Daresbury Laboratory (DL) Building Warden and Emergency Team (ET) Duties

Building Warden’s have a duty, on hearing the fire alarm at any time other than the advertised test, to encourage staff, contractors tenants and visitors to leave the building immediately and to make their way from the building to the Muster Point.

The first Building Warden at the Muster Point should take the lead Building Warden position.

It is recommended that Building Wardens construct a list of people normally in their building /area

Building Wardens should ensure they are familiar with all escape routes and exits from their search area, including disabled refuges.

Procedure in the event of fire

DO

• Ensure that the Security at reception has been called on ext. 3333.
• Ensure that the alarm is raised, if a fire is discovered in their area.
• Actively encourage everyone to leave the building using all the available routes and exits.
• Close doors behind them.
• Go to the Muster Point and immediately report anyone left in the building, to the Emergency  Team (ET).

DON’T

• Put him/herself at risk; quickly check the area on the way out.
• Re-enter buildings or go upstairs if the alarm sounds – report to the ET Member that it was not possible to search that area.
• Try to enter locked or obstructed areas – report them to the ET Member.
• Argue with people who refuse to leave – report them to the ET Member.
• Use lifts for any reason.
• Try to fight the fire, unless trained and it is safe to do so.
• Attempt to rescue disabled people from refuges.

Muster Points

Muster Points exist for each building and are located generally adjacent to the roadway. Building Wardens should make sure that they know where the nearest Muster Points is and should direct staff, visitors and contractors to go there when they evacuate the building.

People with disabilities

Some refuges are provided for people who are unable to use the stairs in an emergency. If necessary Building Wardens should direct disabled or sensory impaired people to the nearest refuge and immediately report to the ET Member that someone is waiting in a refuge.

Procedure in the event of a Site Emergency

Instructions given over the PA system will tell staff what to do:

• A Site Controller or Senior Site Controller will determine if it is a major emergency.
• If a major emergency is declared the Site Emergency Plan will be invoked.

Fire Alarm Testing

• The fire alarm system in each building will be tested on every Wednesday morning between 9:30 and 12:00.  Inaudible/barely audible PA speakers should be reported to DL Estates Helpdesk via Email.
• If a fire drill is to be undertaken the ET leader will normally be informed.

DL - ET Duties - Fire Alarms only

In the event of fire alarm call on 3333 the ET will:

• make the initial assessment / check on the Fire Alarm Panel;
• ‘sweep’ the building to ensure all persons have evacuated;
• attempt to locate the source of the activation, manual call point or detector, and determine whether it is a real fire ir a false alarm;
• inform security reception of their findings who will summon the Fire Brigade if required once a fire has been confirmed;
• receive reports from Building Wardens and pass these on to SHE Group and Fire Brigade officers; and
• determine whether or not a building may be re-entered after a drill or false alarm. In the event of a real fire, this role is carried out by the Senior Brigade officer present.