Policy statement
We ensure the highest possible standard of fire precautions are in place. The manager and our staff are familiar with the current legal requirements. Where necessary we seek the advice of a competent person, such as our Fire Officer or Fire Safety Consultant. A Fire Safety Log Book is used to record the findings of risk assessment, any actions taken or incidents that have occurred and our fire drills. We ensure our policy is in line with the procedures specific to our building, making reasonable adjustments as required.
Procedures
Fire safety risk assessment
- The basis of fire safety is risk assessment, carried out by a ‘competent person’.
- The manager has received training in fire safety sufficient to be competent to carry out the risk assessment; this will be written where there are more than five staff and will follow the Government guidance Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Educational Premises (HMG 2006).
- Our fire safety risk assessment focuses on the following for each area of the setting:
- Electrical plugs, wires and sockets.
- Electrical items.
- Gas boilers.
- Cookers.
- Matches.
- Flammable materials – including furniture, furnishings, paper etc.
- Flammable chemicals.
- Means of escape.
- Anything else identified.
- Where we rent premises, we will ensure that we have a copy of the fire safety risk assessment that applies to the building and that we contribute to regular reviews.
Fire safety precautions taken
- We ensure that fire doors are clearly marked, never obstructed and easily opened from the inside.
- We ensure that smoke detectors/alarms and fire fighting appliances conform to BS EN standards, are fitted in appropriate high-risk areas of the building and are checked as specified by the manufacturer.
- We have all electrical equipment checked annually by a qualified electrician. Any faulty electrical equipment is taken out of use and either repaired or replaced.
- We ensure sockets are covered. Our emergency evacuation procedures are approved by the Fire Safety Officer and are:
- clearly displayed in the premises;
- explained to new members of staff, volunteers and parents; and
- practised regularly, at least once every six weeks.
- Records are kept of fire drills and of the servicing of fire safety equipment.
Emergency evacuation procedure
· At the onset of fire, the fire alarm will sound
· Staff will ensure that all children immediately evacuate the hall via the nearest and safest fire exit
· The Manager or next most senior member of staff will check the kitchen and bathroom to assist staff and children in these areas to evacuate
· The Deputy Manager or next most senior member of staff will collect the register, contact details, mobile telephone and key for the Church
· The fire assembly point is the corner of the car park directly opposite the Pre-School room.
· The register will be taken
· The Manager or next most senior member of staff will check the building and assess whether it is safe to re-enter
· If the building cannot be re-entered the children will be escorted to the Church and parents will be contacted if necessary.
o NO ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TO RECOVER PERSONAL ITEMS
o NO ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE BY STAFF TO TACKLE A FIRE
Fire drills
We hold fire drills termly and record the following information about each fire drill in the Fire Safety Log:
- The date and time of the drill.
- Number of adults and children involved.
- How long it took to evacuate.
- Whether there were any problems that delayed evacuation.
- Any further action taken to improve the drill procedure.
Legal framework
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Further guidance
- Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Educational Premises (HMG 2006)