• Dangers of Fire &

Smoke
• 575,000 in 12
months
• Only 1 in 5 fires are
reported.
• An estimated 2.8
million fires per
year in UK.
• UK 804,000 fire and false alarms 2007 (8%)
• Total fires down 12% to 385,000
• Deaths down 10% to 443, 267 accidental
dwelling fires
• Attendances to UK false alarms down 4% to
419,000
• Malicious false alarms down 12% to 30,000
• Faulty apparatus false alarms down 1% to
271,000
People often don’t take fire seriously
Reflected in response to alarms
Assume it’s a test, drill or false alarm
8 May 1979
Woolworths (Manchester)
10 dead, dozens injured
New legislation for: Furniture,
sprinklers in shopping centres,
and compulsory training for staff.
11 May 1985
Bradford Football Club
56 dead, hundreds injured
New legislation for: Fire Safety and
Safety of Places of sports Act 1987,
revision of Green Guide by Home
Office
Nobody on the premises called the
Fire Brigade
1. How Fires are started
2. How Fires are classified
3. Action on discovering a fire
4. Action on hearing a fire alarm and procedures this sets in
motion
5. “Baton System” + “Fire Boxes”
6. The location, different types and use of fire extinguishers
7. Alerting members of the public/parents – “Cascade System”
8. Evacuation procedures and assembly points
9. Importance of Fire doors
10. Escape doors and escape routes
11. General fire precautions and good housekeeping
12. Dealing with the Emergency Services
 Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or
burning of a fuel. It needs three elements to occur:

OXYGEN - The air we breathe is about 21 percent

oxygen. fire only needs an atmosphere with at least
16 percent oxygen.

FUEL - Fuel can be any combustible material - solid,

liquid or gas. Most solids and liquids become a vapor
or gas before they will burn.
HEAT - Heat is the energy necessary to increase the
temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient
vapors are given off for ignition to occur.

CHEMICAL REACTION - A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire
are present in the proper conditions and proportions. Fire occurs when this
rapid oxidation, or burning takes place.
Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be extinguished if
it was already burning.
 Flammable or
Ordinary combustible liquids
combustibles or such as
fibrous material, such gasoline, kerosene, pai
as wood, paper, cloth, nt, paint thinners and
rubber and some propane.
plastics.

Energized electrical Certain combustible

equipment, such as metals, such as
appliances, switches, magnesium, titanium,
panel boxes and potassium and sodium.
power tools. These metals burn at high
temperatures and give off
sufficient oxygen to
support combustion. They
may react violently with
water or other chemicals,
and must be handled with
care.
Sound the alarm

Use an appropriate fire extinguisher if:

– it is safe to do so
– you have been trained to use it

Fire extinguishers should be tested in

a safe place, before using it on a fire
• Sound the alarm
• Close the door
(Although it should be closed)
• Leave immediately
• Proceed to assembly
point
• Ensure Fire services
are called
• Report to person in
charge for roll call
• Do not return to
building until told
When you sound the alarm, or hear the alarm, take control of the “Baton”
You are now the person responsible for that particular “Fire Zone”
Make sure that: 1)Somebody call the Fire Brigade.
2)All pupils, staff and members of the public evacuate
immediately.
3)Fire doors are closed. (Where possible the windows as
well)
4)Take contents of the “Fire Box”, when you leave.
5)Find the Fire Marshall/Fire Brigade Officer in charge and
report.
6)Assist where needed.
• The “Fire Box” is an emergency information aid.

• Inside the box you will find a red plastic folder containing the following:
1) A copy of the main gate key

2) A copy of the school “Crisis Management Policy” (This

contains all the emergency services’ numbers.)

3) Contact numbers for every parent of every pupil in school.

4) Evacuation procedures
1. React immediately / take possession of “Baton” and “Fire Box” contents
2. Visually inspect escape route for smoke or flames
3. Prepare everybody in your care for evacuation
4. Escort all persons in your charge out of the building as listed on the
“Evacuation Procedure”.
5. Both sides of the staircase should be used during the evacuation
procedure.
6. Please make sure all doors and windows are closed when leaving your
classrooms.

Persons in possession of “Fire Batons”/School Secretary/Fire Marshall

► Bring playground gate key & open gate.
Bring registers and distribute them to all teachers.
Take mobile
Fire Log book
Pupil details register
Take contents of the “Fire Box” located on every floor

Person in possession of “Fire Baton” is the last to leave their “Fire Zone” and
report to person in charge at the assembly point.
 Pre-appointed Fire Officers for each floor
(“Fire Baton” system in effect)

► Ground Floor - Ronael Forbes

First Floor - Henk Weyers
Second Floor - Jenna Ryan
Third Floor - Juliette MacDonald

Duties of Fire Marshall / Fire Officers

Use fire extinguishers to clear exit routes

IF NO OTHER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE.

Ensure complete evacuation of your “Fire Zone”

To ensure that fire procedures are carried out correctly and safely.
Report / hand over “Fire Baton” to person in charge
Assist Fire Marshall and Fire Officers
• Extinguishers should be tested each year by a competent
person. (Chubb)

• Extinguishers should be visually examined by a competent

person on a monthly basis to ensure they are still serviceable.

• They should be on a wall bracket or in a stand.

• Extinguishers should not be used to hold open a fire door.

