STUDENT

MANUAL

FIRE SAFETY

Contents

The importance of Fire Safety ....................................................................................................... 2

Laws and Regulations ................................................................................................................... 3

Risk Assessing .............................................................................................................................. 5

Fire Logbooks and Records ........................................................................................................... 7

Fire Wardens ............................................................................................................................... 9

Fire Prevention .......................................................................................................................... 10

Electrical Fires ............................................................................................................................ 11

Contractors Visiting the Building ................................................................................................ 12

Evacuating in an Emergency (means of escape) ........................................................................... 13

Fire Signs and Symbols ............................................................................................................... 14

Active and Passive Fire Prevention ............................................................................................. 15

Fire Equipment .......................................................................................................................... 16

Fire Extinguishers ....................................................................................................................... 17

Fire Doors .................................................................................................................................. 20

Fire Alarms ................................................................................................................................ 21

Summary ................................................................................................................................... 23

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ProTrainings Fire Safety Course Level 1 and Level 2

Welcome to your ProTrainings Fire Safety Course. This course can be taken online at

www.profiresafety.co.uk or with a ProTrainings approved instructor. You can find approved

instructors by searching on www.procourses.co.uk or by contacting us directly on

support@protrainings.eu or 01206 805359.

This manual is designed to be used exclusively by students who have completed the

ProTrainings Fire Safety Course or a fire safety course that has been certified by a ProTrainings

approved instructor. You can check that your certificate is valid and print off a PDF copy online

via your login at www.profiresafety.co.uk.

This manual is designed for all levels of ProTrainings courses, including the Level 1 and 2

courses and the QCF courses.

On completion of a classroom course you will receive a certificate and wallet sized card in the

post.

Online students can print off a certificate and certified CPD certificate upon completion of

their course.

Make sure you register online for the latest updates. Online students are automatically signed

up to receive updates. Your instructor should have registered you already, and if you are doing

an online course, you will have already received your login details if you have this book. If you

have any problems logging in or with certification, please email or call us.

This is an example of the ProTrainings classroom certificate that you will receive in the post

after your course. Online courses you print your certificate online. Your Certified CPD

certificate can be downloaded from your free ProTrainings login area.

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The importance of Fire Safety

Fire Introduction

This is an awareness course for fire safety, which is designed to make you aware of the

importance of fire safety.

The course is aimed at the workplace but the rules you should abide by are very similar to

those you should use at home.

After you have completed the course, make sure that you find out about the rules and systems

in place at your workplace, if you have not done so already. Also ensure your home has

adequately protected and regularly test smoke alarms, as well as making sure that you and

all your family know what to do in the event of a fire.

There are different types of equipment, alarms and procedures, but they are all basically the

same. The rules have to comply with the relevant laws.

The main cause of fires in the workplace and at home are down to poor housekeeping, for

example:

• Rubbish not tidied up • Poor electrics or overloading electric sockets • Poor maintenance of equipment • Poor storage of items • Arson • Misuse of electrical equipment • Portable heaters • Careless disposal of cigarettes • Children playing with matches • Careless use of cooking equipment • Hot areas • Fuels and chemicals

Fire safety awareness in the home and workplace helps to reduce fires breaking out and

reduce accidents.

3

Laws and Regulations

There are many acts and regulations in place that cover safety in the workplace.

The 1971 Fire Precautions Act

The 1971 Fire Precautions Act was the Act that used to form the law in this area. It was revised

in 1996 and there were more regulations like the Fire Certificate (Special Premises) 1976 and

the Fire Certificate (Workplace) 1997.

Other acts covered special areas, such as the Residential Homes Act, Nursing Homes Act,

Building Regulations, as well as conventional Health and Safety regulations.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

This is a comprehensive document to make workplaces carry out a comprehensive

assessment to identify hazards and to determine control measures to reduce the risks to an

acceptable level. This is the basis for all fire law that we use today.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force on 1st October 2006. It made

various changes in fire regulations across many sectors, including the voluntary sector in all

non-domestic premises England and Wales. It replaced the 1971 and 1997 Acts as one simpler

set of regulations. It introduced significant changes to regulation and enforcement.

