Fire Policy and Procedures

School
Of
Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences.
Fire Policy and
Procedures
The School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences is based in several buildings on different sites
across the city, with different fire procedures and policies affecting them. This document
intends to highlight the procedures we have in place for each of the buildings/areas
concerned.
RHH/Medical School:
This building is covered by the Sheffield Teaching hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH NHS
FT) fire officer and the following fire procedure:
A CONTINUOUS ALARM will sound in the ZONE of ORIGIN ONLY (electronic sounders)
At the same time:
An INTERMITTENT ALARM (2 seconds’ on-5 seconds off) will sound in WARDS/DEPARTMENTS
DIRECTLY ABOVE, DIRECTLY BELOW and ADJACENT ON THE SAME FLOOR LEVEL only.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON HEARING A CONTINUOUS ALARM (The Zone of Origin)
Unless it is obvious, establish the location of the incident from the information
displayed on the bottom line of the nearest “fire alarm repeater panel”, or by a visual
inspection. Then as quickly as possible inform switchboard using only 22222 (RHH site)
or 4444 (University Building) of what has caused the alarm, i.e. there is a fire, or it’s smoke
from burnt toast, a cigarette, particles from an aerosol spray, steam, dust etc. Doing this may
prevent the Fire Service attending for an “Unwanted Fire Signal” (false alarm), or if they are
already mobile, allow them to return any fire appliances not required at the incident. Update
staff and patients
Staff providing direct patient care should: Remain with the patients.
Reassure them the incident is being dealt with.
If necessary, move them from immediate danger and/or tackle the fire if safe to do so.
Await further instructions from the senior person in charge and,
Be prepared to evacuate if necessary into the nearest safe zone on the same floor level
i.e. an adjacent Ward, or the Lift Lobby (main Hospital), or an adjacent Department.
(O.P,D.)
Staff not directly involved in patient care, who are not engaged in fire-fighting, and who
do not have a specific responsibility in the event of fire, should proceed to their
designated assembly point.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON HEARING AN INTERMITTENT ALARM
(above/below/adjacent)
All staff. Establish the location of the incident, from the information displayed on the
bottom line of the nearest “fire alarm repeater panel”. Continue working -remain alert listen for any changes in the fire alarm signal, or to any instructions from a senior member of
staff. Consideration should be given to preparing patients for evacuation in departments
where this would take some time to achieve.
NB. The decision to evacuate a Ward/Department for whatever reason can obviously be
made irrespective of the fire alarm sounder sequence. Some common sense is required in
applying these principles. In the case of a very minor fire, prompt action with the appropriate
type of extinguisher may quickly control the outbreak without disturbing the patients unduly,
however, the fire alarm should always be sounded first, and switchboard informed on 22222
(RHH site) or 4444 (University Building), as your fire-fighting actions may prove to be
ineffective, and any delay in following the correct fire procedure could have fatal
consequences
At a School level the ‘facilities team leader’ or deputy is a member of the Trust fire response
team and carries a ‘fire bleep’ and will attend a fire in a University area.
We have also instigated a fire marshal policy that, in the event of a continuous alarm, will:

Go to repeater panel to find out location of activation

Go to relevant room or fire call point to safely assess the cause of activation. (use back
of hand to test temperature of door handles before entering; do not enter a room if
door handle is hot or if there is smoke coming from around the door).

Dial 22222 (RHH site) or 4444 (University Building) and give operator all relevant
details-name, designation, location, cause of activation. It is just as important to report
false alarms to avoid the £1000 fine imposed by the emergency services.

If there is a fire then fire marshals should start to evacuate all staff and students to the
designated meeting point outside St Mark’s Church, Beech Hill Road, for the Medical
School buildings or Barber House car park/Dorset Road playground for SITraN.

Staff with responsibilities for patients should evacuate the patients to the adjacent fire
zone. Staff and students with disabilities should do likewise if they cannot leave quickly
down the fire exit stairs.

Fire marshals are to indicate a room has been checked with the use of post it notes on
the doors.

In addition to directing everyone to the designated meeting point marshals should
ensure that evacuating staff and students are making laboratory equipment in use safe
as they leave (i.e. Gas cylinders are turned off etc) and that doors are closed behind
them!).

A fire marshal is to remain on floor in the adjacent fire zone to liaise with the fire
officer and emergency services.

