Fire Safety Policy - Equality Screening

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S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

General Information

Service/
Function
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Policy/
Procedure
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Project
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Strategy
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Plan
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Guidance
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Is this an existing, revised or a new function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?
Existing ☐ Revised ☐ New ☒

Operational Area	Corporate
Title	Fire Safety Policy

Brief Summary
Council has a legal responsibility for fire safety of all members, staff, persons contracted to carry out work on the Council premises, authorised visitors, volunteers and members of the public using our services who may be affected by the Council’s activities.

What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)
The aims are:
a. To eliminate or minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of fire within Council premises.
b. To promote and develop an integral fire safety culture
c. To fire risk assess all relevant Council premises and implement appropriate control measures
d. Effective consultation and communications with all stakeholders
e. Monitor the Council fire safety performance to ensure compliance with its legal obligations and continual improvement of the Councils fire safety management system.

Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Elected Members have responsibility to permit and support compliance,
Chief Executive accountable under legislation,
Directors and Heads of Service ensure implementation of the policy via their management structures,
Managers, Supervisors and Charge-hands ensure effective implementation of the policy,
Employees must adhere to the policy and take reasonable care,
Fire Safety Team, Safety Team and Fire Safety Working Group review current practices and inspection information.

Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

The Fire & Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Health and Safety at Work NI Order
The Building Regulations (NI) 2012
Induction Procedures
Training Policy
Equality Scheme (current)

Available Evidence
Evidence to help inform the screening process may take many forms. Public authorities should ensure that their screening decision is informed by relevant data.
What evidence/information (both qualitative and quantitative have you gathered to inform this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Specify details for relevant Section 75 categories.

It is proposed that all Section 75 categories will be considered via:

Quantitative evidence has been sourced via the NI Census in 2011 and the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2019.
Staff Information.

Section 75 Category

Details of Evidence/Information

Mid-year 2019 NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 144, 838, accounting for 7.6% of the N.I. total. Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed.

Religious Beliefs

The Fire Safety Policy will treat all individuals the same regardless of their Religious Beliefs.

Political Opinion

The Fire Safety Policy will treat all individuals the same regardless of their Political Opinion.

Racial Group

On Census Day 27th March 2011 the resident population was:

	N.I. (%)	Rest of U.K. (%)	ROI (%)	Other Europe (%)	Rest of World (%)
N.I.	88.84	4.56	2.09	2.51	1.99
Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District	91.02	4.99	1.42	1.45	1.06

It was noted some individuals within this Section 75 group could be impacted by the policy if English was not their first language. This could result in them being unable to read the policy. In order to mitigate its potential impact staff will be trained where there is an identified need regarding the policy and its operation, Fire Wardens will receive specific training to support the safe exit of the building by all users, both Visual and Audible Alarms have been installed as this can act as a warning to all, in addition Pictorial Signage will support understanding and safe exit.

Age

Age: (Mid Year 2019) (NISRA statistics)

	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Under 15	26,671 (18.4%)	373,042 (19.7%)
17-44	52,015 (35.9%)	771,679 (40.8%)
45-64	39,498 (27.3%)	488,222 (25.9%)
65 and over	26,654 (18.4%)	314,724 (16.6%)
TOTAL Population	144,838	1,893,667

It was noted some individuals within this Section 75 group could be impacted by the policy or may be slower to leave the building. This could be due to the equipment brought in or to impacts of age itself. In order to mitigate related potential impacts staff will be trained where there is an identified need regarding the policy and its operation, Fire Wardens will receive specific training to support the safe exit of the building by all users, both Visual and Audible Alarms have been installed as this can act as a warning to all, PEEPS will also be developed to take into account general issues and support safe exit. Buildings with lifts are provided with disabled refuges, Evac chairs and appropriately trained staff.

Marital Status

Marital Status:
Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

Census 2011	Ballymoney BC	Coleraine BC	Limavady BC	Moyle DC
Single	32.68%	34.78%	36.64%	34.96%
Married	52.52%	48.88%	48.94%	49.03%
Civil Partnership	0.07%	0.06%	0.08%	0.08%
Separated	3.13%	3.15%	3.58%	3.66%
Divorced/ Civil Partnership Dissolved	5.23%	6.13%	4.99%	5.11%
Widowed/ Surviving Civil Partner	6.39%	7.00%	5.78%	7.15%

The Fire Safety Policy will treat all individuals the same regardless of their marital status.

