CHOLSEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST
Fire Safety Policy
It is the policy of Cholsey Community Development Trust (CCDT) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that its operation and services are conducted in such a manner as to prevent harm or injury to employees, residents, contractors, visitors, property and the environment.
CCDT recognises its duty to take all reasonable steps to continuously review and make improvements when and where necessary, with regards to fire safety standards, and also to ensure that its statutory obligations are met at all times.
CCDT also considers that there must be co-operation between management, employees and others who may be affected by the way in which we carry out our work, if the highest standards in Fire Safety are to be achieved.
Our statement of general policy is:
• To reduce the risk of fire, to put in place effective plans and procedures in the event of any fire and to meet any government and legal requirements related to fire safety.
• to provide adequate control of any risks arising from our work activities;
• to ensure that all staff, volunteers and users of our buildings are aware of our fire policy and procedure
• to provide and maintain safety equipment;
• to provide clear information, instruction and supervision for employees and volunteers;
• provide and maintain open channels of communication to enable employees, residents, visitors and contractors to raise health and safety issues; and
• To review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals.
Responsibilities
Overall and final responsibility for health and safety is that of the Trustees of The Trust.
Day-to-day responsibility for ensuring this policy is put into practice is delegated to the staff involved with relevant activities, who will be the Trust’s (acting) Chief Officer.
All employees, volunteers and buildings users must:
• Co-operate with instructions and procedures on fire safety matters;
• Not interfere with anything provided to safeguard against the risk or spread of fire;
• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety; and
• Report any risks to a suitable person immediately.
• Follow the Trusts fire safety procedures.
1) Cholsey CDT will:
Ensure all fire safety equipment is regularly checked and maintained: this includes but is not exclusive to: – fire extinguishers
– Safety notices
– Fire blankets
– Fire exit signs
Carry out regular safety checks these include but are not exclusive to:
– Daily checks for obstructions and hazards and checks to ensure all signage and notices are in place
– Weekly fire alarm testing
– Six monthly fire drills and testing of procedures
– Annual review of the fire safety policy and procedures
Ensure that all users of the building are aware of the fire safety policy and in particular evacuation procedure and risk reduction controls.
Provide relevant staff, volunteers & users with such information, instruction, training and
Supervision as is necessary to ensure familiarity with evacuation procedures and fire-fighting equipment.
2) Risk Reduction Controls
There must be no use of pyrotechnics within the Great Hall or Cricket Pavilion at any times and all users must ensure that this is adhered to.
There must be no use of naked flames and users of the building are asked to use battery powered candles rather than naked flames.
All electrical equipment used in the buildings must be PAT tested
If helium balloons are used in the Great Hall then any user must ensure that they do not escape and hang from the ceiling.
Where seating is placed in rows all gangways must be at least 1.05m wide and linked seating must be linked in groups between 4 and 12. No seat should be more than 7 seats from the nearest gangway.
3) Contractors using the premises
All contractors employed to use the premises or undertaking work at the premises must:
– Complete a fire risk assessment related to their specific work or project prior to the event/ activity
– Liaise with CDT staff to ensure that building policies and procedures are followed.
– Ensure all equipment is safety tested
– Ensure that safe practice is undertaken in particular with regard to any “hot works” they may be carrying out.
4) All Staff, Volunteers & hirers of the premises must:
Ensure that they are familiar with the trusts fire safety policy and procedures and agree to abide by them.
Check all exits, gangways and entrances and ensure they are clear of any obstruction or hazard.
Ensure that all visitors are made aware of fire exits and what to do in the event of a fire.
5) In the Event of a fire at The Great Hall
Any person discovering a fire must activate the alarm at the nearest point and where possible alert others to the danger.
Upon hearing the fire alarm or being alerted to the presence of a fire all persons should evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit calmly without gathering any personal possessions or equipment.
The fire evacuation point is: The Sports Field
As a rule all fire-fighting should be left to those with sufficient training to do so. The priority is for all users inside the building to evacuate and gather on the sports field.
Do not re-enter the building until advised to do so by the fire service, the responsible person (either the main hirer, the trusts chief officer or other senior member of staff)
6) In the Event of a fire at The Cricket Pavilion
Any person discovering a fire should alert others to the presence of the fire and should evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit calmly and without stopping to collect any personal possessions or equipment.
The fire evacuation point is: The Sports Field
As a rule all fire-fighting should be left to those with sufficient training to do so. The priority is for all users inside the building to evacuate and gather on the sports field.
Do not re-enter the building until advised to do so by the fire service, the responsible person (either the main hirer, the trusts chief officer or other senior member of staff)
External Consultants
External Fire Safety consultants will be responsible for providing professional Fire safety advice, as required, and they will fulfil the role of “Competent Person”, meeting the requirements as outlined within the Regulatory Reform [fire safety] Order 2005 for the time being in the relevant area.”