Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 This guidance note has been prepared with the objective of informing childcare providers about the fire safety standards that Fire Safety Officers or Ofsted inspectors will expect providers to achieve.
In addition to the advice contained in this note, DfES publish a suite of "National Standards" documents (see Bibliography) that detail the standards to be achieved. Ofsted produces additional guidance to these standards. Standard 6 covers "Safety", including fire safety, and also provides information on ?Risk Assessment?. Additional considerations for overnight care providers are detailed in Annex B of the Standard.
1.2 It is in the interests of both childcare providers and their clients that a high standard of fire safety is maintained in childcare facilities. This does not necessarily mean that onerous measures need to be taken, but an adequate assessment of the hazards identified. Once identified, risks should ideally be removed or reduced to an acceptable level. Sufficient and suitable arrangements for early detection of fire should be in place and once the alarm is raised, safe evacuation will depend upon a well-rehearsed emergency plan. There should also be adequate arrangements in place for maintaining fire safety equipment and for training staff in emergency procedures.
2 WORKPLACES
2.1 In general, workplaces will already be subject to fire safety requirements under existing legislation, including the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (WR). The WR apply to virtually all workplaces in which people are employed, including catering, maintenance and cleaning staff. If your childcare facility forms part of a larger workplace, or the premises are used for different purposes at different times, you will need to co-ordinate your planning with other employers. In this regard, ask if you can see any existing fire risk assessment and emergency plan for the premises and, if available, consider how it relates to your childcare facility.
2.2 If you employ persons to work in the premises (or you are defined as a responsible person for the purposes of the WR) then the Fire Safety Officer may need to see and discuss with you the significant findings of your fire risk assessment for your childcare facility.
2.3 If no fire risk assessment exists for the workplace then you should refer to the publication "Fire Safety - An Employers Guide" (see Bibliography).
2.4 Where a fire risk assessment already exists for the workplace, it should be reviewed. This review should focus on the issues that relate to the childcare provision including the following:
a) The location of the childcare facility within the building. Ideally it should be situated on the ground floor with an exit direct to the outside of the building. Where this is not possible it should be as near to the ground floor as possible.
b) The layout of the childcare facility should be conducive to safe escape with any cooking or heating facility being sited remote from exits.
c) There should be adequate escape routes from the childcare facility. Fire doors protecting the escape routes should be effectively self-closing and fire resisting. Doors across escape routes and at exits should be easily opened without the need of a key. Escape routes should be free from obstruction and adequately lit. There should be adequate signage indicating escape routes and particularly alternative routes.
d) Additional automatic fire detection may be required to ensure adequate early detection and warning of fire. If a two stage fire alarm is installed the evacuation of the children should commence on the first-stage alert.
e) Sufficient numbers of trained staff should be available to enable a safe and efficient evacuation, taking into account the need to assist or carry children. Parents should be advised of the procedures including the location of the assembly point.
f) There should be an induction process for new staff and regular training and fire drills for all staff and children. The importance of keeping fire doors shut should be emphasized. Training should include the means of raising the alarm, the evacuation plan, the location of the external assembly point and how to call the fire brigade. If fire-fighting equipment is provided then a suitable number of staff should be trained in its use.
g) Fire Safety Procedures and Notices. There should be written procedures and notices providing information to staff and visitors about emergency plans.
3 OVERNIGHT CARE
3.1 Annex B to the DfES "National Standards" publications details the additional criteria to be met by day care providers who wish to offer overnight care.
4 BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Fire Safety - An Employers Guide" - Copies are available from:
http://www.archive.officialdocuments.co.uk/document/fire/index.htm
or
The Stationery Office: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/
National Standards literature and advice:
DfES National Standards for Under 8s Day Care and Childminders - available from: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/
Tel No. 0845 602 2260
Full Day Care: Guidance to the National Standards
Sessional Day Care: Guidance to the National Standards
Crèche: Guidance to the National Standards
Out of School Care: Guidance to the National Standards
All the above are available from the Ofsted Publications Centre
Tel: 07002 637833 Fax: 07002 693274 E-mail: freepublications@Ofsted.gov.uk
Ofsted Website: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/
CACFOA Guides can be obtained from the website: http://www.cfoa.org.uk/cfoa_public/
If you require any further guidance on the advice given in this Guidance Note please contact your local Fire and Rescue Service.
Issue: 10 December 2003
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