Job summary
The Fire Safety Officer is responsible for the provision of all aspects of fire safety precautions, the preparing and auditing of fire risk assessments and the training of all Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust (Trust) and Harrogate Integrated Facilities (HIF) staff. They will be responsible for advising Ward and Service Managers, Architects, Project managers and all other colleagues on all aspects of fire safety and will be closely involved in capital projects and minor works within HDFT.
Main duties of the job
The Fire Safety Officer will provide operational advice on Fire Safety issues relating to healthcare activities and services, ensuring that the Trusts obligations and commitments to statutory and mandatory legislation including Firecode, Codes of Practice, Hospital Technical Guidance, Building Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are met with respect of fire safety.
About us
Harrogate Integrated Facilities is contracted to maintain the Estate in good order and to provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff; and ensuring compliance with all statutory standards. This includes the infrastructure, plant machinery and equipment which provides the lighting, heating air conditioning, water, steam, sewage services, medical gases system etc without which the hospital could not function; together with the maintenance and upkeep of the nominated buildings, including structure, roofs, roadways and internal/external finishes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To interpret and advise the Trust management on the provisions of FIRECODE, fire law, all fire legislation and building regulations.
- To conduct regular inspections of all Trust sites, buildings and departments (owned and leased) to ensure that procedures as set out in the Trusts Fire Safety Policy are adhered to.
- Conduct regular and robust fire risk assessments for designated buildings and departments owned or leased by the Trust/HHFM (this includes areas occupied by HDFT staff in the community). Detail significant findings and ensure works identified are carried out and procedures, work methods changed where appropriate.
- Maintain a Fire Risk Register to assist with the above and identify the priority of works.
- Advise departmental and ward managers regarding individual fire plans and integrated fire risk assessments for each department or ward including any areas, which need improvement and action within their jurisdiction, which may fall below acceptable standards of fire safety.
- Ensure that there are robust plans, procedures and equipment in place to ensure the Trust and its officers can deal with any fire emergency.
- To develop, audit and regularly update the Trusts Fire Strategy including the Fire Safety Policy, Fire Incident and Fire Evacuation Procedures (Harrogate Hospital Site including, Briary and Lascelles), additionally also for Ripon Hospital and across all other community sites occupied by HDFT staff
- Ensure compliance with changes in legislation and present amendments to the Quality and Governance Group of the Trust Board.
- To be involved in making judgements regarding complex firebase plans and advising building and engineering professionals regarding fire safety design in buildings.
- Be involved in the planning and design of fire safety systems. Liaise with specialist contractors/suppliers.
- Provide advice and contribute to discussions, negotiations and consultations with external consultants and architects, building control officers and local authorities to ensure that the correct level of specification for fire precautions are provided in new buildings and facilities and in modifications to existing facilities.
- To identify the fire training needs of the Trust and develop the training programme to meet those needs in accordance with Firecode HTMs. Fire Precaution Workplace Regulations 1997, the Fire Service Reform Act 2005, the Trusts Fire Safety Policy and the Trusts Fire Incident and Fire Evacuation Procedures. Deliver the training programme including not only theoretical but practical firefighting sessions and where appropriate practical use of passive measures e.g. evacuation chairs and evacuation lifts.
- Organise and implement fire drills for staff, including alternative practical training for patient/clinical and Community areas in accordance with Firecode guidance and in conjunction with ward and departmental. This may include evacuation exercises. Attend such drills and maintain records so as to ensure that both training and fire drills are being regularly and efficiently carried out.
- Provide fire safety training under Service Level Agreements to other external organisations e.g. neighbouring Trusts.
- Manage the provision, maintenance and display of all fire safety signage, including up to date fire plans for buildings entrances.
- Manage the provision and maintenance of all fire fighting equipment including extinguishers, hose reels and fire blankets and provide continual training in its operation. Negotiate with suppliers of fire fighting equipment for their products and services.
- Contribute to enable the Trust to fulfil its obligations to meet the requirements of the NHS annual Certificate of Fire Safety Compliance (Firecode) and complete on line return to DOH.
- Investigate, report findings and make recommendations where appropriate, for all fire incidents including false alarms on all premises owned or leased by the Trust and maintain records of all fire related incidents and unwanted fire calls. Ensure on line reporting of fire statistics to the DOH takes place.
