24-Hour Residential Services Fire Safety Workbook Second Edition, 2004 Based on previous contributions of: No part of this publication may be produced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copywriter owner. Copyrighted material reproduced herein are used either under the provisions of the Copyright Act (1968) as amended, or as a result of application to the copyright owner. Department of Human Services Victoria 2002
24-Hour Residential Services Fire Safety Introduction Welcome to this Fire Safety Workbook for staff working in 24-hour residential accommodation services. This workbook forms part of your fire safety training. Department of Human Services developed this workbook in consultation with the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board. Support from your supervisor and team members is an integral part of this training. Throughout the workbook you will find text boxes like this one. These will indicate the points where you need to complete a task with your supervisor. Rationale The purpose of this training is to give staff clear guidelines on their role in emergency management, and the basic principles of fire prevention and safety. The staff attending this program may have varying skills and educational levels. Likewise, some staff may have many years experience while others may have limited experience of fire safety and evacuation. It is the aim of this training to ensure that all staff demonstrate the required competencies of fire safety and evacuation.
Directions It is important to read these directions carefully to be able to properly participate in this training. Your supervisor is responsible for ensuring that each staff member participates in the training and assessment. It is preferable that where possible staff train together. Take part in an evacuation drill in your unit. Secondly, work through the self-paced training manual and complete this workbook sequentially from section one to section seven. The manual will give you clear instructions of what is expected of you. Working though a self-paced manual allows you to set your own training plan and timelines. In this participant booklet, please indicate your fire training commencement date and expected completion date in the space provided. If you encounter any difficulties when working through the package or have any questions, direct them to your supervisor or line manager.
Fire Induction Workbook Name: I am expecting to finish this workbook by (date of practical skills training and assessment) Task 1: If you are new to this house, complete a Fire Safety Orientation Checklist with you supervisor. Section 1: Fire Awareness & Prevention: Task 2: With your supervisor complete a Weekly Fire Safety Checklist. Task 3: If any faults are detected while completing the Weekly Fire Safety Checklist, follow the Reporting Faults procedure. Questions To test your understanding of fire awareness and prevention (circle correct answer) 1.1 What are the four main reasons why fire occur? a. Neglect, Ignorance, Bad House Keeping, Revenge b. Ignorance, Apathy, Carelessness and Arson c. Ignorance, Arson, Reward, Stupidity d. Neglect, Bad House Keeping, Reward, Stupidity 1.2 Name the three elements required for a fire to occur. a. Flames, Oxygen and Combustion b. Heat, Combustion, Oxygen c. Heat, Oxygen, Fuel 1.3 Name the three ways to extinguish a fire. a. Cooling, Starving, Smothering b. Smothering, Dampening, Extinguishing c. Covering, Wetting, Extinguishing 1.4 What precautions should you take if beds are fitted with electric blankets? a. Switch off the electric blanket before going to bed and inspect it regularly for wear and tear b. Ensure control switch is not tucked under mattress, and always leave the blanket on when sleeping. c. Never leave the house with electric blanket left on, and never turn on a blanket for more than 10mins. 1.5 Fires in laundries occur mostly because of? a. Frayed cords, smoking, bad housekeeping b. Smoking, ironing, dirty filters c. Ironing, bad housekeeping, frayed cords d. Ironing, dirty filters in dryers, frayed electrical cords 1.6 What are some precautions you should take in the storage and labelling of hazardous materials?
