General

The law imposes certain duties on the person in charge of any activity taking place in public buildings. This applies to Village Halls and you are therefore asked to study these notes carefully and make sure you understand and comply with them at all times.

The person in charge of a function is deemed to be responsible for the safety of  all persons inside the Village Hall. This is the person named on the booking  form, or a deputy authorised by them in their absence, and is deemed to be in  charge of the function, and is responsible for taking any action necessary to
ensure the safety of all persons in the building. If there is more than one user  the person discovering an emergency is responsible for informing those in charge of other activities of the situation.

Burglar alarm

This is sited by the main doors and is accessed by a code number. All users of  the Hall are provided with their  own code, and the alarm records the date and time of usage.

On entry the alarm buzzes. To cancel the alarm, press your code into the  keypad, followed by the YES button. To set the alarm, check that all doors are closed, enter your code number followed by YES. The panel clearly indicates if any doors need checking as they are not secured. Any doors indicated must be checked before attempting to re-set the alarm. The buzzer will sound for approximately 30 seconds. If the buzzer
continues to sound after locking the door for a minute, the alarm has failed to set.

The building should never be left unalarmed.

Exit Signs

The exit signs (except the one over the main doors) must be illuminated whenever the building is in use, even in daylight, and when projection equipment is in use. They are operated by a switch on the Balcony above and to the right of the doors. The sign over the main doors is illuminated whenever
the Entrance Hall lights are on. All the signs illuminate automatically if the mains electricity supply fails.

Public Telephone

A public pay telephone is provided for the convenience of Hall users in the Balcony. It is able to providefree emergency calls should they be required.

First Aid

A First Aid kit is provided in the kitchen for the use of all users. Please inform the Hall Manager should you use any items, so that they can be replaced for future users.

Heating

There are no general heating controls available to users.

Mains Electrical Supply

This conforms and is certificated to current standards. In the event of the power
tripping off the last item switched on should be isolated prior to re-setting the trip
switch in the fuse boxes located on the Balcony, Storeroom, or by the Main
Entrance.

In case of Fire

During any hiring, the lead hirer at the time is deemed to be the ‘responsible person’ under the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The fire alarm signal is continuous ringing of the bells on the Balcony and in the Main Hall. It is sounded anually from call points at each exit and automatically by smoke detectors located in other parts of the building. If the alarm sounds the person in charge of the function must immediately ensure everyone in the building leaves by the nearest exit, taking care to avoid creating panic.

Occasional users of the Hall must familiarise themselves, and the rest of the party with evacuation procedures prior to the start of the event. Emergency Exits, operated by push bars, are located on the Balcony, the Staircase landing and at the far end of the Main Hall. THESE MUST BE KEPT CLEAR OF BOTH INTERNAL and EXTERNAL r OBSTRUCTIONS AT ALL TIMES and the person in charge must ensure that this requirement is strictly observed.

After starting the evacuation of the building the person in charge of the function must call the fire brigade immediately, followed by the Hall Manager or MCA Chairperson. After sending for the fire brigade, ascertain that everyone has left the building. It is essential that all rooms, storerooms, toilets, storage areas and the boiler room are checked if it is safe to do so.

Whilst fire extinguishers are provided they should only be used when the building has, been completely evacuated. They should only be used on small blazes, by persons who are familiar with their use and operation, and when there is no danger to them.

In practise this means they should not be used except to save lives. The safety of persons leaving the building is paramount at all times. There is also a fire blanket in the kitchen to be used to smother flames in the event of fat fires, or should anyone catch fire. ,

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All of the evacuated persons must gather at the Fire Assembly Point at the end of the Car Park, leaving space for the arrival of the emergency services. The person(s) responsible for each event must take a roll call prior to the arrival of the emergency. services, and be able to inform them whether everyone in the building is accounted for or not.

In the event of an accident the alarm can be silenced by using the key taped to the top of the panel to activate the controls and then pressing the ‘Silence Alarm’ switch. In the event of a fire the alarm must remain on until it is silenced by the Fire Brigade. The buzzer will continue to sound until the glass in the call point has been replaced and the system re-set. This can only be done by the Hall Manager or his appointed deputy.

Kitchen and Appliances

The kitchen is equipped with a wide range of equipment, crockery and utensils. Users should bring their own cutlery. Hot water is available on demand. And is supplied directly to all sinks
continuously. It may be necessary to run the tap for a minute before it runs hot  owing to the distance between the boiler and the tap. Please note that the cooker should be left switched off at the wall isolation
switch when not in use. The oven can only function if the clock is set to a time,
and must be reset whenever it is switched on.  (See note 9 General Conditions) If preparing food then Food Hygiene Regulations must be complied with.

Cleaning Equipment

Cleaning equipment is stored in the boiler room accessed through the Gents toilets. Brushes and sweeping brooms are also stored in the Storeroom. It is a condition of hire that the Main Hall is swept clean after each use by the Hirer.

Storeroom

The key to the storeroom is placed at. the top right of the architrave to the door, and should be left there after being used. Users are, reminded that items may only be left for storage in the Store Room
after informing the Bookinq Secretary, and that a charge will be levied for the use of space. (See booking charges).

Disabled Toilets

These are located downstairs on the right hand side of the passageway. There are two cubicles available, and a” small hand basin. Users should leave these toilets, if used, as they would like to find them. Baby changing facilities are available.