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Fire Safety Training For all staff. START FINISH

Learning Objectives Welcome to the Fire Safety Theory e-learning module This course forms part of your mandatory training and ensures that all staff are aware of your contribution to maintaining high standards of fire safety for yourself, your colleagues, visitors and any others. This training should be taken alternate years in conjunction with your face to face Fire training. An introduction to fire safety Types of fire alarms Types of fire extinguishers Evacuation Policies and information Your part in fire safety START FINISH

Introduction Fire safety responsibilities for employers and employees are put in place by Fire Safety Legislation, Health & Safety Legislation, and Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) guidance published by the Department of Health. The Trust has a range of Policies and Procedures that ensure that all employees, visitors and others are safe. However as an employee of the Trust you also have responsibilities, including:- Under the Regulatory Reform ( Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Trust’s Fire Safety Policy, all employees have a responsibility to assist in the maintenance of the fire precautions Take reasonable care for the safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work To co-operate with the Trust to enable any duty or requirement to be performed or complied with Informing the Trust of any situation which you believe presents a serious and immediate danger or represents a shortcoming in the Trust’s arrangements for safety. Ensure that a Fire evacuation drill is undertaken every six months START FINISH

Fire evacuation drills are to be undertaken every 12 months. Question Fire evacuation drills are to be undertaken every 12 months. True False Continue START FINISH

How fires start and how to avoid them Fires do start, but for a fire to start the conditions have to be right. There has to be something to burn - fuel in the form of combustible materials. There has to be something that causes the combustible material to get so hot that it ignites - heat in the form of ignition sources. There has to be enough air (oxygen) for materials to burn. This is often referred to as the fire triangle, pictured below. START FINISH

Oxygen Fuel Heat Preventing & Extinguishing a Fire Continue Click on each component to find out Oxygen Without an oxygen supply, a fire cannot begin or continue. Oxygen can be removed from the triangle by using a fire extinguisher. Without fuel a fire cannot start or will stop. There are two ways fuel can be removed: naturally, where the fire has consumed all the burnable fuel or manually, by removing the fuel from a fire. Fuel Heat Without heat a fire cannot begin. If a fire becomes cool enough, it will not keep burning. Heat can be removed by removing the item causing heat. Continue START FINISH

Basic Fire Safety Ignition sources in the workplace must be controlled. Faulty electrical equipment is a common source of ignition.   The Trust regularly inspects and maintains its electrical equipment and services. It is a requirement that equipment is used correctly for its intended purpose and any faults reported promptly. You are responsible for the electrical equipment you use. There are particular danger signs you should look out for on all the electrical items you have in your workplace: Hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow frequently, flickering lights, scorch marks on sockets or plugs: these are all signs of problems that should be reported. Overloaded sockets – too many electrical appliances plugged into one socket or the use of an adaptor can overload a circuit, which will lead to overheating – use only the adapters approved by the Trust Do not allow visitors to use their own equipment unless it has been tested / authorised by the Estates Electrical department. START FINISH

Filing cabinet in front of electrical sockets Question Which of the following is something you need to look out for with electrical items in the workplace Filing cabinet in front of electrical sockets Overloaded sockets Continue START FINISH

No Smoking Some people are still tempted to smoke in Trust buildings or on Trust property. Remember it is both local Trust Policy and Department of Health NHS Policy, that you are not allowed to smoke on or in ANY NHS premises. Deliberate Ignition Arson is one of the reasons it is important to follow the Trust’s Security procedures, particularly ensuring that doors and windows are closed to prevent unauthorised access. START FINISH

Other ignition sources include: Cooking Many fires are caused by toasters. Portable Heaters Should only be used as a last resort and be tested for electrical safety prior to use. START FINISH

Fire Fighting Equipment All areas are provided with fire-fighting equipment.  You may choose to fight a fire but ONLY if it is safe to do you must never place yourself at risk. Within the Trust you will find the following types of extinguishers:- Water Fire Extinguishers A Water extinguisher works by cooling burning material so there is not enough heat for it to continue burning. Water is effective on fires involving combustible solids such as wood, paper and textiles. DO NOT use Water extinguishers when: Electricity may be present. Water conducts electrical current and there is a danger of electrocution. The fire involves fat or flammable liquids. Water can rapidly turn into steam and cause a huge fireball. Oil and fat float on water, spreading the fire. START FINISH

Fire Fighting Equipment Foam Fire Extinguishers Foam Extinguishers work by excluding oxygen from the fire, sealing the fire under the foam layer. Foam is highly effective for fires involving fat or flammable liquids. Foam is also suitable for combustible solids, e.g. fires involving wood, paper, and textile. DO NOT use Foam Extinguishers when electricity is present. Foam is water-based so there is a danger of electrocution. START FINISH

