In the world of Health and Safety, nothing is more concerning than an event of fire. To take pre-measures and resist damage, folks often make a FEEP in small to large buildings. So, what does FEEP stand for in fire safety?
It stands for Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan. This is a word-based plan that has all the actions of the staff to take in a fire incident. In most cases, it can be a general or staff-based fire form.
To know all about the FEEP, I’ll break down its meaning, types, methods, and procedures here. Plus, you’ll learn the distinction between the FEEP and PEEP. Let’s Begin!
What Is FEEP and Its Types in Fire Safety?
The FEEP (Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan) is a written record that shows what all staff should do if a fire occurs. To simplify it, it is a textual document where the details show actions that the staff should do in the event of a fire.
Thanks to this emergency fire action plan, this record shows how the staff should react, handle the situation, and contact the fire brigade. And the main goal of the FEEP is to act fast and protect people from risk.
Based on the size of the building, fire risk level, and other aspects, the FEEP is mainly two types. These are:
1. General Fire Form
This kind of notice or form is made for small buildings. You’ll need to place this type of form in spots where the workers and folks can read it using simple signs about action and fire prevention plans.
2. Staff Fire Form
It is a basic notice made for mid-size to big buildings that contain high fire risks. This kind of form includes all the emergency action plans and fire protection steps that staff should take along with fire risk assessment.
Plus, the staff fire form mentions clear directions for the fire evacuation routine that needs to be done in the event of a fire. This kind of notice needs to be displayed in a spot where it’s noticeable.
The 4 Methods for FEEP!
To use the FEEP and train staff better, there are a few types of tactics you can take. For that, find which action you need to take in the risk assessment and take necessary safety measures. After that, here are 4 methods that you can pick:
1. Simultaneous Evacuation
It is the process of leaving the building safely in the event of a fire by reacting to the warning signals and fire alarm. This will usually start with the sounding of the fire alarm over the fire warning system. It can be done on small to big buildings.
2. Vertical and Horizontal Phased Evacuation
In big and more complex buildings like hospitals or care homes, it’s impossible for people to leave as soon as possible. So, in such cases, the primary focus is on the people who are at risk.
To act better on fire incidents in such facilities, it is advised to use vertical and horizontal phased evacuation.
Vertical Phased Evacuation
In this type of evacuation, you’ll need to clear the floor which has folks near the fire and the floor above. And then the other floors one after another (top to bottom) so that the escape routes have less traffic.
Horizontal Phased Evacuation
This type of evacuation is focused on each floor which contains fireproof compartments to gather people safely there for a short period. It can cause people to move from one compartment to another if needed.
Once the situation seems decent to evacuate from the building, it immediately shifts into vertical-phased evacuation. As this type of evacuation requires more time, here are a few things the responsible person should take –
- Voice alarm systems
- Fire control points
- Each unit of the building needs to be made of fireproof materials.
- Sprinklers in the buildings (if the top floor is 30 meters or more from the ground level).
3. Staff Alarm Evacuation
This kind of evacuation method is suitable for places like cinema halls or theaters where the basic alarm won’t begin the evacuation process.
And, if people begin to run at the same time, it can cause harm to them. In these areas, the staff alarm can be given via fire records, personal pagers, and so on. After the staff alarm is activated, the usual alarm signal can be given and the phrase evacuation gets started.
4. Defend in Place
This method is suitable in blocks of flats where each flat contains at least 60 minutes of fireproof compartments. It’s also appropriate for hospitals or nursing homes to help patients on life support evacuate as fast as possible.
The main theme of this strategy is to let the people stay and help the fire service extinguish the fire. If the fire seems unstoppable to control, then it changes the plan to a full evacuation.
In this kind of situation, a choice needs to be made about the patients on life support, whichever seems right, either stay or move. Keep in mind this is only suggested when you are a skilled person with the advice of a fire and rescue service.
What Does a FEEP Include?
The FEEP includes all the processes that the staff needs to execute to evacuate from the building. Here are a few things that require attention in FEEP:
1. Action on Discovering a Fire or Smoke
Once a staff or worker sees a fire or smoke, the person should quickly hit the fire alarm by breaking the glass at the call point.
2. Action on Hearing the Fire Alarm
After listening to the fire alarm, the staff needs to act based on the FEEP notice. A small notice will be there near the call point. These are:
- Pause all work and stand in silence.
- Walk slowly and avoid rushing to the escape route.
- Reach the assembly point where all the people gather and so on.
3. Calling the Fire Brigade
The next thing to do is to contact the fire brigade or fire dept. For that, the office staff should use a phone or telephone to call the fire service (Whichever is the fastest in such case).
