Building Emergency Controllers (BECs) and Deputy BECs
On this page:
- Becoming a BEC, or leaving the role
- Guidance, training and equipment for BECs
- Responsibilities of BECs
- Responsibilities of Deputy BECs
Becoming a BEC, or leaving the role
The Emergency Management Coordinator maintains a database of the University's BECs (UoM network login required).
If you would like to become a BEC, please:
- check whether your current building already has a BEC (look in the BEC database (.xls, UoM network login required), or ask your management);
- discuss your interest with your local Dean, Head or senior staff member. If there is more than one department in your building, all the departments will need to discuss the matter;
- use the Request to change Building Emergency Controller details form (UoM network login required) to be added to the database and receive training and equipment.
Existing BECs, if you would like to leave the role, or if you stop working in your current building, please:
- advise your building's senior management, and
- advise OHS & Injury Management via the Request to change Building Emergency Controller details form (UoM network login required)
as soon as possible, so that recruitment for your replacement can start quickly.
Guidance, training and equipment for BECs
- Guidance material
- Emergency response training
- Equipment for Wardens - BECs should order equipment for both Wardens and themselves.
Responsibilities of BECs
Emergency Functions
On sounding of the building evacuation signal, the BEC shall:
- Don a white BEC Warden helmet
- Proceed to the building emergency control station (usually at the Fire Indicator Board)
- Check the Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) and take reasonable steps to ascertain the cause of the alarm. (e.g. send a runner to the location.)
- Ensure that Security has been contacted on x46666
- Establish and maintain contact with the University Asset Services (Maintenance) Officers in attendance who have responsibility for the control of services (gas, water, and electricity)
- Receive reports from Floor Wardens or Section Wardens on the state of evacuation of their areas of responsibility, and record this on an Evacuation Checklist
- Direct the Floor Wardens to:
- remain at the control point, or
- go to a floor which has not been evacuated, or
- proceed to the Assembly Point
- Maintain control over the evacuation procedures until relieved by the Senior Public Authority Officer
- Advise the Senior Public Authority Officer of the state of evacuation of the building, and liaise with the officer until the termination of the emergency
- When the emergency is terminated:
- Inform the building occupants at the Assembly Point to return to the building;
- Prepare a Building Evacuation Report and forward to the Emergency Management Coordinator.
- Convene a debriefing meeting of the Emergency Evacuation Team and relevant personnel to assess and improve procedure.
- Inform Asset Services (Maintenance) of any problems that may be maintenance related, e.g.. failure of systems, unsafe conditions, etc.
- Implement recommendations from the meeting.
Non-emergency Functions
- Modify the University model emergency evacuation procedures for the building, and document the procedures in the Building Emergency Information Book. This book must be updated annually.
- Determine the appropriate structure for the building ECO.
- Appoint all members of the building ECO and arrange replacements as occupancy of the building changes, in consultation with the appropriate Dean, Head or Senior staff within the building.
- Maintain a register of current members of the building ECO.
- Coordinate the training for new members of the Building ECO as they are appointed, in cooperation with the Emergency Management Coordinator.
- Report obstructions to aisles, passageways, stairways and fire exits, and take such action as they are able to correct the problem. Refer to Housekeeping - EHS Requirements (UOM 353).
- Nominate times and dates of at least one emergency evacuation drill per year for each building.
- Prepare and mount notices regarding evacuation procedures and the duties of occupants in the event of an emergency, in consultation with the Emergency Management Coordinator.
- Determine the most appropriate evacuation routes for the building and ensure that Floor Wardens advise occupants accordingly.
- Report overcrowding of rooms to the person with management and control.
- Maintain the Building Emergency Information Book in buildings with a Risk Rating 1, ie have Dangerous Goods or large numbers of staff or students, developed with the Emergency Management Coordinator, including a record of dangerous goods and equipment in the building. Copies of all amendments must be sent to Security Office.
- Determine the Assembly Point location in consultation with the Emergency Management Coordinator, and take steps to make occupants aware of the location.
- Construct a plan of action to deter persons from entering the building after the alarm has sounded (e.g. delegate staff to stand at entrances to prevent entry).
- Prepare an evacuation plan for the lecture theatres, class rooms and teaching laboratories and implement action items (Evacuation of lecture theatres, classrooms, and teaching laboratories.)
Responsibilities
- develop and maintain appropriate building evacuation procedures
- appoint, in conjunction with management, members of the emergency control organisation for the building
- maintain a register of current members of the Building ECO
- ensure that such persons receive training in emergency procedures
- undertake control of all emergency situations until relieved of duty by other emergency professional such as MFB
- maintain and update the Building Emergency Information Book (dangerous goods buildings only).
Responsibilities of Deputy BECs
In the absence of the BEC, the Deputy BEC will take over these functions.