Introduction to Fire Safety Management

when required. In order to achieve this adequate management
arrangements must be made to ensure that
the role is fulfi lled in the event of any short- or long-term
staff absences. In some cases there may be more than
one potential FIC at the fi re assembly point. The provision
of one high visibility surcoat for the FIC role will
ensure that absolute clarity is achieved as to who is fulfi
lling the role on any particular occasion.
Training – FICs will need to demonstrate competence
in their role which will normally be achieved as a result
of training and experience. As a minimum it must be
expected that an FIC will receive the same training as
provided to the fi re wardens/marshals and in addition
must be given the opportunity to practise their role during
fi re evacuation drills.
Fire alarm verifi er
Role – at the time that a fi re alarm warning signal is given
it is important to instigate the emergency evacuation of
the occupants of the building, as quickly as possible.
A balance must be drawn between the risks associated
with delaying an emergency evacuation against the risks
associated with an unnecessary evacuation, which may
include the shutting down of plant and work practices.
For example, although it is vital to evacuate a sports stadium
in the event of fi re, the evacuation itself is not without
risk. It is therefore important that there is a degree
of confi dence that the evacuation itself is necessary.
As part of the evacuation procedure of a premise, fi tted
with an automatic fi re alarm, the role of an alarm verifi er
should be considered. The fi re risk assessment will indicate
at what stage an emergency evacuation may be initiated
and, depending upon the risk, this will either occur
prior to a verifi cation of the alarm, at the same time as
Entrance to zone
Search
distance
Figure 10.24 An alarm verifi er
Safety of people in the event of a fi re
the alarm is being verifi ed or as a result of the verifi cation
of the alarm. The specifi c duties of the alarm verifi er
include:
➤ Attending the fi re alarm indicator panel at the time
the alarm sounds
➤ Identify the reported location of a fi re
➤ Conducting a physical check of the location of the
fi re to ascertain if there is a fi re or a false alarm
➤ Communicating the situation to the fi re safety
manager or fi re incident controller.
Deployment – as with other key roles that assist in the
emergency evacuation of people in a fi re it is vital that,
if the emergency evacuation procedures involve a fi re
alarm verifi er, adequate management arrangements are
made to ensure that there is at least one person available
to fulfi l this role at all times.
Training – in order to be effective in this role it is
important that any persons nominated to act as a fi re
alarm verifi er are provided with training and instruction
on how to interrogate the fi re alarm panel and interpret
the information from the panel and any signs of fi re at the
location indicated.
Stewards/security staff
Role – on occasions when managing the fi re safety of
large numbers of the public it will be necessary to utilise
safety stewards. The specifi c situation where stewards
are used will determine their specifi c roles but like
fi re wardens/marshals their roles will be split into both
proactive and reactive to ensure crowd safety. Examples
of the proactive roles of safety stewards include:
➤ Providing a visible presence and thereby reassuring
the public
➤ Providing safety and other information to the public
➤ Giving direction to the crowd and individuals
➤ Identifying and dealing with hazards such as inappropriate
behaviour, blocking or obstructing of escape
routes.
In emergencies stewards will have specifi c roles, for
example:
➤ To prepare for the emergency evacuation of the
venue by opening doors, etc.
➤ To ensure members of the public remain calm and
evacuate safely
➤ Assist those who may require assistance
➤ Conduct any fi re fi ghting if appropriate.
It is important that all stewards receive a written statement
of their duties, a checklist (if this is appropriate)
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