• Section 1 - Purpose and Objectives
• Section 2 - Definitions, Terms, Acronyms
• Section 3 - Procedures Scope/Coverage
• Section 4 - Procedures Statement
• Section 5 - Organisational Responsibilities
• Section 6 - Factors Affecting Fire Safety
• Section 7 - Managing Fire Safety
• Strategy
• Fire Safety Inspections and Risk Assessment
• Maintenance of Fire Systems and Associated Equipment
• Building Design and Commissioning of New Systems
• Fire Wardens - Management
• Fire Evacuation Drills
• Testing of Fire Evacuation Systems
• Emergency Response
• Effectiveness of FSMP
• Section 8 - Management of Fire Safety Issues
• Notification of Issues
• Complaint Incident Investigation

Section 1 - Purpose and Objectives

(1) This document provides information on how the University manages fire risks and how the University community is informed about fire safety measures.

Section 2 - Definitions, Terms, Acronyms

Section 3 - Procedures Scope/Coverage

(2) These Procedures apply to all persons within the University community.

Section 4 - Procedures Statement

(3) The FSMP provides the University with information and understanding of fire policies and procedures. 

(4) There are four main objectives of the FSMP:

1. To ensure a comprehensive fire risk management process is applied across the University to ensure a high level of safety for persons and property;
2. To ensure that fire safety problems that arise are quickly and effectively contained and resolved;
3. To ensure that the University complies fully with its legal obligations in relation to fire safety; and
4. To ensure that appropriate training and information is provided on fire safety to the University community.

Section 5 - Organisational Responsibilities

(5) The following are responsible for the implementation and management of the control measures discussed in this document:

Section 6 - Factors Affecting Fire Safety

Section 7 - Managing Fire Safety

Strategy

(6) Please see attached diagram of the strategy for fire safety.

Fire Safety Inspections and Risk Assessment

(7) Fire risk assessments and inspections of buildings and grounds belonging to the University are essential in identifying real and potential fire risks and hazards. University buildings must be inspected EVERY YEAR using the Fire Safety Building Report. Wherever possible, Chief Fire Wardens are to be involved in these audits.

(8) Fire risk assessments will be in accordance with AS/NZS ISO31000:2009 – Risk Management – Standards Australia. Fire risk will be rated using the Health and Safety Risk Assessment Procedure and conducted in UQSafe.

(9) Additionally, Insurance Loss Adjustors will carry out random risk assessment audits of University buildings. Audit reports must be reviewed jointly by Insurance Services and Property and Facilities Division to determine required actions and funding allocations.

Maintenance of Fire Systems and Associated Equipment

(10) Maintenance of fire safety systems forms part of the Fire Maintenance Contract managed by P&F. The provisions of the contract ensures maintenance on fire systems and equipment is carried out in compliance with the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 and Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008, the National Construction Code 2011, the appropriate Standards Australia Codes of Practice and other associated legislation. The contract will ensure that Fire Maintenance Contractors are fully inducted for safe work practices at UQ and are fully qualified to carry out maintenance on fire safety systems.

Building Design and Commissioning of New Systems

(11) All building design work shall comply with relevant codes and standards including University design guidelines. New building works and refurbishment projects that include fire safety equipment and systems will be commissioned by the Fire Safety Office prior to entering into service to ensure compliance under the above Acts, Codes and Standards.

Fire Wardens - Management

General

(12) The Fire Warden database has been designed to assist in complying with legislation for the provision of Fire Wardens in all areas of the University. It is the responsibility of Faculties, Schools and Divisions to appoint Fire Wardens for their respective areas and to maintain their compartment of the Fire Warden database.

(13) The Fire Warden Database is a software system that records full details of all University Fire Wardens. Faculties, Schools and Divisions are responsible for the appointment of area Fire Wardens for their respective buildings and are to forward this information to the Fire Safety Officers for inclusion in the Fire Warden database.

Training

(14) Fire Warden Training is provided through the Property and Facilities Division's Fire Safety Office, which conducts a number of courses annually. The course is delivered by a qualified fire contractor engaged by the FSO, and Fire Warden Training manuals are provided to all participants. It is the responsibility of all Fire Wardens to attend one course annually on one of the dates available. Extra courses will be provided depending on demand. The Fire Warden database can identify Wardens who have not attended training and the FSO will send out timely reminders to these people.

Fire Evacuation Drills

Requirement

(15) Fire evacuation exercises will be carried out annually within individual buildings on University campuses. The purpose of these exercises is to educate building occupants in the correct manner of evacuating a building in the event of an emergency situation and to meet University legal obligations.

(16) All evacuations will be conducted by the Fire Wardens under the guidance of a Fire Safety Officer using a pro-forma guideline. Pre and post de-briefing sessions will accompany each evacuation drill. Buildings that are assessed by the Associate Director, Occupational Health and Safety Unit, as a high fire safety risk may be required to undertake additional fire evacuation drills.

Assistance for Disabled Persons

(17) Provisions are made for the safe evacuation of disabled persons detailed in the Fire Emergency Evacuation Procedure.

Fire Emergency Procedures

(18) Fire evacuation of a building will be in accordance with established procedures for “Fire and Emergency Procedures”. In the event of a fire alarm outside of normal business hours, building occupants must evacuate the building.

Testing of Fire Evacuation Systems

(19) Regular testing of building fire evacuation systems must be conducted by the Chief Fire Warden at agreed appropriate times during normal hours. 

(20) Fire Wardens will report any faults or problems to their respective Chief Wardens who will forward the details to the Fire Safety Office.

Emergency Response

(21) Fire systems on University sites are monitored and responded to by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and by UQ Security. In the event of a fire alarm, the Building Fire Wardens will evacuate the building in the prescribed manner. UQ Security will respond under guidelines of Security Emergency Procedure–Fire and Evacuation and will coordinate activities until the arrival of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.

Effectiveness of FSMP

(22) The following four Key Performance Indicators will be used to monitor the effectiveness of the FSMP:

1. Number of fires recorded annually/number of fire related incidents.
2. Achieving set schedules and time frames (Evacuation Drills and Building Audits).
3. Measuring the number of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service call outs against cause.
4. Number of improvement and prohibition notices from statutory authorities.

Section 8 - Management of Fire Safety Issues

(23) This section describes the process for managing fire safety issues at the University of Queensland. The aim is to define the reporting line for such issues and to ensure timely management of the problem.

Notification of Issues

(24) Fire Wardens and building occupants can assist the management of fire safety by reporting any issues or problems that they may identify to the Fire Safety Officer. Generally fire safety issues will be identified through the Annual Fire Safety Risk Audits conducted by the Fire Safety Officers and during routine maintenance and inspections by the Fire Maintenance Contractor. 

(25) Systems and equipment failures will be automatically identified through the network fire system via the Central Security Monitoring Station.

(26) Any fire issue that is otherwise identified may be reported in the following manner:

1. PF Assist, P&F Ext 52222 – for equipment or systems failure.
2. Email Security Control Monitoring Station address: security@pf.uq.edu.au - for equipment failure or information after hours.
3. Email: fireuq@pf.uq.edu.au

Complaint Incident Investigation

(27) In the event of an actual fire or the identification of a major fire safety risk, the issue will be fully investigated by one or more of the following:

1. Fire Safety Office, Property and Facilities Division.
2. Jointly by Fire Safety Office and the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.
3. The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service – Investigation Unit.
4. Other external assistance depending on the nature and extent of the problem.