Balancing Means of Escape and Security | Pt 3 – Effective Management Procedures

The third and final part of this short series looks at how effective management procedures can alleviate the potential issues encountered when balancing fire safety and building security.

One of the most effective tools in the arsenal for business owners, aside from physical and electronic forms of protection, is a well designed and sustainable management procedure.

The advantages are many, if implemented correctly, and the low cost involved makes it an attractive option; however, as with all management issues, if procedures are not controlled effectively, they can fail. No matter what strategy is implemented and what methods of protection are used it is vital the strategy adopted gets full support and co-operation from all staff, as well as total endorsement from the board.

Once a strategy has been determined, any fire safety/security provision implemented can only be truly effective if the correct level of management and staff training is in place. Only effective management together with a cohesive policy and procedures can ensure that the correct actions are taken and that the occupants within a building are able to escape safely.

An essential part of a manager’s responsibility is the training of staff. All staff, including part-time members, cleaning staff and contractors need to be familiar with the actions to be taken in the event of a fire, with how to call the fire service, with basic fire prevention and with the location of exits and emergency exit routes.

Fire Protection - Means of Escape
Managers must be aware of the statutory requirements regarding the maintenance of means of escape and therefore, must ensure that the following is undertaken at the beginning of each working day:

• All exit doors are unlocked and readily available for use.
• All chains and padlocks are removed and stored in their correct positions.
• All emergency fastenings are working effectively.
• Any doors gates or shutters that are required to be locked in the open position are so locked. 
• All escape routes and exit doors are clear of any obstructions.
• Fire doors are not wedged open.
• Escape routes and exit signs are illuminated where possible.
• There are no obvious fire hazards, such as accumulated waste.
• The appropriate number of fire/security personnel is present.
• Any evacuation lifts for the disabled are operative.
• Access for the fire service to any fire main foam or other inlet is not obstructed.
• Fire appliance access to required positions within the building is not obstructed, and
• The fire alarm system is working effectively. 

Fire Protection – Building Access and Control
In its most basic form, security provides protection by the use of barriers at building perimeters and at strategic internal locations. Typically, these measures are used to deny or regulate access into the building, by making unauthorised access less likely. Often this form of security involves the use and installation of perimeter fencing, gates and security patrols.

Additional security methods, which can prove effective and does not conflict with means of escape, include:

• Minimising places of concealment on the building perimeter.
• Maintaining clear lines of sight around the building.
• Where possible, provide landscaping that minimises cover and concealment.
• Installation of bulkhead lighting in areas where walls are recessed.

Electronic methods of security are designed to deter intruders by making entry into a building much harder. Once again this might involve the use of security surveillance and the installation of electronic security systems such as security lighting, CCTV and video monitoring, break glass detectors, vibration detectors, monitoring detectors and intruder alarms.

Ultimately the most effective method of security is the implementation of both physical and electronic measures, as the correct use of both can be highly cost effective, whilst ensuring protection of valuable assets and staff. Physical measures alone will only prevent those not already deterred by the presence of a barrier, whilst electronic measures will only detect those not prevented. Incorporated together they both reduce the conflict between fire safety and the need for means of escape and security.

If you would like professional advice on the fire safety and security of your building, please contact Peter Gyere on 020 8668 8663.

The Complete Fire Safety Management Platform - Our aim, at CFSM, is to make the process of becoming fire-safe straight forward, and to use our expertise in fire risk assessment and fire safety management to guide you through each necessary step, resulting in your premises meeting all legal, insurance and ethical fire safety considerations. The Complete Fire Safety Management platform is part of Lawrence Webster Forrest Limited, one of the UK's longest established Fire Engineering and Fire Risk Management Consultancies.