The fire service can make inspection visits to make sure companies and buildings comply with

this order.

The Order mainly introduced:

• One simple Fire Safety Regime • Risk assessment-based planning • That a “Responsible Person” was to be appointed and the responsibility was passed to

them. They have to carry out risk assessments

The Order applies to all buildings that the public have access to, including places of work.

The Order is much more focused on prevention, to reduce the number of instances of fire-

related problems.

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With risk assessing and planning, the Order:

• Identifies risks and, therefore, avoids them • Evaluates risks that cannot be eliminated • Develops prevention policies • Combats risks at the source and replaces dangerous practices with safe or less dangerous ones • Develops prevention policies • Instructs and trains staff • Keeps fire prevention and safety policy continually

addressed and reviewed

The Order covers fire safety in England and Wales. Similar

acts were introduced elsewhere, including:

• Fire (Scotland) Act 2005

• Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Act 2005

Who is a Responsible Person?

Employers are responsible for fire safety measures in the workplace.

Where the premises are not a workplace, there needs to be someone who has overall control

for the premises.

Where there is no overall management then the responsible person is the occupier.

If none of the above apply, the owner is the responsible person and must:

• Review and plans emergency action plans • Arrange regular risk assessments • Provide fire detection systems • Appoint other competent people • Provide information to employees and building users • Eliminate or reduce risk

The Competent Person

The workplace must also have competent people who help to ensure that the fire planning

runs smoothly.

• Someone appointed by the responsible person, such as a fire warden/marshal, alarm supplier, system maintenance engineer, etc.

• Contractors must also be “competent” and checked before they are used

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Risk Assessing

From 1st October 2006, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 laid down that the

Responsible Person (RP) of any non-domestic premises must carry out a fire risk assessment,

including measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of fire, and identify persons at risk.

The definition of a Responsible Person is contained in the

above Order.

Where there are five or more employees, a record must be

kept of significant findings.

Risk assessing is a balancing act between the risk and the

likelihood of that risk actually happening. Then the cost and

practicality of protecting against the risk have to be

balanced.

Risk assessing is a formal process but we are constantly

doing mini risk assessments, for example every time we

cross the road. The HSE have a guide on the steps to risk

assessment that is available from them or from their

website. Risk assessments have five main stages:

1. Identify the fire hazard 2. Identify the people at risk 3. Evaluate the risks 4. Record your findings 5. Review and revise the risk assessments

1. Identify the Fire Hazard

Look at what potential hazards are in the workplace and document them. There are many

different types of hazards and the list will be different depending on the type of workplace

and work practices. Two identical work places would each need a separate risk assessment,

and they may well be different.

In the risk assessment, the RP must list:

• Ignition sources • Fuel sources • Heat sources • Exits • Flames, chemicals, electrical problems • Types of people in the area • Work carried out in the area • Contractors used • Public access

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2. Identify the People at Risk

• Who is at risk? • Is there someone who works occasionally in the area • Is language a problem • Special needs, for example deaf, disabled, etc. • How quickly can they make their escape? • How will fire spread and affect them? • Number of people in the area

3. Evaluate the Risks

Once the risks and people at risk have been identified, the next step is to evaluate the risk to

determine whether it can be eliminated or reduced.

• Not all risks can be eliminated • Decide on what control measures need to be taken, such as changes in policies,

changing materials used, changing exits, training, etc. • Discuss your findings with employers and employees to establish the best practice

4. Record your Findings

It is a legal requirement to keep complete records.

They should:

• Be complete and include the whole workplace and everyone at risk • Show the risks and the control measures • Record all tests and reports on the test results • Show that existing control measures are adequate • Show that all staff are trained adequately • Include simple floor plans to show routes and areas of risk

5. Review and Revise the Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are only accurate on the day they were carried out. Review the risk

assessment:

• At regular intervals • Whenever anything changes in the workplace • With any changes in the people employed • When any contractor is used • Whenever it is deemed necessary • Whenever a risk is identified or reported

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Fire Logbooks and Records

Records and logs are best kept in one place and they will need to be inspected by a fire safety

officer. Records can be held digitally or manually, or both.

