Jan 31, 2024
What do You Check for in A Waking Watch Risk Assessment?
One of the first steps in a waking watch service is conducting a risk assessment of the building. A waking watch is a fire safety system where suitably trained staff continually patrol the floors and the exterior perimeter of a building to maintain the safety of its occupants from fire. The aim of a waking watch is to ensure there is sufficient warning in the event of a fire to support the evacuation strategy.
A waking watch risk assessment, specific to the building is conducted to consider any potential fire spread in conjunction with the evacuation strategy. This will help keep the building safe and give the Responsible Person the information they need should an emergency situation arise.
What Should be Checked in A Waking Watch Risk Assessment?
Hazards
Identifying any hazards is the most important consideration in a waking watch risk assessment. The assessment should identify all potential hazards in the building and the measures to prevent them.
Who May be Harmed
A waking watch risk assessment should determine who could be harmed and how so that they can implement steps to prevent this happening.
Risk Evaluation
The risks for the entire building identified in the assessment should then be evaluated and the assessor will then use this information to decide on control measures for the waking watch team.
Record Findings
The findings of the waking watch risk assessment should then be recorded by the assessor so that the building regulations are kept up to date and the responsible persons are aware of the risk assessment.
Review
The risk assessment is then reviewed, and the findings are then put into action to keep the building safe should simultaneous evacuation occur.
Why is A Waking Watch Risk Assessment Required?
A risk assessment is required for a waking watch to ensure that the evacuation strategy addresses the identified risks. The responsible person for the building must:
Ensure the evacuation strategy is based on a competent assessment of the risks
Ensure that the mitigation measures are always appropriate
Allocate the right resources to address the identified risks
Re-evaluate the evacuation strategy as remedial work is carried out
This is required to keep the buildings safe for the residents or occupants should a need arise for an evacuation. A waking watch service will help with monitoring the building and managing any evacuations that take place.
Benefits of A Waking Watch Service
Waking watch has many benefits for building owners. The presence of a trained professional can give residents peace of mind and reassure them during events such as power outages or system failures which are extremely rare.
In the event of a building evacuation, waking watch fire wardens can help to organise, calm, and direct residents in what can be a confusing and stressful process. This can prevent other dangerous situations such as stampedes and crushes.
Waking watches can serve as an excellent short-term safety measure during emergency situations. For example, if building works obstruct evacuation routes or alarm systems suffer a fault, then a waking watch unit can be rapidly deployed to the site to maintain fire safety until the status quo is restored.
Fire Risk Assessments
A fire risk assessment can also be conducted alongside a waking watch risk assessment. Fire risk assessments aim to identify any potential risks, and usually include a thorough check. Typical things that are reviewed as part of a fire risk assessment include:
The layout of a building, and what it’s used for
The construction of the building
The number of occupants
All electrical equipment in the building, especially ones that could be a potential source of ignition
Smoking areas and their fire safety precautions
Heating devices
Escape routes, their ease of use and their configuration
Fire safety signs
Fire suppressant methods, including sprinklers and measures to stop the spread of fire
Fire safety records and documentation
Waking Watch Services from Fire & Evacuation Services
Fire and Evacuation Services are trained firefighters who specialise in waking watch and evacuation management. Our firefighters are proud to pioneer the role of fire evacuation management and professionalise what an organisation can expect from waking watch services.