Fire Fighting Equipment CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Fire Extinguishers Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers work by excluding oxygen. Carbon Dioxide is effective on fires involving electrical equipment as it is a gas and does not damage the equipment or conduct electricity. CO2 is effective on fires involving flammable liquids that are contained. DO NOT use Carbon Dioxide extinguishers when in a confined space, such as a walk-in cupboard. CO2 is stored under pressure and when released, it increases in volume (500 times). If used in a confined space, CO2 replaces all the oxygen available, making it impossible for you to breathe. Carbon Dioxide has no residual cooling effect, so there is a danger of a fire re-igniting if items remain hot. START FINISH

Fire Fighting Equipment Fire Blankets Fire Blankets are made of fire-resistant materials. They are particularly useful for smothering small fires or for wrapping around a person whose clothing is on fire. Fire Blankets are most often found in kitchen-like areas. It should not be located too close to any appliance (kettle, microwave, toaster) as you may not be able to reach it in the event of a fire. START FINISH

Which type of fire extinguisher would you use to remove oxygen? Question Which type of fire extinguisher would you use to remove oxygen? Foam Water CO2 Continue START FINISH

Raising the Alarm If you discover a fire YOU MUST: Immediately activate the fire alarm by operating the nearest Call-point and shout to notify anyone in the vicinity. Evacuate by the safest route following your local Fire Safety Procedures. Close all windows and doors as you leave and area. Call 999 to alert the Fire & Rescue Service. START FINISH

Raising the Alarm If you discover a fire DO NOT: Panic, it can affect your ability to make safe decisions and can make others panic. Risk being trapped. Never move to a position where the fire is between you and your exit. If the fire spreads suddenly, you may be cut off. Put yourself in further danger. Attempt to tackle a fire unless you are certain you can do so safely. If there is any doubt, GET OUT - leave it to the Fire Brigade. START FINISH

If the fire alarm is activated If the fire alarm is activated YOU MUST: Calmly follow you local Fire Safety procedure. If you're with a visitor, ask them to follow you. If the fire alarm is activated YOU MUST NOT: Stop to collect your personal belongings. Attempt to return to your own workstation or try to finish the work you are doing. Use lifts or escalators (unless they have been specifically designed to allow for fire evacuation) as the power may be switched off and you may become trapped or have an accident. Remember Smoke is as dangerous as fire. Smoke also rises so, if you are evacuating from a smoke filled area, the safest breathing area is likely to be nearest to the floor. START FINISH

Elevators should be used as an escape route in the event of a fire Question Elevators should be used as an escape route in the event of a fire TRUE FALSE Continue START FINISH

Review – Fire Procedures When the fire alarm is activated, follow your Fire Safety Procedure immediately. If you discover a fire, shout to notify those in the immediate danger area and activate the fire alarm. Follow your Fire Safety Procedure immediately. When evacuating from a smoke filled room, the safest breathing area is nearest the floor. Never place yourself in further danger. Only tackle a fire if you are certain that you can do so safely. If you have evacuated from the building, go immediately to your Assembly Point. START FINISH

Good Housekeeping and Maintenance The prevention and control of fire is all about stopping heat, fuel and oxygen coming together. Good housekeeping habits and the maintenance of fire precautions are an important part of fire prevention and creates a safe workplace. Good housekeeping reduces risk by: Limiting the amount of flammable and combustible materials in the workplace - quantities greater than the daily need should be kept in a secure store room. Controlling ignition sources Keeping work areas, aisles, sidewalks, stairways, and safety equipment should be kept clear of loose materials, scraps, etc. Keep all fire doors closed - Fire doors must never be held open with wedges; the Trust provides a number of fittings that allow doors to be held open, but will allow them to close on the operation of the fire alarm.  Some fire doors do not have self-closing devices, and are normally kept locked shut. START FINISH

Summary Summary Prepare yourself by making sure you know the Fire Safety Procedures in your workplace. Ask yourself: Where is the nearest Fire Alarm? Where is the nearest Fire Exit and where does it lead? Where is the nearest Fire Extinguisher and do I know how to use it? What is the Evacuation Procedure, including for those who need help to leave? Where is my Assembly Point? Who is my Cascade Fire Safety Trainer and Fire Warden? If you don't know the answer to any of those questions, you should find out from your Line Manager! START FINISH

Remember, if you want to find more information / evidence about this subject or anything else which is relevant to your work or study, join your local healthcare library. For staff in Essex contact Basildon Healthcare Library. www.btuheks.nhs.uk library@btuh.nhs.uk 01268 524900 EX3594  It may be that you work in a different area, for example Luton. Details of all the Health Libraries in the East of England can be found at this site… You are welcome to join any of these. www.eel.nhs.uk START FINISH

Review of Objective(s) Before completing the test, please ensure you have acquired the relevant knowledge against the modules objective(s) below: An introduction to fire safety Types of fire alarms Types of fire extinguishers Evacuation Policies and information Your part in fire safety If not, please take this opportunity to revisit the presentation content. CONTINUE START FINISH

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