Rank: New forum user 
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Hi, Just after some advice.
We do a staged office closing and close up one of our 2 front doors, which is also a fire exit, at 5pm when the building is supposed to close. There is also a metal shutter that is drawn down in front of it and so it is totally unusable. However recently we have people working later than 5pm but we have continued to close up that fire exit otherwise there is alot of gates and doors for the last person leaving to lock up. All employees are aware of the door closure and it is in our risk assessment but a member of staff has said that it is dangerous and in a fire they may panic. We are a basic office and do not have any flammable substances, electrical equipment is turned off at night etc. so the chance of a fire is low. I know a lot of other building who do a staged lockup and just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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So for this particular member of staff they should ensure they leave before the lock up commences?
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Rank: Super forum user
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So for this particular member of staff they should ensure they leave before the lock up commences?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Do you need this door to safely evacuate those in the building after 5pm, by virtue of the travel distances involved, number of staff or for any other reason? If your FRA has determined that you do not and it is safe to lock down in this manner (you say it is 'in your risk assessment') then carry on as you are. If there are any doubts, you really need a plan B when it comes to locking up. Its not possible to offer a compliant workplace on a part time basis! The fact that somebody might panic is either a medical/MH problem or someone being policitcal or a pain in the neck. If you FRA findings are suitable & significant, inform this person that the locking up is part of a procedure and is compliant with fire safety legislation. Their failure to accept the procedure is non compliance and will not be tolerated.
If they continue to express concern, why not hold a fire drill at 5.15 for his/her benefit?
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Rank: Super forum user
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What you need is some sort of “dynamic” FRA. As the building is locked down you need to assess if the exits etc are still adequate at each stage of the lock down, taking into account the reduced numbers in the building and the assumed lower risk (but is that assumption valid?) A fire drill during this process is very good idea. So that you check to see if the assumption you are making are correct. Are the numbers staying on consistent? Is it always the same people in the same locations? Finally do they actually need to stay on?
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