title: dublin midland hospital group, bridgewater house

D u b l i n M i d l a n d s H o s p i t a l G r o u p F i r e P o l i c y P a g e 1 | 19

Title: Dublin Midland Hospital Group,

Bridgewater House

Fire Policy

Date: 13th May 2019

Document

Reference No:

DM/309/19 Document Developed

By:

Helen Stokes

Revision No: DM/309/19 Document Approved

By:

General Manager DMHG

Helen Stokes

Signature: Date: 26th March 2019

Approval Date: March 2019 Responsible for Implementation &

Audit:

Lead Fire Marshall Suzanne Loftus

Revision Date: March 2021 Responsibility for

Evaluation & Audit

General Manager DMHG

Helen Stokes

Responsibility for Audit of Practice:

Chief Operations Officer Orlagh Claffey


Contents

1. Policy Statement & Purpose ...................................................................... 3

1.1 Key Policy Requirements .......................................................................... 3

2. Principles of Fire Safety ............................................................................ 4

3. Roles & Responsibilities: ........................................................................... 4

3.1 Service Manager Responsibilities ............................................................... 4

3.2 Unit manager Responsibilities ................................................................... 5

3.3 Staff Responsibilities ................................................................................ 5

3.4 Fire Warden Duties .................................................................................. 6

4. Procedures .............................................................................................. 6

4.1 Action to be taken on discovering a fire ...................................................... 6

4.2 Action to be taken on hearing the alarm ..................................................... 7

4.3 False Alarms ........................................................................................... 7

5. Fire Fighting Equipment ............................................................................ 8

5.1 First Aid Fire Fighting ............................................................................... 8

5.2 Effective Use of Fire Extinguishers ............................................................. 9

5.3 False Alarms …………………………………………………………………………………………….……….10

5.4 Re-entry to the building ......................................................................... 10

5.5 Duties after evacuation .......................................................................... 10

6. Signature Record ................................................................................... 11

7. Appendices ......................................................................................... 112

(I) Glossary ......................................................................................... 12

(II) Evacuation Report ............................................................................ 13

(III) Emergency Numbers & Staff .............................................................. 14

(IV) Evacuation Plan Bridgewater House .................................................... 15

(V) All Staff Bridgewater House ............................................................... 19


1 Policy Statement & Purpose The Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003 places a duty on the ‘person having control over

premises’ to ‘take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on such premises, and to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable the safety of

persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire’. It also places a duty of care on every person being on the premises to conduct himself/herself in such a way

as to ensure that as far as is reasonably practicable any person on the premises’ is not exposed to danger from fire as a consequence of any act or omission of theirs.

Carry out an assessment of the risks from fire.

Prepare a policy on fire safety which sets out the arrangements for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventative and protective measures that are implemented to manage the identified fire risks.

Appoint a competent person.

Provide information and training for employees.

This policy sets out the structures and processes that are in place across the organisation to:

Minimise the risk of fire occurring.

Prevent the spread of fire.

Responding to a fire and the fire alarm. Evacuation procedures.

This policy aims to provide clear comprehensive direction for staff. The Dublin

Midlands Hospital Group acknowledges that it is difficult to ensure complete fire safety and account for all potential fire events and thereby acknowledges the role of staff in using their own initiative and judgment.

1.1. Key Policy Requirements

1.1.1. All staff must make themselves familiar with fire safety procedures and

equipment in their buildings.

1.1.2. Staff must read and understand the fire policy, the local fire orders and evacuation methods for their building. Appendix (I)

1.1.3. Staff must not behave in a manner that compromises fire safety i.e. smoking in non-designated smoking areas, blocking fire exits, interfering with or

damaging fire fighting equipment etc. 1.1.4. Staff are required to be vigilant and promote fire safety practices with

colleagues, visitors and other occupants in the building.


1.1.5. Staff are expected to address or report issues such as smoking in non-

designated areas, out of order fire alarms / missing or damaged fire fighting equipment etc.

1.1.6. It is the responsibility of managers to ensure that a current and relevant fire order is displayed prominently in their building and that staff have access to it.

1.1.7. It is the responsibility of all managers to ensure that their staff attend annual

fire safety training and fire drills.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction to all staff in relation to correct fire safety procedures.

This policy also aims to ensure that in the event of a fire, staff are aware of where their nearest break glass unit, firefighting equipment & fire exits are

and how they should react to a fire.

