FIRE SAFETY
such as magnetic hold-open devices on fire doors, or magnetic locks, should have their own testing protocols. It is important that staff are aware of the sound made by the fire alarm, and the significance of continuous and intermittent sounds.
Testing by competent person Annual testing of smoke/heat detectors in a fire alarm system is essential, but there are potential obstacles to be overcome to do this in a healthcare setting, including: n Access for engineers into patient care areas; patient isolation may mean that some detectors cannot be checked.
n The potential for infection control risks – for example, detection above false ceilings requiring the removal of ceiling tiles.
n Difficulty accessing detectors, for instance at the top of lift shafts or staircases.
n The use of smoke in a detector may not be reliable, and it may not be clear how sensitive the detector is, or how much smoke is necessary to activate it. The aspect of this test that may be useful is to ensure that products of combustion can enter the smoke detector’s chamber. If multi-detectors are fitted, this will not apply to the heat detection element. The most likely cause of failure of this would be physical covering of the detector. A check of detector heads to ensure that they are not covered should be incorporated into fire warden checks, and should, in any case, be undertaken as part of the fire risk assessment review, usually annually. Some fire alarm systems monitor the heads so closely that they can detect that there have been no air changes, and thus that the head is covered. It is interesting that guidance on the testing of domestic smoke detectors does not advise annual testing of the fire alarm by introducing smoke or smoke substitute into them. Smoke detectors being covered can, of course, result in impaired functioning and activation.
Variation from guidance Any variation from the guidance set out
in HTMs or British Standards should be risk assessed and evidence-backed, ideally in partnership with the fire authority, and should form the basis of a protocol, as in HTM 05-01 Chapter 8 and appendix E.
Common practice The arrival of COVID-19 meant that the usual testing of fire detectors by a competent person on an annual basis in many instances was delayed, yet there do not seem to have been any issues of this causing a problem, as modern smoke detector systems have such checks built in. One manufacturer’s specification for the maintenance of smoke detectors states: ‘Not only does the system test whether a detector is capable of provoking an alarm, it even verifies the sensitivity of every detector with a calibrated signal. The self- verify system ensures that each detector always responds to the correct alarm level. In the event of irregularities, the display on the operating panel will accurately pinpoint the source of any problem.’
HTM review The above is a whirlwind tour demonstrating some of the areas in which the HTM 05 series requires review in order to lead the way in fire safety, reflect developments in fire detection technology, and align with what is current good practice in many NHS Trusts. NHS England and NHS Improvement are now the guardians of HTM guidance, and are in the process of scoping the review of Firecode, the HTM 05 series. As part of this there will be a consultation process. With regard to the current HTM 05-03, parts B and H, it is likely that: n The two parts will be integrated into one document.
n Guidance on testing of fire alarms will be included.
n Guidance on a ‘call-delay approach’ to reducing UwFS will more closely reflect current practice, and be based on a risk assessment.
Observations and questions Should you have any observations or
questions on the content of this article, associated topics, or on other parts of Firecode, please contact the author by email at:
mazin.daoud@nhs.net
Further reading 1 St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust press release: St George’s tackles false fire alarms on site. 11 March 2015.
https://tinyurl.com/ yxy7p59v
2 London Fire Brigade press release: St George’s Hospital plans to act on false alarms following our campaign. 17 March 2015.
https://tinyurl.com/5ca9beja
Maz Daoud
Mazin Daoud spent 30 years working with the London Fire Brigade. Among his roles he was Group manager for Fire Safety for the North of London, Fire Safety Enforcement Team leader for several London boroughs, Senior Fire Safety officer, Station Commander, and Fire Safety Inspecting Officer. Projects he has worked on include Terminal 5 at Heathrow and Wembley Stadium. He has been the fire safety advisor to two major London teaching hospitals, and a fire engineer/subject matter expert for Sodexo. He is currently the National Fire Safety lead for NHS England and NHS Improvement.
June 2022 Health Estate Journal 43
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