BASIC FIRE SAFETY AWARENESSFOR TRUST STAFF

OBJECTIVESTO PROVIDE BASIC AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL ROH STAFF IN:

• YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER STATUTORY FIRE SAFETY LAWS AND NHS FIRECODE GUIDANCE.

• PREVENTING FIRES IN THE HOSPITAL.

• FIRE ACTION PROCEDURES.

• PATIENT EVACUATION CONSIDERATIONS.

• STAYING SAFE DURING INCIDENTS

8th October 2009 1830hrs.

The seat of the fire in a corner of the Servery

The whole of the kitchen & dining area gutted but luckily no patients had to be

evacuated.

BUT WHAT IF THE FIRE HAD BEEN IN A WARD OR THEATRE?

• Can we react quickly enough to contain the fire & smoke and move the patients to safety?

AND IF THE FIRE & SMOKE CONTINUES TO SPREAD?• Can we form an effective fire team to support the

nurses in the affected wards?• Can we move patients quickly enough down the

staircases to beat the smoke spread?• Could we completely evacuate the whole hospital?

• THERE ARE AROUND 1500 TO 2000 FIRES EVERY YEAR IN NHS HOSPITALS.

• THE MAJORITY OF THESE ARE SMALL INCIDENTS BUT A SIGNIFICANT MINORITY INVOLVE EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF PATIENTS.

• A NUMBER OF RECENT FIRES HAVE INVOLVED THE TOTAL EVACUATION OF THE AFFECTED HOSPITAL BUILDINGS.

• IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE LESSONS FROM THESE INCIDENTS ARE STUDIED AND INCOP0RATED INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY AT THE ROH .

78 INPATIENTS + 120 OUTPATIENTS. 3 PATIENTS IN THEATRE. 6 IN INTENSIVE CARE (ward filled with smoke in 5 minutes!) TOTAL EVACUATION COMPLETED IN 28 MINUTES.

Royal Marsden Hospital Fire -- January 2008

Royal Marsden Hospital Fire -- January 2008

Royal Marsden Hospital Fire -- January 2008

FIRE OCCURRED 0300hrs IN BASEMENT OF DAY HOSPITAL.NO PATIENTS EVACUATED BUT DAMAGE TO VITAL SERVICES DISRUPTED THIS 1000 BED TRUST SITE FOR 8 WEEKS AFTERWARDS

0830 Monday morning – by 0840 an oxygen cylinder had exploded and collapsed the ceilings.23 Children evacuated from cardiac wing with ventilators, drips and infusions.

1635pm Fire spread to roof of secure mental health unit. Progressive evacuation of 70 patients to separate building over 90 minutes.

1400hrs Fire in electrical plant room. 123 patients evacuated in 23 minutes including 20 bed brain injury unit. Some wards out of action from February until May.

The Trust has in place detailed Fire Safety Policies and site Fire Action Procedures.It is vital that:•All Trust Managers and Senior Staff know these policies and procedures and enforce them.•Volunteer Fire Wardens in each area are the key to preventing fires, maintaining fire precautions and leading the staff response to the fire alarm sounds.•All members of staff must know and regularly practice their ward / department fire evacuation procedures.• The hospital fire team response must be fast and certain.

FIRE PREVENTION• Good Housekeeping is essential – no combustibles or

obstructions should be allowed in corridor or staircase escape routes.

• Cooking and Toasters must be strictly controlled. • Security against arson must be maintained on all rooms, store

cupboards and external storage.• Electrical equipment must be PAT Tested and properly used.• Contractors must be closely supervised and have permits for

Hot Work.• Smoking must continue to be strictly controlled.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS• Ward and Dept. Fire Wardens should patrol their

area every shift.• Escape routes and fire exit doors must be clear.• Fire alarm call points and fire extinguishers

unobstructed.• Evacuation equipment , wheel chairs, ski-pads and

evac chairs in position and ready for immediate use.• Piped Oxygen shut off valves unobstructed and

portable replacements available where essential.• Pre-planned progressive evacuation refuges clear

and available to receive patients.

THE FIRE ACTION PROCEDURES AND FIRE TEAM RESPONSE AT THE ROYAL ORTHOPAEDIC

HOSPITAL.

