Updated February 2010

Evacuation of the Mead Gallery

  • Prior to opening and at the start of every shift change, the Gallery Assistant (GA) and Head Steward (HS) check that the emergency escape doors open and the evacuation routes are clear. The Mead Gallery fire check sheet should be completed and signed with all problems being reported to Operations Assistants.
  • If the alarms go off, the on-duty GA should contact the Duty Manager (DM) using the Security radio, to ascertain (if not known already) the location of the ‘fire’ to determine which evacuation route to take. “Mead Gallery to Arts Centre Duty Manager, please confirm the location of the fire”; the GA will then swiftly inform the mead FOH staff as to the route.
  • In the event of an evacuation – Remain Calm.
  • The first priority is to ask the general public to leave the Gallery as directed and then evacuate them as quickly and calmly as possible
  • In the event of an alarmed evacuation the Mag Lock fire doors in Gallery 1 will unlock automatically when the alarms sound, (there will be no need to un-lock them).

Main Evacuation Route

The Main Emergency Exit is situated in Gallery 1, and the route is through the fire doors (leading towards the mead office), down the stairs and out of the Fire Exit Doors at the back of the Mead Gallery, and over to the assembly point in car park 4.

  • The Steward in Gallery 1 should open the Fire Exit doors and check the area is clear; this Steward will stay and keep the doors open until everyone has been evacuated.
  • The Stewards in Gallery 2 & 3 should evacuate the members of the public in a ‘sweeping’ fashion where all areas are checked, taking people in the direction of the evacuation route and out of the building via the fire doors, finally leading everyone around the building, to meet at the assembly point in car park 4.
  • While in the reception area the GA will ensure that no one tries to leave via the front doors; and (unless it puts anyone in danger) will lock the glass doors leading to the Arts Centre Foyer. The GA will keep the Radio in their hand and pick up the Signing in diary.
  • The GA will walk through the Mead Gallery towards the Fire exit doors; once there they will exit the Mead Gallery with the Steward from Gallery 1 (who has been holding the doors open).
  • The GA will ensure that the final fire exit door downstairs is closed and secure (if this is not possible then the Steward from Gallery 1 must remain in the Arts Centre car park at a safe distance, in a position that enables them to watch the fire door (to stop anyone trying to enter the building via this route).
  • All office staff should leave through the emergency exit and go to the assembly point in car park 4. As they leave they should lock the offices and secure the lift, (unless it is unsafe to do so).
  • Once at the assembly point, the GA must conduct a roll call (using the signing in diary). Once the roll call has been conducted, the GA contacts the DM via the radio to inform them that “all personnel have vacated the mead gallery” (or, if this fails send a Steward to the main entrance to inform the DM).
  • DO NOT allow anyone to re-enter the building until informed by the DM; once it is safe to re-enter the building the DM will inform the GA via the radio.
  • The Mead Gallery Transit Seat is located at the top of the Fire exit route, if you have been trained and are confident to do so, you will be expected to use it and help to safely evacuate a wheelchair user.
  • The Wheelchair refuge for this route is situated through the Gallery Emergency Exit, at the top of the stairs.

Secondary Evacuation Route

If the danger is situated in the mead office area, mead gallery, or if the GA has been informed to use the Secondary Route via the radio, the following route will be taken: through the Mead Gallery towards the arts centre foyer, then through the Mead’s Main Entrance Glass Doors into the arts centre foyer and out of the Arts Centre Doors by the Bookshop, and then finally meeting at the assembly point in car park 4.

  • The Gallery Assistant (GA) should check the reception and immediate foyer area is clear, (and holding the Radio and diary) hold open the glass doors into the Arts centre foyer, while everyone is evacuated.
  • The Stewards in Gallery 2 & 3 should evacuate the members of the public in a ‘sweeping’ fashion where all areas are checked, taking people in the direction of the secondary evacuation route and out of the building via the main emergency evacuation exit route, finally leading everyone around the building, to meet at car park 4.
  • The Steward in Gallery 1 should stay by the Fire doors in Gallery 1 to ensuring that no one tries to leave via the main route.
  • Once Stewards from Galleries 2 & 3 have evacuated everyone, Steward 1 will leave by the same route with the GA. The Mead glass doors should be locked (if it is safe to do so) if the ‘fire’ is not in the mead; but the doors must be left unlocked if the ‘fire’ is in the mead!
  • If the ‘fire’ is in the Mead, the Steward from Gallery 1 should remain at the theatre bar area and ensure that the DM or Operations Assistant know where the ‘fire’ is located. Once this has been communicated the Steward should leave the building and report to the GA at the assembly point in car park 4, (if the ‘fire’ is not in the mead, Steward 1 continue to the assembly point). If the steward in gallery 1 cannot get to the front doors, another stewards should stay to inform the DM.
  • All office staff should leave through the same route (via the front glass doors into the arts centre, and out to the assembly point in car park 4). As they leave they should lock the offices and secure the lift, (unless it is unsafe to do so).
  • Once at the assembly point, the GA must conduct a roll call (using the signing in diary). Once the roll call has been conducted, the GA contacts the DM via the radio to inform them that “all personnel have vacated the mead gallery” (or, if this fails send a Steward to the main entrance to inform the DM).
  • DO NOT allow anyone to re-enter the building until informed by the DM; once it is safe to re-enter the building the DM will inform the GA via the radio.
  • The transit seats available for this route are 6 in the theatre; 1 situated in the studio and 1 in the cinema 3 by door 3 of the Butterworth Hall and 3 in the door 2 cupboard if needed. If you have been trained and are confident to do so, you will be expected to use it and help to safely evacuate a wheelchair user.
  • The Wheelchair refuge for this route is by door A of the theatre by the car. An alternative between doors 1 & 2 of the Butterworth hall, located in front of the ramp.

NB

  • A third evacuation route is through the emergency Exit in gallery 3, and follows the same instructions as the secondary Evacuation procedure.
  • No works of art are to be removed either by members of staff or public
  • The lift should not be used under any circumstances
  • ALL emergency exit routes should not be obstructed under any circumstances
  • The locking or securing the building should not delay the evacuation of the building or the response to the alarm sounding.
  • No one should be allowed back into the building until the DM (or fire service in the absence of a DM) says that it is safe to do so.
  • Personal belongings should be left on site
  • All doors and windows should be closed as staff leave the premises.

TRANSIT SEATS

These are to be used for less able members of the public who need help in order to be evacuated.

Only staff that are trained and feel confident with them should use them.

The Mead Gallery has a transit seat, and it is located at the top of the fire exit route (Main evacuation route), there are also 6 in the theatre; 1 situated in the studio and 1 in the cinema 3 by door 3 of the Butterworth Hall and 3 in the door 2 cupboard if needed.

The only time that the wheelchair refuge(s) are to be used is if there is no member of the mead staff who can safely evacuate the individual(s) using the transit seat, and cannot find someone to help. In this situation, once the individual is safe (in a refuge) it is crucial that you ask someone to inform the DM that there is an individual who needs rescuing.

It is anticipated that a member of staff will remain with the individual to provide reassurance.

This Transit Seat training section will be updated as soon as all training has been conducted.

Mead Front of House safety & security.

Feb2010