A fire stay put policy is an essential evacuation strategy used in purpose build tower flats and apartment blocks. Stay put policies are based on the concept that a fire can be safely contained within a single flat, making it safer for residents to stay in their flats and closing the doors and windows rather than evacuating the building.
If a fire situation occurs within a building, the most effective way to protect occupants is to ensure residents and the building’s construction work in unison to prevent flames from spreading. It’s also crucial that firefighters are notified at quickly as possible and are given the time to extinguish fires.
A stay put policy is only used for occupants who are not exposed to fire or smoke.
Where can a stay put policy be used in the event of a fire?
A stay put policy can only be implemented if a building or properties meets the necessary fire safety and compartmentation standards.
- Fire Resistant Materials – Stay put policies are only possible if a building’s construction utilises fire-resistant and non-flammable materials to effectively contain fires.
- Fire doors & fire barriers – approved and maintained fire doors and fire barriers should be installed to ensure a stay put policy can be used in the event of a fire.
- Smoke Detectors & Fire Alarms – there should be a provision of smoke detectors and fire alarms present to make authorities and occupants aware of the fire.
- Fire safety checks and maintenance – a stay put policy can only be used if the property regularly conducts fire risk assessments and compartmentation surveys.
Why use a stay put policy?
A stay put policy can be used for a variety of reasons, but the overriding factor is that, in certain scenarios and properties, it can help protect public safety. By using a stay put fire policy, each individual apartment can be used to contain the fire for a period long enough for fire services to extinguish the flames.
Properties and buildings constructed with concrete and approved and maintained fire doors protect against fire, containing fumes and smoke and provide authorities with the time they need to eliminate it.
Moreover, buildings with fire-resistant concrete constructions mean that heat is transferred slowly around a structure, preventing fire from spreading quickly and maintain a property’s structure for longer.
Another advantage of implementing a stay put policy is that it allows firefighters to conduct their operations safely and quickly if there are clear corridors and stairwells. With people safely away from a fire via flat compartmentation, fire services and focus purely on extinguishing the flames.
Implementing a stay put policy
Successfully implementing a fire stay put policy can be difficult, as its effectiveness depends on a variety of factors, and personnel responsible for fire risk assessments and fire safety must ensure the property is a suitable structure.
An initial fire risk assessment and fire compartmentation survey will help property owners identify the material make-up of the structure and assess the level of fire risks in the building to determine whether a stay put fire policy is suitable.
If a stay put policy is considered a viable solution for a given property, those responsible will still be required to develop a stay put plan, which provides clear instructions for how occupants can stay safe in the event of the fire.
Furthermore, the plan should be communicated clearly and concisely to occupants, and they should also periodically receive training to ensure the stay put policy is fresh in their minds.
Fire Compartmentation Surveys from Melwood Facilities
Melwood Facilities are leading providers of fire compartmentation surveys in the North West of England, which will help businesses and landlords determine whether a stay put policy can be used to protect the public in the event of a fire.
A fire compartmentation survey assess the fire risk of individual areas of sub-divisions of your building, and how it can be used to help prevent the rapid spread of fire and smoke.
Similarly, a fire door survey can help determine whether existing fire doors are suitable for a fire stay-put policy.
