Fire Safety Management- A Must For 2006!
The responsibility of people who enter our buildings including staff, visitors, tradespersons, those who deliver goods and even the fire-fighter, now sits firmly with those of us who own or manage our organisations. If a fire were to occur resulting in injury or fatality, it would be the owner or manager who would have to stand in the dock and prove innocence.
The spirit of this new legislation is based on the idea that owners and managers embrace this responsibility as a social opportunity; helping and serving those whom we work with.
However, with the pressures of modern life, including the running of an organisation, the spirit of the law may not be the highest priority in our minds. But, nevertheless we must find effective ways for the implementation of all current fire safety legislation ? that is probably the real challenge of 2006.
Effective fire safety management is a process that should ideally start from the very beginning of the design of the actual fabric of the building. However, many of us do not have the privilege of occupying a new build and therefore need to look at our existing buildings, ensuring that we have included and implemented a thorough programme of fire safety principles. It is a sad reality that one of the most common elements in a multi-fatality fire, is that when the alarm is raised occupants often react and respond in unexpected manners.
Nothing in our fire safety planning can be taken for granted - all possibilities must be allowed for! If we start with this premise we will end up with an effective strategy.
So what is effective fire safety management?
Well in my opinion it should include the following:
It should offer clear strategies for fire prevention.
It should allow for all special risks and needs of people, those who are disabled, including the blind and deaf.
It should allow for regular maintenance of all fire safety elements.
It should accept that housekeeping is essential, especially ensuring that the means of escape is kept clear and available at all times.
It should recognise that knowledge is power, training staff in a thorough manner for the possible event of the fire is absolutely essential.
It should embrace the fact that fire safety drills are a critical element in helping people to understand what they should do in the event of the fire. One of the reasons why so many were able to be evacuated from the World Trade Centre was because of regular fire drills. Had this not been the case, there would have been many more casualties.
The design of a fire safety management plan is also a key element to an organisations strategy. I think there are four principles that make up a good fire safety management plan.
The first is knowing your building; the actual structure, the elements that make up its construction; the fabric of the architecture. It is important to understand fire protection elements such as fire doors, glazing, partitioning- all are critical to the passive fire stopping dynamics within the building.
The second element is the fire warning system. The sooner the fire is recognised and a clear signal is given for evacuation, the less likely a fatality will occur.
The third element is the ability to extinguish the fire; if it is at an early stage and safe to do so. Trained staff may well feel confident to use fire fighting equipment. I must include here, that for a real belt and braces approach, a sprinkler system is by far the best option.
The fourth element is including an effective training programme, especially including a description of fire safety signs used. After all, it will be an effective signing system that clearly communicates what they should do and where they should go in the event of a fire.
A key Standard !
British Standard 5588 Part 12: 2004 outlines and then offers excellent detail for the implementation of fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Part 12 specialises on the managing of fire safety and outlines probably all key information that anyone who is responsible for fire safety would require for designing an effective fire safety management system.
It includes issues of security against arson, the management of fire doors and escape routes, first aid, fire-fighting, certification, and the appointment of fire safety managers and other personnel, including an outline of their responsibilities.
It looks at buildings that have multiple-occupation; where many organisations may be sharing an office complex. Public areas are discussed, caretakers, control audit procedures and communication. The 21st century heralds a new culture for fire safety for us all. Blame and responsibility cannot be passed on, both sit at the feet of all of us who manage others.
It is therefore prudent and mature to find some time to immerse ourselves in the process of fire safety management, because surely the consequences of not doing so are quite unthinkable.
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