To improve fire warden coverage across the University, the mandatory Fire Safety Awareness training available on Horizon has been updated to include a Fire Warden information so that everyone will have knowledge of what to do in the event of a fire.
What's changing?
The updated Fire Safety Awareness training now provides the knowledge required for staff to act as Fire Wardens during an emergency evacuation. As a result, the separate classroom-based Fire Warden training course will be withdrawn.
What stays the same?
Faculties and Directorates will continue to be responsible for ensuring they have sufficient Fire Warden provisions in place. Managers should nominate an appropriate number of staff (at least 25%) to act as local Fire Wardens and ensure they understand their responsibilities both during an evacuation and as part of ongoing fire safety arrangements.
Details of nominated Fire Wardens should be:
- Recorded in local health and safety training matrices
- Reviewed and updated regularly
- Shared with building occupants so that staff know who their local Fire Wardens are
New practical fire extinguisher training
A new Fire Extinguisher Practical Training session delivered by the Fire Safety Officer will be available. This training is not mandatory.
Decisions about who should attend will be made locally by Faculties and Directorates, with support from their Health and Safety Manager, to ensure there are staff across University buildings with practical experience of using fire extinguishers.
What's happening next?
To support these changes, the university plans to introduce practice fire drills. These exercises will give Fire Wardens and staff opportunities to practise the skills needed to respond safely and effectively, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of local Fire Warden arrangements during a fire emergency.
For further information, please contact Health and Safety Services at safetyunit@gre.ac.uk.
