7.10 Area Safety Manager's Fire Responsibilities

Area Safety Managers are responsible for appointing, in writing, the Fire Wardens in their area.

During A Real Emergency

Take charge of the Assembly Point when available and collate the information below, ready to pass directly to the Senior Fire Officer in-charge of the attending fire appliances immediately on their arrival

• Establish if any person has not yet evacuated according tot he Fire Marshal's reports
• Highlight any dangerous hazards or chemicals stored in buildings that are likely to hinder or cause danger to fire fighting personnel
• Assess where the seat of the fire is likely to be located
• Suggest the best route to reach trapped personnel and the seat of the fire
• Wait until the Senior Fire Officer in charge gives his authorisation for buildings to be re-occupied, before any personnel are allowed to re-enter.

During A Practice Emergency Evacuation Drill

• Practice Evacuation drills should be timed and recorded to check performance - an evacuation time of more than 2 minutes is not acceptable and should be repeated within two weeks
• Emergency evacuation procedures should be practised twice per year
• It is recommended that one is always carried out at the beginning of the academic year and the other soon after the start of the new calendar year
• The main access/egress route should be cordoned off during the second practice, so that personnel are familiar with the emergency exit routes
• A record of all practices must be made on a "Fire Practice Record" form and kept in the departmental/faculty health and safety file. The practice must be repeated if the evacuation time is not satisfactory.

General Points

• Regular Training must be given to all staff
• Arrangements for disabled people, both temporary and permanent, must be presented to  and understood by all staff, put into operation and practiced
• Ensure that Fire Wardens carry out monthly fire checks of their area.

Revised September 2011