Fire Safety

A dental practice is probably low risk in terms of the likelihood of a fire starting. But all fires are bad and all staff need to know what to do in the event of fire.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that a Fire Safety Risk Assessment (FSRA) must be carried out where five or more people are employed. This a legal requirement. Based on the findings of the FSRA an Emergency Plan must then be produced.

Staff must be provided with adequate fire safety training, and this should start at the beginning of the induction process. Training must be repeated periodically. Topics that should be covered during induction include, for example:

• Action to be taken on discovering a fire
• The location of call points, fire exits, fire extinguishers, and assembly point/s
• How to report any fire safety concerns

Fire Safety Awareness training should typically cover:

• Causes of fire in the workplace
• The classes of fire
• Fire extinguishers and fire blankets
• The fire triangle
• Action on discovering a fire
• Practical extinguisher training

Fire Marshal training should additionally cover:

• The role of a fire marshal
• Fires and people
• The fire log book
• Arson reduction
• Formative assessment (question paper)

A word of caution to finish. When is a fire door not a fire door? The answer: when the fire door is propped open with, usually, a fire extinguisher or some sort of wedge. It is illegal to prop open a fire door in this way. If a fire door is required to be kept open, then have the door fitted with an approved fire door retainer that will activate and allow the door to close when the fire alarm sounds. Such devices are available for around £110 including VAT and some can be fitted in less than 15 minutes.

Author Jon Kyle Andersen

www.st4training.co.uk

Posted by Gemma