- To assist, support and provide reports and appraisals to the Fire Safety Manager to fulfil their duties and ensure that the Trust is compliant in all aspects of fire safety.
- Contribute to the management of compliance with NHS standards for Better Health in relation to fire safety.
- To manage and control a delegated fire safety budget and any other funding delegated to you i.e. fire risk assessment works budget and fire safety signs, fire fighting equipment and ancillary fire safety items and equipment, approximately £50,000.
- To monitor the performance of external agencies and contractors to ensure that their activities do not subvert the Trusts fire precautions.
- To exchange specialist information with the Fire Service, other external agencies and other Trusts Fire Safety Officers to promote a partnership relationship, and ensure compliance with the Fire Services Reform Act 2005.
- Co-operate with Local Fire Authorities regarding the inspection of buildings and provide copies of risk assessments and building plans when requested. Arrange familiarisation visits for Fire and Rescue Service crews to improve and maintain their knowledge of the Trusts properties and procedures.
- Write up reports, compile databases via computer e.g. extinguishers, fire incidents, fire risk register, fire response teams. Compile and present PowerPoint presentations on fire safety.
- Required to produce accurate reports requiring high levels of concentration
- Required to be a car user to visit external sites.
- Supervise contractors and directly employed staff re fire safety works.
- Working in dusty and confined environment, undertaking building surveys with regard to fire safety and conditions.
- Lead specialist in fire safety for the Trust.
- Provide a fire safety/emergency service perspective, as and when required, to Trust committees, e.g. Fire Safety Mangers, Health & Safety/Emergency Planning
- Deals with operational fire incidents.
- Deals with operational complaints (sometimes via patient) re fire safety issue.
- Carry out audit Checks on other compliance areas while visiting community properties i.e. Legionella, Asbestos, Gas. etc
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To interpret and advise the Trust management on the provisions of FIRECODE, fire law, all fire legislation and building regulations.
- To conduct regular inspections of all Trust sites, buildings and departments (owned and leased) to ensure that procedures as set out in the Trusts Fire Safety Policy are adhered to.
- Conduct regular and robust fire risk assessments for designated buildings and departments owned or leased by the Trust/HHFM (this includes areas occupied by HDFT staff in the community). Detail significant findings and ensure works identified are carried out and procedures, work methods changed where appropriate.
- Maintain a Fire Risk Register to assist with the above and identify the priority of works.
- Advise departmental and ward managers regarding individual fire plans and integrated fire risk assessments for each department or ward including any areas, which need improvement and action within their jurisdiction, which may fall below acceptable standards of fire safety.
- Ensure that there are robust plans, procedures and equipment in place to ensure the Trust and its officers can deal with any fire emergency.
- To develop, audit and regularly update the Trusts Fire Strategy including the Fire Safety Policy, Fire Incident and Fire Evacuation Procedures (Harrogate Hospital Site including, Briary and Lascelles), additionally also for Ripon Hospital and across all other community sites occupied by HDFT staff
- Ensure compliance with changes in legislation and present amendments to the Quality and Governance Group of the Trust Board.
- To be involved in making judgements regarding complex firebase plans and advising building and engineering professionals regarding fire safety design in buildings.
- Be involved in the planning and design of fire safety systems. Liaise with specialist contractors/suppliers.
- Provide advice and contribute to discussions, negotiations and consultations with external consultants and architects, building control officers and local authorities to ensure that the correct level of specification for fire precautions are provided in new buildings and facilities and in modifications to existing facilities.
- To identify the fire training needs of the Trust and develop the training programme to meet those needs in accordance with Firecode HTMs. Fire Precaution Workplace Regulations 1997, the Fire Service Reform Act 2005, the Trusts Fire Safety Policy and the Trusts Fire Incident and Fire Evacuation Procedures. Deliver the training programme including not only theoretical but practical firefighting sessions and where appropriate practical use of passive measures e.g. evacuation chairs and evacuation lifts.
- Organise and implement fire drills for staff, including alternative practical training for patient/clinical and Community areas in accordance with Firecode guidance and in conjunction with ward and departmental. This may include evacuation exercises. Attend such drills and maintain records so as to ensure that both training and fire drills are being regularly and efficiently carried out.
