If there is a fire in your home or work, or place wherever elsewhere, will you know what action to take?

When faced with the first stages of fire, it is essential that you know what to do for your safety and action that should be taken. The following are basic procedures which you will need to adapt to ensure rapid extinguishment.

Discovering a Fire

You may discover a fire anywhere, by seeing, smelling or hearing it. If you do discover an outbreak of fire, think about the specific tasks which have been allocated to you to perform, and stay calm. Panicking will affect your ability to act effectively, and may frighten others unnecessarily.

Many people extinguish small fires safely, preventing serious injury or damage. But others are injured and even die while attempting to tackle fires which should have been left to the experts or trained personnel.

The following points are very important and must always be considered before tackling a fire:

• Only tackle a fire in its very early stages. IF IN DOUBT, GET OUT.
• Always put your own and other people’s safety first. Never risk injury to fight fire. Make sure you can escape if you need to. Remember smoke can kill. IF IN DOUBT, GET OUT.
• Never let a fire get between you and your way out. If you have any doubt whether your extinguisher is suitable for the fire, do NOT use it, GET OUT.
• Fire extinguishers are for “first aid” fire fighting only. Never tackle a fire if it is starting to spread to other items in the room, or if the room is beginning to fill with smoke. IF IN DOUBT, GET OUT.

IF IN DOUBT, GET OUT.

Make sure that the Fire Brigade has been called.

Raising the Alarm

On discovering an outbreak of fire, contain it as best you can to prevent its spread and raise the alarm immediately. You should know how to activate the fire alarm system, the location of the nearest alarm call point, and any other ways of raising the alarm at your place of work.

Alert the Fire Warden/Marshal and anyone in the immediate area.

The Fire Brigade must always be notified in the event of a fire incident, regardless of its size. One person should be nominated to call the Fire Brigade but all employees should know how to do so.

Calling the Fire Brigade

When you contact the Emergency Services, ask for the Fire Brigade, and explain clearly:

• Exactly what has happened?
• The name and address of the premises.
• Where in the building the outbreak has occurred.
• Whether anyone is injured or trapped.
• What action has been taken?
• Details of the main access points.

Then confirm the exact name and address of the premises. This can save vital minutes.

Evacuation

Fast, safe evacuation is an essential priority, for although flames can be contained and limited for a considerable length of time, smoke and fumes cannot be prevented from spreading through the structure of a building.

You should leave the building by the most direct route available as soon as the alarm sounds. Do not collect any personal belongings, stop to finish work in hand, or return to your work position. Evacuate the building immediately.

Do not use lifts, as you may get trapped if the electrical power fails.

Assist people who are unfamiliar with the building, such as visitors, or outside contractors working on site. Additional help should be given to personnel who are disabled, or have impaired vision or hearing.

Close all doors and windows if it is safe to do so as each room or area of the building is evacuated. This will help stop the spread of the fire, smoke and heat.

Go immediately to your fire assembly point on leaving the building. Report to the person in charge, so that you will be checked off against the register of attendance. If you know of anyone who is missing tell the person in charge.

Do not re-enter the building until the Fire Brigade says that it is safe to do so.

Fire Extinguishers

You should know where the fire extinguishers are located in your place of work and how to use them. Only tackle the fire if it is safe to do so. Always ensure that you have an escape route available. (This use of fire extinguishers is covered elsewhere in this manual.)