Fire Safety

1. Fire Alarms

• The fire alarm is indicated by a continuous ringing of a bell.
• Fire alarm testing will be carried out weekly between the hours of 8am and 9.30am
• Fire drills may be notified beforehand by notices on building entrances, but otherwise will be scheduled each term. During planned fire drills some exit routes may be barriered off - SO BE PREPARED TO USE ALTERNATE EXITS. For this reason, make yourself familiar with your building and note any Fire Exit signage - you never know when you may need to use them
• Any faults with the fire alarm system should be reported to Security on extn. 22083.

 

2. Action in the Event of a Fire Alarm

• Switch off all equipment and services where possible.
• Close all windows and doors (do not lock doors).
• Vacate the area immediately and leave the building via the nearest emergency exit route as denoted by the GREEN RUNNING MEN signs, escorting any visitors / students out of the building.
• Proceed to the assembly area.

Assembly areas are as follows:  

IARC International Automotive Research Centre	Car parks 9 and 10
IDL International Digital Laboratory	IMC Concourse
IMC International Manufacturing Centre	IMC Concourse
IIPSI and Service Innovation	IMC Concouse
IINM International Institute for Nanocomposite Manufacturing	IMC Concourse
AMMC Advanced Materials Manufacturing Centre	IMC Concourse
EMB Engineering Management Building	Car Park 13
Arden House	By the Pond

 

3. Action to take in discovering a FIRE (if no responsible member of staff present)

 

Raise the alarm, shout ‘Fire!’ and activate the nearest fire alarm call point.   If safe to do so, shut down any machinery/equipment that you are using, close windows.   Evacuate the building via the nearest exit by following the directional fire exit signage.
Call 22222 from any INTERNAL PHONE or 024 7652 2222 from a mobile to summon the emergency services -- this will connect you to Campus Security -- and state: The place of the fire Any casualties Your name

 

Assemble and wait at the designated assembly point.

Security will arrive at the building, will check the Fire Panel and liaise directly with the Fire Brigade if in attendance.

 

 4. Fire (Evacuation) Wardens

Certain members of staff are designated Fire Wardens. The latest lists are available here.

Fire Wardens are responsible for checking areas and ensuring the building is clear. They report to the Fire Evacuation Officer, or other responsible person, when their area is checked and clear. This will include details of ANY person refusing to leave the building.

 

5. Duties of Fire (Evacuation) Wardens

• Requesting people to leave the area for which they are responsible.
• Checking that doors and windows are shut. Closed or locked doors should not be opened - you should knock and shout fire. If there is no response assume the room is empty.
• Checking all smoke and fire doors are shut.
• Escorting disabled people to fire refuges.
• Asking people to keep clear of exits on leaving the building.
• Guiding people to assembly points. People must be moved to car park 15 road side, area to the rear of the IMC should be kept clear.
• Reporting to the responsible person the status of their floor area.

If the Fire Evacuation Officer is not present, the first fire warden to reach the main entrance will assume the duties of the Reporting Officer. The clipboard and report forms are located near to the doors.

 

6. Safety of Fire (Evacuation) Wardens

 

7. Opposition to Evacuation

In the case of refusal to leave a building during an emergency or drill, Fire Wardens should remind the offender(s):

• They are putting themselves and others at risk.
• They will be subject to disciplinary action.

Fire Wardens should not use physical force to compel people to leave or engage in prolonged arguments which would put themselves at risk.

 

8. Reporting

When reaching the assembly point the Fire Warden should report to the Reporting Officer. The report should include:-

• That their warden area is clear (to their best knowledge).
• Any signs of fire, eg. smoke, and the location.
• Details of persons thought to be trapped or injured.
• Disabled people left in refuges.
• Any person refusing to evacuate.

 

9. Persons who need assistance

If you have a visual, hearing or mobility impairment that makes it more difficult to evacuate or hear the alarm whilst you are in a WMG building it is important that you liaise with your local Disability Coordinator or relevant Disability Support Service. The University utilises an Independence Assessment Tool which identifies the appropriate emergency response guidance in relation to your level of independence. This will advise when a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan would be required and when it would not. Details on this can be found from the University Fire Safety webpages.

If you need to discuss your particular requirements or are uncertain about the process at any point please contact any of the following in the first place:

Departmental Disability Co-ordinator

Students - Student Disability Services (024761) 50641; or

Staff - Human Resources Staff Disability Support (024761) 74479