General Emergency Evacuation Plan – 2A Zenoria Street

Circle Psychology Partners
Site: 2A Zenoria Street, London, SE22 8HP

Effective Date: 29/12/2024
Review Date: 29/12/2025
Version: 1.0

Purpose

This Fire Safety Policy outlines Circle Psychology Partners’ commitment to ensuring a safe working environment for all staff, associates, clients, contractors, visitors, and the public. It provides clear guidance on fire prevention, fire safety measures, and compliance with applicable regulations, including The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) and the latest amendments under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff, associates, clients, contractors, and visitors present at Circle Psychology Partners’ premises at 2A Zenoria Street.

Legal Compliance

Circle Psychology Partners is committed to full compliance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and The Building Safety Act 2022. The organisation acknowledges its legal duty to:

Take reasonable steps to prevent building safety risks, including fire hazards.
Cooperate with building managers and local fire authorities to ensure the safe use of the premises.
Provide necessary information about fire safety arrangements to occupants and relevant stakeholders.
Maintain thorough documentation and records to demonstrate our fire safety management and compliance.

Fire Safety Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 Roles

As the Director, Dr Christine Langhoff remains the “responsible person” under the RRFSO 2005.

4.2. Director’s Responsibilities:

Ensure fire risk assessments are conducted and regularly reviewed by a competent professional.
Implement fire safety measures identified during risk assessments.
Communicate fire safety procedures to all employees, contractors, and clients.
Provide appropriate fire safety training for all staff.
Ensure that associates have appropriate fire safety training.
Maintain fire safety equipment, such as fire doors, alarms, extinguishers, and emergency lighting.
To conduct regular fire safety inspections and record the findings
To produce an emergency plan and put up fire notices
To conduct fire drills
To ensure fire escape routes and fire exit doors are unobstructed and operate correctly.
To ensure Fire Safety Log Book is kept up to date and accessible

4.3. Staff and Associate Responsibilities:

Familiarise themselves with fire safety procedures.
Renew mandatory fire safety training every three years.
Report any fire hazards or safety concerns to management promptly.
Never to lock themselves into the building
Never to lock the building if other staff or associates are on site according to the green book at reception.

4.4. Visitor Responsibilities:

Follow instructions provided by staff in the event of an evacuation.
Adhere to all fire safety signage within the building.

Fire Prevention Measures

Circle Psychology Partners will take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire, including:

Regularly inspecting electrical equipment and ensuring proper maintenance.
Prohibiting the use of unauthorized electrical appliances.
Safely storing flammable materials and waste.
Conducting routine checks to ensure that fire doors and escape routes are free from obstructions.

All staff and associates must take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire and must adhere to the following:

No smoking is allowed in any part of the building.
Candles or burners for aromatherapy oils are not to be used in any circumstances.
When vacating rooms, staff and associates must ensure all lamps and other electrical appliances are switched off, and windows and all fire doors closed.
On discovering a faulty or damaged lamp or other electrical appliance, staff/associates should take it to storage, label it as faulty and inform the Director.
On discovering a damaged or discoloured wall socket, practitioners should inform the Practice Manager or Director immediately.
Staff/Associates must ensure furniture or combustibles are not moved near to the electric heaters/ other ignition sources.
Items should not be placed in the hallway, so as to cause possible obstruction in the event of the building needing to be evacuated.
Staff/Associates must not leave personal items charging unattended or use damaged electrical items at the centre. Circle Psychology Partners do not take responsibility for practitioners’ personal electrical items such as phone and laptop chargers.
Staff/Associates must not bring other personal electrical items to the centre such as heaters/ lamps/ extension leads etc.

Fire Detection and Emergency Equipment

The building is equipped with fire alarms, smoke detectors, and extinguishers. These systems are regularly tested and maintained.
Emergency lighting is installed in all escape routes to guide occupants during power outages.
A log of all inspections and maintenance is maintained for compliance purposes.

Fire Evacuation Procedures

7.1. Evacuation Drills:

Fire drills will be conducted annually to familiarise staff and associates with evacuation procedures.

7.2. Evacuation Routes:

Clear, unobstructed escape routes are marked with visible signage.
A designated assembly point is located outside Café Nero, 8-10 Lordship Lane.

7.3. In Case of Fire:

Raise the alarm immediately by shouting ‘FIRE’.
lf you have responsibility for a client, ensure they evacuate the building, or pass on their care to another member of staff or associate, before taking further action.
If the fire is in the very early stages, use the fire extinguisher if this is possible without risk to yourself. If not, close the door on the fire and evacuate the building.
If the location of the fire prevents exit by the main front door,
On leaving the building head to the assigned meeting point which is outside of Café Nero, 8-10 Lordship Lane.
Call emergency services on 999

7.4 Fire Extinguishers

There are two fire extinguishers on each floor. One set is near the front door. The other pair is at the top of the stairs.

7.5 Calling Emergency Services

If the Director or Practice Manager are on duty, it is their responsibility to call emergency services. Check that this is done. If none of the staff/ fire wardens are on duty, take responsibility to ensure the emergency services are called.

Dial 999
Give the operator your telephone number and ask for FIRE
When the fire brigade operator answers, speak distinctly: FIRE AT CIRCLE PSYCHOLOGY PARTNERS PREMISES AT 2A ZENORIA STREET, EAST DULWICH, LONDON, SE22 8hp
Do not replace receiver until the address has been repeated back to you by the operator.
Once having called Emergency Services, please call the Director on 020 8935 5068

Fire Risk Assessments

A comprehensive fire risk assessment will be conducted annually and whenever significant changes occur within the premises. This assessment will:

Identify fire hazards.
Assess the risk to occupants.
Recommend measures to mitigate identified risks.
Be reviewed by the Director.

Training and Communication

All staff and associates will complete fire safety training every three years.
Fire evacuation procedures will be included in the induction process for new employees and associates.
Clients/Visitors will be informed of fire safety arrangements by associates.

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to significant incidents, changes in legislation, or alterations to the premises. The review process will include an assessment of the effectiveness of fire safety measures and compliance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) and the latest amendments under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Contact Information

For fire safety queries or concerns, please contact:
Responsible Person / Director: Dr Christine Langhoff
Email: info@circlepsychologypartners.co.uk
Phone: 020 8935 5068

Approval
This policy is approved and endorsed by the Director at Circle Psychology Partners.

Dr Christine Langhoff
Director
29/12/2024