Closed Door Procedure
A closed door procedure is where any person wishing to gain entry to the building i.e. a Contractor, Doctor/Health Visitor, Family Member or even Staff Member must ring a bell and be met at the main entrance by an on duty member of staff who will show them the Fire Action Procedures and ask them to sign in.
When they sign in they are signing to say their time of arrival, purpose of visit and that they have read understand and will comply with your Fire Policy.
On departure they should be unable to leave the building (unless in an emergency) without first asking a member of staff to open the door. At this point the staff member will ensure they sign out.
As the Visitors book is a legal document it is recommended that this is checked at shift handovers to ensure no persons have been over looked.
It is also recommended that a visitors badge is issued to each visitor, and staff should be encouraged to challenge any stranger not wearing one.
Having a Closed Door Procedure will ensure you have a very accurate registrar of personnel in your building and the likely location to find them in an Emergency.
It will also keep the staff and residents if in a Home safe and secure as residents who abscond or are taken on unauthorised walks by family will not be able to leave without staff being alerted. These methods also deter potential burglars or drug addicts looking for an easy steal.
