Objectives of Fire Safety Training

The Objectives of Fire Safety Training To provide staff with an overview of:

Fire Drills

Fire Doors

In a fire, are their only means of escape
Exits and corridors must be free of equipment and furniture
Fire doors close automatically in a fire and are designed to contain the fire and smoke
Never prop or block fire doors from closing properly

Fire Alarm System

The alarm is activated if it detects smoke, the flow of water in irrigation pipes, or if an alarm is activated by manual pull
Manual pull alarms are located throughout the facility and are red in color
Alarms will continue to sound on the fire floor, and the floors above and below the fire, until silenced by security
Flashing visual alarms are provided for the hearing impaired
Security monitors fire alarms 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Sprinklers are only activated by heat. Each sprinkler is discharged independently.

Emergency Generator System

Supplies emergency power if normal power is disrupted
Supplies power to emergency lighting, life support systems, exit signs and red emergency power outlets
The emergency generators will activate and supply power within 10 seconds of a disruption

Controlling a Fire

Pull the nearest fire alarm and call security, or your designated emergency contact (i.e., security)
Control a fire with a fire extinguisher until the fire department arrives
Do not endanger your own safety!
Do not run with burning articles!
Evacuate patients in danger and reassure patients and visitors that we are responding
Close all doors in the area of the fire
Move combustible items away from the fire
Shut off unnecessary electrical equipment

When confronted with a fire, use the acronym RACE to remember the correct procedures to follow:

Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers Training includes the following

In controlling a fire with an extinguisher
Ensure that back-up extinguishers are available
Do not attempt to put out an overhead fire
Extinguishers are located so you will not have to travel more than 75 feet, in any direction, to find one
Access to fire extinguishers should remain unobstructed
Do not re-hang partially discharged extinguishers
Missing or discharged extinguishers should immediately be reported to the department responsible for replacing the extinguishers

Follow the acronym PASS to use a fire extinguisher:

Person on Fire

Evacuation

Evacuation will be ordered if:
The fire cannot be controlled, or patients, visitors and employees are in immediate danger
Two types of evacuation:
Lateral – Evacuation through smoke/fire barrier doors to a safe area on the same floor
Vertical – Evacuation of all occupants on a floor to another safe floor

Preparing for Evacuation

Dress patients to prepare for weather conditions outside
Move bedfast patients in wheelchairs
Move medical charts with patients and account for all patients upon departure and arrival
Check evacuation routes in advance to ensure they are safe

Safety Precautions During Evacuation

Evacuate beyond smoke/fire barrier doors
Do not utilize elevators in areas directly threatened by fire
When traveling through smoke and/or fire, remember to keep low, wrap patients in wet blankets and keep faces covered
Do not run!
Do not open a door into an area where a suspected fire might be. To check doors:
Brace your shoulder and foot against the door and slowly open it
If smoke seeps through, close the door
If there is no heat or smoke, proceed to evacuate
Close all doors as you pass
Do not allow anyone to return to the area

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