Fire Safety Training Guidelines:

a) Training Provider:

Must be competent in both the subject and in training.

b) Initial and Ongoing Training:

· Induction: On the first day of appointment.

· Refresher: Regular intervals (at least annually).

· Increased Frequency: For high staff turnover or high fire risk areas.

c) Training Content for All Staff:

· Basic fire prevention and good housekeeping.

· Risk awareness and smoking policy.

· Fire routine and license terms.

· Actions upon discovering a fire or hearing an alarm.

· Knowledge of escape routes, refuges, and exits.

· Raising the alarm and locating alarm indicator panels.

· Calling the fire and rescue service.

· Assisting disabled people and fire-fighting equipment location.

· Selection and use of fire-fighting equipment.

· Importance of fire doors and equipment shutdown.

· Evacuation procedures and incident reporting.

d) Special Responsibilities:

· Staff with specific roles should receive detailed instruction and refresher training at least once or twice per year.

NOTE Persons with particular responsibilities are likely to include:

a) department heads;

b) fire marshals or fire wardens;

c) fire-fighting teams in large workplaces;

d) floor supervisors;

e) central control room staff;

f) security staff (including night security patrols);

g) attendants;

h) stewards;

i) kitchen staff;

j) engineering and maintenance staff;

k) receptionists and telephonists.

Q.2 Additional training for staff in large buildings

NOTE 1 In larger premises it can be appropriate to train specific persons to ensure that all staff and members of the public are safely evacuated and that everyone is accounted for. Special arrangements might be needed in premises where there are only occasional visitors and where formal procedures to deal with such visitors are not practicable.

Responsibilities and Training for Fire Safety:

a) Liaison with Fire and Rescue Service:

· Designate individuals to:

· Confirm everyone is accounted for.

· Determine fire location and special risks (e.g., hazardous substances).

· Arrange vehicle access for the fire and rescue service.

b) Security Personnel Briefing:

· Patrol timing and coverage.

· Call procedures for fire or suspected fire.

· Identify telephone lines connected to the exchange.

· Actions on finding a fire, including using fire-fighting equipment.

· Operation of automatic fire systems (alarms, sprinklers).

· Safe operation of self-closing doors and shutters.

· Location of main services controls.

· Directing the fire and rescue service on arrival.

c) Contractor Training:

· Minimum instruction for new employees.

· Special task-related fire safety precautions.

· Supervision or training required for tasks like welding, cutting, or using open flames.

d) Tenant and Occupant Education:

· Include in the fire safety manual.

· Regular testing of fire routines and evacuation procedures.

· Practice for disabled individuals in a manner that avoids discomfort.

e) Training Records:

· Document all training and instructions in the fire safety manual.

NOTE 2 It is a matter for local agreement whether a tenant’s staff are trained by the management of the complex or by the tenant’s management.

NOTE 3 See 43.6 for further information on test evacuations.

Annex Q (normative) Fire safety training