Sexual Orientation

The Fire Safety Policy will treat all individuals the same regardless of their sexual orientation.

Men and Women Generally

The Fire Safety Policy will treat all individuals the same regardless of their gender.

Dependants

Dependants The Census information in 2011 showed:

People With or Without Dependents:

Census 2011	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Number of households	54,970	721,860
Households with dependent children	15,597 (28.37%)	261,251 (36.19%)

The Fire Safety Policy may impact on those with dependants who are using the registration service mainly.

NISRA Table 3b: Vital Statistics by Local Government Districts

Area		Estimated Population 30-Jun-19	Total Births1	Birth Rate2	Still-births	All Deaths	Death Rate2	Marriages4,5
Northern Ireland		1,893,667	5,582	11.8	25	4,786	10.1	1,294

Causeway Coast and Glens	(Oct – Dec 2020)	144838	393	10.9	0	388	10.7	96
	(July - Sept 2020)	144838	518	14.3	2	295	8.1	134
	(April - June 2020)	144838	211	5.8	1	369	10.2	14
	(Jan - March 2020)	144838	337	9.3	1	349	9.6	57

It was noted some individuals within this Section 75 group could be impacted by the policy or may be slower to leave the building. This could be due to the equipment brought in such as push chairs, children’s seats or buggies. In order to mitigate related potential impacts staff will be trained where there is an identified need regarding the policy and its operation, Fire Wardens will receive specific training to support the safe exit of the building by all users, both Visual and Audible Alarms have been installed as this can act as a warning to all, PEEPS will also be developed to take into account general issues and support safe exit. Buildings with lifts are provided with disabled refuges, Evac chairs and appropriately trained staff.

Disability

People with a long term condition/illness by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

Census 2011	Ballymoney BC	Coleraine BC	Limavady BC	Moyle DC
People with a long term condition/illness	30.6%	31.31%	31.05%	31.68%
People Without	69.4%	68.69%	68.95%	68.32%

____

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Long Term Condition:

Mobility or dexterity	19%
Long term pain or discomfort	17%
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing	14%
A chronic illness	11%
Deafness or partial hearing loss	9%
An emotional, psychological or mental health condition	9%
Other condition	9%
A learning, intellectual or social behaviour difficulty	3%
Frequent periods of confusion or memory loss	3%
Blindness or partial sight	3%
Communication difficulty	3%

Source: NINIS, Census 2011, KS302NI
Notes:

1. ‘Communication difficulty’ means a difficulty with speaking or making yourself understood.
2. ‘A mobility or dexterity difficulty’ means a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, lifting or carrying.
3. ‘An emotional, psychological or mental health condition’ includes conditions such as depression or schizophrenia.
4. ‘Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing’ includes conditions such as asthma.
5. ‘A chronic illness’ includes illnesses such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy.
6. ‘Long-term’ refers to a condition which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.

It was noted some individuals within this Section 75 group could be impacted by the policy or may be slower to leave the building as a result of their disability. In order to mitigate related potential impacts staff will be trained where there is an identified need regarding the policy and its operation, Fire Wardens will receive specific training to support the safe exit of the building by all users, both Visual and Audible Alarms have been installed as this can act as a warning to all, PEEPS will also be developed to take into account general issues and support safe exit. Buildings with lifts are provided with disabled refuges, Evac chairs and appropriately trained staff.

Screening Questions
1. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Section 75 Category		Positive impact	Neutral	Negative impact	Reason
Gender	Women	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The Policy is a Support and Guidance Document and has a neutral impact on this Section 75 category
	Men	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Transgender men/women	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Other please specify	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
Race (As used in the 2011 census)	Asian	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	Mitigating Measures in place: Various languages available Fire Wardens Pictorial Signs Visual and Audible Alarms Trained Staff
	Black	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Chinese	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Mixed race White	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
	Other please specify	☐	☐	Major ☐ Minor ☐
Disability	Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	Mitigating Measures in place: Various languages available Fire Wardens Pictorial Signs Visual and Audible Alarms Trained Staff Reception / Room Booking System requesting information associated with identifying disability
Sexual orientation	Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The Policy is a Support and Guidance Document and has a neutral impact on this Section 75 category
Age	Older People	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	Mitigating Measures in place: Fire Wardens Pictorial Signs Visual and Audible Alarms Trained Staff Reception / Room Booking System requesting information associated with identifying disability
Age	Younger people and children	☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐
Political Opinion		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The Policy is a Support and Guidance Document and has a neutral impact on this Section 75 category
Religious Belief		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The Policy is a Support and Guidance Document and has a neutral impact on this Section 75 category
Marital Status		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	The Policy is a Support and Guidance Document and has a neutral impact on this Section 75 category
Dependants		☐	☒	Major ☐ Minor ☐	Mitigating Measures in place: Fire Wardens Pictorial Signs Visual and Audible Alarms Trained Staff

