7.3 Staff Fire Training

The University has a statutory duty to ensure that all their employees receive training about fire prevention, the arrangements in place to warn staff and what action they need to take to evacuate their place of work in the event of any emergency.

This training applies to all persons engaged on regular duties within the University, including those who work outside normal office hours (e.g. domestic staff). It is important that all staff receive fire emergency instruction and evacuation practice and that it is appropriate to their responsibilities.

Practice evacuation exercises for all staff and the responsibility for organising them is that of the Area Safety Managers. They should be held at least twice annually in order that the routines remain familiar and action becomes automatic in the event of a real emergency. There are no exceptions as to which staff should participate in evacuation procedures and it is the responsibility of Area Safety Managers, to ensure that all new personnel must on their arrival in post be given familiarisation guidance to emergency procedures within their area of operation. This "local" task is in addition to the health and safety guidance given as part of their general induction programme.

Staff Training Should Cover The Following

• During their initial induction session, staff are given written instructions on emergency evacuation procedures. This session takes place for all newly engaged staff as soon as possible after their appointment. All new staff receive access to RoSPA's online training materials. This includes an induction module on Fire Safety.
• After the initial instruction above, all staff should ideally receive an area specific session in their own work location. It is advised that refresher sessions are also given by Area Safety Managers once per year.
• Practical Fire Evacuation Exercises for staff are carried out at least twice a year, the timing of the drills being at the discretion of the Area Safety Manager in conjunction with their Fire Wardens and at a time which ensures that such an exercise will be most effective. These may be combined with instruction as above.
• One evacuation drill should be carried out with the main exit route not available, so that emergency exits must be brought into used.
• A departmental record of all the above drills and instruction must be kept. The following are examples of what needs to be included in such a record:
  • Date of the practice or instruction
  • Duration
  • Name of the person in charge of a practice or giving instruction
  • Names of staff receiving training
  • Nature of instruction, training or exercise
  • Signature of Area Safety Manager

It is the responsibility of Area Safety Managers to organise staff training and to co-ordinate the actions of the staff in the event of an emergency through the use of their Fire Wardens.

Practical Training for Fire Wardens ( including Security) and Resident Tutors:

Fire Wardens, Security Staff and Resident Tutors are provided with practical training in the use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets etc. This takes place at the start of the academic year and is supported by completion of the RoSPA training materials.

September 2011