ResQmed is primarily a publisher of advanced training programs, e-books and e-manuals.

 

In respect of fire/health and safety our training programs have evolved primarily to assist in enabling the appointed ‘Responsible Person’ (RP) to meet the requirements of the Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) 2005. This Order, which became enforceable in October 2006, requires each premises to have a fire/risk assessment policy and emergency plan in place, and to keep it updated and compliant with all relevant aspects of the legislation. The Act can cross existing regulatory agency boundaries, especially where the “Responsible Person’s” job reference includes Health & Safety, Disability Discrimination and Disability Duty Equality Acts and other areas of risk management. Therefore it is our intention to offer a more in-depth overarching  approach as to the duties of the appointed ‘Responsible Person’, Fire Marshals and assistants.

 

It is reasonable to assume that without adequate instruction and updating, the required Fire Risk assessment could be flawed. The RRO Guidance Notes published by the Office of Public Sector Information - OPSI  are likely to be less than helpful to any ‘RP’ who is embarking on their first-time fire risk assessment or indeed subsequent assessments. Although the RROs are very useful publications they have little in the way of offering competency to the reader, especially where the ‘RP’ has no Fire Rescue Service or H&S background.

 

The biggest discrepancy lies in getting to grips with and understanding fire chemistry, the causes of fire, and rapid fire and smoke spread.  Also Fire ‘classification’ and ‘fire loading’ holds a great degree of significance with regards to risk assessment and the efficient evacuation of a premises. Again fire protection and precautions in terms of the necessary life safety systems, fire compartmentation and fire and H&S signage, all require a greater in-dept knowledge than that offered by the Guides.

 

More is required before the ‘RP’ can feel comfortable in performing their delegated task. Even the well versed and long standing H&S officer, who is appointed as the ‘RP’, may not have an ideal background to carry out this task competently. It is not just the fire risk assessment or the ongoing commitment of ensuring that all the checks, inspections and tests are carried out and recorded at the prescribed intervals, or the ‘significant findings’ and remedial actions that must be taken; there is much more that needs to be considered to meet a sustainable quality management system.

 

Risk recognition and human behaviour in fire and other emergencies have been under represented in the RRO Guides, as is proficient premises evacuation, roll-call procedures, reporting to the ‘first in’ emergency response, and building re-entry after an event; as indeed are the subsequent actions necessary to be taken when confronted with and after a ‘Incident Critical Event’ (ICE).

 

Implementing emergency response and emergency procedures in the event of an incident (e.g. Major fire, gas leak, bomb/terrorist threat, flash flooding etc) will also fall on the shoulders of the Responsible Person, appointed Fire Marshal/s and security personnel. They have to be competent to provide or arrange provision for the appropriate training of all staff on the prescribed emergency ‘actions’ and procedures that have to be followed on discovering an emergency/incident or indeed anytime that an alarm is raised.

 

Incident investigation, recording events, witness statements, and report writing, is all likely to be part and parcel of the ‘RP’s duties. All of which should be underwritten by an fire/incident management and quality assurance scheme.

 

Our publication ‘Responsible Person/Fire Marshal Duties’ manual has considered all these elements and more. The electronic publication offers guidance, instruction and a structured approach to help the ‘RP’ meet their obligations and, to the fullest extent, meet all targets that need to be set. It comes complete with all the necessary examples and Templates to cover all foreseeable checks and records, risk assessment, staff induction and training with instructional hand outs and a comprehensive incident investigating, recording and reporting mechanism.

 

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