Rank: Forum user 
|
Hi
I like the sweep system. It does not require the keeping of tedious records of who is in the building and who has popped out to the shops. They can also take some time to complete which I hear can irritate the fire brigade.
But, if a fire marshal detects or sees a fire in the area he is required to sweep his instructions will be to find an alternative escape route and not to put himself in danger. So he cannot report that his area is clear. I’m imagining a laboratory that is 20 yards long, with bays that you can’t see into unless you walk past them. (And no I’m not going to re-design the labs.)
Now we have a problem, getting everyone out is our responsibility not the fire brigades (as I understand it).
So my question is where do I go from here? Insist on an unreliable register or hope that someone the other side of the fire has been able to use the other exit to that area, there are exits at each end of the lab. I could insist everyone wears an RFID so we know where everyone is at all times. (How long did you spend in the toilet?)
What does a fire fighter think, is there anyone in there or not?
I guess there won’t be an answer but I’m hoping there is one.
Thanks
Graham
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
This has rasied its head at our place recently.
A provider of basic fire awareness training on our site (800+ staff) includes labs and workshops as well as offices mentioned to some of our staff, that he felt it’s wrong for us not to have a roll call. He has been told to wind his neck in but it has started bit of a panic amongst some staff who seem to think that unless we have a roll call we are someway deficient in fire safety.
We don’t have one because:
1. We evacuate by block not the whole site
2. So that it is impossible to keep track of which blocks people are in, and the blocks have more than one entrance/exit.
3. And of course people can leave the site at any time.
Does anybody do roll calls?
As well as relying on our fire wardens to sweep the building, staff are reminded that it is their responsibility to get themselves out promptly when the alarm goes off. Every room (including labs) has a speaker which broadcasts the evacuation message – it alternates between a siren and a recorded message, which we have set as loud as we dare. I doubt anybody could miss it. We do not allow staff in labs to listen to music on headphones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
If an area has not been checked due to whatever reason, the information to be provided to the fire brigade would be that the particular area has not been "swept"--they will take a decision to check that area based on this.
We also have several buildings and chemical labs with free movement of personnel--roll calls are not practical.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
I have to agree with the previous two respondents.
The idea of 'area clear' or whatever you call your floor sweeps is to confirm or not that a given area is clear of people (be they staff or visitors). If a Fire Warden for a given area cannot guarantee this for the reasons you have provided in the situation you highlight, then it must be conveyed to the Fire Brigade attending that 'x' area has not been swept (with a brief explanation as to why). The Brigade will then make a decision whether to enter/ sweep/ rescue or not from there.
There is too much margin for error for roll calls to be useful in areas where there is free movement of staff between buildings/ zones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
horses for courses...
depends on the FRA and building use, occupancy, control etc.
In public sector property areas registers are useless -worse than. In high risk premises then the register can b used to confirm limited access points are not occupied by those who have keys or access control.
Like I said - consider all options - even a bit of both might work, so long as it is managed properly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Where I previously worked we had a long building with three floors, multiple exits and two assembly points.
We used the sweep method and issued radios to the reception staff who then coordinated the assembly points. The marshalls could then report to either assembly point and the coordinator would log on a sheet that the marshalls area had been cleared. The information was then coordinated via the radios to each assembly location.
This was the process during the day but in the evenings when there were less staff in and not enough people in to 'sweep' the building we used the register method, staff who were working late had to log this via phone with the night steward and then report out as they left.
This worked well for us and the fire brigade were happy with the system.
As with previous posters a roll call in the day during maximum occupancy wasn't feasable. So the marshalls were taught how to sweep and given certain locations to check.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Yes, Graham - in general terms, it is your company's responsibility to put in place systems to evacuate the premises and the fire service's responsibility to rescue.
A sweep is designed to be a belt a braces approach in addition to a fire alarm actuation to ensure that everyone has taken heed of the alarm
So, where there is a confirmed fire (say within a lab) and the situation is so serious that your Marshall cannot enter the vicinity, the movement of any personnel is no longer an evacuation but now becomes a potential rescue.
The Marshall's time will be better used confirming a fire exists and ensuring the fire service is called, ensuring all fire doors are closed to further contain the fire and being available to brief the fire service upon their arrival of the circumstances, including the fact that no sweep has taken place.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.