Records must be reviewed and checked to ensure complete and up to date compliance. It is

a legal requirement to keep and maintain fire safety records.

Records kept for:

• Risk assessments • Regular checks • Maintenance carried out • Training that has been carried out and when due to refresh • All records need to be dated and kept safe and up to date

Employee Responsibilities

• All employees should be aware of all fire systems and evacuation • To understand and follow all workplace policies • To practice all fire drills responsibly • To attend training where required • To be aware of fire policies on the first day of employment and review whenever

revised. Signs should be placed to update and remind employees

Training and Staff Awareness

Training is important and good policies are needed to ensure that staff take the alarm

seriously. Regular weekly alarm tests should be completed and all staff and visitors should be

informed of test times and durations. Evacuation practices should be carried out to test

workplace policies.

People often ignore alarms as they think it’s just a test or accidental activation, so education

is important.

Ensuring that staff have a basic understanding of fire will help save lives and speed up safe

evacuation. Make sure that all staff comply with the good housekeeping guidance, and make

sure that all exits are kept clear and easily accessible.

Regular practice sessions are needed to ensure that all staff know what to do in the event of

a fire alarm and how to get visitors out to a safe assembly point. These should ideally take

place twice a year as a minimum, and more frequently in higher risk areas. The best type of

practice is one that is unannounced, and its findings reported on and measures for

improvement actioned.

All staff and visitors should be made aware of the assembly point. The target is to evacuate

in less than four minutes. It is very important to have a nominated person to call the

Emergency Services and give them exact directions to the building and liaise with the Fire

Services when they arrive.

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The nominated person should tell the Fire Services where the fire started, they should also

have the visitors’ book and staff records available, and be able to confirm if all staff and

visitors are accounted for or if there is anyone trapped in the building.

Risk assessments are made and a training policy established.

• Depends on risks and people employed • Needs to be repeated where necessary • Must be documented and reviewed • Training is not just a course like this, it can also be a fire drill or emergency practice • Formal fire courses need to be supplemented with in-house updates on policy

changes. A course cannot tell you the in-house arrangements and locations

Reporting Problems

If any member of staff identifies a problem then it needs to be reported to ensure that

action is taken to solve this problem or reduce the risk. New issues are identified all the

time and the existing fire plans and risk assessments may not work in a certain situation.

• Report any problems immediately • If you can fix the problem, do so • Move any risks if safe to do so • Make sure you report problems to the correct person • Take notes and document the problem correctly • Follow up on decision • Be prepared to take the report to a higher level

Cost to Businesses from Fire

Fires cost businesses millions of pounds every year, and this affects the employees as well as

the local community in those cases where employment is affected after a fire. It is difficult to

quantify the exact cost, but it does affect both the employer and the employees.

Not all losses are insurable, so even after the fire the business may not get back to the position

it was in before the fire. Lost orders and lost customers can cause permanent damage to a

business, and it may not be able to recover.

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Fire Wardens

Businesses or premises take precautions to ensure that there are staff trained to help in an

emergency and to evacuate and follow the emergency plans.

Fire wardens need to:

• Be spread across the workplace in places where they can cover all areas • Be employed in a position that does not involve being off site as part of their work • Be responsible persons and of the correct nature to instruct people in an emergency • Make sure exits and equipment are always ready and functional • Ensure that all escape routes are clear • Ensure that all fire doors work and that external escapes open fully without

obstruction • Have lists of all employees that are up to date • Be aware of policies and who the responsible people are, and be able to pass this

information onto new employees • Arrange and oversee fire drills • Ensure the fire logs and records are up to date • Be fully trained • Ensure that there is no slip, trip or fall hazards, and that health and safety rules are

being followed • Assist in risk assessments and emergency plans • Be aware of all company changes in policy and working practices that may change the

action that would need to be taken in a fire emergency (moving of a machine, new buildings, etc.)

