DCW20-Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures Policy
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Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures Policy
1. Introduction
Our Home Care business is committed to ensuring the highest standards of fire safety and emergency preparedness in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) regulations, and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. We take all necessary measures to prevent fire hazards, protect service users and staff, and ensure safe evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency.
This policy applies to all employees, including Care Assistants, Senior Carers, Coordinators, Managers, and Directors. It also provides guidance for CIW inspectors on how we manage fire safety and emergency evacuation efficiently.
2. Key Principles of Fire Safety and Evacuation
We adhere to the following fire safety principles:
- Fire Prevention: Identifying and reducing fire risks in service users’ homes and office premises.
- Fire Risk Assessments (FRA): Conducting regular assessments to identify potential fire hazards.
- Fire Safety Training: Ensuring all staff are trained in fire safety and evacuation procedures.
- Emergency Evacuation Plans: Establishing clear evacuation procedures for different service settings.
- Fire Drills and Testing: Ensuring fire safety equipment is functional and regularly tested.
- Safe Use of Equipment: Following guidelines for handling electrical appliances and hazardous materials.
- Incident Reporting: Documenting and reviewing all fire-related incidents for continuous improvement.
3. How We Manage Fire Safety and Evacuation Efficiently
A. Fire Prevention and Hazard Control
Fire prevention is the first step in ensuring safety. We proactively identify and minimise fire hazards in service users’ homes and office environments.
For Staff:
- Conduct Home Fire Risk Assessments (HFRA) when creating a Personalised Care Plan (PCP).
- Ensure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and functioning.
- Avoid overloading electrical sockets or using damaged appliances.
- Identify and remove fire hazards, such as clutter, flammable materials, and blocked exits.
- Educate service users on safe cooking practices, smoking safety, and proper heating device use.
For CIW Inspectors:
- Fire risk assessments are documented in care plans.
- Inspection records confirm smoke alarms and fire safety equipment are checked regularly.
B. Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) and Fire Safety Checks
We conduct Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) for all service users, particularly those with mobility issues or requiring additional support.
For Staff:
- Complete FRAs upon initial assessment and review them every 12 months or after any major changes.
- Identify service users at higher risk due to mobility impairments, oxygen therapy, or cognitive conditions.
- Work with the Fire and Rescue Service if additional safety measures are needed (e.g., fire-resistant blankets, evacuation assistance).
For CIW Inspectors:
- FRA documents confirm risk evaluations and mitigation strategies.
- Records show that risk assessments are updated regularly.
C. Fire Safety Training for Staff
All staff receive mandatory fire safety training to ensure they are prepared to prevent and respond to fire emergencies.
For Staff:
- Complete Fire Safety Training (FST) during induction and annually thereafter.
- Learn how to use fire extinguishers and identify fire exit routes.
- Follow the PASS technique when using a fire extinguisher (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
- Understand the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” method if clothing catches fire.
For CIW Inspectors:
- Training logs confirm staff completion of fire safety training.
- Fire drill reports demonstrate practical preparedness.
D. Emergency Evacuation Plans (EEP)
We have Emergency Evacuation Plans (EEP) in place for service users’ homes and office locations to ensure safe and efficient evacuation in case of a fire.
For Staff:
- Develop individual evacuation plans for service users with limited mobility or cognitive impairments.
- Identify safe evacuation routes and assembly points in service users’ homes.
- Ensure that service users who cannot self-evacuate have an Assisted Evacuation Plan (AEP) in place.
- Never use lifts during an evacuation.
- Call 999 immediately in case of a fire emergency.
For CIW Inspectors:
- EEPs are included in care plans for high-risk individuals.
- Emergency response procedures are documented and tested.
E. Fire Drills and Testing of Fire Safety Equipment
Regular fire drills and equipment checks ensure preparedness and compliance with safety regulations.
For Staff:
- Participate in annual fire drills to practice emergency response.
- Report faulty smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, or emergency exits immediately.
- Encourage service users to test their smoke alarms weekly.
For CIW Inspectors:
- Fire drill logs confirm staff participation.
- Inspection reports verify that fire equipment is functional.
F. Safe Use of Electrical Equipment and Flammable Materials
Electrical faults and improper use of flammable materials are common causes of fires. We enforce strict safety protocols regarding their use.
For Staff:
- Ensure that electrical appliances are PAT tested and in good condition.
- Do not use damaged wiring, overloaded sockets, or faulty plugs.
- Store oxygen tanks safely away from heat sources and open flames.
- Dispose of flammable materials according to waste management regulations.
For CIW Inspectors:
- Records confirm compliance with electrical safety checks.
- Risk assessments highlight proper storage of hazardous materials.
G. Incident Reporting and Post-Fire Reviews
All fire incidents, near-misses, or safety concerns must be reported immediately.
For Staff:
- Report any fire incidents or hazards via the Incident Reporting System (IRS).
- Participate in Post-Fire Reviews (PFR) to learn from past incidents and improve safety measures.
- Follow CIW reporting requirements for notifiable fire incidents.
For CIW Inspectors:
- Fire incident logs document actions taken.
- Risk mitigation measures show continuous improvement.
4. Governance and Continuous Improvement
We ensure fire safety governance through regular audits, reviews, and feedback collection.
What We Do:
- Conduct Quarterly Fire Safety Audits (QFSA) to review compliance.
- Review staff fire safety competency assessments annually.
- Gather feedback from service users and staff through Fire Safety Surveys (FSS).
For CIW Inspectors:
- Documentation confirms ongoing fire safety governance.
- Fire safety action plans show improvements based on risk assessments and drills.
5. Compliance Monitoring and Audit Procedures
- Internal Audits: Conducted quarterly to assess fire safety compliance.
- Annual Reviews: Full compliance check against fire safety regulations.
- Staff Supervisions & Appraisals: Conducted every six months to ensure competency.
6. Conclusion
We are committed to fire safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance in all aspects of our domiciliary care service. This policy ensures staff and service users are protected from fire risks through robust prevention, training, risk assessments, and evacuation planning in line with CIW requirements.
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