AS 3745:2010 “Planning for Emergencies in Facilities” is an Australian Standard that provides a framework for developing and implementing comprehensive emergency plans for various facilities. The standard aims to enhance the safety of people in facilities during an evacuation by outlining minimum requirements for planning, preparedness, response, and training. This blog post will discuss the key aspects of AS 3745:2010, providing a detailed understanding of its components and highlighting the importance of compliance for workplace safety.
Applicability and Scope
AS 3745:2010 applies to a wide range of facilities, including buildings, structures, and workplaces, where people are present. However, it excludes single dwellings unless they are also used as a workplace. The standard focuses specifically on human/life safety aspects during emergencies within facilities and does not cover facility operational incidents, community disaster management, business continuity, security management, or major environmental impacts extending beyond the facility.
The Emergency Planning Committee (EPC)
A crucial aspect of AS 3745:2010 is the formation of an Emergency Planning Committee (EPC). The EPC comprises representatives of stakeholders within the facility, including management, and is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the emergency plan, emergency response procedures, and related training. This may involve collaborating with external organisations as needed. The EPC should consist of at least two individuals unless the facility is owned, occupied, and operated by a single person, in which case the EPC may be the sole owner/occupant. It is essential to ensure that the EPC has adequate resources, including time, finances, equipment, and personnel, to effectively fulfil its responsibilities.
The Emergency Plan
AS 3745:2010 mandates the development and maintenance of a written emergency plan for each facility. The emergency plan should document organisational arrangements, systems, strategies, and procedures for responding to and managing emergencies. It should include, but not be limited to, the following elements:
●A clear statement of purpose and scope
●Information on the structure and purpose of the EPC
●Identification of the facilities covered by the plan
●Descriptions of the fire safety and emergency features of the facility
●Organisational arrangements for the facility
●Sections detailing emergency identification outcomes, emergency response procedures, evacuation diagrams, and training arrangements
●A statement outlining the extent of distribution of the emergency plan or excerpts from it
●Details of the hours of occupancy of the facility
●The EPC-nominated validity period for the emergency plan
●The date of issue or amendment date on each page of the plan
If the emergency plan is in electronic format, at least one printed copy must be available on-site.
Emergency Identification and Analysis
A critical step in emergency planning is identifying and analysing potential emergencies that could impact the facility. This involves:
●Identifying specific emergency events and scenarios that might affect people within the facility, considering internal, external, and within-facility sources that could impact other facilities. Examples of potential emergencies include:
○Human-induced emergencies: bomb threats, building invasions, personal threats, chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear incidents, civil disorder, medical emergencies, arson, explosions, and suspect objects.
○Natural emergencies: bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, explosions, fires, floods, and severe weather/storm damage.
○Technological emergencies: hazardous substances incidents, industrial incidents, structural instability, transport incidents, and toxic emissions.
●Identifying the possible consequences of each emergency, considering the vulnerability of people before, during, and after the event.
●Determining which potential emergencies should be included in the emergency plan based on the identified events and their potential consequences.
Documentation such as fire safety engineers' reports, fire safety plans, other safety reports, and risk assessment reports can also help identify potential emergencies.
Key Considerations for Emergency Planning
When identifying potential emergencies and developing and maintaining the emergency plan, it is crucial to consider several factors, including:
●The size and complexity of the facility: The scale and intricacy of the facility will influence the scope and detail of the emergency plan.
●Fire engineered or life safety features: Fire engineering reports, occupant evacuation analyses, fire safety plans, and other building reports can help determine the facility's fire engineered or life safety features.
●Security systems, procedures, and protocols: Existing security measures should be integrated with the emergency plan.
●The number and nature of occupants and visitors: The demographics and characteristics of the occupants and visitors will influence the evacuation strategies and procedures.
●The hours of occupancy: The operational hours of the facility will determine the potential number of occupants present during an emergency.
Emergency Response Procedures
AS 3745:2010 mandates the development of emergency response procedures that address various aspects of emergency management. These procedures should outline:
●Responsibilities and duties of the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) during an emergency: This includes roles and duties outlined in Clause 5.7 of the standard.
●Responsibilities of facility occupants and their actions during an emergency
●Arrangements for evacuating the facility
●Arrangements for emergency preparedness and response
●Current emergency contact details
The EPC, in collaboration with facility owners, managers, occupiers, and employers, determines the specific information included in the emergency response procedures.
Emergency Control Organisation (ECO)
The Emergency Control Organisation (ECO) is responsible for directing and controlling the implementation of the facility's emergency response procedures. The ECO's size and structure should be appropriate to the facility and its emergency response procedures, as determined by the EPC. The ECO typically includes roles such as:
●Chief Warden: Responsible for overall command and control during an emergency.
●Communications Officer: Manages communication systems and information flow.
●Floor or Area Wardens: Responsible for specific floors or areas within the facility.
●Wardens: Assist in evacuation procedures and occupant safety.
●Emergency Response Team (ERT): Specialist personnel trained to handle specific emergencies.
AS 3745:2010 provides detailed guidance on the roles, responsibilities, training, and authority of the ECO.
Training and Exercises
Training and exercises are essential components of AS 3745:2010. The standard requires training for EPC members, ECO members, and facility occupants. Training should be conducted by competent individuals and cover topics such as:
●Emergency plan development, management, and maintenance (for EPC members)
●Roles and responsibilities of the EPC and ECO
●Emergency procedures for specific emergencies identified in the plan
●Responding to alarms and emergency reports
●Communication protocols during emergencies
●Evacuation procedures, including strategies for people with disabilities
●Use of emergency response equipment
●Human behaviour during emergencies
Regular emergency response exercises are crucial for testing the effectiveness of the emergency plan and the ECO's response. The standard outlines requirements for initial testing and implementation, ongoing programs, and debriefing sessions after exercises.
Review and Maintenance
AS 3745:2010 emphasises the importance of regular review and maintenance of the emergency plan and associated elements. The plan should be reviewed after an emergency, an exercise, or any changes that affect the plan. Deficiencies identified during inspections, testing, or maintenance should be reported to management and rectified promptly. Records of all inspection, testing, and maintenance activities must be maintained.
Compliance with AS 3745:2010 is crucial for ensuring workplace safety and minimising the risk of harm to occupants during emergencies. By following the standard's guidelines for emergency planning, preparedness, response, and training, facilities can create a safer environment for everyone. Regular review and maintenance of the emergency plan and associated procedures are essential for maintaining its effectiveness and ensuring ongoing preparedness.
Comments