• Ensure lighting is correct for exit and assembly points • Make sure that all electrical equipment is tested and being used correctly • Make sure that all cooking equipment is used correctly • Monitor, review, report and document at all times • Work with debrief sessions for drills and real evacuations

If fire does break out then the fire warden:

• Helps to evacuate the building

• Carries out head counts to ensure everyone is accounted for

• Checks an allocated area before they leave the building

• Makes sure that all the fire doors are closed and windows shut

• Fights a fire only if safe to do so and they have training

• Reports their findings to the fire service and others

If a fire warden is away from his usual place of work when fire breaks out then there is usually

someone in the company who would act on their behalf in an emergency.

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Fire Prevention

Prevention is very important. Businesses do a lot of work to assess for risks and prevent fires

breaking out. All employees need to also do their bit to ensure that the risks are reduced.

Fire prevention can be helped by:

• Following and reviewing risk assessments • Testing equipment and alarms • Maintaining and using all equipment correctly • Keeping the workplace tidy • Taking care when storing potentially hazardous products • Staff training and awareness • Following smoking policies • Reporting any possible problems

The Fire Triangle

The components needed to create a fire are Oxygen, Heat and Fuel. When you can remove

one part of the triangle, the fire cannot spread.

OXYGEN - can be in the air. Chemicals such as fertiliser or

bleach produce oxygen. Keeping doors and windows

closed helps cut down on the amount of oxygen that will

feed fire.

HEAT - machines, heat from processes like cooking, naked flames, matches and heaters.

FUEL - paper, flammable liquids, gases, solvents, coal, wood, plastic.

Removing or reducing one of these sources can prevent

fires.

Many things such as can cause fire, such as:

• Arson

• Electrical

• Poor house keeping

• Smoking

• Chemical reaction

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Electrical Fires

Overheating of electrical equipment and cables can cause electrical fires.

Poor insulation can cause sparks that ignite

other material.

Be aware of the dangers of electrocution.

• Have all electrical equipment PAT tested and ensure that all tests are documented, as well as stickers put on the appliances (as required)

• Turn off equipment when not in use

• Avoid overloading sockets or extension leads

Chemical Fires

• Petrol is not the only chemical that is flammable; many chemicals burn, such as paints, cleaning fluids and solvents

• It can be difficult to put chemical fires

out as they spread and re-ignite if not

sealed • Take care the chemical does not harm

you on contact or by inhalation

Good Housekeeping

One of the most common causes of fires and

other health and safety accidents is poor

housekeeping.

Good housekeeping is an easy way of reducing

fire risk:

• Ensure rubbish is cleared regularly • Use non-flammable materials • Check electrics correctly • Correct training and awareness of staff • No smoking policy • Careful use in kitchens • Carry out daily inspections

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Contractors Visiting the Building

Contractors coming into the workplace also need to be aware of and follow the rules.

• Check what they are bringing onto the site • What are they doing? • Where are they going? • Carry out a risk assessment • Agree what is to be done and when it will be finished • Agree what they will do with rubbish, and what dust will be created and sparks will be

caused • Use only competent contractors

Preventing Arson

Arson can be a problem and is sometimes difficult to prevent, but some basic precautions can

help reduce the risk:

• Keep rubbish tidy

• Careful placement of bins and use lockable skips where possible • Keep windows closed

• Special fireproof letter boxes

• Prevent unauthorised access to the building

• Have effective fire detection systems

• Install good CCTV systems

Calling the Fire Service

Calling the fire service is done using 999 or 112 by a landline or mobile phone, but they need

certain information. A nominated person is usually responsible for this.

Remember the communication does not stop with the phone call. The nominated person

should meet with the fire crew to tell them where the fire is, if anyone is unaccounted for,

what is the safest way to the fire, and other information they may need. They will also need

to know if there are any dangerous substances like chemicals, gas, fuel or oxygen that could

make their work even more dangerous.

Tell them:

• The exact address • If there are people in the building • What has happened

• Any special direction they should

approach from • When they arrive have the fire records

ready and explain any special dangers that are present, like gas or fuel

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Evacuating in an Emergency (means of escape)

The procedures for each building are different. You need to follow the procedures for your

place of work, but the basics are to leave personal items behind as these may impede your

exit.

