Appendix 4 Fire Evacuation Plan

Appendix 4 - St Aidan’s Fire Evacuation Plan 2020-21

The purpose of this plan is to establish procedures for the systematic, safe and orderly evacuation of the House in the event of any fire emergency and to prevent and/or minimize injury and property damage. This Fire Evacuation Plan will become operational upon activation of the fire alarm system or any other notification of a fire emergency situation.

All members of the House must familiarise themselves with the information and instructions given below and treat every alarm as a genuine emergency.

Fire Evacuation is directed by the Housemistress and/or the Assistant Housemistress who are trained and designated Fire Wardens. They may be assisted by the House Matron or other House staff.

On discovering a fire or if you see or smell smoke –ACE

ACTIVATE THE FIRE ALARM AT THE NEAREST POINT. CONTAIN FIRE AND SMOKE BY CLOSING DOORS CLOSE TO WHERE YOU KNOW OR IMAGINE THE FIRE TO BE. EXTINGUISH THE FIRE IF YOU ARE COMPETENT AND IF IT IS REASONABLE TO DO SO, OTHERWISE LEAVE THE BUILDING.

On hearing the fire alarm all members of the House must leave the building immediately via the nearest exit and proceed to the Assembly Point (at night, take torches /hand lamps). The fire assembly point is the orchard area above the infirmary.

DO NOT run; DO NOT talk; DO NOT use the lift; DO NOT stop to collect personal belongings; Do NOT re-enter the building until authorised to do so by the Fire Warden on duty.

St Aidan’s Fire Evacuation Plan

Routine responsibilities:

• The Duty Fire Warden will put on her Fire Warden Jacket and take control. • A sweep of the junior wing will be undertaken by the Housemistress • A sweep of the sixth form corridors will be undertaken by Housemistress • A sweep of the ground floor will be undertaken by Housemistress / Matron

Staff should carry a fire extinguisher with them when sweeping rooms and test close doors for heat with their hand before opening them.

On hearing the fire alarm the Duty Fire Warden will:

Instruct another designated member of staff to: (a) Check the fire panel and identify the location of the alarm (b) Call the Fire Brigade 9 (999) immediately using a mobile telephone or the telephone in at Aidan’s House or the Infirmary and provide all relevant information (Do not hang up until told to do so.)

Subsequently the Duty Fire Warden will:

Collect the fire register (all visitors must sign this routinely on entering and leaving the House). Supervise the evacuation of the House via the established means of escape to the House Assembly Point which is located on the grass between the Infirmary and the road or, if necessary, the designated identifiable place of total safety (the Infirmary) Provide support to enable injured or disabled students to evacuate. Take a roll call of assembled students Report the location of the fire, and any missing persons and/or unswept rooms to the Fire Brigade on their arrival. (It is helpful to have a printed plan.)

Between the hours of 6.00pm and 6.00am, the Night Watchman’s pager will be activated automatically and he will proceed to the Main Entrance to await and direct the Fire Brigade to the fire.

At other times, this responsibility will be undertaken by Housemistress, Assistant Housemistress or Matron.