Fire Action Policy

Code: B4.8-1

Date: 17/06/2014

Updated 28/07/2017, 11/11/2019

Purpose:

To ensure that staff and clients shall be safe in the event of a fire.

To ensure compliance with relevant legislation.

To reduce the risk of fire by ensuring good practice.

To be ready in the event of a fire emergency

To respond effectively to a fire emergency

To recover rapidly after a fire emergency

Responsible Staff:

Implementation: Health and Safety Officer

Action: All Staff

Audit: Health and Safety Officer

Audit:

Training Resources:

How to use a water fire extinguisher

Linked Policies:

Health and Safety Policy

Fire evacuation Plan

Enabling Resources:

Policy:

Fire action is also detailed as part of the Health and Safety policy.  This duplication is intentional.

Reduction:

• Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
• Hallways and exits are free from storage and waste
• Waste paper, packaging, and other fire hazards are promptly removed
• The last person leaving the premise is responsible for ensuring that non-critical appliances and electrical equipment are switched off each night
• Cracked, frayed or broken electrical cords or plugs are reported and replaced immediately
• There is plenty of air circulation space around heat producing equipment (e.g. steriliser, photocopier, vaccine fridge and computers)
• Electrical leads and cords are placed behind or under furniture. They are never run across doors or walkways;
• Power outlets and extension boards are not overloaded;
• If an appliance or item of equipment smells or gives off smoke, it is immediately turned off, unplugged and not used until it has been checked by a qualified technician;
• Exit doors are not locked or blocked;
• Fire protection equipment is regularly checked and maintained.

Readiness:

• Fire extinguishers is located by the rear exit and to the left of the reception desk.
• Smoke alarms are connected to the alarm system.  These will call the fire brigade only when the building is not occupied (alarm set)
• A wheelchair is located in the waiting room if required for evacuating patients.
• Evacuation plans are located by the front and rear exits to the building
• A high-vis jacket is located behind the reception desk with the spillage and emergency kit.
• A fire blanket is located in reception.
• Equipment is maintained according to the audit schedule.

The duty fire warden shall be the duty receptionist on front-desk duty.

Response:

Our exact location is 18 Wycola Avenue, Hei Hei, Christchurch, 8081.

Our telephone number is 03 344 3274

The person discovering a fire shall:

• Act cquickly and raise the alarm by shouting 'Fire, Fire, Fire'
• Inform the duty receptionist of the fire
• Make a 111 call to the fire service.

The Warden shall:

• Don the high-vis jacket and alert all staff and patients to evacuate by shouting 'Fire' and where safe to do so, banging on each room door to alert occupants.
• Activate the fire alarm by pressing any of the emergency alarm buttons
• Make a 111 call to the fire service (unless certain that this has already been done)
• Proceed to the rear car park and brief staff.
• Prevent entry to the building until authorised by the Fire Service.
• Provide ongoing direction, coordination and management of the on site response.
• Meet with the officer in charge of the attending fire appliance and advise them of the status of the evacuation (i.e. if the building has been fully cleared or the location of anyone still inside) and any known facts about the emergency.

Only attempt to extinguish a fire if it is safe to do so. Our prime responsibility is the safety of people, not to fight the fire. Once the alarm is given, the evacuation procedures must be carried out.

We do not use sedation for any procedures so patients are expected to self-evacuate EXCEPT for disabled patients.

Disabilities include difficulty with mobility, breathlessness, hearing or visual impairment or mental impairment. There is a wheelchair located in the waiting room should a disabled person require assistance with relocation to a safe place. People with disability are expected to assemble in the waiting room first, and be assisted by the warden in evacuation to the place of safety outside the building. If anyone is unable to be assisted from the building they are to assemble in the waiting room.

Places of safety outside the building

Persons in the reception area, waiting room, sluice and nurse 1 room, should evacuate through the front door and gather on the car park of the neighbouring community centre.

Persons in the rear consulting rooms, nurse room 2, toilets and staff room should evacuate through the rear door and make their way round the side of the building to gather on the car park of the neighbouring community centre.

Persons in the treatment suite and annexe consulting rooms or rear storage area should exit thorugh the annexe rear door to the car park then make their way round the side of the building to gather on the car park of the neighbouring community centre.

Recovery:

• The warden shall communicate the ALL CLEAR to staff when all parties involved in the management of the incident response agree that the incident is resolved and all risks around it have been mitigated.
• The warden shall write an incident report for examination by management.
• Management will assess whether the current plans in place remain appropriate in the light of information obtained from the response.

Evacuation Plan:

Our building is small so it is easy to find the nearest exit.  Fire exits are the front and rear doors to the building.  These are always unlocked during business hours.

In this image, the front door is at the bottom, the rear doors at the top.  Green lines show the best evacuation route.