FIRE ALARM SOUNDSThe fire alarm system for the Hospital is divided into zones

that match up with the fire resisting compartments.In the event of a fire:• The alarm will sound continuously in the affected zone/

building.• The alarm will also sound intermittently throughout the

remainder of the hospital.

IN THE FIRE AREA (CONSTANT SOUNDING ALARM)FIRE WARDEN / SENIOR NURSE MUST TAKE CHARGEDAY WARD/DEPT.• IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE EVERYONE TO THE PRE-PLANNED

REFUGE AREAS IN ADJACENT INTERMITTENT SOUNDING SUB- COMPARTMENTS OR EXTERNAL DESIGNATED ASSEMBLY POINT.

BEDDED WARD/THEATRE• STAFF BEGIN SEARCH• EVACUATE TO ADJACENT INTERMITTENT SOUNDING SUB

COMPARTMENT ONLY IF NECESSARY (PATIENTS IN ACTUAL DANGER FROM FIRE OR SMOKE).

IN ADJACENT ALERTED AREAS (INTERMITTENT ALARM SOUND)• FIRE WARDEN / SENIOR NURSE STAY IN YOUR AREA AND TAKE

CHARGE• CHECK FOR LOCATION OF FIRE• SEND SPARE NURSING STAFF TO REPORT TO THE FIRE TEAM

ASSEMBLY POINT.• MAKE SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT.• RESTRICT PATIENT/STAFF MOVEMENTS.• PREPARE TO RECEIVE EVACUEES.• PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE EVACUATION1. Large admin departments need initially only send 3 people to the fire team

assembly point. If more are needed a runner will be sent back.2. Any Trust managers responding to assist MUST report first to the APC at

the fire team assembly point so that they can be accounted for.

ASSEMBLY POINT COORDINATOR (BLEEP HOLDER)• WHEN BLEEPED ATTEND THE STAFF ASSEMBLY POINT.• OPEN THE BOX AND PUT ON THE TABARD.• CHECK FIRE BRIGADE HAVE BEEN CALLED.• ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THE AFFECTED AREA FIRE WARDEN USING

RADIOS OR RUNNERS.• ASSESS THE INCIDENT.• FORM STAFF INTO TEAMS AND DEPLOY AS NECESSARY.• IF FIRE IS CONFIRMED SEND STAFF TO CONTROL ALL ENTRANCES.• ENSURE FIRE BRIGADE ARE MET, BRIEFED & GUIDED TO THE AFFECTED

AREA. • KEEP ALL KEY WARDS/DEPTS. INFORMED OF SITUATION.• MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE WHOLE SITE.• APPROVAL SHOULD BE SOUGHT FROM THE FIRE BRIGADE BEFORE

SILENCING OR RE-SETTING THE FIRE ALARM OR STANDING DOWN THE FIRE TEAM.

FRA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

ESTATES ON CALL STAFF• ATTEND AFFECTED BUILDING.• ESTABLISH CONTROL OVER SYSTEMS.• SUPPORT FIRE WARDEN AND ASSEMBLY POINT

COORDINATOR • LIASE WITH FIRE BRIGADE.• SILENCE & RE-SET FIRE ALARM ONLY WHEN APPROVED BY

THE FIRE BRIGADE.

FRA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

DUTY PORTERS• ENSURE BACK-UP 999 CALL TO FIRE BRIGADE HAS BEEN

MADE.• ENSURE THAT THE FIRE BRIGADE ARE DIRECTED TO THE

AFFECTED BUILDING VIA THE BEST ACCESS ROUTE.• STOP PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SITE.• ASSIST THE ASSEMBLY POINT COORDINATOR AS REQUIRED.

FRA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

EVACUATING PATIENTSPreplanning is the key:• Plan the evacuation before the fire! • Identify initial safe refuges in adjacent intermittent zones.• Identify final refuge area in remote zone with full patient support capacity.• Identify the routes and walk them with beds / wheelchairs.• Identify all equipment required to achieve the moves.• Carry out regular practice Evacuation drillsAims of ward emergency evacuation:1. Contain the fire and smoke if possible by closing doors. Shut off piped oxygen.2. Move any patient in immediate danger then empty the ward – easiest patients

first – difficult patients last when there are more staff available. 3. Once ward is empty close all fire doors and do not re-enter.4. Move all patients to initial safe refuge in adjacent intermittent zone.5. If necessary move the patients to final refuge area for longer term care.

