Example Fire Protection Policy

Most Important Details
Fire Safety Officer: KEVIN

Number of Firebrigade: 100

Phone system fire code: 100

Assembly Point: By Metal Gates, up hill of the Polish shop

On Discovering a Fire
IF the fire is within your abilities to extinguish then extinguish the fire. Otherwise:


 * Raise the alarm (see below)
 * Escape the building
 * Wait for the fire services

Raising the Alarm

 * Dial 100 for the fire brigade. Remember to give the address of the building
 * Dial ??? on phone system and call 'FIRE FIRE FIRE' then ask for help
 * Run on to stairway and shout 'FIRE FIRE FIRE' three times
 * If possible try to go to all apartments and top floor to bang doors and open them and shouting FIRE FIRE FIRE.

Escape Routes and Assembly
On sounding alarm:
 * Don't Panic!
 * Instructions for what to do in case of fire to be posted on each floor near fire extinguisher.
 * All occupants put on shoes (and coat if winter) and carrying nothing else leave the building by the main stairs in an orderly fashion and proceed to assembly point.
 * Leave your door shut but unlocked
 * Do not take time to dress properly!
 * Once you have left the building you are not to re-enter it until instructed to by Fire Officer or member of Fire brigade/Police
 * If stairs are not available for exit to street then there is a fire ladder on the top floor
 * If no access to stairs because of fire, staff are to go on to the balconies and shut the doors behind them and call out for help.
 * If only exit is to the back garden, take exit. Make a lot of noise to indicate where you are.

Fighting the Fire

 * Fire blankets are for smothering small fires and extinguishing them by depriving them of oxygen. Good for kitchen fires and small paper fires.
 * Fire Extinguisher: Read instructions before use. Pull safety pin, push or pull starter and squirt the nozzle. Aim for the BASE of the fire. Powder extinguishers are messy and create lots of dust. Try to cover your mouth.
 * Fire equipment is only for fighting small fires. If a fire is getting out of control raise the alarm and leave the building immediately and let the fire services handle the fire.

After Drill or Emergency

 * 1) National leader is to be informed
 * 2) A report is to be made by Fire Officer
 * 3) A list of suggestions/improvements is to be made
 * 4) Staff are to be sent an improved copy of the policy and it is re-explained.

Prevention

 * Annual Risk Assessment and re-evaluation of policy (1 week January after Bookshop stock take)
 * Policy is to be kept up to date in the main language(s) of the base
 * All Gas boilers/heaters serviced yearly and safety report issued.
 * Area around Gas boilers kept clean, swept and empty of flamable materials
 * Area around hobs and cookers kept clean, swept and empty of flamable materials to a distance of 1m. This applies to all YWAM kitchens, staff kitchens and shared kitchens.
 * All kitchens are provided with a fire blanket and hand powered emergency torch, visible and strategically placed.
 * Fire extinguishers (powder and suitable for all fires) are provided on each level and in bookshop and bar
 * Each floor to have a minimum of 2 battery powered fire alarms
 * Staff must replace batteries and report faulty alarms
 * Batteries available from the office
 * Request an inspection from Fire Service and/or third party (tri-annually?)

Education

 * On arriving new occupants are given a paper copy of the fire policy and verbally instructed in the policy by Fire Officer or delegate.
 * Special attention is to be given to staff/students/occupants who do not speak the main language(s) of the base that they fully understand what to do.
 * Fire drill practised annually at point of highest occupancy (e.g. Day time with students)
 * Staff must replace batteries and report faulty fire alarms
 * Staff must report faulty fire equipment/notices to safety officer
 * Staff must know who is the safety office
 * Staff instructed in how to prevent fires
 * Staff instructed in how to raise the alarm
 * Staff instructed in simple fire fighting techniques
 * Waste paper fires
 * Hot fat fires
 * Barbeque fires
 * Electrical fires (Tumble dryers/office equipment)
 * Staff shown locations of all fire equipment
 * Staff instructed in use of fire blanket
 * Staff instructed in use of fire extinguisher
 * Staff shown gas and electricity cut-off points on each level and the main switches.