Qué es un Plan de Autoprotección
In Spain, a Self-protection Plan is a regulatory document that aims to ensure the safety of people and property in buildings and establishments. This plan establishes preventive and response measures for emergency situations, such as fires, earthquakes, floods or other events that may endanger the integrity of the occupants of a building.
The Self-Protection Plan is mandatory for a wide range of buildings and activities, as established by Spanish regulations. Its design and implementation are essential to minimise risks and facilitate the intervention of emergency services. Furthermore, this plan must be drawn up by specialised professionals and is periodically reviewed to ensure its effectiveness.
Regulations of the Self-Protection Plan
The regulatory framework governing the Self-Protection Plans in Spain is mainly set out in the Royal Decree 393/2007which approves the Basic Self-Protection Standard for centres, establishments and facilities involved in activities that may give rise to emergency situations. This standard establishes the guidelines to be followed for the preparation, implementation and maintenance of self-protection plans.
The Basic Self-Protection Standard applies to a wide range of sectors, including:
- Educational and training centres.
- Health and care centres.
- Public places such as concerts, theatres, cinemas and shopping centres.
- Industrial installations handling hazardous substances.
- Critical infrastructure, such as power plants and transport systems.
Each autonomous community in Spain may have additional regulations that complement the general framework, adapting to the particularities of each territory.
The autonomous communities must regulate the registration of self-protection plans that are carried out in their community.
Who should contract a Self-Protection Plan?
The contracting of a Self-Protection Plan is the responsibility of the owners of the activities. The Management of each activity is responsible for putting the Self-Protection Plan into operation.
Components of a Self-Protection Plan
This regulation, among other things, provides us with a script on how to identify and classify emergency measures, the phases that the emergency action procedures must have and the functions of the people appointed to apply these procedures. In addition, it helps to avoid such emergencies with the analysis of the activity and the inventory, analysis and evaluation of the possible risks that could generate emergencies.
Likewise, the regulations oblige us to have plans that reflect everything included in the report, something that is often lacking in Emergency Plans.
The different points to be addressed are:
- Identification of the operators and the location of the activity
- Detailed description of the activity and the physical environment in which it is carried out.
- Inventory, analysis and risk assessment
- Inventory and description of self-protection means and measures
- Facilities maintenance programme
- Emergency action plan
- Integration of the self-protection plan in other higher-level plans.
- Implementation of the self-protection plan
- Maintaining the effectiveness and performance of the self-protection plan
1. Identification of operators and location of the activity
The site of the activity, its owner, the director of the Self-Protection Plan and the director of the Emergency Action Plan, if different, shall be clearly and concisely identified.
2. Detailed description of the activity and the physical environment in which it takes place
The purpose of this chapter is a detailed description of the activity being carried out in a centre, establishment, etc., as well as the physical environment in which it takes place.
The main use/activity of the establishment or unit should be described and the activities carried out on each floor of the establishment should be considered. Based on this, potential risks can be identified.
A description of the structural elements of the building, obtained by direct observation or taken from the building project, shall be provided. Fire sectors, vertical communication routes, escape routes and emergency exits shall also be included.
It will have a classification and description of the users.
Finally, the building will be placed in its environment by means of a description of the building and the accesses and accessibility conditions for external assistance will be described.
3. Risk inventory, analysis and assessment
The risks regulated by sectorial and general regulations of those activities that are carried out in the establishments and/or facilities, as well as the external risks that may affect them, shall be identified, analysed and evaluated.
4. Inventory and description of self-protection means and measures
It will be necessary to identify the protection measures available in the centre, establishment, premises, etc., in order to have a better knowledge of them and to be able to respond immediately in the event of any incident, thus minimising the risk of confusion or mistakes and avoiding unnecessary delays in the ability to act.
5. Facilities maintenance programme
The maintenance of the centre's own facilities and self-protection facilities should be programmed to improve their efficiency and ensure their operation.
