16. Fire Safety Plan

DISCLAIMER

Before beginning this chapter, we want to stress that the information provided here is a guideline ONLY and that every individual home you work in will have its own Fire Safety Plan, which has been created by the facilities staff and then approved by their local fire department’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer. Because every facility has a Fire Plan unique to their specific building, there is no way to generalize all procedures and/or evacuation plans to follow in the event of an emergency.

The orientation that you will receive before your first shift in each facility is where you will be trained by their staff. At this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have in regards to their Fire Safety Plan and become familiar with all policies such as locations of exits, internal holding areas, and evacuation procedures. Fire drills are performed annually in a scenario representing the lowest staff levels and it is imperative that all GAIA staff is familiar with evacuation procedures in the event they are present at a facility the day a fire drill occurs.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS

1. All staff is responsible for fire prevention in the facility.
2. Keep doors to stairwells closed at all times.
3. Do not permit combustible materials to accumulate in locations that would constitute a fire hazard.
4. Remove all combustible waste from areas where waste is placed for disposal, if applicable.
5. Keep access roadways, fire routes and fire department connections clear and accessible for fire department use.
6. Maintain fire protection equipment in good operating condition at all times.
7. Staff is to report all potential fire hazards to their supervisor so corrective action can be taken.
8. The more common hazards are:
   • Careless smoking and disposal of smoking material in combustible containers
   • Cooking appliances found in resident rooms
   • Storage in stairways, corridors and the blocking of doors
   • the blocking of fire protection equipment (extinguishers, pull stations, etc.)
   • Fire doors that are propped open
   • The accumulation of rubbish or other debris in any part of the building
   • The use of extension cords as permanent wiring
   • Frayed cords on appliances

In general, for each facility you should know:

1. Where all exits are located and how fire alarm system works
2. The correct address of the building you are working in
3. The fire alarm signals and the procedures to safely evacuate
4. External and internal emergency meeting areas
5. Which staff to contact in the event of an emergency
6. Where the stairwells are located

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Most Long-Term Care homes have two-stage fire alarm systems with pull stations located throughout the building. These fire alarm systems are connected directly to a central agency that calls the fire department and the facility to verify the existence of a fire. The fire department must still be called by a staff member in the facility when the alarm sounds and make them aware of the location of the fire.

Stage One:
When the pull stations are activated they sound the alarm throughout the building. This is the First Stage of the fire alarm and the buzzers will ring intermittently. This is a notice that there is a possible fire in the building and evacuation is possible. The buildings are also equipped with heat and smoke detectors that will activate the first stage of the fire alarm system when they sense heat or smoke.

Stage Two:
A special key is required to activate the second stage of the alarm that means there is confirmation of a fire and evacuation is necessary. The buzzers will ring much louder and faster. Only the maintenance staff with direction from the RN, Manager on Call or the Fire Department can silence this alarm.

NOTE: Most facilities you will work in will have sprinkler systems but older buildings may not. As of January 1, 2014, amendments to the Ontario Fire Code came into effect and by January 1, 2025, all Long-Term Care homes must be equipped with sprinkler systems.

IN CASE OF FIRE

Stay Calm

The most important thing to remember during an emergency of any kind is to remain calm and listen for instructions from your superiors or announcements from the paging system.

NOTE: Buildings that are over 18 meters high require a voice paging system. Verify whether or not the facility has a voice paging system during your orientation.

Upon Discovery of a Fire, respond by using the “REACT” method:

R – Remove people from immediate danger if possible.
E – Ensure the door(s) and window(s) is closed to confine the fire and smoke.
A – Activate the fire alarm system using the nearest pull station.
C – Call 9-1-1 to notify local fire department, and the RN to advise the location of the fire.
T – Try to extinguish the fire and/or continue to evacuate.

NOTE: Check to see if there are any O2 canisters or other combustibles in the fire area and remove them as quickly as possible if it is safe to do so.

A “Code Red” should be announced over the paging system and repeated 3 times with the location of the fire. The Incident Manager or designate will delegate this task.

If you are sent to look for the source or possible fire, never open any doors without looking through the window first. If there is no window, place your hand on the door to feel for heat and look at the bottom and/or edges of the door for smoke before opening.

Upon Hearing Fire Alarm:

A. If Intermittent (Stage One):

• Proceed to your designated staff area (nurses’ station) and await instructions.
• Do not run.
• Remove any equipment from hallways to prepare for possible evacuation.
• Reassure residents and visitors who ask questions or seem agitated.
• Prepare to leave the building.
• Listen for instructions and/or announcements of codes.

B. If Continuous (Stage Two):

• Leave the building via the nearest exit.
• Close all doors behind you.
• Do NOT use the elevator.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

All facilities are equipped with “ABC” type (dry chemical), red fire extinguishers through the building which have approximately 8 – 25 seconds of extinguish ant, depending on the size. The kitchen areas will have “K” type extinguishers which are silver in color. They all operate in the same way which is referred to as “PASS”:

P – Pull the pin.
A – Aim the nozzle.
S – Squeeze the handle.
S – Sweep the extinguish ant over the fire.

In the event that a small fire cannot be extinguished with the use of a portable fire extinguisher or the smoke presents a hazard for the operator, the door to the area should be closed to confine and contain the fire. Leave the fire area. Ensure that the Fire Alarm System has been activated and that the Fire Department has been notified prior to any attempt to extinguish a fire. Only those persons who are trained and familiar with extinguisher operation may attempt to fight the fire. Never re-hang extinguishers after use. Ensure they are properly recharged by a qualified portable fire extinguisher service and that a replacement extinguisher is provided. Make yourself familiar with the locations of portable fire extinguishers during your orientation shift.

NOTE: Prior to using a K-type extinguisher, activate the kitchen extinguishing system to avoid electrocution.