21. Describe what to do in the event of a fire

All workplaces will have
their own specific procedures you will need to follow in the event of a fire
emergency.

You must make sure that you are aware of and
understand these procedures. If you discover a fire, you need to:

-Raise the alarm
-Break the glass
-Press the button

-Call the emergency services on 999 immediately

-Get out of the building

-Go to the assembly point

-Always act calmly
and quickly. 

-Do not delay to
collect personal items.

Everyone
in your workplace should be able to escape to a place of total safety.

Either unaided or with assistance, but
without the help of the fire and rescue service. Where possible, escort those
who are mobile to the Assembly Point. Some of the individuals you support might
need help and specific staff will be assigned to do this because more support
and time is likely to be required. Details of how to support these individuals
will be recorded in their Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). 

If you hear the fire alarm…

-do not wait for others to decide what action
needs to be taken or to discuss and decide if it is a real emergency or
not. 

-Fires can spread really quickly.

-Taking immediate
action could save yours and other people’s lives.

You may have received
specific fire extinguisher training.

If a small fire has just started and you can
competently use an extinguisher, then you may be able to prevent the fire from
spreading. Do not put yourself or anyone else in unnecessary danger.

Fire extinguisher colour codes

If a fire starts in a kitchen, such as a
pan-fire for example, then a fire-blanket could be used to extinguish the fire
by smothering the pan and starving it of oxygen, or by using a
fire-extinguisher. 

These are the specific types of extinguisher
for different types of fire.

To operate a fire
extinguisher

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Be careful to use the right extinguisher for the job or you could make
the situation worse.

Water

Dry powder

Foam

CO2

Wet chemical