Fire safety
Fire represents one of the most significant risks both to the University's buildings and potentially to those within them. The University undertakes fire risk assessment of all of its properties and has a range of procedures in place to manage fire safety both at a central level and in individual buildings. This includes procedures for routine testing of fire alarm systems, conducting fire drills and for training of staff.
Heads of Management Unit are expected to co-operate with these procedures and also to develop local arrangements to manage specific fire risk that may arise from the nature of the work undertaken in their Unit. e.g. use of flammable liquids or gases etc. (see DSEAR guidance within "Chemicals" section)
Area Fire Officers and Fire Wardens
Heads of Management Unit are responsible for ensuring that an Area Fire Offiicer (AFO) and one or more Depute Area Fire Offiicers are appointed from amongst their staff for each building in which their unit is located. These appointments will normally be made in consultation with other Units based within the building. In larger buildings, SEPS may also require appointment of Fire Wardens to assist during fire drills and building evacuations. The duties of Area Fire Officers and Fire Wardens are given below.
Fire Drills
Fire drills are typically carried out twice per year and are arranged by SEPS in consultation with the building AFO. ALL occupants MUST evacuate the building during any fire alarm activation whether this is known to be a drill or is an unplanned activation of the alarm system.
Fire Training
It is essential that all staff are aware of the action they should take to avoid causing a fire and and to respond correctly should they become involved in an incident. All staff should attend the fire training sessions arranged by SEPS as soon after they begin work in the University as practicable. Thereafter, they should aim to re-attend on a 4-yearly basis for refresher training.
The following resources can be used to familiarise new staff with fire safety matters and also provide a useful refresher for other staff and students.
Fire Procedures. A short training guide
Fire Extinguishers - Colour Code Chart
Fire Extinguishers - Colours, Classes and Guidance on Use
University Policy and Guidance on arrangements for the evacution of disabled people.
For information on fire safety training and to borrow fire safety videos/DVDs see the Training section of SEPS web page.
"Hot" Work
Some building maintenance tasks may involve the use of equipment capable of igniting a fire. - Typically this is known a "hot" work. Examples of this include the use of blowlamps, grinders, welding equipment - in essence any equipment that produces heat, sparks or has a naked flame may fall into this category. All Management Units MUST operate suitable procedures to control such work whenever it is carried on outside a controlled environment such as a workshop or laboratory. Further details of the procedures required can be found on our Hot Work page.