Fire Evacuation Drill
2007 – Fire Drill Report
Prepared by: Paul Richards, Fire Marshall
31 January 2008
Pre-amble
Fire Drills
As per A-2.8.3.1.(1) of the Manitoba Fire Code, “a fire safety plan is of little value if it is not reviewed periodically so that all supervisory staff remain familiar with their responsibilities. A fire drill, then, is at least a review of the fire safety plan by supervisory staff. The extent to which non-supervisory staff participates in a fire drill should be worked out in cooperation with the fire department. The decision as to whether all occupants should leave the building during a fire drill should be based on the nature of the occupancy. It may be necessary to hold additional fire drills outside normal working hours for the benefit of employees on afternoon or night shifts, who should be as familiar with fire drill procedures as those who work during the day. If full scale fire drills are not possible during non-regular working hours, arrangements should be made so that night-shift supervisory staff can participate in fire drills conducted during the daytime.”
In the past, it was felt reviewing the Fire Safety Plan with Fire Wardens, dedicated staff met the intent of the Manitoba Fire Code, and conducting actual evacuation drills was left up to the faculties and departments. This has not been the case as many new staff and students need to know what a fire alarm sounds like and be able to act accordingly. Conducting actual fire evacuation drills is the best way to relay this important information. It also identifies any shortfalls in the Fire Safety Plan.
To meet the requirements of the Manitoba Fire Code and to test the Fire Safety Plan for each building, Environmental Health and Safety Office with the assistance of Security Services and Physical Plant conducted fire evacuation drills in all University of Manitoba Buildings with the exception of the Residences, Pharmacy Building, Russell Building and Parker Building.
The fire
Prepared by: Paul Richards, Fire Marshall
31 January 2008
Pre-amble
Fire Drills
As per A-2.8.3.1.(1) of the Manitoba Fire Code, “a fire safety plan is of little value if it is not reviewed periodically so that all supervisory staff remain familiar with their responsibilities. A fire drill, then, is at least a review of the fire safety plan by supervisory staff. The extent to which non-supervisory staff participates in a fire drill should be worked out in cooperation with the fire department. The decision as to whether all occupants should leave the building during a fire drill should be based on the nature of the occupancy. It may be necessary to hold additional fire drills outside normal working hours for the benefit of employees on afternoon or night shifts, who should be as familiar with fire drill procedures as those who work during the day. If full scale fire drills are not possible during non-regular working hours, arrangements should be made so that night-shift supervisory staff can participate in fire drills conducted during the daytime.”
In the past, it was felt reviewing the Fire Safety Plan with Fire Wardens, dedicated staff met the intent of the Manitoba Fire Code, and conducting actual evacuation drills was left up to the faculties and departments. This has not been the case as many new staff and students need to know what a fire alarm sounds like and be able to act accordingly. Conducting actual fire evacuation drills is the best way to relay this important information. It also identifies any shortfalls in the Fire Safety Plan.
To meet the requirements of the Manitoba Fire Code and to test the Fire Safety Plan for each building, Environmental Health and Safety Office with the assistance of Security Services and Physical Plant conducted fire evacuation drills in all University of Manitoba Buildings with the exception of the Residences, Pharmacy Building, Russell Building and Parker Building.
The fire