How Do You Structure A Warden Team In The Workplace?

HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE A WARDEN TEAM IN THE WORKPLACE?

The important thing to remember when developing a Warden team and evacuation procedures, is not to over-think or over-complicate them. REMEMBER that all Occupants of a building or tenancy has to know what to do and be able to react instinctively through ongoing training and evacuation exercises.

WARDEN TEAM AS DESCRIBED BY AS3745 2010 'PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES IN FACILITIES;

Identifying your Warden Team:

Chief/Deputy/Communications Wardens wear a white helmet
Floor/Area Wardens wear a yellow helmet
Wardens wear a red helmet
First Aid Officers wear a green helmet

NOTE:

A Fire Safety Adviser (FSA) is only required in Qld. It is a requirement of the Qld Building Fire Safety Regulations 2008, that if a workplace has over 30 employees or a residential building is larger than 25 metres, (8 levels), then a certified FSA must be appointed for the site and is a member of the Emergency Planning Committee (EPC see below). I would also recommend that 1st Aid Officers are included in your Warden team to help those Occupants that may be injured during evacuation.

HOW MANY WARDENS DO I NEED?

This is a question often asked. Neither the standard AS3745 2010 ‘Planning for Emergencies in Facilities’ or the Qld Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 give a definitive answer on this question as there are a number of factors to consider, such as:

• The size of the facility or floor area
• The number of Occupants
• The installed warning systems
• Engineered and life safety features of the building

The Emergency Planning Committee (EPC) is responsible for deciding on how many Wardens are required for their site. (The EPC under guidance of the (FSA if applicable) is responsible for ensuring the fire safety procedures, training and other fire safety compliance is met and maintained) Refer to AS3745 Section 2.

LET'S LOOK AT SOME EXAMPLES:

TYPICAL COMMERCIAL HIGH RISE BUILDING

I would recommend:

Chief Warden reports to and controls the evacuation from the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) (responsible for the whole building) In larger buildings, often, the Chief/Deputy Chief Warden team use two way radios to communicate information within the Chief Warden team.

Deputy Chief/Communications Warden Warden (back up the Chief Warden and assist communications at the FIP) and to act as directed by the Chief Warden. If it is a large building, there may be numerous Deputy Chief Wardens to assist in the flow of evacuees to the assembly area, perhaps search and secure car-parks etc.

Floor Wardens Wardens (responsible for communications to and from the Chief Warden and is stationed at the Warden intercommunication phone (WIP) located on each level. There must be a Floor Warden reporting to the WIP on each level of the building.

WardensWardens (responsible for the initial investigation of their area for signs of activation of alarm or signs of fire or smoke and preparation to evacuate, including searching all areas of their responsibility to ensure all Occupants are accounted for. If the tenancy leases the whole floor, I would recommend 4 Wardens, 1 for each side of the building. It is also recommended that redundancy is considered in the event of a Warden on leave or sick. So it would be advantages to have 5 or 6 Wardens allocated to each floor. It really depends on how many staff you have available. If there are multiple tenancies on each floor, then I would recommend that there is at least 2 Wardens dedicated to each tenancy. The reason being, on alarm, each warden reports to the WIP cupboard to collect their Warden hats. The first Warden to the WIP should assume the role of the Floor Warden and remain at the WIP to communicate to the Chief Warden. It is then the responsibility of the second Warden and other tenancy Wardens to ensure safe evacuation of their tenancies and reporting all information relating to the emergency including mobility impaired unable to use the fire stairs back to the Floor Warden who will pass on to the Chief Warden.

First Aid Officers (responsible for aiding injured or overcome Occupants and reporting situation reports to the Floor Warden or Chief Warden. First aid kits should be used as required and refilled after the situation is secured.

TYPICAL SHOPPING CENTRE

The Chief Warden team typically consists of Centre Management staff, Cleaning Staff and Security.

Chief Warden reports to and controls the evacuation from the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) (responsible for the whole centre) In larger centres, often, the Chief/Deputy Chief Warden team use two way radios to communicate information within the Chief Warden team.

Deputy Chief/Communications Warden (back up the Chief Warden and assist communications at the FIP) and to act as directed by the Chief Warden

Common Area Wardens typically consist of Centre Management Cleaning Staff and Security. These Wardens are responsible for the evacuation of the common areas of the Centre. Again, these Wardens often utilise 2 way radio communication to the Chief Warden.

Wardens –Major stores within the Centre typically have their own procedures and Warden team within their store. All Tenancies in the Centre must have a trained Warden. Centre Management will normally supply Warden training to all Tenancies.

First Aid Officers typically Centre Management Staff (responsible for aiding injured or overcome Occupants and reporting situation reports to the Chief Warden. First aid kits should be used as required and refilled after the situation is secured.

Typical Front office with attached Factory or Warehouse:
A lot of these sites do not have a fire alarm system installed and are referred to as verbal sites. On discovery of a fire, the alarm is either yell ‘Fire Fire Fire’ or use an air horn or other device as set down in their procedures.

Chief Warden : Warden reports to and controls the evacuation from the designated area at the front of the site as described in their procedures and receives reports from Area Wardens as they evacuate their areas and meet the Fire Service on their arrival. In larger Factories or Warehouses, often, the Chief/Deputy Chief Warden team use two way radios to communicate information within the Warden team. Heads of areas (Area Wardens) (eg Production, Processing, Packing areas) often utilise two way radio communication.

Deputy Chief/Communications Warden Warden (back up the Chief Warden and assist communications at the control point) and to act as directed by the Chief Warden. Area Wardens (Heads of areas) on confirmation of an emergency, are responsible for the safe evacuation of all Occupants within their designated areas including sweeps of their area, to ensure all Occupants are accounted for and reporting back to the Chief Warden once evacuated, that their area is cleared.

Wardens generally are not required in this structure, as the Area Warden is usually sufficient to ensure a safe evacuation is completed of each area.

First Aid Officers (responsible for aiding injured or overcome Occupants and reporting situation reports to the Chief Warden. First aid kits should be used as required and refilled after the situation is secured.

There are many more building types to consider when structuring a Warden team, such as schools, child care centres, public halls, stadiums, large train stations and the list goes on and on.
Anderson EMC specialises in Emergency Procedures for all types of buildings and would be happy to meet with you to discuss your requirements to ensure compliance under the relevant standards and regulations. For more information visit www.andersonemc.com.au or contact Tony direct: Mobile: 0400 589 790 or email tony@andersonemc.com.au