Respond to the alarm, but always be aware that your best

exit may not be the closest one as the fire could be

between you and your nearest evacuation route. Walk in

a calm manner and be observant.

On exiting the building, go straight to your nominated assembly point, so that you can all be

accounted for.

Make sure you notify the designated person of anything you think may be a concern and of

any missing persons, who they are, and where were they last seen.

Stay at your assembly point until directed that you can return by the fire service or designated

person.

Make sure you find out your evacuating plans in your workplace.

When you discover a fire, raise the alarm:

• Clear the area, furthest part first • Fight the fire if safe to do so • Evacuate the area according to the evacuation plan

• Role call of all staff • Await emergency services • Debrief and return only when told to by the fire

Meeting Point

• When you evacuate a building, there will be a pre-determined meeting point where

you meet once out of the building

• A role call is made and you stay there until told to move or return to the building

• Find out the meeting points and evacuation routes at your workplace

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Fire Signs and Symbols

Signs come in different colours and types, depending on what they are trying to say. The

basic colour codes are:

Mandatory Signs

These are blue in colour and would indicate something that

must be done, like a fire door must be kept shut or how to

activate the fire service.

Safe Signs

These are green in colour to indicate what is safe to do in an

emergency. These are things like a fire assembly point or fire

exit.

These signs often glow in the dark or are lit by emergency

lights to help you exit the building if the lightings fail.

Information Signs

A red sign would indicate information on something, such

as what type of extinguisher is here or where a fire hose is.

They also tell you what type of extinguisher to use.

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Active and Passive Fire Prevention

Active fire protection systems like automatic water sprinkler and spray systems are widely

used in many buildings. The fire protection system may be to extinguish the fire, control the

fire or provide exposure protection to prevent domino effects. There are other more

specialised systems using inert gases and halogen-based gases, which are used for flooding

enclosed spaces.

Active firefighting systems need to be reliable

and the design of the system should

demonstrate this. The design of firefighting

systems should conform to specified standards,

such as BS 5306 Code of practice for

extinguishing installation and equipment and

the Fire Offices Committee “Tentative rules for

medium and high velocity spray systems”.

The location of items such as the foam and

water sources should be a safe distance from

any hazardous installation. Critical valving and

instruments cabling located on the protected

installation should be capable of withstanding

the effects of fire and heat.

The system should be supplied by a secure water supply, which should include items such as

backup diesel pumps where appropriate. The design must ensure that the active fire

protection system is not starved of water due to other demands on the water supply system

during a fire.

Passive fire protection can provide an effective alternative to active systems for protecting

against vessel failure. This generally consists of a coating of fire-resistant insulating media

applied to a vessel or steel surface.

It is often used where water or other active protection media supplies are inadequate, such

as in remote locations, or where there are difficulties with handling fire water run-off. Fire

walls are another form of passive fire protection that can be used to prevent the spread of

fire and the exposure of adjacent equipment to thermal radiation.

An important criterion in deciding which system is most appropriate for fire exposure

protection is the likely duration of the exposure to fire, as passive fire protection is only

effective for short duration exposure (1-2 hours).

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Fire Equipment

Firefighting equipment is not a replacement for getting out of the building. Companies put a

lot of time into ensuring they comply with regulations and safe practice but in an emergency

the best thing is usually to evacuate safely by following the signs and exits rather than

attempting to fight a fire. This is best left to the fire service.

Fire equipment includes: alarms, extinguishers, fire doors, emergency lights, signs, visitor

books, trained people. We will look at these individually.

• Signs indicating rules, exits, alarms and assembly points are important fire safety equipment, as are completed staff records and visitor books. Do not use unless safe to do so

• There are different types and you need to make sure you use the right one, as using

the wrong one could make things worse.

They only last for a short period of

time, so ensure you can put out the

fire with what you have. Fires are

extinguished by smothering, cooling

or starvation.