a. Tight fitting lids and no hazardous materials kept on site at the CRU. b. Correct labelling and no hazardous materials kept on site at the CRU. c. Store flammable materials away from heat sources, and all items must be locked away d. Store flammable materials away from heat sources and correct labelling 1.7 What is the DHS policy on smoking in houses? a. No smoking inside, smoking in designated areas only b. No smoking anywhere on property c. Smoking is allowed anywhere as long as all the residents agree. 1.8 What type of key should staff have on them at all times? a. Every key to open every door b. Master c. Every key that is needed to open exit doors 1.9 Most people die in fires due to? a. Heat b. Locked Doors c. No Escape Plan d. Smoke e. No Smoke Alarms
Section 2: Smoke Alarm Systems Questions To test your understanding of smoke alarms (circle correct answer) 2.1 How often should smoke alarms be tested? Monthly Daily Weekly Yearly Never 2.2 What options on smoke alarms are available to awaken those with a hearing impairment? a. No other options b. Vibrating Beds c. Strobe light or vibrating pads under pillows 2.3 What do you do if you discover a fault with the alarm panel or smoke alarms? a. Leave it until the next scheduled maintenance contractor comes to the House/Unit b. Report the fault immediately to the Maintenance help desk and your line manager on duty. c. Contact Fire Alarm Company Section 3 Sprinkler Systems Questions To test your understanding of sprinkler systems (circle correct answer) 3.1 A sprinkler operates in the following way: a. As individual sprinklers. Heat from a fire expands the liquid in the bulb of the sprinkler head. This breaks the bulb and water is sprayed out over the fire. b. Smoke will set off all the sprinkler heads after two minutes c. Heat will set off every sprinkler simultaneously. 3.2 How often should staff in the house check the sprinkler system and pressure gauges? a. Daily b. Weekly c. Monthly d. Never, this is done by a maintenance contractor 3.3 Where should a sprinkler cabinet be located in a residence? a. Generally located at the front or side of the residence. Each building may differ slightly, but the cabinet will be identified in the Evacuation Plan. b. In the staff sleepover/office c. In the kitchen 3.4 What is the purpose of checking the sprinkler system weekly? a. Making sure the contractor is doing their job b. Making sure the cabinet is locked c. Checking for damage and for appropriate water pressure levels.
3.5 Who should you contact if you detect a fault in the sprinkler system? a. Leave it until the next scheduled maintenance contractor comes to the CRU b. Report the fault immediately to the Maintenance help desk and your line manager on duty. c. Contact MFESB
Section 4 Evacuation Procedures (Theory) TASK 4: Discuss with your house supervisor the possible evacuation order of everyone in the house subject to their room placement. TASK 5: Discuss with the people who live in the house (in the presence of your house supervisor), the fire evacuation plan. TASK 6: Discuss with your supervisor the most appropriate method for evacuating people who have wheelchairs. Test the exits route using any empty wheelchair. Questions To test your understanding of evacuation procedures (circle correct answer) 4.1 What types of emergencies may be required to evacuate the house? a. House Fire, Intruders, Gas Leak, Car Crash b. House Fire, Gas Leak, Bomb threat, Natural Disasters c. House Fire, Medical Alert, Natural Disaster, Car Crash 4.2 A primary and secondary assembly area is needed because: a. Conditions may block the use of one area b. So that there are not too many people at the one assembly area c. So you can go to the nearest point when evacuating 4.3 What is your primary concern in a fire emergency? a. Life Safety b. Saving the House c. Putting the Fire Out d. Waking the neighbours e. Ringing your agency 4.4 The five steps you should take when discovering a fire are: Assist any person in danger, Close the door, Call the fire brigade, Evacuate, Remain at assembly area. a. True b. False 4.5 What is the reason why you close the doors on a fire? a. You know no-one is in the room. b. So you know which room is on fire. c. To prevent damaging the rest of the house. d. To prevent smoke spread. e. Both A and D. 4.6 Why should you check all rooms in the house when evacuating? a. Make sure all lights are turned off b. See whether the fire has spread anywhere else c. To ensure everyone has evacuated
4.7 Why should everyone remain at the assembly area? a. It s a good place to meet. b. Agency policy c. Because I said so. d. To check everyone is out of the house. 4.8 People with mobility impairment should be located in bedrooms close to exit doors a. False b. True 4.9 The importance of working as part of the emergency team is so you work more effectively in getting as many people evacuated as possible in the shortest time. a. True b. False 4.10 The role of the emergency services is to evacuate as many people as safely possible, to extinguish the fire, to reset alarm control panel, gas valves and sprinkler system. a. False b. True
