Health Technical Memorandum 05-03: Operational provisions Part A: Training – Fire Safety Guidance
Health Technical Memorandum 05-03 Part A is an official guidance document published by NHS England (Department of Health) within the Firecode suite. It establishes the operational provisions for fire safety training across all healthcare settings in the United Kingdom. This memorandum sits under the wider legal framework of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) and the Building Safety Act 2022, providing a structured approach for healthcare organisations to meet their statutory obligations regarding staff competency and patient safety.
The scope of this document is limited specifically to fire safety training, replacing earlier versions that included broader general fire safety topics. It defines the regulatory requirements for a Training Needs Analysis (TNA), management responsibilities from board-level directors to ward heads, and the specific competencies required for roles such as the Authorised Person (Fire Training) and Fire Safety Manager. The guidance details training content for various staff cohorts, including nursing staff in critical care, estates and facilities teams, and third-party contractors, while also addressing high-risk environments like operating theatres and medical gas storage areas.
The document provides technical frameworks for delivering training via multiple methodologies, including e-learning, face-to-face sessions, and large-scale live exercises. It also integrates fire safety protocols with the NHS Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) framework to ensure continuity of safety during periods of extreme operational pressure.
Management Responsibilities and Roles
Fire safety training is a legal requirement under Article 21 of the FSO. The document assigns specific responsibilities to various leadership tiers within a healthcare organisation:
- Board-level Director: Responsible for ensuring a robust policy is in place and that the TNA is reviewed at least every three years.
- Fire Safety Manager: Oversees the development of training programmes and ensures the delivery of training to all employees.
- Authorised Person (Fire Training): A competent individual responsible for overseeing the delivery and assessing the efficacy of training sessions.
- Local Management: Senior nurses and department heads must ensure staff attend training and that sufficient Fire Wardens are appointed for their area.
Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
The Training Needs Analysis (TNA) is the foundational element for determining the content and frequency of fire safety instruction. It must be developed by the Fire Safety Manager in conjunction with the Fire Safety Adviser.
- Step 1: Determine staff members’ fire safety responsibilities based on their role in the emergency action plan.
- Step 2: Group staff with similar fire safety responsibilities (e.g., grouping ward-based administrators with clinical staff who assist in evacuations).
- Step 3: Determine the specific training requirement for each responsibility, such as the safe use of medical gases or evacuation of high-dependency patients.
- Step 4: Define the nature and duration of training sessions, ranging from basic fire awareness to advanced incident management.
Fire Drills and Evacuation Exercises
Practical testing of the emergency plan is mandatory to validate staff competency and identify strategy weaknesses. HTM 05-03 Part A categorises these activities into three types:
- Fire Drills: Should be conducted at least once a year, simulating conditions where escape routes are obstructed by smoke or fire.
- Discussion-based Exercises: Used to develop awareness of a completed emergency plan through classroom-style review.
- Table-top Exercises: Timed simulations where teams act out roles in a safe environment without disrupting clinical settings.
- Live Exercises: Large-scale rehearsals involving multi-agency interoperability, such as the fire and rescue service, to test logistics and communication.
Specialist Training for High-Risk Areas
Certain environments require training that exceeds standard fire safety induction. This is particularly relevant for staff handling hazardous materials or working with immobile patients.
- Medical Gases: Training must cover the identification of oxygen-enriched atmospheres, safe storage of cylinders, and the operation of emergency shut-off valves.
- Operating Theatres: Staff must be trained in the 'fire triangle' components relevant to surgery, such as surgical fabrics (fuel), oxygen (oxidiser), and lasers (ignition).
- Progressive Horizontal Evacuation: Specific training for moving patients through fire-resisting compartments rather than immediately exiting the building via stairs.
- Moving and Handling: Use of specialised equipment like evacuation sheets, mats, and evacuation chairs for mobility-impaired patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should new healthcare staff receive fire safety training?
Basic fire safety training must be completed on or before a staff member's first day of work, regardless of their role or employment status (including bank and agency staff).
Who is the 'Responsible Person' for fire safety training under the FSO?
Under Article 3 of the FSO, the employer (typically the healthcare organisation) is the responsible person, though primary accountability for training policy rests with the appointed board-level director.
How often must the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) be reviewed?
The TNA should be reviewed whenever there are changes affecting its efficacy, or at a minimum, every three years.
Is e-learning acceptable as the sole method of fire safety training?
In most healthcare organisations, e-learning is not acceptable as the sole means of training; it must support training delivered by a person competent in the healthcare fire environment.
What is the role of a Fire Warden in a hospital setting?
Fire Wardens act as the 'eyes and ears' for local fire safety, reporting hazards to management and assisting in the execution of the local fire emergency action plan.
What training is required for staff in operating theatres regarding surgical fires?
Theatre staff require specialist training on the risks of oxygen-enriched atmospheres, ignition sources like lasers, and deciding when to evacuate during a procedure.
How does the NHS manage fire training during a pandemic or industrial action?
During periods of extreme operational pressure, the Fire Safety Manager must assess the impact on training and may prioritise urgent updates via electronic media or alternative methods led by the Authorised Person (Fire Training).
What is progressive horizontal evacuation in healthcare fire safety?
It is a process where patients are moved from an area of danger to a safer adjoining fire-resisting compartment on the same level, rather than using stairs or lifts immediately.
