FIRE SAFETY

&
MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
A management commitment to fire safety is essential to assist with
achieving suitable fire safety standards in premises and in the maintenance
of a staff culture of fire safety. Fire safety within a building or an area must
be managed to be effective.
FIRE SAFETY STRATEGY

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PASSIVE FIRE SAFETY MEASURES

These are features which are built into the structure of the building and are
physical features of the building.
ACTIVE FIRE SAFETY MEASURES
Active Fire Precaution measures are systems which activate or are required
to be activated in the event of an outbreak of fire.

MANAGEMENT FIRE SAFETY MEASURES

Management Fire safety measures relate to the day to day management of
fire safety in a building. There is a legal responsibility on persons having
control over premises to take reasonable measures to prevent the
occurrence of a fire and to protect the lives and safety of occupants in the
event of fire.
FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM
MAIN ELEMENTS
Emergency Procedures
All occupants must be capable of responding correctly in the event of fire.
Accordingly, a plan should be prepared outlining the procedures to be
followed.
1. Procedure for raising the alarm - depending on the establishment size, the
fire alarm system may be very simple or may be sophisticated.
2. Procedure for calling the Fire Brigade - the Fire Brigade should be called
immediately in the event of fire, however small.
IMPORTANT!
Name Of Building, Address Of Building, Directions to the Building if
necessary
Type Of Fire Situation (If Available) e.g. Fire Location, Fire Size,
Materials Involved, Persons Missing.

3. Evacuation Procedure - initiate the evacuation procedure once the fire

alarm has been sounded. The evacuation procedure will depend on the
building use.
4. Assembly Point & Roll Call Procedure - designate an assembly area (or
areas) clear of the building.
5. Procedure for Fighting the Fire - in the early stages of a fire it may be
possible to successfully contain it or extinguish it with first aid fire fighting
equipment.
6. Procedure for Assisting the Fire Brigade when the Fire Brigade arrive they
need to be given as much information as possible in order to take the best
course of action.

location of the fire; materials involved; details of missing

persons; location of nearest fire hydrants; location of all
access doors to the building. location of any special risks.

Keys for access into any locked areas.

Fire Evacuation Drills

Drills should be carried out at regular intervals to test the effectiveness of
the predetermined arrangements.
The aims of fire evacuation drill are:
1. To ensure safe, orderly and efficient evacuation of all occupants of the
building to use all exit facilities available in order that occupants are
familiar with them. to test all aspects of the emergency procedures.
2. To achieve an attitude of mind that reacts rationally when confronted
with a fire or other emergency situation.
REMEMBER!

Drills will depend on the building use.

Initially drills should be held at frequent intervals e.g. every two

months until everyone is familiar with the procedures.

Drill should be initiated by activating the fire alarm and all stages of
the drill should be observed and a review of the drill should be held.

Thereafter drills should be held at least twice yearly.

Regular Fire Safety Inspections

Regular inspections are required to ensure the continued functioning of the
active and passive fire safety measures in a building and to detect
dangerous practices.
Maintenance & Servicing of Fire Equipment
Active fire precautions systems installed in the building require regular
checking and maintenance to ensure their continued operation and
availability.
Maintenance and servicing is required for:
Fire Alarm Systems
Emergency Lighting Systems
Fire Hose Reel
Fire Hydrant
Staff Instruction & Training
For a fire safety program to be effective, staff must be familiar with the parts
of the fire safety program which relate to them. Comprehensive instruction
and training should be given to staff to enable them to carry out their
functions under the program.
All staff should receive instruction in:

Everyday fire prevention measures emergency procedures

First aid fire fighting

Fire Safety Register

A Fire Safety Register is a complete record of all fire safety matters on the
premises.
Keeping of Records
It is keeping all records of the fire accidents that happened already. It is kept
so that in case of another problem, they might know what is the probable
cause and might compare to the previous event.
Information to Occupants

All the people inside the building or business should be informed and given
enough information regarding everything.
Emergency Planning
Fire may still occur in spite of good fire prevention procedures. Advance
planning should be carried out to minimize the cost and disruption of a fire.
Damage control plans should address the procedures required before, during
and after the fire.
Before the fire:
Establish the following:

A damage control team consisting of the key personnel

from the different departments within the organization
should be established.

A response team.

A list of outside agencies whose services could be required

in the event of fire should be compiled and maintained.

The building itself should be examined and modified where

necessary to mitigate the affects of a fire.
During the fire:

Work to prevent any extension of fire/water damage should begin as

early as possible.

Machinery and stock should be covered with plastic sheeting.

Drains which may become blocked with fire debris should be cleared.

Stock in danger from the fire may be moved from the area if safe to do
so.

After the fire:

Temporary repairs to roofs and window openings should be carried out

to make the building weather tight.

Debris should be checked for any recoverable items and then cleared
away.

Water should be pumped from basements, pits and lift wells.

Machinery should be cleaned, dried and coated with oil as early as

possible.

Contaminated electronic equipment should be and cleaned as early as

possible.