Headteachers of High Schools and Education Residential Premises

Dear Colleague,

Fire Safety Management –

Training Sessions for High Schools and Residential Premises

Two half day briefing sessions have been arranged for education premises with potentially complex fire safety management arrangements, i.e. High Schools and residential premises.

The sessions have been funded by the LEA and organised in conjunction with the fire safety training unit of Norfolk Fire Service.

Objective and target audience

The main aim of the session is to make premises managers aware of their responsibilities for managing fire safety.

It is strongly recommended that the session is attended by either the headteacher/head of establishment or the nominated person with overall responsibility for fire safety at the premises, e.g. the health and safety co-ordinator or site manager.

Detailed guidance will be provided on:

• forthcoming revised departmental guidance on fire safety and fire risk assessment
• the creation of an effective emergency plan for the premises

Why is this course taking place now?

It is felt that education premises with potentially complex fire safety arrangements (e.g. large or split sites, sleeping accommodation, evening use, catering etc) will benefit from further advice on fire safety in the light of:

· the Fire and Security Schools Risk Ranking Survey, carried out in 2002/3 on behalf of the County Council by Zurich Municipal, which found that 30% of schools had not implemented the requirements of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997

· the recent serious accident during a science lesson at a Norfolk independent school, resulting in the prosecution of the school by the Health and Safety Executive and Norfolk Fire Service. Management Information sheet 14/04, issued in January 2004, refers.

· a recent Norfolk Audit Services audit of fire evacuation procedures in County Council premises which found ‘significant weaknesses’ in some premises’ arrangements

Dates and Venue

The session will run from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm on:

Thursday, 8^th July and Friday, 9^th July at Wymondham Fire Station, Wymondham.

Booking a Place

Please email paul.commins@norfolk.gov.uk to confirm which of the above dates is most convenient for the person at your school/establishment with overall responsibility for fire safety management.

Please let me know if you have any queries regarding these arrangements.

Yours sincerely

Paul Commins

Health and Safety Adviser