Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fire wardens/marshals
Role
- the terms fi re warden and fi re marshal are used to
describe the same role. It is important to realise that fi re
wardens and fi re marshals have two distinct roles which
contribute to the safety of people in fi re. First, they have
a proactive role that requires them to support the ongoing
management of fi re safety by carrying out such duties as:
The specifi c proactive duties of a fi re warden/mar-
shal will need to be devised as a result of the fi re risk
assessment for the workplace. It is important to record
the identifi cation of the individuals fulfi lling the role
along with their training and their specifi c duties (see
Appendix 10.2).
In terms of the reactive role of a fi re warden/
marshal, they need to competently respond to emergen-
cies. Different organisations will develop slightly different
procedures for emergency evacuation and therefore will
require their wardens/marshals to take actions that are
tailored to the particular building/organisation.
However, the emergency role of a fi re warden/
marshal must include the following:
➤
Carrying out an ongoing fi re risk assessment while
at work
➤
Identifying fi re hazards and removing them or report-
ing them to management, for example:
➤
Taking action to reduce the risk of arson
➤
Ensuring fl ammable liquids are stored and used
correctly
➤
Ensuring sources of ignition are limited or con-
trolled (for example, checking permits to work
for any hot work)
➤
Knowing how to raise the alarm
➤
Knowing how to call the fi re service
➤
Knowing where the means of escape for the part of
the workplace that they are responsible for is
➤
Being prepared and trained to use fi re fi ghting
equipment if it is safe to do so
➤
Monitoring smoking in the workplace
Monitoring the build-up of combustible storage
and waste
➤
Monitoring fi re protection measures, for example:
➤
➤
Assisting the evacuation of people by:
➤
Ensuring fi re doors are in good condition and
kept locked or closed shut as necessary
➤
Donning a high visibility jacket or waistcoat in
order to be easily recognised
➤
Ensuring fi re fi ghting equipment is in position,
tested and in good condition
➤
Assisting disabled staff members in accordance
with individual PEEPS
➤
Ensuring means of escape including corridors
and fi nal exit doors are not obstructed particu-
larly with combustible material
➤
Conducting a quick but thorough check or
sweep of all rooms including walk-in cupboards,
plant rooms and toilets
➤
Ensuring all doors required to provide emer-
gency egress are clearly marked and operate as
they should
➤
Ensuring heat generating equipment is turned off
➤
Closing doors and windows if possible
➤
Reporting to the fi re incident controller the situ-
ation within their area of responsibility)
➤
Knowing what action to take in the event of a fi re
➤
Being trained to tackle fi re should the need arise
➤
Take a roll call
➤
Being competent to assist in the full and safe evacu-
ation of people in the event of a fi re.
➤
Assist the return to the workplace when the fi re
service confi rm it is safe to do so.
Figure 10.21
A fi re warden supervising an emergency
evacuation
Figure 10.22
Example of an evacuation tally board