- Provide fire safety training under Service Level Agreements to other external organisations e.g. neighbouring Trusts.
- Manage the provision, maintenance and display of all fire safety signage, including up to date fire plans for buildings entrances.
- Manage the provision and maintenance of all fire fighting equipment including extinguishers, hose reels and fire blankets and provide continual training in its operation. Negotiate with suppliers of fire fighting equipment for their products and services.
- Contribute to enable the Trust to fulfil its obligations to meet the requirements of the NHS annual Certificate of Fire Safety Compliance (Firecode) and complete on line return to DOH.
- Investigate, report findings and make recommendations where appropriate, for all fire incidents including false alarms on all premises owned or leased by the Trust and maintain records of all fire related incidents and unwanted fire calls. Ensure on line reporting of fire statistics to the DOH takes place.
- To assist, support and provide reports and appraisals to the Fire Safety Manager to fulfil their duties and ensure that the Trust is compliant in all aspects of fire safety.
- Contribute to the management of compliance with NHS standards for Better Health in relation to fire safety.
- To manage and control a delegated fire safety budget and any other funding delegated to you i.e. fire risk assessment works budget and fire safety signs, fire fighting equipment and ancillary fire safety items and equipment, approximately £50,000.
- To monitor the performance of external agencies and contractors to ensure that their activities do not subvert the Trusts fire precautions.
- To exchange specialist information with the Fire Service, other external agencies and other Trusts Fire Safety Officers to promote a partnership relationship, and ensure compliance with the Fire Services Reform Act 2005.
- Co-operate with Local Fire Authorities regarding the inspection of buildings and provide copies of risk assessments and building plans when requested. Arrange familiarisation visits for Fire and Rescue Service crews to improve and maintain their knowledge of the Trusts properties and procedures.
- Write up reports, compile databases via computer e.g. extinguishers, fire incidents, fire risk register, fire response teams. Compile and present PowerPoint presentations on fire safety.
- Required to produce accurate reports requiring high levels of concentration
- Required to be a car user to visit external sites.
- Supervise contractors and directly employed staff re fire safety works.
- Working in dusty and confined environment, undertaking building surveys with regard to fire safety and conditions.
- Lead specialist in fire safety for the Trust.
- Provide a fire safety/emergency service perspective, as and when required, to Trust committees, e.g. Fire Safety Mangers, Health & Safety/Emergency Planning
- Deals with operational fire incidents.
- Deals with operational complaints (sometimes via patient) re fire safety issue.
- Carry out audit Checks on other compliance areas while visiting community properties i.e. Legionella, Asbestos, Gas. etc
Person Specification
Knowledge/ Qualifications
Essential
- oThorough knowledge of current legislation and regulations related to fire precautions in healthcare premises. oThorough knowledge of FIRECODE, Hospital Technical Memoranda, The Fire Service Reform Act 2005. oEducated or experienced to degree level in fire engineering or equivalent experience. oThorough knowledge of modern training methods. oFinancial Control. oNEBOSH/IOSH Certified. oWorking knowledge of planned maintenance. oFPA CO6 Fire Risk Assessment Qualification or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- oAll aspects of fire safety in healthcare buildings. oTraining and education people of diverse abilities. oWorking with public bodies and local authorities. oExperience of working with a wide range of fire alarm and fire prevention systems. oWorking with different staff/students of varying abilities. oSurveying and fire risk assessment.
Person Specification
Knowledge/ Qualifications
Essential
- oThorough knowledge of current legislation and regulations related to fire precautions in healthcare premises. oThorough knowledge of FIRECODE, Hospital Technical Memoranda, The Fire Service Reform Act 2005. oEducated or experienced to degree level in fire engineering or equivalent experience. oThorough knowledge of modern training methods. oFinancial Control. oNEBOSH/IOSH Certified. oWorking knowledge of planned maintenance. oFPA CO6 Fire Risk Assessment Qualification or equivalent.
Experience
Essential
- oAll aspects of fire safety in healthcare buildings. oTraining and education people of diverse abilities. oWorking with public bodies and local authorities. oExperience of working with a wide range of fire alarm and fire prevention systems. oWorking with different staff/students of varying abilities. oSurveying and fire risk assessment.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