The Fire policy sets out procedures and arrangements to prevent the occurrence of fire and the actions to be taken in the event of fire within their relevant HSE building or premise.

2 Principles of Fire Safety

Fire safety principles have been developed primarily for the protection of life, these are summarized as follows:

2.1. Staff fire safety training.

2.2. Management and awareness of fire safety.

2.3. Avoidance of outbreaks of fire. 2.4. Early detection of fire and early warning to staff to facilitate adequate response.

2.5. Compartmentation and the provision of dedicated and protected escape routes.

2.6. Effective evacuation methods. Appendix (iv)

3 Roles & Responsibilities:

The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is committed to providing their staff with this policy, which will support and guide them in providing staff and visitors with a safe environment as well as a safe work environment for their staff.

3.1 Service Manager Responsibilities 3.1.1. To maintain the overall responsibility for fire safety within the service.

3.1.2. To ensure that all management and staff are provided with and participate in

fire safety training.


3.1.3. To ensure that newly appointed members of staff are provided with fire safety training as part of their induction programme.

3.1.4. To have an awareness of all fire safety features and their functions within the service.

3.1.5. To have an awareness of the fire safety risks particular to the service/building.

3.1.6. To ensure that the appropriate levels of management are always available to make decisions on fire safety matters regardless of time of day.

3.1.7. To ensure that all defective items or equipment are reported to the

maintenance department for repair or replacement. 3.1.8. To liaise with the local HSE Fire Prevention Officer on all matters pertaining to

fire safety.

3.2 Unit Manager Responsibilities Every unit managers has a responsibility to:

3.2.1. The unit manager should act as a focal point on fire safety issues and act as

the ‘eyes and ears’ within the building. 3.2.2. Raise issues regarding local fire safety with line managers.

3.2.3. Organise and assist in the fire safety regime within their local area.

3.2.4. Be responsible for roll calling during an incident/evacuation or drill.

3.2.5. Support the line manager on fire safety issues.

3.3 Staff Responsibilities

Every member of staff has a responsibility to: 3.3.1. Make themselves fully conversant with the action to take in the event of fire

and to familiarise themselves with any special fire safety requirements relating to their place of work or work practices.

3.3.2. Safeguard themselves, so far as is reasonably practicable and ensure that

other people, equipment or property are not put in jeopardy by their actions,

either by instruction, example or behaviour.

3.3.3. Follow prescribed working methods and safety procedures at all times.


3.3.4. Co-operate with management with regard to all physical fire safety provisions,

procedures, practices etc that the service puts into place for the safety of its employees, patients and visitors.

3.3.5. Comply with the requirement for fire safety training.

3.3.6. Not interfere with or misuse any fire safety equipment, which includes fire doors, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems and emergency lighting system which are provided for the health and safety of staff and residents and report

any hazard (potential or actual) to the line manager as soon as possible.

3.4 Fire Warden Duties 3.4.1. Fire Warden on hearing the alarm should sweep the area where they are

ensuring the area is clear if it is safe to do so. Wardens should note the area they have checked.

3.4.2. Fire Warden should then continue to their assembly point.

3.4.3. Fire Warden should note the zone or area of the fire on the fire alarm panel (if they exit passing the fire panel).

3.4.4. Fire Warden should perform a roll call for all employees at the assembly point and also check visitors and contractors in the sign-in book.

3.4.5. Fire Warden should note on the evacuation map all areas that have been

checked and highlight any unchecked areas to the Fire Services when they

arrive.

3.4.6. If safe to do so Fire Wardens should monitor fire doors to ensure there is no unauthorised entry to the building.

3.4.7. In the case of a detected fire the ‘Fire Services’ should be called immediately.

Emergency contact number is 112.

4 Procedures

4.1 Action to be taken on discovering a fire

The first thing to remember if you discover a fire is to remain calm and think logically about what you need to do.

4.1.1. Sound the alarm by breaking your nearest break glass unit, these are usually

located close to exit doors. 4.1.2. Call the fire brigade on 112 and give them all the information they require,

remember do not hang up the phone until you are instructed to do so.

4.1.3. Attack the fire, if safe to do so, with an appropriate extinguisher, remember always face the fire and keep a clear exit route behind you.


