What Fire Safety is There in Care Homes?
When it comes to fire safety in care homes, it is essential that procedures are taken care of and that staff are aware of what to do in the event of a fire. So, what type of considerations should be put in place? Find out more here.
Fire Risk Assessment
In accordance with the Fire Safety Act, all buildings throughout the UK need to undergo regular fire risk inspections and assess potential dangers. They are necessary so that staff can locate hazards and determine whether further involvement should take place.
Firstly, when it comes to fire safety in care homes, the surrounding hazards should be identified and find which ones are the most prominent. Then, it is important once these risks are found to assess who will be the most vulnerable if a fire was to occur. Especially in care homes, this step is vital to ensure safety amongst the patients. Also, consider if the vulnerable have any disabilities specific to them, including physical or mental disabilities, vision or hearing problems and difficulty with their surroundings.
This risk assessment should be recorded and precautions determined to help with fire safety in care homes.
Fire Prevention and Fire Doors
Accidents are more than likely going to occur over time. However, there are certain precautions that care homes can take to avoid this possibility. Even as simple as good housekeeping can ensure that waste is removed from premises, hazardous and flammable chemicals are correctly stored away and cleaned up after.
Fire safety in care homes depends on having good quality fire doors that are in functioning order. These will prevent or impede the spread of the fire, giving employees and occupants time and flee.
Evacuation
Both the personnel at the care home and fire marshals will require general fire training, but it’s crucial that everyone knows how to evacuate patients in the event of a fire. Staff should be trained in “horizontal evacuation”, which is one of the more common procedures. This is when groups of residents are moved gradually from room to room ahead of a fire. This is also why fire doors and other fire protection systems, like sprinklers, are a priority.
As residents may not be mobile enough to evacuate themselves, staff need to outline escape routes in case of an emergency for efficient fire safety in care home homes.
Fire Sprinkler Systems
So, how can fire sprinkler systems help in care homes? If an emergency did occur, the sprinklers would automatically help suppress the flames and stop the fire from spreading. As aforementioned, it can be hard for staff to safely evaluate their patients. Especially if they are older patients or those with physical disabilities that can make it hard for them to be mobile.
In these situations, sprinklers will help suppress the flames and stop them from spreading to other rooms. This gives staff enough time to help patients inside to safely evacuate.
Here at RAD Fire Sprinklers, we advocate the installation of sprinkler systems within residential and commercial buildings. Sprinklers are a great way to further cement fire safety in care homes. Not only will the fire sprinkler system save the lives of patients, but it will also save property damage. Which, without sprinklers, may cause the care home to shut down and cause further relocation and rehoming problems.
For more information, or to receive a quote, fill in our online form. Or, give us a call on 01892 680 090 and speak to a member of our team today.