Screening Questions 2. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any of the Section 75 categories?

Section 75 Category		If Yes, provide details	If No, provide details
Gender	Women		Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
	Men
	Transgender men/women
	Other please specify
Race As used in the 2011 census.	Asian		Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
	Black
	Chinese
	Mixed race White
	Other please specify
Disability	Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.		Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
Sexual orientation	Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others		Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
Age	Older People, Younger people and children		Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
Political Opinion			Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
Religious Belief			Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
Marital Status			Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements
Dependants			Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements

Screening Questions
3. To what extent is the policy likely to impact on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?

Section 75 Category	Details of policy impact	Level of impact major/minor/none
Religious Belief	Support and Guidance Document	None
Political Opinion	Support and Guidance Document	None
Racial Group	Support and Guidance Document	None

Screening Questions
4. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?

Section 75 Category	If Yes, provide details	If No, provide details
Religious Belief		No - Support and Guidance Document
Political Opinion		No - Support and Guidance Document
Racial Group		No - Support and Guidance Document


Additional Considerations
Generally speaking people can fall into more than one Section 75 category. Taking this into consideration, are there any potential impacts of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities? (For example: disabled minority ethnic people, disabled women, young Protestant men, young lesbians, gay and bisexual people.) No the policy already takes multiple identity impacts into account via Trained Staff, Fire Wardens and Personnel Evacuation Plans

Provide details of data on the impact of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities. Specify the relevant Section 75 categories concerned.
Male/Females with Dependants, Older male/females with disabilities, Male/Females from various racial groupings with dependants. In addition the Policy will run as a pilot, with 1 year review - Reasonable adjustments will be considered where necessary to support mitigation of currently unidentified impacts

Disability Considerations Is there an opportunity to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? ☐ Yes ☒ No

If yes, please give further information and examples:

Is there an opportunity to encourage participation by disabled people in public life by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? ☐ Yes ☒ No

Please give further information and examples:

Screening Decision Likely Impact ☐ Major ☐ Minor ☒ None If the decision is to subject the policy to an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact – Major), please provide details of the reasons for this: -- If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = Minor) the Council should consider if the policy should be mitigated or an alternative policy be introduced: --
If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this: Policy provided to comply with legislative requirements which has included mitigating measures to support various Section 75 groupings The pilot will allow us to consider any reasonable adjustments not yet identified

Mitigation
When the Council concludes that the likely impact is ‘Minor’ and an equality impact assessment is not to be conducted, the Council may consider mitigation to lessen the severity of any equality impact, or the introduction of an alternative policy to better promote equality of opportunity or good relations. Can the policy/decision be amended or changed or an alternative policy introduced to better promote equality of opportunity and/or good relations? ☐ Yes ☒ No
If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:

Timetabling And Prioritising
If the policy/decision has been ‘screened in’ for equality impact assessment, then please answer the following questions to determine its priority for timetabling the equality impact assessment. On a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest priority and 3 the highest, assess the policy in terms of its priority for equality impact assessment.
Priority Criterion	Rating (1 to 3)
Effect on equality of opportunity and good relations	N/A
Social Need	N/A
Effect on people’s daily lives	N/A
Relevance to the Council’s functions	N/A

Monitoring
Please outline proposals for future monitoring of the policy/decision: This pilot policy will be reviewed after 1 year and reasonable adjustments will be considered where necessary Following this 1 year review the policy will then be required to be reviewed every 2 years as part of the Corporate process


Approval And Authorisation
Screened By Position/Job Title Date	Date
Building Control Manager	16/06/2021

Approved By Position/Job Title Date
Director of Environmental Services	18/06/21