4.1.4. Close all doors and windows.

4.1.5. Put the practiced evacuation methods into place and report to your nearest

assembly point (note: this may not apply if progressive horizontal or phased

evacuation is to be used in your building). Appendix (IV).

4.2 Action to be taken on hearing the alarm

On hearing the alarm staff must ensure that the senior staff member on duty is immediately informed and;

4.2.1. Staff should automatically proceed to their nearest fire alarm panel to identify the suspected area of the fire.

4.2.2. The most senior member of staff on duty at the time should take charge of the

situation.

4.2.3. Attack the fire, if safe to do so, with an appropriate extinguisher, remember

always face the fire and keep your back to a clear exit route. 4.2.4. Remove staff, visitors and any other persons from immediate danger.

4.2.5. Contain the fire by closing doors and windows where possible.

4.2.6. Call the fire brigade on 112 and give them all the information they require,

remember do not hang up the phone until you are instructed to do so.

4.3 False alarms 4.4 False Alarms

After first checking the area that the alarm panel has indicated and verifying it is a

false alarm; 4.3.1. Silence the alarm.

4.3.2. Reset the system at the fire alarm control panel (Note: the alarm will not reset

until the smoke is cleared or the breakglass unit is replaced). 4.3.3. Ascertain the cause of alarm and record the details in the fire safety register.


5 Fire Fighting Equipment

5.1 First Aid Fire Fighting Fire extinguishers and fire blankets have been provided to all HSE buildings to enable

first aid fire fighting, however, there are different types of extinguishers and all staff should familiarise themselves with the different types of extinguishers available in their building and their uses. The different types of fire extinguishers and their uses

are summarised below. Note: all extinguishers are now red and the colours referenced below are a reference to the colour of the text or the colour of the label

on the extinguisher.

TYPE COLOUR FOR USE ON NOTE

WATER

Class A. SOLID materials.

Cools the fire. Use by spray at first to knock down the fire and then in a jet to penetrate and cool through to the seat of the fire.

Not for use on electrical fires.

CARBON DIOXIDE. Note the distinctive discharge horn.

Class B. Especially for use on electrical fires.

Smothers the fire by eliminating the oxygen supply. Use in one continuous burst. [Be aware of the noise made and do not hold the discharge horn due to the cooling effect].

DRY

POWDER

Check the label. May

be Class B & C only [i.e. Liquid & Gas]

or All Purpose [ABC] Powder, suitable for all classes of fire.

Smothers the fire by eliminating the

oxygen supply. Use by directing the stream at the base of the fire.

[Note the cloud which will obscure vision.]

FOAM

Class A & B Ideal for liquid fires as it forms a blanket of foam on the surface of the burning liquid and smothers the fire.

Not for use on electrical fires.

FIRE BLANKET

Small contained solid or liquid fires.

Smothers the fire by denying oxygen supply. Use by covering the fire with the blanket.


5.2 Effective Use of Fire Extinguishers

Remember, if it is safe to do so fight the fire using the ‘PASS’ method;

Pull the pin – by pulling the pin, the operating lever should unlock and allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Aim low – point the extinguisher hose/nozzle at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever – this should discharge the extinguishing agent. Some extinguishers may have a button or other means of activation.

Sweep from side to side – while you are aiming at the base of the fire, you should

sweep back and forth until the fire is extinguished. If the fire re-ignites, repeat the process.


5.3 False Alarms After first checking the area that the alarm panel has indicated and verifying it is a

false alarm;

5.3.1. Silence the alarm.

5.3.2. Reset the system at the fire alarm control panel (Note: the alarm will not reset

until the smoke is cleared or the break glass unit is replaced).

5.3.3. Ascertain the cause of alarm and record the details in the fire safety register.

5.4 Re-entry to the building 5.4.1. Do not re-enter until directed by the Building Facilities Agent, as the fire could

be located in a separate business or location within the building complex.

5.4.2. The fire alarm should be reset by the Building Facilities Agent prior to anyone

re-entering.

5.5 Duties after evacuation

5.5.1. Complete the evacuation report – Appendix (II)

5.5.2. Inform Management of the incident and report any recommendations / or

concerns.

5.5.3. Consult with other businesses in the block on any issues.

5.5.4. Request a report from the managing agent on the false alarm or planned fire

drill


6 Signature Record

I confirm that I have read and fully understood this document.

