Fire evacuation procedures

Statement of intent

The pre-school will follow the procedures for evacuating the building in the event of the fire alarm being sounded, in a way that ensures that all children are safely lead away from the building and adults do not take any undue risks.

Aims

As we are not on the ground floor, special procedures are required for safe evacuation of the building. Our aims are:

1. No child or adult will take unnecessary personal risks
   

2. Staff fully understand the required procedures and understand their role
   

3. Staff will follow day to day procedures to reduce the risk of fire
   

4. We will follow the advice that the fire brigade give
   

Methods

1. We will follow the advice of the fire brigade on any matters arising from their visit, including discussing with the church on matters outside of our control
   

2. We will have a fire procedure on the wall
   

3. We will have a fire drill on each session for one week in each half term, and a record will be made.
   

4. We will have a rota for each half term with a role for each member of staff
   

5. We will ensure all staff receive training on fire procedures
   

6. We will perform a formal risk management assessment at least once a year, and will monitor risks each day.
   

7. We will keep registers of children, staff and visitors to the pre-school for each session.
   

In the event of a fire occurring on the ground floor, the fire alarm will sound. If a fire occurs on the first floor, a member of staff must sound a whistle to alert everyone and gain their attention. The evacuation procedure to follow is:

1. A member of staff will telephone the fire brigade on 999 and give appropriate details.
   

2. We will use the nearest available exit using either stair case. The assembly point is the car park.
   

3. The evacuation will start immediately and people should not try to collect bags and other personal possessions.
   

4. For safe evacuation (assuming four staff available), one member of staff will be at bottom of stairs, one at the top of the stairs, one to usher the children down the stairs, one to check the room, cupboards etc. to ensure the area has been cleared.
   

5. If it is safe to do so, the session supervisor (or deputy) will collect the index box (emergency contacts), children’s register and staff register and take them to the assembly point
   

6. At the assembly point, the registers will be called and checked for any unaccounted adults or children, and fire brigade will be told of any missing people. Nobody will be permitted to return to the building until the all clear is given by the fire brigade.
   

For fire drills, the above procedure will be followed except that the session supervisor will give the all clear.