6. Emergency action plan
This is one of the most important chapters since it provides for the organisation of the response to classified emergency situations, the protection and intervention measures to be adopted, the procedures and sequence of action to respond to possible emergencies.
The emergency response plan sets out the procedures to be followed in the event that any of the identified risks materialise. These procedures should be clearly defined and known to all occupants of the building.
The response plan includes:
- Detection and warning: Once the emergency is detected by automatic or personal means, the way in which the alert is quickly transmitted to the building's emergency teams and, if necessary, external intervention assistance should be defined.
- Alarm Mechanisms: The way in which the alarm is raised, who raises the alarm and the Emergency Coordination Centre shall be defined.
- Emergency response mechanisms: For each of the emergencies analysed, the mechanisms established to respond to these emergencies and the protocols established will be determined.
- Evacuation and/or containment: evacuation and containment procedures, established assembly point and mechanisms for communicating the evacuation or containment order should be defined. Particular importance shall be given to dependants.
- Provision of first aid: We must clearly indicate, with regard to the intervention, the team or person/s that will be involved, as well as their location and the actions to be carried out..
- How External Aid is received: The person in charge of the reception of External Aid and the transfer of relevant information on emergencies to them.
7. Integration of the Self-Protection Plan in other higher-level plans.
There are higher level Self-Protection Plans, so the integration of our organisation's Self-Protection Plan in other higher level plans, such as the municipal plan, should be considered, so that if there is an emergency in the establishment in question and it could lead to an event that cannot be controlled with its own means, the mechanism of another higher level plan is available to control and minimise the consequences.
8. Implementation of the Self-Protection Plan
The responsibility for implementing the Self-Protection Plan lies with the owner of the activity. The Management will be responsible for putting the Self-Protection Plan into operation and all management personnel, middle management, technicians and workers in general will participate in the implementation of the self-protection measures and the aims of the plan.
9. Maintaining the effectiveness and performance of the Self-Protection Plan.
Effectiveness maintenance activities should be part of an ongoing and iterative process, incorporating lessons learned to achieve and maintain an adequate level of operability and upgradability.
A Self-Protection Plan is not a static document, but should be reviewed and updated periodically. Changes in the structure of the building, in the activities that take place in it, or in the applicable regulations, may require modifications to the plan.
The regulations require a mandatory review every three years, as well as after any incident or drill that reveals deficiencies in the procedures. In addition, any significant modification to the building or its surroundings must be assessed to determine its impact on the plan.
In addition, the Self-Protection Plan shall be kept up to date at all times.
Importance and Benefits of the Self-Protection Plan
The implementation of a Self-Protection Plan offers multiple benefits, both for the occupants of the building and for the owners and managers. These benefits include:
- Security of persons: The main objective is to protect the lives of building occupants by providing tools and procedures to act effectively in emergency situations.
- Reduction of material damage: A well-designed and executed plan can significantly reduce damage to infrastructure and assets by enabling a rapid and coordinated response.
- Regulatory compliance: Having a Self-Protection Plan is a legal obligation in many cases. Complying with this regulation avoids sanctions and possible legal liabilities in the event of an incident.
- Improving corporate image: The implementation of a Self-Protection Plan demonstrates an organisation's commitment to safety and well-being, which can enhance its reputation with employees, customers and the general public.
- Facilitates the intervention of emergency services: A well-structured plan provides fire, police and other emergency services with the information they need to act more effectively, reducing response time and improving coordination.
Conclusion
In summary, a Self-Protection Plan is a fundamental tool for guaranteeing safety in buildings and establishments in Spain. Its preparation and application are not only a legal requirement in many cases, but also a proactive measure to protect lives and property in the event of possible emergencies. Risk identification, response planning, occupant training and continuous updating of the plan are key elements to ensure its effectiveness. In a world increasingly aware of the importance of safety and prevention, having a well-designed Self-Protection Plan is an investment in peace of mind and protection.
If you would like us to help you draw up your company's Self-Protection Plan, please contact us. We are specialists in the preparation of Self-Protection Plans in most sectors.