Name Grade Date


7 Appendices

7.1 Glossary Appendix (I) Glossary

Assembly Point: The location that staff and visitors go to in the event of partial or

full evacuation. A roll call is taken and all evacuees are accounted for to ensure their

safety.

Compartment (Floor or Wall): A fire resisting floor or wall used to separate one

fire compartment from another having a minimum fire resistance of 60 minutes.

Emergency: An unexpected and potentially dangerous situation, requiring

immediate actions.

Evacuation: The safe and orderly movement of people from an area of danger to an area of safety. This can be conducted in many ways for example horizontal evacuation, total evacuation, phased evacuation, etc

Exit: A point of egress from a room or area which forms part of, or gives access to,

an escape route or place of safety.

Fire: Fire, a state of combustion in which flammable materials, usually organic (carbon containing) in nature, burns to produce heat, flames and smoke.

Fire Door: A door leaf which together with its frame, hinges, door closer & fittings,

when closed, will resist the passage of smoke and fire for a stated period of time.

Fire Orders: A notice giving instruction to be followed in the event of fire.

Fire Point: Is the location of firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers and

hose reels. Each fire point has an identifying number and contains signs

demonstrating the correct use of fire safety equipment.

Sub-Compartment (wall): A fire resisting wall or partition used to sub-divide

compartments having a minimum fire resistance of 60 minutes.

Visitor: A visitor is a person who has entered the premises to visit for reasons of

friendship, business or duty. For the purpose of this policy this term covers all visitors.


Appendix (II) DMHG Evacuation Report

Evacuation Report

Building

Date Time Am

Time Evacuation

Started:

Evacuation

Completed:

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TYPE OF EVACUATION:

Persons informed prior to the evacuation:

Management Staff Monitoring Other business on

the block

Others give details:-

NAME OF MANAGER RESPONSIBLE FOR

BUILDING EVACUATION:

TEL No.

DATE


Quick Reference Evacuation Report:-

Tick as appropriate

Initial

1 Evacuation completed in a safe manner. Staff aware of

assembly points and evacuation routes.

YES NO N/A

2. Occupants of the building need to be made aware of the

evacuation procedures.

YES NO N/A

3. All floors required to be evacuated safely. YES NO N/A

4 Assembly point arrangements safe and identified YES NO N/A

5. Evacuation plan and visitors book taken to assembly point YES NO N/A

6. Security Arrangements, were there any risks? YES NO N/A

7. Fire wardens performed had employee list and completed

role call?

YES NO N/A

8. Exit routes safe and used correctly. YES NO N/A

9. Visitors and contractors assembled correctly. YES NO N/A

Observations / Comments / Recommendations:-

Copy of this report to be filed in H&S Folder


Appendix (III) Emergency Number

Emergency Numbers & Staff

Description Emergency

Numbers

Emergency Services 112 / 999

Doctor 112 / 999

Hospital – St. James’s Hospital 01 410 3000

Gardaí – Kilmainham 01 666 9700

Fire Brigade 112

Fire Alarm Service Company MASTERFIRE – 041

6853313

Warden List First Aid List

Lead Fire Marshall - Suzanne Loftus TBC and arranged

Fire Warden – Nicole Coughlan

Fire Warden – Aoife O’Leary

Senior Management Team Contact numbers

Mr. Trevor O’Callaghan – CEO 086 3843422

Ms. Orlagh Claffey – Chief Operations Officer

086 851 1084

Ms. Eileen Whelan – Chief Director of Nursing & Midwifery

086 6039048

Mr. Martin Feeley – Chief Clinical Director 087 2533819

Ms. Helen Stokes – Group General Manager 087 6182109

Mr. Joseph Campbell – Chief Director of Finance 087 0609611

Ms. Sonia Shortt – Chief Director of HR 087 2196052


Appendix (IV) Evacuation Plan


Appendix (V) All Staff in DMHG Corporate Offices – Bridgewater House

Trevor O’Callaghan Chloe Drury

Martin Feeley Joe Campbell

Eileen Whelan Arlene Crean

Sonia Shortt Orla King

Valerie Bradshaw Kieran McDonald

Geraldine O’Leary Helen Stokes

Jacob Johnston Nicole Coughlan

Suzanne Loftus Orlagh Claffey

Fiona Burke Karn Cliffe

Jacqueline McNulty Catriona McDonald

Aoife Coss Aoife O’Leary

Karen Kiernan

title: dublin midland hospital group, bridgewater house

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