Appendix 9
Protection - Fire Safety key messages and timetable during periods of Industrial Action
This key messages document is designed to set out the fire safety risks that need to be publicised in the media in order to reduce the likelihood of fires occurring in business premises.
To ensure that these key messages are timely and appropriate, it has become necessary to ‘phase in’ the messages over the course of the preceding month, thereby increasing the impact. The provision of regular and current communications to members of the business community may include some of the following statements, but all will be publicised during a period of industrial unrest.
Countdown to Industrial Action / Key message to include the following / Comments4 weeks to industrial action
(Signposting business / responsible persons to CFRS Internet page detailing “Business Fire Safety”) / Business Fire Safety
Use the Business Safety section to find out information on:
Frequently Asked Questions on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
Frequently Asked Questions on Fire Safety
Ask a Fire Safety Officer
Automatic Fire Alarms
Enforcement's
Explosives Licensing
Farm Fire Safety
Fire Sprinklers
Fire Safety Advice and Guidance for The Licensing Act 2003
Fire Safety Enforcement Policy
Firework Legislation for Retailers
Health and safety - Construction regulations
Petroleum Filling Stations and Licensing / Through the media (Utilise Cornwall Councils media department to provide advice through internet and local radio to co-ordinate communication messages) informing Business about the Protection work within Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service encompasses a wide range of Fire Safety related legislation. It includes our enforcement role under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) and the Petroleum Act, Manufacture of Explosives Regulations 2005 consultative work under both Licensing and Building Regulation legislation, and partnership work with Housing, Public Health & Protection, Planning and Vapour Recovery. All elements of Protection activity help to contribute towards our mission statement: “Working Together to Make Cornwall Safer”
3 weeks to industrial action
(Signposting business / responsible persons to CFRS Internet page detailing “Business Fire Safety”) / Is your Risk Assessment up to date and effective?
Key points:
· Review Fire risk assessment and identify additional risk due to non attendance of Fire service.
· Review emergency plan and ensure staff are aware of the industrial action.
· Put in place a robust procedure for investigating fire alarm actuations to reduce false alarm calls to the service.
· Ensure fire alarm systems continue to be tested, and the tests are recorded as normal
· Fire doors should be kept closed and ensure that all signage is in place
· Housekeeping standards should be maintained at a high level
· Smoking policies are rigidly enforced
· All unused electrical equipment is switched off/unplugged, where safe to do so
· Refuse and waste is controlled, dustbins and skips are placed and secured away from the building
· Where possible avoid ‘hot work’ but if necessary undertake with active supervision any work requiring the use of equipment, which produces a flame or sparks
· Control contractors closely / Through the media (utilise Cornwall Councils media department to provide the advice through internet and local radio to co-ordinate communication messages) informing business owners / responsible persons of their role under the Regulatory Reform(Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO)
2 weeks to industrial action / Ask a Fire Safety Officer
Signposting business / responsible persons to CFRS Internet page detailing “Business Fire Safety”
In addition informing Business that if they require further information or advice, to fill out the enquiry form found on CFRS internet
Alternatively if they require information or advice on any issue relating to fire safety legislation, any general enquiries should be directed to: 0300 1234 232
Or for24 hour Fire Safety Advice call free: 0800 3581 999
In an emergency dial 999 and ask for FIRE
Email: / Through the media (utilise Cornwall Councils media department to provide the advice through internet and local radio to co-ordinate communication messages) informing the public about additional sources of “Business Fire Safety” information
1 week to industrial action / Check!
Key points:
Is your Risk Assessment up to date and effective?
· Ensure fire alarm systems continue to be tested, and the tests are recorded as normal
· Fire doors should be kept closed and ensure that all signage is in place
· Housekeeping standards should be maintained at a high level
· Smoking policies are rigidly enforced
· All unused electrical equipment is switched off/unplugged, where safe to do so
· Refuse and waste is controlled, dustbins and skips are placed and secured away from the building
· Where possible avoid ‘hot work’ but if necessary undertake with active supervision any work requiring the use of equipment, which produces a flame or sparks
· Control contractors closely / Through the media (utilise Cornwall Councils media department to provide the advice through internet and local radio to co-ordinate communication messages) informing how Protection activity helps to contribute towards our mission statement:
“Working Together to Make Cornwall Safer”
Fire Safety
Prior to any industrial action by firefighters it is essential that you review your fire risk assessment ensuring that it is up to date and effective. During any industrial action you must have a raised consciousness of fire safety ensuring some basic, day to day issues are given particular attention. These include:
· Ensure fire alarm systems continue to be tested, and the tests are recorded as normal
· Fire doors should be kept closed and ensure that all signage is in place
· Housekeeping standards should be maintained at a high level
· Smoking policies are rigidly enforced
· All unused electrical equipment is switched off/unplugged, where safe to do so
· Refuse and waste is controlled, dustbins and skips are placed and secured away from the building
· Where possible avoid ‘hot work’ but if necessary undertake with active supervision any work requiring the use of equipment, which produces a flame or sparks
· Control contractors closely
Emergency Incidents
Should you have an emergency on your premises during a period of industrial action, phone using the 999 system, but be aware that fire appliances could be delayed in attending. Also, attending personnel may not have the same knowledge in relation to the layout or structure of the building, including the location of alarm systems, or other installed safety equipment.
In the event of your automatic fire alarm activating and in the interests of making the best use of what fire engines we have available, it is essential that, where safe to do so, you investigate the cause of the alarm in order to establish whether there is actually a fire and then dial 999 to update the Fire & Rescue Service. I must stress that at no time should anybody put themselves in danger but at a time when our resources are stretched an automatic fire alarm activation from some types of premises may be given a lower priority than other confirmed emergencies, in some cases we may not attend at all without confirmation that a fire has occurred.
Should you find yourself in a genuine emergency situation there are some steps your staff could take to assist any attending fire crews to deal with the emergency:
1. Any emergency calls made should state clearly the accurate address of the premises and the access point into the premises.
2. Someone should be appointed to wait on the roadside (preferably wearing a hi-visibility tabard or jacket, both for their own safety and to attract the attention of the crew) to identify the property and to guide and assist the crews in locating the best point of access.
3. The availability of a simple but accurate single line plan drawing of the building, showing the location of hydrants, alarm panels and any gas, electricity or other service isolation points or other fire related, relevant information.
4. The confirmation and refresher training of all personnel on the action to be taken in the event of a fire, and how to operate an extinguisher should be considered. The evacuation procedure for the building (including the use of visitor records and roll calls to account for everyone) should be practised. Roll calls should be carried out by previously nominated responsible persons or their deputies. The results should be provided to the fire personnel present as quickly as possible. For people who are unaccounted for, information on where they work, or are expected to be, or where they were last seen, should be provided as quickly as possible.
5. For more complex buildings the provision of guides to assist in guiding crews towards the fire area can be of great benefit, and these individuals will normally have been trained as fire wardens or marshals or have similar training.
6. Should a more serious fire develop, there may be a need to salvage items or files from other parts of the building. There may be insufficient fire personnel to do this and you should consider the formation and briefing of salvage teams should they be required. These teams must only work under the direct guidance and control of fire personnel.
7. The potential risk to the organisation through the loss of vital information should also be considered. The secure storage of essential data (company accounts, payroll, customer information, etc.) is essential. The storage of duplicate information, away from the premise is also strongly recommended.
Information on the timing and nature of industrial action will be available on our website at www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire or via media news sources.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Fire Safety Enforcement Team on 01326 212412.