Family Nursing & Home Care Fire Safety Procedure
Approved By: K Huchet
Date Approved: 02.04.08
Date for Review: 02.04.11
Relevant FN&HC Policies: Health & Safety
Statement of Intent
This procedure includes
• Information about Fire Wardens
• Information about fire alarms and equipment
• Basic instructions of what to do in the event of a fire
• Simple rules for fire prevention
• Details of fire safety training coordinated by Family Nursing & Home
Care
The reading and understanding of this procedure, supplemented by training and fire
drills, should reduce the likelihood of fire breaking out and should there be a fire its
effect will be greatly minimised.
Scope/Responsibility
It is the duty of every member of staff to be fully aware of what to do in case of fire.
Every staff member must endeavour to:
Know the evacuation procedure for their place of work - escape routes
and assembly points.
Follow the instructions displayed in each room at Family Nursing &
Home Care bases.
Keep all fire doors closed, or if they are held open by magnets, ensure
that they are not obstructed and are able to close should the fire alarm
activate.
Keep all evacuation routes, stairways and fire escape doors free of
obstruction of any kind.
Be aware of the rules for fire prevention.
ALL STAFF HAVE A DUTY TO THEMSELVES AND VISITORS TO KNOW
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE.
If staff have any doubts about fire prevention or need further guidance about fire
safety in their place of work or in a patient/client’s place of residence please contact
the Health & Safety Officer or a member of the Health and Safety Committee.
Process
1. Basic information
All staff must have brought to their attention and must read;-
a) This fire procedure
b) All fire notices and memoranda
Notices containing information on ‘fire prevention’ and ‘What to do if you discover a
fire’ are displayed in every room of Family Nursing & Home Care Centres’ (Le Bas
Centre, Gervaise Le Gros and Bethlehem Centre).
Members of staff working in these centres are responsible for any visitors/patients
safe evacuation from the premises e.g. Bethlehem and Communicare.
2. Fire wardens
The Health & Safety Officer coordinates Family Nursing and Home Care Fire
Wardens at Le Bas Centre and Gervaise Le Gros.
Fire Wardens are provided with
• An identifiable fire warden jacket
• A list of rooms detailing the members of staff who occupy them.
This list is maintained by the Health & Safety Officer and updated according to staff
movements (i.e. new staff and leaving staff).
Wardens should ensure that they have at least one deputy who knows what to do in
the event of their absence and a fire breaking out.
The names of the Fire Wardens are displayed on the notice board at the Le Bas
Centre Reception.
3. Fire alarm systems and equipment
All staff must be aware of the location of;-
a) Fire indicator panels
b) Fire alarm call points
Staff must report, as soon as practicable, any discharged, damaged or otherwise
unserviceable fire fighting equipment at Le Bas Centre to the Le Bas Centre Main
Reception, in the case of other premises report to the Health & Safety Officer.
At Le Bas Centre, Senior Personnel of Public Health complete a daily check of the
indicator panel to ensure that the “mains on” light is illuminated and the fault lights
are not lit. If you are aware that the lights are not on, contact a Fire Warden.
Fire alarm systems at the Le Bas Centre are tested on the first Friday of each month
by the Health and Social Services Engineering department. The alarm system at
Gervaise Le Gros was installed and is serviced and tested by Securicor.
Alarm systems at other sites are the legal responsibility of the person in charge of
those sites (the landlords). The Health and Safety Officer will review those other sites
on a yearly basis to check that fire prevention information and evacuation procedures
are clearly displayed.
4. If you discover a fire - RAISE THE ALARM
If you discover a fire:
• Raise the alarm - preferably by using the nearest ‘break glass’ point.
• Contact the Fire Service via telephone (999).
(At the Le Bas Centre, Public Health will contact the Fire Service)
• Follow the Evacuation process
5. On hearing the alarm - EVACUATE
On hearing the alarm, evacuate all staff and visitors in your care via the
NEAREST exit, directing them to the assembly point.
Assembly points
LE BAS CENTRE: the upper level car park in front of the Le Bas Centre
GERVAISE LE GROS: outside the parish hall at St. Aubin
BETHLEHEM: main car park
Staff working at other centres should familiarise themselves with the specific fire
procedures of that centre.
Temporary staff (e.g. students) should assist staff to whom they are responsible that
day.
6. Fire wardens
On hearing the alarm, the person taking on the role of Fire Warden will put on the fire
warden jacket and assume control. They will ensure that:-
a) Staff and visitors are directed to the assembly point
b) Provided that it can be done safely, all side rooms and toilets are
thoroughly checked
c) They report to the Fire Officer in charge and follow their instructions
d) Delegate such tasks as are necessary to other members of staff
7. Following the incident
Any person who discovers a fire and raises the alarm should complete an
Accident/Incident/Near Miss Report Form, and forward it to the Health & Safety
Officer.
At the Le Bas Centre, the Public Health’s Office Manager will also complete an
Incident Report.
8. Fire prevention
The prevention of fire is a far more satisfactory situation than having to suffer the
often terrible aftermath of a fire - with the ever present risk of injury or even death.
The following list of a few simple rules can greatly reduce the risk:
a) Keep heat away from combustibles.
All items which produce heat are a potential source of fire therefore:
Never cover heaters and lights with paper, clothes etc.
Keep furniture and furnishings well away from heaters and
other sources of ignition.
Do not attempt to dry items on electrical heaters
b) All electrical equipment may be considered to be a potential source of
fire. Ideally any item of equipment, when not in use, should be turned
off.
c) Electrical circuits are designed to carry a maximum load.
NEVER overload a circuit by using plug adapters.
NEVER use faulty or suspect equipment.
d) Do not place vases of flowers or flammable items on top of
televisions or other similar equipment.
e) When using a microwave or toaster do not leave it unattended.
9. Fire Training
Initial instruction is provided as part of the Family Nursing and Home Care induction
process. Every new employee will be given a tour of their place of work, identifying
escape routes, means of raising the alarm and the evacuation process by the Health
& Safety Officer, or by the relevant manager.
Fire drills will take place every six months.
On-site fire training lectures will be given to all staff every twelve months as part of
the mandatory training programme. It is the staff member’s responsibility to attend a
Fire Safety Lecture yearly.
Should you have any doubts about fire prevention or require further guidance about
fire safety in a patient/client’s place of residence please contact the Health & Safety
Officer or your Health and Safety Representative.
Fire safety procedure - document history
Version Who Changed Date Approved by
1.2 Health & Safety Officer 06.03.08 K Huchet
Version Narrative
1.2 General review – amendments carried out