4. Find Key Escape Routes
Identify the main escape or exit routes by seeing the FEEP map on the wall or call point. As the staff or workers are familiar with the building, the map would be beneficial to them in identifying the exits.
5. Fire Wardens or Marshals
The responsible person needs to choose workers for specific fire safety measures including fire evacuation. And those workers are known as fire wardens or marshals.
Each floor or department should have a chief fire warden who will coordinate the actions and steps to ensure the safety of folks. For that, they go through training and are alert about hacks to take in the event of a fire.
Here are a few duties of the fire wardens or marshals:
- Ensure better fire precautions.
- Perform based on the Fire Evacuation Drills (FED).
- Make sure all staff know the spot of fire alarm points and how they work.
- All workers are familiar with FEEP and distribute action among them.
- In all places of the building, use suitable Fire Action notices on the wall which is clear.
- Be sure all folks are often using the main and secondary escape or exit routes.
- Before leaving the building, check the bathrooms.
- Actions for each worker to help visitors to the closest exits.
- Helping the disabled folks who need help to leave the building.
6. Place of Assembly
The responsible person should set a spot where all people will gather and meet after leaving the building. And this is known as an assembly or muster point.
7. Fire Registers (Roll Call)
It is a logbook or record of people who can carry risk assessments and other fire safety measures. Printed by Administration staff, the Fire Registers should be done by 9.45 am in the case of fire or smoke.
After hearing the alarm sound, all people should leave the building using the back exit. Following, it requires a roll call of registers. Like:
- Pick the assembly points and take a roll call of the staff members.
- Be sure all staff are lined up at the assembly points and waiting for the register.
- Fire wardens or marshals need to ensure the area of the assembly point is clear to take roll calls. Plus, it requires the nominated person to check the form’s register. After that, it will be given to the Administration Staff, who’ll find out the present people’s numbers.
- The Administration Staff also needs to check the list of visitors and staff to find all the people who are missing. And then confirm it with the Head or nominated person.
- Next, the Chief Fire Warden will find out whether the building is safe for re-entry or not with the Head. Then, all people and staff will stay at the same assembly point until the All-Clear code is announced.
- Lastly, all folks and staff should go back to the building zone.
8. Records
The record or logbook needs to be saved in the Health and Safety file or folder. It’s best to check the file on a regular basis to understand what actions need to be taken. This will help to make FEEP plans more efficient for any future emergencies.
9. Firefighting Equipment
If possible, the trained staff or nominated fire team should use tools like fire extinguishers to fight the fire. However, saving lives is the first concern rather than attacking the fire. Before you try this, never put any people at risk!
10. Training
The FEEP is a matter that requires all staff to get daily training in order to deal with fire expertly. Here are a few directions that need to give to the staff during the training session:
- The fire risks in the building and steps to prevent them.
- Do fire safety measures in the building.
- Actions to take in the fire incident like REACT, RACE, and so on.
- Actions on hearing the fire alarm.
- The actions to take on call points and their directions.
- Location and use of the fire extinguishers.
- The process of calling for the fire and rescue service and when to do so.
- Identity of nominated people who will help with the evacuation. It also includes those who get extra training in how to use fire extinguishers.
11. Liaison with Emergency Services
Occasionally, the Health and Safety Officers or Fire Wardens will make contact or meet with the external emergency services to know the fire action plan. Plus, they also get suggestions or improvements which need to be taken.
Who Is Responsible for FEEP?
The person in charge of FEEP will be responsible for the emergency evacuation plan. Here is the list of people who are eligible for this position:
- Business Owner: The person who has control of the business in the building would be required to make FEEP.
- Director: To direct the staff based on FEEP, the director of the business would require having control of the evacuation plan.
- Manager: In some cases, the manager may need to bear the responsibilities of FEEP to guide all about it and take measures.
- Responsible Person: According to the RRO 2005, the person who has control of the building or the owner will bear the responsibilities of FEEP.
The Comparison of the “FEEP” and “PEEP”!
| Aspect | FEEP (Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan) | PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) |
| Acronym | FEEP | PEEP |
| Definition | Written outline for staff during a fire outbreak | Written outline for disabled individuals during fires |
| Purpose | Assist staff with directions, training, and support | Assist disabled individuals in evacuating the building |
| Target Audience | All staff members | Anyone, specially individuals with disabilities |
| Focus | Fire safety measures and precautions | Assistance and special equipment for evacuation |
| Participants’ Role | Active participation in the evacuation process | Offering assistance and ensuring a safe exit |
In Conclusion
In the event of a fire, an evacuation plan is always required to ensure all people reach the escape route. For that, it’s essential to know what FEEP stands for in fire safety and its methods to implement in real life.
Hope this guide helps you to understand everything about the FEEP and be sure to make one for your building (if you are the responsible person). Good Luck!
