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Appendix 16: Fire Evacuation Procedures

As College Leaders, you are the Floor Wardens for your section of the buildings. This means that you must routinely check that the contents of your firebox are present, that nothing is stored across or blocking the corridors or means of escape, and that the fire/smoke doors (except those fitted with electromagnetic holdbacks) in your area are closed. You are also required to undertake any training as required and deputise for the Chief Fire Warden when delegated authority. In order to effectively perform your duties, you need to be fully aware of the evacuation routes and assembly point for Members of your area.

In addition to these routine duties, you are responsible for the safe and efficient evacuation of your area in the event of an alarm. Part of this responsibility includes making your floor Members fully aware of the procedure to be followed in the event of an alarm. At the first floor meeting, you should fully explain the escape routes available to your Members and their assembly points.

In the event of an alarm, the Chief Fire Warden will get the clipboard and the jacket from the cupboard next to the fire hose in the Main Corridor (outside the Stationery Room). The Chief Fire Warden will leave the cupboard door open after doing this. Since the Chief Fire Warden may not always be on hand for fires, all Floor Wardens should check if this cupboard door is open. If it is not open then you should take the clipboard and jacket outside to put it on. Stand in a central place at the foot of the drive until the Chief Fire Warden or another Staff Member relieves you.

The procedure when the fire alarm sounds is as follows:

  1. Go to your area's fire-box. Open the box and collect your notepad, pencil and armband.
  2. Put on your armband.
  3. Visually inspect all rooms within your area of responsibility, including bedrooms, toilets, bathrooms, kitchens, and any other common rooms and ask occupants of these areas to proceed in an orderly manner to their appointed assembly area.
  4. Make sure everyone is out and shut each door. If you cannot gain access to a room, note these room numbers on the pad and report these to the Chief Fire Warden.
  5. Assist any confused or panicky residents towards their means of escape.
  6. Make sure all fire and smoke doors are shut.
  7. Check the areas adjacent/above and below your own as you leave the building in case the appointed Floor Wardens are not present.
  8. Leave the building and make a situation report to the Chief Fire Warden at your designated reporting point either in person or on the Fire Evacuation Slack channel.
  9. Residents are not to move from their assembly points until the Chief Fire Warden or New Zealand Fire Service personnel present give the say-so.
  10. Although our alarm system is programmed to call the Fire Service automatically when the fire alarm sounds, the Chief Fire Warden will call 111. If the Chief Fire Warden is not present this will be done by the Deputy Chief Fire Warden.
  11. If the alarm sounds after office hours or on weekends, someone must also call the Head of College to alert them to the matter. Her residence has a separate alarm system and the College alarm does not sound in her residence. Her mobile number is (027 461 7181}[tel:0274617181] and the landline is (926 9697)[tel:039269697].

!!! Danger Firefighting should only be attempted if it is safe to do. The prime objective in an emergency is the safe evacuation of all persons on the premises.