SUBJECT

TRAINER

LOCATION

TIME

FIRE AWARENESS

G. BROADHURST

CARE HOME

1.5 - 2  HOURS

SUBJECT

CONTENT EXPLAINED

LEARNING OUTCOME

ACTION ON ALARM SOUNDING

Make work area safe – go to panel - reassure residents – ask visitors to leave.

Fire warden is in charge and checks the fire panel to establish which zone it is.

Staff know what to do if they hear the fire alarm.

Check the fire panel and sends TWO staff members to investigate the cause.

ACTION ON DISCOVERY OF FIRE

Check room – rescue persons if possible – close the door – raise the alarm – 999 and start evacuation.

Staff know the correct order of actions to take if they discover a fire.

Staff will report back to the fire warden who will take the appropriate action.

Triangle of fire and application

Oxygen fuel and heat

How this affects fire and works to extinguish it.

Know the importance of understanding the three elements and how it affects fire and can be used to suppress or extinguish it.

Explain the types of extinguisher on site and how to use them

Water – solids

C02 – Electrical and liquids

Foam – Liquids and solids

Wet Chemical/Water Mist – oils

Dry powder – not for general use                      indoors

Fire Blanket – clothing only

Practical demo without discharge.

Action to take before using any FFE including – evacuate the area first – raise the alarm – call 999 ensure the escape route is clear – ensure you have read the instructions on the equipment and you think it is safe to use.

Understand a large fire is bigger than a small waste bin.

Explain make up of a fire door

Practical instruction

Show and explain – solid construction – 3 hinges – smoke seals and strips – glazing – 3mm gaps – self closing devices and or exit release mechanisms.

Understand a good fire door that is closed will contain a fire for at least 30 minutes giving time for evacuation.

Staff will understand the importance of keeping a fire to a single room by closing the door.

Explain flashover and backdraft

Flashover can occur with a free burning fire when the fire reaches its highest temperature and smoke level in a room causing a fire to move from one part of the room to another.

Backdraft can occur with a slow burning fire in an enclosed compartment and when the door or window is open a back draft occurs.

Understanding the need to keep doors closed and how a flashover can build up in a room with the door open

Understand the importance of using the door entry procedure to prevent backdraft and protect the person entering the room if a fire is suspected

Door entry procedures

Fire wardens will brief staff at the fire panel before sending them to search

Practical demonstration

Use all senses – sight – hearing – smell on approach to the door.

Use the back of the hand to check for heat and get into the correct position to enter the room safely – crack the door look up for smoke and down for people.

Understand fire safety equipment including smoke detectors can fail and the need to enter the room safely to carry out checks.

Fire Zone searching in pairs

Search from both ends of a fire zone simultaneously checking each room and area as you go.

If you locate a fire use action on discovery of a fire procedures and report to fire warden immediately.

Enter each room if no fire is discovered and check the detector heads and break glass points. Report back to fire warden what you have found.

Understand the need for a methodical search procedure so nothing is missed, and the fire warden is alerted to a fire or false call as soon as possible before calling 999.

Specific policies within the Fire Risk Assessment

Discuss and read the fire safety policies as written in the fire risk assessment including – bathing residents – staff outside when the alarm is raised – visitor policies – smoking – loft indicators actuated – assembly points.

Staff will understand the company written policies as documented within the Fra.

Explain PEEPS and the traffic light system

Personal emergency escape plans for residents explain what assistance they require in an emergency.

The result of the PEEP is displayed on the bedroom door using Green – Amber and Red.

The staff understand what a PEEP is and what it is used to assist persons to escape in an emergency.

Progressive Horizontal evacuation

Moving persons initially at least 2 fire doors away from danger and gradually further away if required.

Staff will understand about moving persons to a place of relative safety as it is not acceptable to move residents outside due to conditions.

Discuss any evacuation equipment if provided on site

Explain the safe use of evacuation sledges, stair walkers – lifts – Hoists – whistles – handlamps – high vis jackets - radios

Lifts cannot be used if the alarm is raised – equipment can only be used by trained staff – High Vis jackets and lamps so persons can be seen and look for items – radio contact makes searching and passing information quicker

Practical walk about to look at specific risks

Practical walkaround

Explain Dead end situations, mezzanine floors, the make up of zones and compartments.

Some properties have more complexed layouts therefore staff may need further explanation on how to evacuate safely.

Look at several zones and discuss how the best way it would be to evacuate this area

Practical

Look how many residents will have to be moved initially behind 2 fire doors before moving them again.

Establish the higher risk zones.

Ask the wardens to give their opinion of the best way to evacuate each zone.

The wardens will be more confident in using the evacuation procedures and how best to move residents away from danger.

Depending on the care home a walk around may be necessary to look at specific risks

May require practical walkaround

Explain Dead end situations, mezzanine floors, the make up of zones and compartments.

Some properties have more complexed layouts therefore staff may need further explanation on how to evacuate safely.

Q&A

Choose several staff and ask questions related to the above to ensure the content is understood.

Staff feel more confident.