When the fire marshals have collected everyone at the designated muster points they
should check that everyone in work that day has been accounted for i.e. They are in the
group of assembled people or someone can verify that they have left the floor for some
reason.
The Fire Marshalls are
D Floor
E Floor
F Floor
G Floor
K floor
Sue Smith
Yvonne Stephenson
Jennie Senior
Sarah Bottomley
Carmel Nichols
Susan Newton
Linda Goodwin
Andy Platts
Robin Farr
L floor
M Floor
N & O Floor
SITraN
Mark Ariaans
Stephen Parkin
Secretarial team
Andrea King
Britta Moers
Technical team
CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE
(Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology)
The procedure for the Cancer Research Centre (CRC) varies slightly from the main Weston
Park Hospital (WPH). Staff should follow instructions regards reporting of fires, false alarms
and checking rooms as per the Medical School/RHH instructions above. Inform the
switchboard on 2222 (CRC site).
In the CRC all Floor levels are in the same “Fire Zone”. There is no system of lights as
in the main hospital – bells only installed.
When a detector or break glass call point is activated, the fire alarm will sound in the following
sequence:
Bells ring for 15 seconds
this indicates FIRE/incident somewhere in the
Hospital (WPH), CRC or the Broomcross
building (WPH).
Bells ring INTERMITTENTLY
(for 3 seconds in every 15 seconds)
OR
Bells ring CONTINUOUSLY
following the initial 15
seconds signal.
this indicates EVACUATE via the nearest
available escape route and proceed to
your designated assembly point
DESIGNATED ASSEMBLY POINT
COURTYARD AREA – ADJACENT TO THE CANCER APPEAL OFFICES
CRC ROTA, VISITORS BOOK & PATIENT DIARY TO BE USED AS A REGISTER
Heads of departments/Appointed staff should carry out a roll call to ensure all persons are
accounted for. On arrival of the first fire appliance all relevant details should be given to the
Officer-in-Charge. Do not go back into the premises until the senior Fire Officer at the
incident tells you it is safe to do so.
IN WESTFIELD TREATMENT SUITE (CRC), IF YOU HAVE NON-AMBULANT PATIENTS TO
EVACUATE YOU MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
 One member of staff to call Ward 1 to ask them to open the level access fire door.
Make it clear this is to allow evacuation.
 Second member of staff to accompany the patient(s) onto the landing between both
fire doors. This is a 30 minute secure zone.
 All other patients should be guided down to the fire exit via the stairs. Staff should
accompany patients where possible and ensure area is clear.
The Fire Marshalls are
3rd floor
Michelle Cooper-Dore
Rosie Wasti
2nd floor
1st floor
Ground floor
Stefano Mori
Wendy Wilson
Julie Vickers
Brenda Smith
Lesley Bruce
Anne Cockhill
Clinical Oncology staffs who work in the Broomcross building or the main Hospital (WPH)
should follow the procedure laid down for those areas.
WESTON PARK HOSPITAL: CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS CENTRE
(CCTC)/BROOMCROSS ADMIN BLOCK/CLINICAL RESEARCH UNIT
(Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology)
All University staff based at Weston Park Hospital should follow Trust procedures for fire.
Inform the switchboard on 2222 (CCTC/ BROOMCROSS ADMIN BLOCK/CLINICAL RESEARCH
UNIT site).
Fire marshals are designated by the Trust. There are no University marshals on site.
In the CCTC all Floor levels are in the same “Fire Zone”. There is no system of lights as
in the main hospital – bells only installed.
When a detector or break glass call point is activated, the fire alarm will sound in the following
sequence:
Bells ring INTERMITTENTLY
(2 seconds on 2 seconds off)
this indicates FIRE/incident adjacent to area
Bells ring CONTINUOUSLY
this indicates EVACUTE via nearest available
escape route and proceed to your designated
assembly point
DESIGNATED ASSEMBLY POINT
COURTYARD AREA – ADJCENT TO THE CANCEL APPEAL OFFICES
CCTC ROTA, VISITORS BOOK & CLINIC LISTS TO BE USED AS A REGISTER
STH designated fire marshals will carry out a roll call to ensure all persons are accounted for.
On arrival of the first fire appliance all relevant details will be given to the Officer-in-Charge.
Do not go back into the premises until the senior Fire Officer at the incident tells you it is safe
to do so.
THE LONGLEY CENTRE
(Academic Unit of Clinical Psychiatry)
Fire Procedures
The area occupied by Academic Clinical Psychiatry is categorised as Zone G by the Fire
Brigade and The Sheffield Care Trust, who are responsible for the building.
IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE ALARM:

An Intermittent Tone will sound

This is a warning alarm indicating that there is a fire in a nearby area close to Academic
Clinical Psychiatry : Zone G.

This is a warning alarm : (NO ACTION REQUIRED) :

UNLESS

A Long Continuous Tone sounds:

This indicates there is a fire – ACTION REQUIRED

Dial 2222 and give Operator all relevant details, name, designation, location and cause
of activation.

Tackle fire, only if safe to do so.

The Evacuation Procedure should be taken upon on hearing the Long Continuous
Tone.

All members of staff, students and visitors within Academic Clinical Psychiatry : Zone G,
should evacuate by the nearest designated fire escapes.

The Designated Assembly Point for all staff, students and visitors is in the Longley
Centre Car Park.

Fire Marshall – Beverley Nesbitt appointed to carry out a roll call to ensure all persons
are accounted for.