There are a few types of extinguishers

and they need to be maintained and

checked regularly and tested

annually. Before you fight a fire, you

must ensure safety, and only use

them if it is safe to do so. It’s usually

best to leave it to the professionals.

In kitchens, be very careful of putting water on a fire as it turns to steam and expands 1700

to 1, which adds more oxygen to the fire and will become another burn risk. Fire blankets also

can be used to control a fire, but only if trained to use them.

There are special rules for the placement of extinguishers. No one should travel more than

30m to find them, and they should be mounted in pairs on the wall. Care has to be taken to

keep them clean and protected.

Fire alarm types include automatic and manual, and can work on smoke or

heat detection, or both. A manual system could be as simple as shouting

FIRE or ringing a bell. An automatic system would sound and alarm, and

some automatically activate the emergency services, set off sprinklers or

many other things.

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Fire Extinguishers

From 2001, all fire extinguishers have to comply with the European Standard EN3 and be red

with a coloured band to identify the contents and use. The band should be less than 5% of

the total surface area.

They are simple to use:

• Read the instructions • Locate and remove the pin • Get in a safe position • Know your exit • Keep low and safe • Do not fight a fire if larger than the size of a waste paper basket • Green Halon extinguishers are illegal in the UK, apart from a few specialist uses • Use the correct extinguisher for the fire class

Classes of Fire

Fires are quoted as different classes to ensure the correct extinguisher is used:

CLASS A - Solids such as wood, plastics

CLASS B - Flammable liquids such as paraffin or petrol

CLASS C - Flammable gases such as butane or propane

CLASS D - Metals

CLASS F - Cooking oils or fat

Electrical fires

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Water Extinguishers

• These are the most widespread type and the cheapest

• Ideal as they cool the fire

• Not suitable for electrical or class B liquid fires

• Range up to 6m and last for 60-90 seconds

Foam Extinguishers

• These seal flammable liquids from igniting again by the foam floating on the liquid to seal it

• Do not use on chip pan fires

• Safer than water if accidently sprayed on electrics

• Range about 4.5m, duration about 60 seconds

CO2 Extinguishers

• Limited use on class B fires as the gas does not stay, but ideal on live electrical fires

• Do not use on chip pan fires

• Does not cool the fire

• Do not touch horn as it freezes and take care in confined spaces

• Range about 2m, duration varies

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Dry Powder

• Safe on electrical fires

• Fine on most liquid fires, apart from chip pan fires

• Provides rapid fire knockdown, but does not seal the fire so take care of the fire starting again

• Allow powder to clear and be ready to use again

Wet Chemical Extinguisher

• Ideal for chip pan, cooking oil and fat fires

• Not recommended for home use or class B fires

• Sprays as a fine mist to cool the fire and the potassium salts saponify the oil surface to producing a layer over the oil

• Spray also prevents splashing

Saponify = (Chemistry) to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which

a fat is converted into a soap by treatment with alkali

Fire blankets

• Ideal to wrap over someone’s clothes it they are on fire

• If the blanket does not fully cover the fire, it will not work

• Take care of flames coming around blanket to hurt user

• Works by smothering the fire and starving it of oxygen

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Fire Doors

Fire doors do not work if they are wedged open. Some have automatic closers on them, but most are a normal strong door with the target time of 30 minutes of protection against a fire. They should seal correctly and be checked to ensure they comply with local regulations.

If you have to open a door during a fire, look around the

door for smoke or staining, touch the door carefully with

the back of your hand to check for heat, touch the furniture

in the same way to see if there is any heat. If the door is

hot then do not open it as the added air can fuel the fire. If

a door is hot and someone is on the other side, you have

to make a decision as to whether it is safe to enter.

If you do open the door, crouch down, foot to base of door and slowly look. Smoke rises, so

as you are low down you can see under the smoke as to how bad the situation is. Use the

door as a shield and keep low as heat and smoke rises and the air is easier to breath low down.

Some buildings have a stay put policy, as this is may be deemed safer than leaving the

building.

Dangers Involved with Fire and Smoke

People get injured in many ways. Often people do not respect fire and assume that they will

be unaffected.

