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Current affairs Highlighting the fire triangle and site specific
hazards, he noted that the warden or marshal (they are ‘interchangeable’ now) needs to ‘fit into organisation procedures’, and explored the fire risk management triangle of training, FRAs and policies and procedures. Wardens must interact with staff and their fire safety responsibilities, and a cycle of ‘continuous improvement’ was required that can vary with multiple sites or zones. Training content ‘is key’, Mr Garner said, sharing
a safety training triangle of e-learning, practical, and blended training in order to ‘maintain continuous competence’. A fire warden competence triangle includes competence, confidence and compliance, with any efficient and working system able to ‘eventually continue and manage itself’. Key knowledge required includes compliance;
law, strategy and policies; sites and facilities; and FRA hazards and risks. The warden must also be trained in applying or actioning knowledge, proving by practice, and relating knowledge to the site and FRA requirements. Half of wardens have no training, a third have some and less than a fifth maintain their training, which presents a ‘huge disparity’. Blended learning combines online and
One doorset lasted throughout its specified
resistance time, and the other did not, showing the importance of the intumescent seal in the frame and leaf. She recommended that you ‘don’t mix and match products’ when it comes to seals, while pairs of doors are ‘harder to get through the tests’. Ms Lewis concluded that ‘just because you’re using good products doesn’t mean you’re not responsible’. Mr Oliver also presented a talk on behalf of the Building Research Establishment, covering its testing facilities and abilities, and key sectors where integrated fire safety is checked in existing buildings. These include buildings, offices, universities and schools, with computer modelling and fire safety engineering helping develop strategies to deal with fire spread, smoke movement, evacuation, sprinklers and cost benefit analyses.
Marshal competence
On fire marshal competence, AT&F Solutions’ Terry Breslin stated the seriousness of failing to properly train staff in positions of fire safety responsibility, noting that while everyone ‘invests in equipment, not all invest on the training side’. The company’s Brian Garner then discussed the competence of marshals under the FSO, which requires responsible persons to have ‘sufficient training’. This ‘starts with the employer’, and the law is ‘all about saving lives’, with fire safety and building management key to businesses as well, meaning competence should be measurable.
50 SEPTEMBER 2018
www.frmjournal.com
practical learning, and Mr Garner proceeded to explain the pros and cons. E-learning has no limit on staff that can participate, takes place online and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while being cost efficient. The main disadvantage is that it is ‘not a substitute for practical training’. Practical or action training advantages include that these are bespoke courses integrated within a risk management system, offer team building, and are often the most effective way to train staff. Conversely, they are also the most expensive in cost, time and business disruption. Mr Garner remarked that there are considerations to take into account for both types, with blended courses the way forward.
Different needs
The evacuation of bariatric people was covered by Spectrum Healthcare’s Steve Clark, who pointed to 1982, when the first evac chair was launched. While previously stretchers and blankets had been used, newer products include sleds, mats and inflatable stretchers. He considered definitions, as these have been driven by legislation covering disability, equality and fire safety – devices were previously sold without these considerations. Noting that bariatric patients present a ‘very
different situation’, he said the USA is ‘miles behind’ the UK and EU in terms of legislation for patients and carers that specifically relates to carer injury while transporting a patient. The UK leads the market for bariatric medicine, which studies and treats obesity, and Mr Clark noted the different sizes used by various NHS trusts nationwide to define obesity.
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