Reviewed by Sue Arnold Approved by: The PCC on 18 March 2023 Next Review Due: March 2024
Fire Safety Policy
Christ Church Roxeth Roxeth Hill Harrow HA2 0JN www.ccrharrow.org | 020 8422 3241 Charity Number: 1134836
Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................3 Responsibility ..........................................................................................................3 General Fire Safety Planning ......................................................................................3 Fire Risk Assessment .................................................................................................4 Staff, Wardens and Stewards ......................................................................................4 Fire Drills and Logs ....................................................................................................4 Location of Shut off Valves .........................................................................................4 Fire Safety Guidance for those using Christ Church Roxeth ............................................5 Smoking ...................................................................................................................5 Exit Routes ...............................................................................................................5 On suspicion or discovery of a fire or on hearing the alarm ............................................5 Location of Shut off Valves .........................................................................................5 Introduction The purpose of this policy is to outline the way in which the Parochial Church Council (PCC) aims to safely manage Christ Church Roxeth in line with good fire safety practice to protect all those using the building. It is also to ensure that we comply with the legal obligations of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 that became effective in October 2006 and to take account of theSmoking ban introduced in July 2007. The most recent updates from 2022 do not apply to Christ Church. Responsibility The responsibility for fire safety arrangements within the Church rests with the PCC. The PCC delegates the day-to-day management of the policy to the PCC Premises . General Fire Safety Planning The Church premises have been equipped with a number of general features to improve fire safety: ·Emergency lighting along routes to fire exits ·Smoke detectors in areas where there is greater likelihood of a fire starting ·Manual gas cut-off switch ·Adequate, well maintained fire safety equipment ·Appropriate signage including marked fire exits The PCC Premises Team will oversee the maintenance of these systems and equipment in accordance with the required schedules. The PCC Premises Team in liaison with the Church Administrator will ensure that a number of basic ‘good housekeeping’ procedures are followed: ·Waste bins will be emptied regularly. ·External bins will be emptied weekly or as per London Borough of Harrow schedule. ·All escape routes and fire exits will be kept clear and rooms kept tidy. ·Any flammable cleaning materials will be stored in a locked store . The PCC Premises Team will also conduct specific processes and encourage a number of practices to minimize the risks of a fire starting and minimize the risk to individuals in the unlikely event of a fire. These will be based on an annual Risk Assessment. Any significant finding from this assessment will be reported to the PCC and acted upon. The PCC Premises Team will ensure that the annual review takes account of new legislation requirements and update the policy accordingly. Those hiring / making use of the premises will also be provided with information on the action to take on discovering a fire and to support the safe evacuation of the building. (See Fire Safety Guidance for those using the Church at the end of this document). Fire Risk Assessment The PCC Premises Team will undertake the annual risk assessment using the process and format recommended by our insurance company. This review will look at all aspects of fire safety and will enable it to identify any actions the PCC needs to take to improve safety. The key aspects of the assessment are: 1.Information about our church 2.Our fire risk assessment 3.Our arrangements for fire safety 4.Our action plan to reduce fire risk Staff, Wardens and Stewards Staff, Churchwardens, Service Wardens and Stewards will be given training and guidance to support the PCC in the implementation of the Fire Safety Policy: 1.Identification of the fire detection & alarm systems operating in the building 2.The action to be taken on discovery of a fire or hearing the alarm 3.The evacuation procedure, including procedure for directing members of the public, and other occupants – paying particular attention to those who are physically disabled and those with impaired sight & hearing – to the exits and off the premises 4.The arrangements for calling the Fire Brigade 5.The location and purpose, and use, of firefighting equipment 6.The location and accessibility of electrical and gas shut off valves 7.The detail, and location, of escape routes, especially those not in regular use, as well as the importance of keeping access to escape routes clear 8.The method of opening all escape doors 9.The importance of keeping fire doors closed in order to prevent the spread of fire, heat and smoke 10.The importance of general fire precautions and good housekeeping Fire Drills and Logs Fire Drills will be conducted twice a year on a Sunday and a week-day. A log book is completed as required by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) Location of Shut off Valves Key holders and those who regularly use the building will be made aware of the location of the main shut off valves for when the emergency services require this information. ·The gas shut-off valve is located in the storeroom at the bottom of the main stairs (door 31) ·The water shut-off valve is located on the footpath at the top of the drive. ·The electrical distribution units are located in the church porch and in the storeroom in the lobby at the bottom of the main stairs (door 32) Fire Safety Guidance for those using Christ Church Roxeth We want everyone who uses Christ Church Roxeth to be safe and confident in responding in the unlikely event of a fire on the premises. The premises have smoke detectors in the kitchens and near the gas boilers that should sound in the event of a fire. However this is no substitute for common sense and vigilance on behalf of all users of the premises. Please take a moment to read and understand the guidance given below which outlines your responsibility with regard to fire safety and tells you what to do in the event of a fire. Smoking Please note smoking is not permitted on any part of the Church premises including car parking areas. Exit Routes Please make yourself aware of the nearest fire exit and ensure that your route to it is clear and unobstructed. Also please ensure everyone you are responsible for is aware of these arrangements at the start of each meeting/event. Please be aware of anyone who is with you who will need special arrangements to exit the building such as the physically disabled and those with hearing or sight impairment. Nominate appropriate individual(s) to help them exit the building using the designated route. On suspicion or discovery of a fire or on hearing the alarm ·Activate the fire alarm by pressing the nearest activation point (these are red boxes placed around the building) if it is not already sounding ·Leave calmly and quickly through the nearest fire exit. ·Do not stop to collect your possessions ·Assemble in the YMCA car park ·Telephone the emergency services: The address is Christ Church, Roxeth Hill, HA2 0JN Location of Shut off Valves The location of the main shut off valves should the emergency services require this information: ·The gas shut-off valve is located in the storeroom at the bottom of the main stairs (door 31) ·The water shut-off valve is located on the footpath at the top of the drive. ·The electrical distribution units are located in the church porch and in the storeroom in the lobby at the bottom of the main stairs (door 32)