Selwyn College / Nov 2013
Risk Management Procedure / RMP/11t
Oxygen and acetylene Cylinders - Risk of Explosion in the Maintenance Department / Issue: 1
Specific hazard / RISK OF EXPLOSION OF OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE CYLINDERS
Oxygen and acetylene are highly flammable substances contained within pressurised cylinders. It is not dangerous under normal circumstances, but there is a risk of explosion if the cylinder should become heated.
Procedure / During normal hours of work:
·  Should a fire alarm activate in the Maintenance Department, staff working within the building will see if any fire is evident. Depending on the location of the fire they should (if safe to do so) remove the Oxyacetylene welding kit which is on a trolley out of the building.
·  If the fire is in the Plumber’s Bay or could spread and restrict safe exit from the workshop staff should:
·  Activate the alarm as they evacuate the building.
·  Contact the Fire & Rescue Service and tell them the location of the fire and of the oxygen and acetylene cylinder.
·  Contact the Porters’ Lodge stating that the cylinders are at risk.
·  Make their way to Robinson College.
Outside of normal working hours.
·  If the fire alarm is activated
The Duty Porter should:
Attend the workshop.
Check before entering to see if there is any evidence of a fire.
IF ANY RISK
·  Contact the Fire & Rescue Service immediately
·  Report the fire and the presence of the Oxyacetylene and its exact location within the building. (The Fire & Rescue Service are trained to deal with this particular hazard.)
DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING IF YOU HAVE ANY SUSPICION OF A FIRE
·  If a 2nd Porter is on duty they should start the evacuation procedure to evacuate the residents of White Cottage to Robinson College.
Role of the Duty Porter / The following procedure should also be followed in the event of a fire in the Department:
·  Evacuation Procedure Confirm the emergency services have been contacted to report the fire and the presence and location of the Oxyacetylene kit. (The Fire & Rescue Service is trained to deal with this particular hazard.)
·  Telephone the Porters’ Lodge at Robinson College (Tel: 39100) to advise of an evacuation of students and staff to Robinson College.
·  Telephone the Porters’ Lodge at Newnham College (Tel: 35700) to advise of the potential danger.
·  Telephone University Security (Tel: 31818) to advise of potential danger and ask them to alert all Departments situated on the Sidgwick Site.
·  Start the evacuation of the College and surrounding buildings within the exclusion zone.
·  Students and staff should be directed to Robinson College.
·  Identify and brief the Incident Controller.
Exclusion zone / ·  A 200m exclusion zone is recommended for this substance.
·  Areas within the exclusion zone:
§  All buildings on the main College site
§  Cripps Court
§  Newnham College
§  Sidgwick Site
The Incident Controller / ·  The Incident Controller will normally be the Head Porter:
·  (Tel: 07773 203783)
·  In the Head Porter’s absence, the Incident Controller should be called (in this order):
Deputy Head Porter / Tel: 07953 032407
Bursar / Tel: 01223 335884 (Set) or
Mobile: 07711 637401
Senior Tutor / Tel: 01223 502627
Pernoctating Fellow
Master / Tel: 01223 335889
On Arrival of the Incident Controller / ·  The Incident Controller will want to know:
·  What happened?
·  State of evacuation.
·  Location of the Control Point and a safe route to it.
·  Whether the emergency services are on the premises.
·  Who has been informed.
·  HAND OVER CONTROL
Role of the Incident Controller / ·  Set up a suitable Control Point (if not already done) and liaise with the emergency services.
·  Alert the Bursar and Maintenance Manager immediately.
o  In the absence of the Bursar from Cambridge, the Senior Tutor, Master or Pernoctating Fellow will be called (in that order).
·  Liaise with the emergency services.
·  Liaise with the Porters at Robinson College.
·  Deploy Fire Wardens to prevent further entry.
·  When the threat has been resolved the Incident Controller shall declare the College ‘safe’, and people may return.
Training / ·  As part of the Fire Marshall training instruction should be given as to the content of this Policy
Monitoring and Review / ·  This Policy will be reviewed annually by the Maintenance Manager and monitored by the Fire Officer and members of the H&S Working Group.