EMG-SOP-001: Fire Safety and Evacuation

At a glance

• Keep all exits, corridors and stairs clear. Never store items in escape routes.
• If you find a fire: raise the alarm, call the fire number, protect people nearby, and only fight the fire if it is small and you can do it safely.
• If the alarm sounds: follow the evacuation plan. Help people who need help. Do not use lifts.
• Gather at the assembly point and report to the fire officer.
• Record every test and drill on EMG-FRM-001 and EMG-FRM-002.
• Stop and get help straight away if: smoke or fire you cannot control, or any alarm sounding without a known cause. Evacuate at once.

Step 1. Prevent fire.

• Keep corridors, stairs and exits clear at all times. Remove any items placed in escape routes.
• Do not wedge fire doors open. Report any door that does not close fully.
• Do not store flammable materials near electrical equipment or in the escape route.
• Report damaged electrical cords and overloaded sockets the same shift.

Key point: Most hospital fires start with electrical equipment or waste. Prevention is the cheapest defence.

Step 2. Respond if you discover a fire.

• Raise the alarm at the nearest call point at once.
• Call the fire number and the fire officer, giving the exact location.
• Protect people nearby: close doors, move those in immediate danger away from the fire.
• Only use an extinguisher if the fire is small, you have been trained, you have a clear escape route, and the alarm has been raised.

Key point: Raising the alarm first is the most important action. Do not spend time looking for the cause.

Step 3. Respond when the alarm sounds.

• Stop your activity. Close the door of the room behind you without locking it.
• Follow the evacuation route for your area to the nearest safe exit.
• Help patients who cannot move themselves. Take the patient list or roll call if the plan requires it.
• Do not use the lifts. Use the stairs unless the fire officer directs otherwise.

Key point: Calm, quick and orderly. Do not return to collect belongings.

Step 4. Evacuate patients who cannot walk.

• Move the patient to the nearest fire-protected area first, if this is the safe option.
• Use the evacuation sheet or blanket as set by the hospital, and move the patient along the floor if the stairs cannot be used (EC).
• Use at least two trained staff for each patient on a bed, where possible (EC).

Key point: Patients who cannot move themselves are at the highest risk. Rehearse this in drills.

Step 5. Gather at the assembly point.

• Go to the assembly point for your area, away from the building and clear of emergency vehicle access.
• The ward or department head takes a roll call of patients and staff against the list.
• Report any missing person to the fire officer at once.

Key point: Nobody is safe until they are counted. A missing person is a priority for the fire officer.

Step 6. Wait for instructions.

• Do not return to the building until the fire officer says it is safe.
• Keep patients and visitors together and calm. Inform family as the plan allows.

Key point: The building may still be dangerous after the alarm is silenced.

Step 7. Record and review.

• Record every alarm, fire and drill on EMG-FRM-002, with the time taken and any problems.
• Create an incident report (INC-POL-001) for any real fire, any injury, and any evacuation problem.
• Actions from a drill or incident are completed within 14 days and recorded (EC).

Key point: The drill record shows the plan works, and the findings show what to change.