Fire Evacuation Drills London:
An fire evacuation drill should be carried out at least twice a year (6 monthly). This will be dependant on the size, nature & operations of your business. |
PEEP: Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan Developed where disabilities are known and aided by the business individual plan such as: Staff workplace, residential care homes, churches, social, sports or hobby clubs. | GEEP: General Emergency Evacuation Plan Developed where disabilities are not known initially such as: Hotels that assist multiple disabilities, shopping centres, cinemas, nightclubs, bars & restaurants. |
The same rules of courtesy and respect apply to disabled people and non-disabled people alike.
Disabled people should not be treated as a health & safety problem, to be resolved. See the person, not the disability.
The needs and preferences will vary between individuals. Disabled people should be meaningfully involved at all stages in the development and review of their PEEP. Ask, don't assume, when determining what assistance he or she may need.
Individual Plan (IP)
A plan for employees & regular users of a building such as;
Residents, Contractors or Students who require special provision to ensure their safety in the event of a fire - this is written by management on a case by case basis in-conjunction with the individuals concerned and is tailored to their individual needs and includes detailed information of their movements during an evacuation.
It may be necessary to provide a plan for each building or room that they visit. Once agreed, a copy shall be kept by the disabled person concerned, the duty holder & any other person who is legally required to know the content of the plan.
Blocks Of Flats: Purpose Built or Converted:
There is some confusion as to the correct protocols for persons with mobility issues to follow. The fire risk assessment, whilst covering the common areas, must also address the potential evacuation requirements for persons with mobility challenges.
This may involve addressing refuges, or places of relative safety, addressing fire door issues to enable any smoke vents positive pressure systems to allow disabled persons to be able to open their doors in an emergency or, whether fire-fighting lifts are able to be used or are shut-down in an emergency. Furthermore, discussing and organising the provision of suitable emergency escape equipment, albeit an evac-chair or an evac-sledge, especially so if an stay put policy has been deemed not practical, or limited in time. It may also require responsible persons to assist in the evacuation.
Remember, disabilities can affect anyone at anytime. Whether it be a mobility concern such as a wheelchair user or injured person or old age person with limited mobility, someone with reduced vision, hearing impaired, psychiatric conditions to name but a few, an PEEP or GEEP must be introduced and implemented to protect the welfare of ALL within the building.
We have heard quotes on several occasions stipulating, "We do not have any disabled people, so we are not going to put a PEEP in-place". Whilst that may be the case, the above list can show - that scenario can change 'overnight' therefore, it is imperative to plan for this event beforehand and be kept up-to-date by regularly reviewing the building safety requirements.
An example: We assessed one high rise block of flats and found the building was adopting an 'stay-put policy'. However, on further investigation, we found the common areas had an fully functioning fire alarm system, indicating simultaneous evacuation. Furthermore, all flats were provided with gas mains supply - therefore, the PEEP required was not only required under a fire scenario, but also required for an gas leak scenario - was stay-put suitable in a gas leak - No it wasn't. There were many persons on-site with mental health conditions and as such are deemed as 'vulnerable persons'. An PEEP was most certainly required and eventually implemented after our comprehensive guidance and legally binding advice.
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Fire Evacuation Drill: Small Workplace 1. Internal Policies & Procedures 2. Fire Alarm System 3. Fire Action Notices |
Fire Evacuation Drill: Medium Workplace 1. Evacuating 05 - 200 Persons 2. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans 3. General Emergency Evacuation Plans 4. Optimum Evacuation Time 5. Actual Evacuation Time 6. Full Fire Evacuation Drill Report |
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Means Of Escape: Vertical Evacuation: (High Rise Blocks Of Flats & Multi-Storey Premises):
(A) Simultaneous Evacuation
Unprotected Staircase - Fire Calculations
(B) Phased Evacuation
Protected Staircase - Fire Calculations
(C) Ground Floor Evacuation
Merging Staircase - Fire Calculations
Further Details - See our info-links below:
1. Fire Risk Assessment - Block of Flats
2. Fire Risk Assessment - House in Multiple Occupation
3. Fire Risk Assessment - Commercial Premises
Our Fire Safety Risk Assessors/ Fire Safety Managers - Manage All Types Of Premises & Building Occupancy Fire Safety.
Contact Us for your legal, cost-effective ex-fire service Fire Safety Officer - Fire Evacuation Drill Report on: 0800 999 8595.
London Fire Risk Assessment - Fire Risk Assessment Inspection, Fire Risk Assessment Report, Fire Safety Strategy, Fire Safety Consultancy, Fire Extinguisher Service, Fire Warden Training & Fire Evacuation Drills in London Westminster, Shepherds Bush, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Kensington, Chelsea, Pimlico, Whitechapel, Clerkenwell, Tottenham, Canary Wharf & Greenwich - MG Fire Safety Group is the trading name of London Fire Risk Assessment.