To do so is a criminal offence

Staff do not have to tackle any fire if they do not wish to do so, but
should know the location of their nearest extinguisher and the
type of extinguisher, to assist fellow members of staff.
 Water Foam Dry CO2 Wet
Powder Chemical
A Wood,paper,
textiles

B Flammable Liquids

C Flammable Gases

D Metal Special
Dry
agents
E Electrical

F Cooking oils

Best Extinguisher: Suitable alternative: ●

 Colour Coding
A change to the British Standard BS 7863 has meant a change to the style of colour coding on extinguishers.
A block of colour has now been placed above the operating instructions to cover between 3-5% of the
extinguisher area.

For use on Class A fires only

Most have 13A test rating

App 6m throw for jet nozzle

App 2m throw for spray type

Aim at base of fire

9L has 45sec minimum duration

Never use on electrical equipment

or flammable liquids!!!
 Colour Coding
A change to the British Standard BS 7863 has meant a change to the style of colour coding on extinguishers.
A block of colour has now been placed above the operating instructions to cover between 3-5% of the
extinguisher area.

For use on Class A & B fires

Most have AFFF solution

(Aqueous Film Forming Foam)

App 4m throw for jet nozzle

App 2m throw for spray type

Apply with caution/do not disturb

liquid

9L has 30sec minimum duration

Never use on electrical equipment !!!

 Colour Coding
A change to the British Standard BS 7863 has meant a change to the style of colour coding on extinguishers.
A block of colour has now been placed above the operating instructions to cover between 3-5% of the
extinguisher area.
Use on Class A, B & C fires, LPG’s and
electrical hazards

Can be very messy

App 2-4m throw, depending on

environment

Short bursts until in range, then

continuous operation

9L has 16sec minimum duration

No cooling effect, so re-ignition is

possible, particularly with Class A
materials
 Colour Coding
A change to the British Standard BS 7863 has meant a change to the style of colour coding on extinguishers.
A block of colour has now been placed above the operating instructions to cover between 3-5% of the
extinguisher area.

Use on Class B & C fires and electrical

hazards

Contents under pressure, do not use

on loose paper as this might spread

Check instructions, before holding

discharge horn

Extremely noisy

Use caution in confined spaces due to

asphyxiating effects of CO2

Hold upright at arm’s length, app 1,5m

from fire
Before tackling the fire, raise the alarm

Work in pairs, where possible

Take a second extinguisher (of the appropriate type) if readily

available

Always test the extinguisher away from the fire before use

Keep low

Always have a way out (keep your back to the exit door)

Leave immediately if the fire begins to get out of control

If any amount is used or safety pin is missing, consider it empty

and get it serviced ASAP.
 To prevent/delay the spread of smoke and fire
Fire doors should have the following features:
A sign – “Fire Door Keep Shut”
Door usually solid
Self-closing
Glazing fitted should be fire-resisting
Intumescent strip along the edges
Gap between the frame and door never exceed
3-4mm
Good condition with no holes
Cupboard doors should be fitted with a sign
“Keep Locked Shut When Not In Use”

Up to £5000 fine for a fire door left open, leading to

an injury or death! (Criminal negligence)
• Fire exit doors should have the following features:
A single, simple fastening
At least 750mm wide
Should not be obstructed at any time
Should open outwards

Check these doors on a regular basis to make sure

they are in a good working order.
• Fire Risk Assessments need to be carried out every year
• All visitors need to be made aware of evacuation procedures
and escape routes
• All staff are responsible for pupils and visitors in their care and
should therefore rectify or report any potential fire hazards.

• Potential fire hazards would be:

A blocked or obstructed escape route
A used or damaged fire extinguisher
Inappropriate use of electrical appliances
Fire doors held open
Twice a term

Simulate an obstructed exit

Inform all staff and pupils

reduce accidents
quick response during real emergencies

Key staff may remain in position, but need to practice at another opportunity

Also evacuate the public (Parents, visitors, contractors etc)

Use observers to highlight any problems during the fire drill

Fire Marshall should have a deputy (In case of absence)

When Emergency Services arrive:
Fire Marshall / Head teacher / SMT (In that order) co-ordinates
with Fire Brigade officer

Have the following information at hand:

Roll-call and list of unaccounted persons
Location of: Possible origin of fire
Power supply
Floor Plan
Water Hydrants
Shut-off valves
 SMT
Val

N R 1 2
Rep Rep Rep Rep

A B C A B A B A B
In the event of an evacuation:
Ground Floor

Reception & ICT/Music Room

Leave the building through the front door and turn right.
Line up on the corner of Burnaby Gardens and Harvard Hill.

Gym
Leave the building through the Gym “Fire Door” and line up against
the far wall in the playground.

First Floor

Nursery
Leave the Nursery using the left-hand side of the stairs. Out the front door
and line up on the pavement near the double gates.
Year 1
Come down the main stairs on the right-hand side. At the
bottom of the stairs turn right and exit the building via the
Gym doors. Continue out the playground gates and line up
against the outside of the playground wall.

Second and Third Floor

Leave via fire escape doors on the second floor and proceed
to line up against the far wall in the playground.
Both sides of the staircase to be used during this procedure.
Follow instructions of Fire Brigade/Fire
Marshall/Principal/Head/Deputy Head/SMT

Do not re-enter the school until instructed to do so by the

person in charge.

If any of the allocated points of egress are obstructed, please

proceed to the nearest alternative exit point!