Section 5 Portable Fire Extinguishers & Fire Blankets Questions To test your understanding of portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets (circle correct answer) 5.1 What type of extinguisher is recommended for your house? a. 2.5kg, electrical extinguisher b. 3kg water extinguisher c. 2.1kg 20B (E) type, portable dry chemical fire extinguisher 5.2 How long will your fire extinguisher last? a. One minute b. 90 seconds c. 20 seconds d. 40 seconds 5.3 Where should the fire extinguisher be located? a. By the front door only b. On the kitchen wall, near the door c. In each bedroom 5.4 What colour is the portable fire extinguisher? a. Red b. Red & Black c. Red & Yellow d. Yellow e. Red & White 5.5 To use a fire blanket you: Remove it from its storage case. Grip the two straps attached to fire blanket. Hold fire blanket at arm s length. Approach fire cautiously. Gently place the fire blanket over the fire. Turn off the heat source. Leave the fire blanket on pot and allow to cool.call the fire brigade to ensure the fire did not spread to other areas (ie roof spaces). a. True b. False 5.6 What does PASS stand for? a. P = Pull the pin, A = Aim the extinguisher, S = Squeeze the handle, S = Sweep the extinguisher from side to side b. P = Point the extinguisher, A = Aim close to base of fire, S = Squeeze handle, S = Sweep the extinguisher from side to side c. P = Pull the pin, A = Aim the extinguisher, S = Squeeze the handle, S = suffocate flames
5.7 When is it not safe to use first attack equipment? a. When the fire is contained to a pot b. In any circumstances c. When the fire is bigger than a waste paper bin 5.8 What should you do if a fire becomes bigger whilst using an extinguisher or fire blanket? a. Evacuate b. Continue applying extinguishing agent until the extinguisher is empty c. Try and find additional extinguishers or blankets to use. 5.9 Once you have used a fire blanket or extinguisher you mark or identify it as being used. Report it as being used immediately (to your line supervisor/manager on duty) Do not place a used portable fire extinguisher or fire blanket back in its assigned location a. False b. True 5.10 An extinguisher should be replaced when the pressure level is: a. Less than 10 b. Outside the green area c. Less than 10 or more than 25 5.11 On what type of fires can you use a dry chemical extinguisher with a 20B(E) rating? a. Wood and Paper only b. Electrical and wood only c. Wood, paper, furnishings, electrical equipment, flammable liquids, cooking oil. d. Cooking oil and gas only
Section 6 Other Fire Emergencies Questions To test your understanding of other fire emergencies (circle correct answer) 6.1 How do you protect yourself from radiant heat in a bush fire? a. Wet yourself down, or jump in a pool or dam b. Wear as little as possible so you don t get too hot c. Cover yourself with clothing, sheets of bark or soft earth, or lie down behind a log or large rock. 6.2 What precautions should you take when you drive into smoke from a bush or grass fire? a. Slow down, switch on headlights and watch out for other vehicles, people or objects (including Fire Brigade) b. Drive quickly through smoke, so your visibility is only limited for a short time. c. Do not drive through smoke under any circumstances 6.3 What items of safety equipment should you carry in your car? a. First Aid kit, fire extinguisher, breathing mask b. Large woollen blanket, water bottle, phone c. First Aid kit, map of the area/compass, breathing mask 6.4 What are two types of car fires you can experience? a. Electrical fire, fuel fire b. Gas fire, paper fire c. Electrical fire, paper fire 6.5 You should get out of your car if caught in a bush/grass fire a. True b. False 6.6 Who should you contact for more information regarding rural fire safety? a. MFESB b. Local CFA fire brigade, CFA headquarters or regional office. 6.7 What type of heat is a killer in a bushfire? a. Radiant b. Direct Burning c. Conducted Heat d. Convection Heat 6.8 When caught in a bush/grass fire you should try and park you car on the barest ground available, or against an embankment in a cutting, or in an old gravel pit or roadside clearing, or on a section of road with the least amount of scrub. a. True b. False
6.9 What should you make sure is always full of water during summer? a. Bathtub b. Sinks c. Watertank 6.10 What are types of fire you may be confronted with in a rural setting? a. Bushfires, Chemical Fires b. Bushfires, Chemical Spills c. Bushfires, grass fires, car fires. Task 8: Complete Bushfire Preparedness Checklist Rural only (See Appendix 6 Fire Safety for disability residential services)