Fire Safety Policy and Emergency Evacuation Procedure

At Hafan Hael Bettws we make sure the nursery is a safe environment for children, parents, staff and visitors through our fire safety policy and procedures.

All staff are trained on fire safety during their induction and annually thereafter.

Regular fire drills are carried out every quarter, and on different days and times so that all staff and children can practise what to do in the event of a fire.

Fire safety points and the evacuation procedure are clearly labelled in areas around the setting for reference to staff and visitors.

We comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and accompanying Statutory guidance.

The nursery manager makes sure the nursery premises are compliant with fire safety regulations and seeks advice from the local fire safety officer as necessary, including following any major changes or alterations to the premises.

The nursery manager has overall responsibility for the fire drill and evacuation procedures. These are carried out and recorded for each group of children every three months or as and when a large change occurs, e.g., a large intake of children or a new member of staff joins the nursery. These drills will occur at different times of the day and on different days to ensure evacuations are possible under different circumstances and all children and staff participate in the rehearsals.

The nursery manager checks fire detection and control equipment, and fire exits in line with the timescales in the checklist below.

Fire checklist

The side entrance consists of a two-door entry system.  The interior fire door has a release handle, and the exterior door is on a magnetic push button that has an emergency override.

The rear door has a quick release lock and is the preferred fire exit.

It is very important that the manager on duty checks that all doors are closed, in good repair, are free of obstruction and can easily be opened from the inside on a daily basis.

External Checks

In addition to regular internal checks carried out in accordance with the above checklist, the fire alarm, smoke detectors and fire equipment are professionally checked by a competent external organisation annually, organised by Newport Norse

Registration

An accurate record of all staff and children present in the building must be kept at all times and children/staff must be marked in and out on arrival and departure in the App. An accurate record of visitors must be kept in the visitor’s book. These records must be taken out along with the register and emergency contacts list in the event of a fire. (This may mean taking the hand held device where some of this information is held)

No smoking policy

The nursery operates a strict no smoking policy – please see this separate policy for details. Fire drill procedure

On discovering a fire:

• Calmly raise the alarm by breaking the fire alarm glass located in the side entrance hallway.
• Immediately evacuate the building under guidance from the nursery manager on duty
• Using the nearest accessible exit lead the children out via the designated route, marked by emergency signage, to assemble in the designated fire assembly point in front of Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael, this is at the top of our access pathway in Meon Close
• Close all doors behind you wherever possible
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings on evacuating the building
• Do not attempt to go back in and fight the fire
• Do not attempt to go back in if any children or adults are not accounted for
• Wait for emergency services and report any unaccounted persons to the fire service/police.

If you are unable to evacuate safely:

• Stay where you are safe
• Keep the children calm and together
• Wherever possible alert the manager of your location and the identity of the children and other adults with you.

The nursery manager is to:

• Pick up the children’s register, staff register, mobile phone, keys, visitor book and fire bag/evacuation pack (containing emergency contacts list, nappies, wipes and blankets)
• Telephone emergency services: dial 999 and ask for the fire service
• In the fire assembly point area check the children against the register
• Account for all adults: staff and visitors
• Advise the fire service of anyone missing and possible locations and respond to any other questions they may have.

Remember

• Do not stop to collect personal belongings on evacuating the building
• Do not attempt to go back in and fight the fire
• Do not attempt to go back in if any children or adults are not accounted for

This Policy was adopted on	Signed on Behalf of Pitter Patter Play Ltd	Date for review
20 May 2024		May 2025