Do not go back into the premises until the Senior Fire Officer states it is safe to do so.
STEPHENSON WING, SHEFFIELD CHILDREN’S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
(Academic Unit of Child Health)
In case of fire or suspicion of fire:
1.
Break the glass on the nearest fire alarm call point (situated at each end of C floor,
Stephenson Wing, and on the stairs on C floor)
2.
Dial 2222 on the nearest telephone and tell the operator the location of the fire and, if
possible, the type or cause. The switchboard operator will contact the fire brigade.
3.
Tackle the fire, If safe to do so, with the equipment provided.
A water and a CO2
extinguisher are located next to room C31 and next to the entrance to the ward.
Fire extinguishers:
Water:
for use on paper, plastics, textiles
CO2:
for use on electrics
Foam:
for use on all except electrics.
4.
Exit the building via the stairs, if safe to do so, or alternatively through the ward or along the
link corridor into the hospital. Lifts must not be used during a fire emergency.
On hearing the alarm:
Continuous bell/sounder:

Everyone should leave the building by the nearest safe route and go to your assembly point
which is:
Damer Street Entrance.

Close all windows and fire doors behind you.

Last person check all rooms.

Send one representative to the control point in Outpatient Reception for instructions.

Personnel must not enter the area where the bells are ringing continuously.
Intermittent bell/sounder:

Send one representative to the control point in Outpatient Reception for instructions.

Be prepared to evacuate as above if the sounder changes from intermittent to continuous.

Hospital staff should ensure that parents and visitors leave the hospital when necessary and
ensure no member of the public re-enters the building until it is safe to do so.
Remember:
Do not take risks.
Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
Do not re-enter building for any reason unless authorised to do so.
Do not use lifts during a fire emergency.
Fire Marshal:
Firth House, Wilkinson Street
(Academic Unit of Medical Education)
In The Event Of Fire Detection:

Break Glass of nearest fire alarm point (situated at various points around the building)

Dial 4444 on the nearest telephone and tell control the location of the fire and, if
possible, the type and cause

Tackle the fire – ONLY IF SAFE TO DO SO

Exit the building
In The Event Of A Fire Alarm:

A Long Continuous Tone sounds

TEACHING ROOMS – Evacuate the building as indicated on their room information
board. Teaching room doors must be closed behind you on exit to indicate the room is
empty.

STAFF OFFICES – Evacuate via the main entrance or most convenient route. All staff
must ensure their office door is closed to indicate the room is empty.

The Designated Assembly Point for all staff, students and visitors is in the Rear Car Park
of 85 Wilkinson Street.

Teaching Staff using the facilities must ensure they have their own register of people
using their room and marshal their own evacuation.

The Unit Fire Marshall will roll call the Unit staff only.

Do not go back into the premises until the Senior Fire Officer states it is safe to do so.
Fire Marshall – Gail Hible
Clinical Skills Centre, NGH
In The Event Of Fire Detection:

Break Glass of nearest fire alarm point

Dial 2222 on the nearest telephone and tell the operator the location of the fire and, if
possible, the type and cause

Tackle the fire – ONLY IF SAFE TO DO SO

Exit the building
In The Event Of A Fire Alarm:

A intermittent tone Sounds

The Evacuation Procedure should be taken upon on hearing this. Each room should
evacuate via their designated escape route as indicated in that room.

The Designated Assembly Point for all staff, students and visitors is Vickers Corridor

Teaching Staff using the facilities must ensure they have their own register of people
using their room and marshal their own evacuation.

The Patient Educators Office will ensure they have a register of actors/patients using
their facilities and marshal their own evacuation.

The Centre Fire Marshall will roll call the Centre staff only.

Do not go back into the premises until the Senior Fire Officer states it is safe to do so.
Fire Marshall – CSC – Sue Brown
Fire Marshall – PAE – Emma Hudson
The Fire Marshall’s for the School are:
C Floor RHH/Med School
D Floor RHH/Med School
E Floor RHH/Med School
F Floor RHH/Med School
G Floor RHH/Med School
K floor RHH/Med School
L floor RHH/Med School
M Floor RHH/Med School
N & O Floor RHH/Med School
3rd floor Cancer research Centre
2nd floor Cancer research Centre
1st floor Cancer research Centre
Ground floor Cancer research
Centre
3rd floor Cancer research Centre
Longley Centre
Stephenson Wing
NGH site
Wilkinson Street
Clinical Skills Centre
Kevin Corke
Sue Smith
Yvonne Stephenson
Jennie Senior
Sarah Bottomley
Carmel Nichols
Ian Palmer
Irene Sobek
Mark Ariaans
Stephen Parkin
Michelle Cooper-Dore
Stefano Mori
Wendy Wilson
Julie Vickers
Andrea King
Britta Moers
Rosie Wasti
Brenda Smith
Lesley Bruce
Anne Cockhill
Michelle Cooper-Dore
Beverly Nesbitt
Mary Hargan
Rose Davies
Gail Hible
Sue Brown
Rosie Wasti
Linda Goodwin
Andy Platts
Robin Farr
Cos Tingle
Emma Hudson

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