involved.
Employing fire safety systems as a part of a test evacuation provides an opportunity to check whether such systems are creating unforeseen difficulties (e.g., pressures across doors) and whether software-controlled procedures (e.g., sequences involving closing down the HVAC, switching on fans and lights, opening vents, releasing doors and sounding alarms) are operating as intended.
On occasions it can be appropriate to undertake a test evacuation in collaboration with the fire and rescue service and, if large numbers of persons are involved, with the police.
Implementation of procedures should be tested at least once, but preferably twice, in each twelve–month period and there should be a test evacuation of the entire building at least once per year. Ideally, the frequency of fire drills should be determined by the findings of the fire risk assessment. There is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises to carry out a fire drill at least annually, but most organisations tend to have two a year. Any observed deficiencies in the fire safety management should be remedied, and any improvements found necessary to the management of evacuation should be reflected in formal amendments to the written instructions.
The purpose of any test evacuation should be clearly identified by the fire safety manager and explained to the staff so that it can be assessed afterwards.
Objectives of a test evacuation are likely to include:
- Testing management procedures
- Providing staff with practical training
- Establishing the effectiveness of training
- Identifying weaknesses in emergency communications procedures and systems
- Identifying positive and negative reactions of staff with designated responsibilities
- Assessing the reliability of equipment
- Rehearsing joint action with the fire and rescue service
The evacuations might also be required by certifying authorities as part of their assessment.
Monitored evacuation tests should be carried out shortly before and after the first full occupation of a new building.
Test evacuations should not be held at regular times, to avoid staff or regular visitors becoming prepared for them. Each test evacuation should presume a different scenario so that there is flexibility to cope with differing situations. In some test evacuations, it can be appropriate to remove a stairway from service, to simulate smoke penetration. Test evacuations should be notified only to those people who have designated responsibilities, to make the evacuations as realistic as possible.
Designated responsibilities should include witnessing the exercise and reporting back on its positive and negative aspects. People undertaking this task should not be otherwise involved in the evacuation (e.g., should not be given fire marshal duties).
When test evacuations are held, the exercise should be continuously monitored, preferably by video recording, to allow a detailed comparison to be made afterwards between planned and actual activity and to assist with training. For example, to assess the effectiveness of a public announcement, information should be obtained on its timing and audibility, as well as a record of the movement of people in the areas concerned. This same monitoring information should be also obtained from false alarms, “near miss” events and minor real incidents.
It is often difficult to avoid occupants being aware that the event is not a real fire. This is likely to influence their behaviour, in particular their sense of urgency. Results from the test evacuations should therefore be supplemented with findings from false alarms, where occupants might not be aware that there is no emergency.
Test evacuations should where possible include the procedures for evacuating disabled people.
If an evacuation has to be carried out in response to a bomb threat, the normal evacuation procedure should be used as far as practicable.
A full debriefing of the exercise should be carried out so that any lessons can be learned and evacuation procedures amended if necessary.
The effectiveness and validity of incident planning should be recorded on both technical and procedural levels.
Following any event, the results should be recorded in the Fire Log Book. Got a question about different types of Fire Drills? Need Fire Alarms or Fire Risk Assessment? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.
The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.
When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.
The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.
What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?
- Hard copy
- Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.
The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.
Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.
Solutions you should consider:
The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.
Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.
Products include:
- Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
- The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
- A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
- A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.
We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.
KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.
KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.
It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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