Stonehouse Community Association Fire Safety Policy

Responsibilities for the Trustees.

Stonehouse Community Association trustees are responsible for the day-to- day management of the Community Centre. The Stonehouse Community Association trustees is comprised of elected members.

They are responsible for the implementation of this Fire Safety Policy.

They will implement the following to ensure the fire safety of all users of the Community Centre:

1. FIRE SAFETY CO-ORDINATOR

The Stonehouse Community Association trustees will appoint one of its members to act as the Community Centres Fire Safety Co-ordinator.

This person will co-ordinate a rota for regular Fire safety checks (detailed on items below) which they will sign off the results in the Fire safety Log Book. The Co-ordinator will monitor that all inspections have been carried out.

2. FIRE SAFETY LOG BOOKS

All relevant Fire Safety log books detailing the Fire Risk Assessments, alarm tests, firefighting equipment checks etc, will be maintained by the The Stonehouse Community Association trustees.

3. SMOKE DETECTORS

Smoke detectors tested 6 monthly and results recorded in log book.

4. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Firefighting equipment is provided in appropriate places within the Community Centre, according to the particular fire risk posed (e.g. Fire Blanket within the kitchen). All firefighting equipment will be visually checked at least on a bi-monthly basis by the Stonehouse Community Association trustees and will be serviced and maintained on an annual basis by a recognised contractor, and the results recorded. Any extinguisher that has been discharged / damaged will be replaced immediately by a recognised contractor.

5. EMERGENCY LIGHTING

All emergency lighting will be serviced and maintained on an annual basis by a recognised contractor, and the results recorded.

6. ESCAPE ROUTES AND EXITS

All Community Centre escape routes and exits are clearly signed and will be kept free from obstruction at all times, to ensure safe evacuation from the building.

7. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND APPLIANCES

The Community Centre's electrical wiring installation and portable electrical appliances will be inspected every year by a recognised contractor, and the results recorded.

8. SIGNAGE & ASSEMBLY POINT

Details of escape routes; evacuation procedures and assembly points will be recorded.

The Fire Safety Co-ordinator has designated a safe assembly point to be used in the event of an evacuation. All Community Centre users and visitors are made aware of its location.

10. FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS

The Stonehouse Community Association trustees are responsible for conducting regular visual inspections of the Community Centre and all its fire safety equipment. They will ensure:

• All firefighting equipment is present and serviceable and is in a floor stand or wall mounted and not used as a “door stop”.

• All fire routes and exits are free from obstruction.

• All fire doors a kept shut when not in use and not propped open.

• Any flammable liquids are correctly stored; and there is no accumulation of rubbish within or near the building to create a fire hazard.

The results of these fire safety inspections should be recorded.

11. FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS

The Stonehouse Community Association Fire Risk Assessment will be undertaken on at least an annual basis by the Fire Risk Co-ordinator, and the results recorded.

The Fire Risk Assessment will be a Standing Agenda Item at all Trustee Meetings.

12. FIRE AND EMERGENCY EVACUATION

All users of the Community Centre will be required to familiarise themselves with the ‘FIRE Safety Guidance and Emergency Plan’ for Hirers, which is displayed on the Community Centre's Notice Board.

Stonehouse Community Association 

Registered Charity No: 301624

 

FIRE Safety Guidance and Emergency Plan for Hirers

Safety Guidance

YOU, THE HIRER are the ‘RESPONSIBLE PERSON’ in the event of a Fire or an Emergency within Stonehouse Community Centre during your hire of the Centre.

At all times the Community Centre is in use, the ‘RESPONSIBLE PERSON’ must be in charge, and ready to take control of any incident.

Please read and become familiar with these instructions.

Your priority should ALWAYS be to save lives and NOT the building!

BEFORE YOUR EVENT STARTS:

• Check that all Community Centre ‘Fire Exit’ routes are not blocked, e.g. by tables, chairs or boxes;

• Check that you know where the Community Centre's Fire Extinguishers are stored, and the different uses of the water and powder fire extinguishers;

• Check that all electrical equipment and extension leads that have been brought into and/or are being used within the Community Centre look safe to use;

• Check that no balloons or other decorations have been hung within the Community Centre so that they could fall down and obstruct a Fire Exit.

• Inform all of your Attendees of the Community Centre's ‘Fire Exit’ routes, and the ‘Assembly Point’ outside.

DURING YOUR EVENT:

• Count number of attendees are at your event

• Ensure that the Community Centre's ‘Fire Exit’ routes do not become obstructed;

• Brief any disabled people and/or their assistants regarding their best evacuation route from the Community Centre in the event of a fire or an emergency;

• Ensure that no vehicle obstructs the Community Centre's main entrance and those with prams/buggies may be able to leave the Community Centre safely;

• Ensure that emergency services vehicles have a clear access route to the Community Centre from the street;

• Ensure that your event attendees do not engage in any activity that is likely to cause a fire (e.g. smoking, unsupervised use of candles or other naked flames)

• Be vigilant regarding any smells of burning, or a gradual build-up of smoke.

AFTER YOUR EVENT:

• Ensure exits are clear

• Ensure any naked flames have been extinguished

• Ensure all kitchen appliances are switched off and unplugged