Most of us have at some time been near a bonfire and will know that when the wind changes

direction and smoke blows towards you, you close your eyes as the smoke is an irritant.

Smoke in your eyes makes them water and blurs your vision, which can easily make you

become disorientated.

In an enclosed situation involving fire, this situation is far worse, and you are seriously at risk;

you could easily become a victim of smoke and get disoriented, which could cause you to

become lost, even in a familiar environment. This could affect your ability to make your way

out to safety.

As the smoke gets into your lungs, your respiration is affected and you could soon become

unconscious.

Take care if opening any door (including a fire door) in an emergency:

• Listen and feel the door with the back of your hand to feel for heat • Take care with door handles, as they conduct heat more than the door itself • Keep low • Put foot at base of door • Open door slightly and look • Be ready to close the door quickly

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Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are a legal requirement in buildings, but systems can

differ. Some are fully automatic systems, while other may be to

use a hand bell and shout to warn people. All systems need to be

checked at regular intervals and recorded.

Employees need to be aware of the alarm system and evacuation

policy.

Shouted warnings (e.g. “FIRE”) are acceptable in small areas.

There are many different types of alarm system and fire detection system. They work in

different ways to ensure that any risk of fire is identified quickly. Sometimes there are false

alarms, but all alarm activations need to be treated as real threats until it is known to be a

false alarm.

• Smoke alarms - Detect small amounts of

smoke

• Heat detectors - Detect rises in temperature • Linked to emergency lighting systems • Must have effective exit signs in the building

to establish the best exit. Signs usually glow in the dark

• Must be maintained by a competent person and not be turned off

• Everyone must be able to hear the alarm • Any employee who has hearing problems, or

who works in a noisy environment, needs to be able to know the alarm has activated. Flashing lights are very good in these cases

Emergency Lighting

Used to show an exit if the power if lost. They have internal batteries that activate to light

the exit routes.

There are different types available and

they need to be checked at regular

intervals.

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Smoke alarms in the home

The subjects we have spoken about will apply to all

buildings, including the home.

Smoke alarms are inexpensive and, if tested regularly,

can make the difference between life and death.

You’re more than twice as likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works.

18 people die each year because the battery in their smoke alarm was flat or missing (Fire

Safety in the Home 2011).

Fire Sense

It is a great idea for the whole family to create a Fire Safety Plan together, as it is best to

involve everyone in the household, including the children, to encourage awareness.

You need to decide which is the best route out of the house, and what steps to take and

where to go if it isn’t possible to get out.

There are excellent free materials available to help you at www.direct.gov.uk.

When you stay in a hotel, take time to find out where the exits are and where the assembly

point is; this information is available, and is usually found on the door to your room - how

often do you actually read it?

Fire Safety in your Workplace

Now you have learned about fire safety, you need to return to your workplace and apply this

information there. If you are not sure, ask.

Learn about:

• Emergency plans • Risk assessments • Responsible people • Fire alarm systems • Firefighting equipment • The workplace and environment • Evacuation plans

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Summary

If you completed our online course, you will be able to download and print your completion

certificate online as soon as you have passed the test. If you completed a classroom course,

you will receive a ProTrainings wall certificate and wallet card like the below image in the post

after the course. You can download and print both versions of your Certified CPD certificate

from your free ProTrainings login area.

If you require any further assistance or would like information on this or any ProTrainings course,

email support@protrainings.uk or call 01206 805359.

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Useful Websites

ProTrainings Europe Limited www.ProTrainings.uk

The General Dental Council www.gdc-uk.org

Health and Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk

The Resuscitation Council (UK) www.resus.org.uk

Skills for Health www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation www.ofqual.gov.uk

Ofsted www.gov.uk/ofsted

Skills for Care www.skillsforcare.org.uk

The CPD Standards Office www.cpdstandards.com

QMS International www.qmsuk.com

TQUK

www.tquk.org/

FutureQuals www.futurequals.com/

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ProTrainings Europe Limited 650 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YQ

Telephone: 01206 805 359 / Email: info@protrainings.uk

Web: www.protrainings.uk