Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) Building Warden and Incident Control Officer (ICO) Duties

In the event of a fire alarm other than our weekly Monday morning test Building Wardens are responsible for encouraging all occupants to leave the building immediately and go to the nearest Fire Assembly point.

Building Wardens have the authority to instruct anyone still in the building to leave immediately. Anyone not leaving under instruction should be reported to the ICO in charge at the assembly point.

Building Warden Duties in the event of fire

DO

• Make sure the alarm is raised if the fire is in your area.
• Actively encourage everyone to leave the building using the nearest exits.
• Check all accessible rooms in your designated area (including labs, offices, meeting rooms and toilets).
• Close doors behind you.
• Report to the ICO in charge at the assembly point if there is anyone not accounted for, individuals located at refuges, and anyone who did not exit under instruction.
• If safe to do so, attempt to extinguish the fire if it is small and presents no risk to yourself.

DON’T

• Put your self at risk; quickly check your area as you exit the building.
• Re-enter the building, report to the ICO at the assembly point if you were outside the building and unable to clear your area at the time of the alarm.
• Conduct a search for missing personnel. Report to the ICO giving the names of any missing persons (if known) and the last known place they were seen.
• Allow anyone to enter the building to retrieve personal belongings when alarms are activated.
• Use the lift to get yourself and other people out of the building.
• Go looking for other fire fighting equipment if your initial attempt fails to extinguish the fire.

Staff that are designated Building Wardens are reminded that they commence their effective cover from when they start work on site until the time they leave.

ICO Officers duties:

• Check with reception whether Fire Brigade have been called;
• Make sure the traffic barrier is in the open position;
• Check the fire panel for the location of the fire;
• Pick up the high vis jacket, the loud hailer and the visitors book and make your way to the fire assembly point;
• Assign two members of staff to the front gate to stop anyone entering or leaving the site(visitors, staff, contractors and deliveries) during the alarm condition;
• From the list of Building Wardens tick off their names as they report to you;
• Liaise with the Fire officer in charge giving all the relevant information received from the Building Wardens;
• After the Fire officer in charge has given you the all clear to re-enter the buildings relay the message to all members of staff using the loud hailer; and
• Submit a report to the Director and H+S Manager highlighting any areas of concern and suggested improvements to the Fire drill operations.