Fire

Fire presents significant risk to a business. It can kill or seriously injure employees or visitors and can damage or destroy buildings, equipment and stock potentially causing complete disruption to a business.

In the event of locating a fire, operate the nearest fire alarm call point, warn everyone within the pharmacy and ensure the emergency services have been contacted by calling 999. Extinguishers appropriate to the expected type of fire should have been placed strategically within the pharmacy.

Do not attempt to use firefighting equipment unless you have been trained to do so (unless for the protection of life), you are aware of the type of extinguisher to use, and its use would not expose you to risk of personal injury. At all times you should ensure you remain between the fire and the exit. Your primary focus should be to evacuate the building instructing others to do the same.

Fire evacuation procedure

It is important to be clear on your pharmacy evacuation procedure, how to raise the alarm, the sound of the alarm and where the fire exits are situated. On hearing the alarm you should evacuate the building by the nearest safe exit and make your way to your designated fire assembly point. Do not run or collect personal possessions and remain at the assembly point until permission has been given to re-enter the building.

It is important to take preventative measures against potential fires by not smoking unless in designated areas, ensuring good housekeeping by keeping rubbish to a minimum, avoid overloading sockets, reporting faulty electrical equipment or fittings such as wires or plug sockets and ensuring pedestrian routes, doorways and fire exits are kept clear.

The fire action sign will be displayed on the wall within the pharmacy which the manager is responsible for updating. It is essential to be familiar with this information and know where the fire assembly point is.

There is also a separate Fire Safety course available within the Mandatory Channel on the NumarkNet training platform.