Fire Fighting“Tackle the fire if safe to do so”

• Always Raise the Alarm First• Assess the dangers – Fight or Contain?• You must know what is burning. • You must know the fire extinguisher you are using.• It must be the right time – do not push smoke onto escape

routes if people are still evacuating. • Maintain your own escape route at all times.• Do not breathe any smoke – contain & evacuate.

BASIC FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

CARBON DIOXIDEExtinguishes by:Displacing Oxygen and smothering the fireUse for:•Live electrical fires •This type of extinguisher is not very effective when used outside.WARNING – POWERFUL – NOISY –VERY COLD

DRY POWDER Extinguishes by:Reacting physically with the chemical reaction of fire Use for:Wood, paper, textiles, flammable liquids and electricals. WARNING – FIRE MAY RE-IGNITE

FOAM Extinguishes by:Removing heat Cooling burning materials Removing Oxygen and smothering the fire Use for:Flammable liquids Can also be used on Wood, paper, textilesWARNING - NEVER USE ON LIVE ELECTRICS

WATER Extinguishes by:Removing heat Cooling burning materials Use for:Wood, paper and textiles only WARNING - NEVER USE ON LIVE ELECTRICS, FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OILS OR FATS

SUMMARY• YOU HAVE A MORAL AND STATUTORY DUTY TO MAINTAIN HIGH FIRE

SAFETY STANDARDS IN YOUR WORKPLACE.• YOU MUST UNDERSTAND HOW FIRES START AND HOW THEY CAN BE

PREVENTED.• KNOW YOUR WORKPLACE LAYOUT, FIRE EXIT ROUTES AND ASSEMBLY

POINTS.• KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO SAFELY USE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.• MOST IMPORTANTLY KNOW YOUR BUILDING’S FIRE ACTION

PROCEDURES AND THE ROLE YOU HAVE TO PLAY IN GETTING EVERYONE TO SAFETY.

FRA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

ASSEMBLY POINT COORDINATOR (BLEEP HOLDER)

WHEN BLEEPED ATTEND THE STAFF ASSEMBLY POINT.OPEN THE BOX AND PUT ON THE TABARD.CHECK FIRE BRIGADE HAVE BEEN CALLED.ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THE AFFECTED AREA FIRE WARDEN USING RADIOS AND RUNNERS.ASSESS THE INCIDENT.FORM STAFF INTO TEAMS AND DEPLOY AS NECESSARY.IF FIRE IS CONFIRMED SEND STAFF TO CONTROL ALL ENTRANCES.ENSURE FIRE BRIGADE ARE MET, BRIEFED & GUIDED TO THE AFFECTED AREA. KEEP ALL KEY WARDS/DEPTS. INFORMED OF SITUATION.MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE WHOLE SITE.STAND DOWN ONLY ON APPROVAL BY THE FIRE BRIGADE

ESTATES ON CALL STAFFATTEND AFFECTED BUILDING.ESTABLISH CONTROL OVER SYSTEMS.SUPPORT FIRE WARDENLIASE WITH FIRE BRIGADE.SILENCE & RE-SET FIRE ALARM WHEN APPROVED BY FIRE BRIGADE

DUTY PORTERSENSURE BACK-UP 999 CALL TO FIRE BRIGADE HAS BEEN MADE.ENSURE THAT THE FIRE BRIGADE ARE DIRECTED TO THE AFFECTED BUILDING VIA THE BEST ACCESS ROUTE.STOP PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE SITE.ASSIST THE ASSEMBLY POINT COORDINATOR AS REQUIRED.

ALARM IS SOUNDED AND EVACUATION BEGINS

FIRE WARDEN TAKES CHARGE OF THE CONTINUOUS SOUNDING AREA

ALERTED AREAS (INTERMITTENT ALARM SOUND)

FIRE WARDEN / SENIOR NURSE TAKES CHARGECHECK FIRE PANEL FOR LOCATION OF FIRESEND SPARE STAFF TO FIRE TEAM ASSEMBLY POINTRESTRICT PATIENT/STAFF MOVEMENTS.MAKE SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT.PREPARE TO RECEIVE EVACUEES.PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE EVACUATION

BASIC FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

THE END