Fire Safety Policy
Aim
All foreseeable action will be taken to prevent a fire occurring. In the event of a fire, the preservation of life will override all other considerations, such as saving property and extinguishing the fire.
To prevent fire and to minimise the risk of injury
Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club Limited will as a collective:
- Assess the risk from fire at our premises and implement appropriate control measures, meeting legal compliance as a minimum standard.
- Invest in the infrastructure of the building and fire safety provision.
- Ensure that all tradespersons are suitably qualified and provide certification when work is completed (notably boiler engineers and electricians).
- Ensure good housekeeping standards are maintained to minimise the risk of fire.
- Ensure a detailed COSHH register is compiled, and that the cleaning contractor has appropriate safe practice measures in place.
- Provide and strictly maintain safe means of escape from the premises.
- Develop a workable fire evacuation procedure that is suitable for everyone. Where this is problematic:
Ensure a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan is implemented for anyone who enters the building but needs assistance to get out safely! - Provide and maintain appropriate fire-fighting equipment.
- Regularly stage fire evacuation drills, inspect the means of escape and test, and inspect fire-fighting equipment, emergency lighting and any fire warning systems.
- Provide fire safety training to employees, plus specialist “fire marshal” training to those with marshal responsibilities.
- Ensure all employees, coaches, members, and visitors are made aware of the fire evacuation procedure.
- Keep detailed fire safety records for
- maintenance of alarms and equipment
- fire drills and evacuations
Maintenance
Fire extinguishers (serviced by Morgan Fire, March 2023) exist in the building to aid people’s escape. There is no expectation for people to fight fires.
The Fire Alarm (serviced by JK Fire, April 2023) is serviced twice annually – every 6 months.
Red Care has been installed (April 2023), to immediately alert the fire brigade if any alarm is activated.
A serviced (2021) fire hose does exist in the underground car park but will be decommissioned to avoid people attempting to fight fires.
Immediate evacuation of the building must take place as soon as the evacuate signal is given. All occupants, on evacuation, should report to the pre-determined assembly points.
Re-entry of the building is strictly prohibited until the fire brigade officer, or a senior person present declares it is safe to do so.
Employees are encouraged to report any concerns regarding fire procedures so the organisation can investigate and take remedial action if necessary.