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Introduction

Introduction to Fire Safety in the Department of Biology

Everyone on University of York premises is responsible for exercising all reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

This responsibility extends to becoming familiar with the information provided by the University of York in respect of Fire Safety and co-operating with the University of York so far as is necessary to enable compliance with Fire Safety legislation.

All staff/student induction must include Fire and safety information (PDF , 72kb) All staff must also be familiar with local fire precautions and procedures and complete statutory annual fire safety training.

 

Departmental Fire Warden

  • The Fire Warden acts as a point of contact for departmental staff with fire safety issues, undertakes various fire safety related checks, coordinates training, responses to Fire Risk Assessments etc.
  • Contact James Fox

 

General Fire Safety

General points

  • Be aware of the nearest break glass point(s) and fire escape routes in your area of work
  • Visitors to the Department must be made aware of the Generic Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEPs)
  • Contractors & Engineers in the Department must be made aware of the Fire & Safety information for contractors & engineers (PDF , 59kb)
  • Fire practice evacuation drills are arranged annually for all areas, please provide any feedback on the evacuation test feedback form
  • Fire alarms are tested weekly on Thursday: this usually takes place in the mornings before 9am, wherever possible.
  • Fire doors should be kept closed and not propped open
  • Fire exits should never be blocked
  • Users of personal music ('MP3') players must take responsibility to ensure that they can still hear the fire alarms. This can be checked during the weekly testing of the alarms, Thursday at approximately 0830.
  • Never take any personal risks

 

Fire Assembly Points (FAP)

A, B & C Blocks

  • The covered walkway towards Vanbrugh College: FAP 13

D, E, F, H, J & Q Blocks

  • The car park next to Q Block: FAP 11

K, L, M, P, R & T  Blocks

  • Back of T block: FAP 12

 

Fire Sweepers    

Student Teaching Practicals

  • The Academic in charge of a practical class is responsible for co-ordinating the safe evacuation of students from their practical classes in the event of an emergency alarm (consistent with their existing responsibility for safe evacuation of students from lecture theatres). 
  • Teaching Lab Technicians cannot be guaranteed to be present during an emergency evacuation event.  If present, they will assist in the evacuation of students from the practical class.
  • If the academic in charge leaves the practical class they will hand over responsibility to another person e.g. Lab Technician or Demonstrator
  • Students should be safely evacuated from the practical class by instructing them to leave by the nearest and safest emergency exits and to congregate at the nearest fire assembly point(s): R & T Blocks is FAP 12 at the back of T block

What to do if the fire alarm rings

Action to take on discovering a fire

  • Raise the alarm and summon the Fire and Rescue Service by striking the nearest red break-glass alarm point and call the University's Emergency number (3333) to report the location of the fire
  • Only use an appropriate fire extinguisher or fire blanket to control the fire if:
    • you have received appropriate training and feel confident to use one
    • the fire is small and looks containable
  • Once smoke starts to spread it is time to close the doors and to get out of the building after activating the alarm

What to do if the fire alarm rings

This is what the fire alarm sounds like:

  • Immediately leave the building via the nearest and safest exit and tell others to do likewise
  • Do not use lifts
  • Close doors behind you
  • When outside, go to the nearest place of assembly designated for your area and stay there until the Fire & Rescue Service has completed an evacuation check of the building. Inform the Fire Service or local Fire Assembly Officer if you know of anyone still inside

If the alarm is sounding in an adjoining building

  • Stay where you are but be prepared to leave if the alarm starts sounding in your area
  • DO NOT walk into an area where the alarm is sounding

Evacuation Procedures

Evacuation assistance

  • Most staff will be able to evacuate University buildings safely unaided or by making use of the GEEPs. If you need practical assistance to exit buildings under emergency circumstances, you may need a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) to ensure you have the necessary assistance in place.
  • See the University Management Procedure
  • Arrange a meeting with the Fire Warden, James Fox, to discuss the PEEP process
    • with the fire warden, complete the online PEEP form
    • inform the fire warden if training/familiarity is required for use of any evacuation aids, e.g. refuge communication, evacuation chairs etc.
  • Contact Biology Operations Team if you need any other information

Fire safety training

Fire safety training

Staff

  • All members of staff must complete fire safety training on an annual basis
  • This is accessed via the Learning Management System (LMS) and is listed under “Browse for Learning - Health, Safety & Welfare” as “An Introduction to Fire Safety”.
  • You will be sent a reminder when this has to be completed or if you are new to the University you will complete this during your induction.

Post Graduate Students

  • Post Graduate students can access the annual fire safety training via the Health and Safety Information Gateway on the VLE: https://vle.york.ac.uk
    It is accessible under the list of modules.

Fire extinguisher training

  • Portable fire-fighting equipment plays an important role in the on-going business continuity of the University. It is provided for the protection of property and not to support the means of escape. The priority in the event of a fire is always personal safety by raising the alarm and evacuating the building.
  • It is University policy that only individuals who have received formal training should use fire extinguishers, providing it is safe to do so after raising the alarm.
  • A list of Fire Extinguisher trained personnel: Fire Extinguisher trained staff (PDF , 121kb)
  • It is departmental policy that all workers involved in activities most likely to cause a fire receive fire extinguishing training.  This should ensure that small fires are dealt with efficiently and effectively. 
  • Practical fire extinguisher training is delivered by James Fox / Jason Daff - requests for volunteers and training dates will be advertised by email. Refresher training is required every 3 years.
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