Fire Safety for International Schools
Module 4 – In the event of a major fire
Introduction
Welcome to the final module of your course on Fire Safety in Education. In the previous module we looked
at how to use a fire extinguisher to tackle a minor fire. In this module we will look at what you should do in
the event of a larger, more serious fire.
The Fire Action Notice
The Fire Action Notice should describe in a simple, clear and concise way what to do in the event of fire.
The Fire Action Notice is normally strategically placed around the building, generally adjacent to fire alarm
call points and staff rooms.
Read the notice from time to time to make sure you understand it, and agree with what it asks you to do.
The Fire Action Notice should also clearly indicate the assembly point. This is the area, outside of the
building, where people gather in the event of a fire.
When you next have a fire drill, test the procedure.
Your setting may have automatic fire detection installed but you should always raise the alarm by operating
the fire alarm call point (pictured above). People in the building need to be warned at the earliest
opportunity. To operate the fire alarm call point, simply push the centre of the plastic window; usually there
will be a black circle and two black arrows to indicate where to press.
Raising the alarm
If you discover a fire, your first responsibility is to raise the alarm. Shouting “Fire, Fire, Fire” is often
sufficient to alert someone, but you should also be aware of the procedures for raising the alarm in your
building.
Always raise the alarm, even if the fire is small enough to tackle. You may feel confident enough to put out
the fire, but never tackle a fire unless help has been summoned and you feel completely able to do so.
Your organisation should have a fire emergency plan. This ensures people on the premises know what to
do in the event of fire and that appropriate action is taken to allow safe evacuation of the premises. The
emergency plan is more detailed than the fire action notice, which is a brief aid.
Make sure you read your organisation’s fire emergency plan and familiarise yourself with the procedures for
operating the alarm in your building. It is also important to be familiar with the nearest fire alarm call points;
these are normally located at exits. Ensure they are visible at all times, and indicated by signage if
necessary.
The information in this course was current in July 2017.
Whilst EduCare Learning Ltd. have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice
in all aspects, EduCare Learning Ltd. exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and EduCare Learning Ltd. make
no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.
No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by EduCare Learning Ltd.
When you evacuate the building you should go straight to the designated assembly point and convey any
information you may have concerning the fire to whoever is in charge. This could include:
• where exactly the fire is
• what is burning
• how fast it is spreading and in which direction
• any information concerning the amount of smoke and heat
• if anyone is known to be trapped.
Fire wardens
Key nominated staff will have important duties in the event of a fire alarm and/or
specific fire prevention duties.
If you are a fire warden, it is important you have taken the appropriate training for the role.
If you are not the warden, it is important to know who the wardens are, especially those within
your work area.
The fire alarm
It is important to know what the fire alarm in your building sounds like; as alarms vary in different buildings
– is it a bell or a sounder (electronic tones)? Regular drills help keep people aware of this.
When you hear the alarm
• Leave the building as soon as the alarm sounds unless given other instructions.
• If you have a designated role (for example, if you are a fire warden) then you should carry out the
role you have been assigned. This could be sweeping a particular area, checking all offices,
classrooms, cloak rooms, toilets, and storage areas for personnel. It is important that you only do
this if it is safe to do so.
• When you evacuate the building you should go straight to the designated assembly point via the
nearest and safest route.
• Close doors and windows as you leave if this is safe to do so to ensure any heat sources
are isolated.
Smoking doors
If you see smoke emitting from the gaps around a door or if you have other reasons to believe there is a fire
behind a door, do not open it. Find an alternative escape route and report any room in which you suspect
there is a fire.
If you are unsure, crouch down, feel the back of the door or the door handle with the back of your hand; if it
is warm, do not open the door.
The information in this course was current in July 2017.
Whilst EduCare Learning Ltd. have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice
in all aspects, EduCare Learning Ltd. exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and EduCare Learning Ltd. make
no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.
No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by EduCare Learning Ltd.
If you do decide to open a door, and it is a door that opens towards you, put a foot in the way before you
open it in case of a back draught, which could blow the door open with the influx of fresh air and potentially
reignite any flame.
Do you know where your assembly point is located?
It is important that you know where your organisation’s assembly point is located.
When at the assembly point, assist the person in charge by helping with roll call by being quiet, keeping
away from any access points for the fire and rescue service, and being alert to further instructions.
Depending on where your assembly point is, the severity of the fire and the wind direction you may have to
move.
Evacuating the premises
It is crucial to remember that you should not put yourself at personal risk.
When evacuating the premises:
• do not use lifts
• close doors and windows
• start the evacuation procedure and evacuate to the assembly point via the nearest exit as soon as
the alarm sounds
• assist any visitors in your area to evacuate the building
• ensure you follow instructions from the fire safety wardens or marshals
• do not run
• remain calm
• do not stop to collect personal belongings
• do not open or touch a door beyond which you have reason to believe there is a fire
• report to the assembly point
• do not return to the building until you have been told it is safe to do so.
Calling the fire and rescue service
The people responsible for contacting the fire and rescue service should be detailed in your fire action plan.
Your organisation may have an automatic dialler; this is a system that sends a signal through to a
monitoring station when the fire alarm is activated. Depending on your organisation’s procedures, a call will
be made to the fire and rescue service. This should always be backed up with a phone call. A call from the
source can provide further information and confirm the situation.
Make sure you know how your telephone system operates as this may affect you getting through quickly,
for example you may need an outside line before you call the emergency services.
The information in this course was current in July 2017.
Whilst EduCare Learning Ltd. have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice
in all aspects, EduCare Learning Ltd. exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and EduCare Learning Ltd. make
no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.
No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by EduCare Learning Ltd.
What to do when contacting the fire and rescue service
1. Call the emergency services.
2. State that you require the fire service.
3. Wait until you are put through, speak clearly, and provide the following information:
•
the telephone number you are using (including the area code)
•
the address (including post code)
•
a nearby landmark
•
any vital information; for example, where the fire is located, what may have caused it, whether
people are trapped on the premises, or if the fire is spreading to other buildings.
4. Do not hang up until the details have been repeated back to you.
In summary
This concludes your course on Fire Safety in Education. In this course we have covered the basics of how
a fire starts and the different classes of fire so that you understand how to respond. We have also covered
how to use a fire extinguisher to tackle small fires, and what to do in the event of a larger fire.
Whilst this course has covered the basics of fire training, and the information provided will help prevent risk
of fire in most environments, it is important to be aware of risks that may be unique to your own setting as
well as your own setting’s guidance and procedures.
The information in this course was current in July 2017.
Whilst EduCare Learning Ltd. have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice
in all aspects, EduCare Learning Ltd. exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and EduCare Learning Ltd. make
no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.
No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by EduCare Learning Ltd.
