Fire safety
How to keep fire safety in check in a busy care home
In a busy care home, the employee responsible for fire safety often has many competing demands. Rob Adams, technical manager at fire door hardware manufacturer ARRONE, a HOPPE (UK) Group brand, gives seven key measures to prioritise
With staff rightly focused on caring for residents – often with complex needs – it is understandable that a responsible person might not feel totally confident with fire safety, even after undertaking the necessary training. However, good fire safety is as much about knowing when an issue is within the responsible person’s capability and remit to manage themselves, and when to seek expert advice. The myriad of advice, standards, and legislation can be difficult to navigate for anyone who is not a fire safety expert by trade. Ensuring compliance with regulations while also meeting the diverse needs of residents can be time-consuming and laborious. A working knowledge of fire safety and fire safety door hardware is needed
for responsible persons working in care homes. But when it comes to specifying the right door hardware for the building, it is important to ask the advice of a fire safety professional or architectural ironmonger who specialises in this area. Taking the right considerations in fire safety will deliver a wider range of benefits for a building’s security and everyday operation if specified, installed, and maintained correctly.
Fire safety measures
While the situation across all care homes varies considerably, when it comes to fire safety there are some core areas to get right.
1. Maintenance is key Regular checks on equipment prevent costly repair, failure, and replacement.
During inspection, if any of the hardware including hinges, locks, or latches and door closers are not working properly, shows signs of damage, or is leaking grease, it is vital to consult the door manufacturer for replacements. The fire door will always have been
tested with specific hardware, so anything that needs replacing must always be like for like. Installing different hardware will invalidate the fire door test evidence and compromise resident safety. Guidance published by government lists some of the most important fire safety checks: n Alterations or damage to a fire door’s glazing apertures or air transfer grille.
n Gaps around the door frame and ensuring seals and hinges are fitted correctly.
n That the door closer shuts the fire door. n That the fire door closes correctly around the whole frame.
n That there is no visible damage to the door or door closer.
Other key aspects of fire door checks include the following key questions about door closers: n Is the closer fitted in the correct position? Is it still attached correctly to the door and frame or has it become loose or dropped?
n Has it been damaged in any way? n Does it allow the door to open smoothly?
n Does it close the door in a controlled manner?
n Are all screws and other fixings still tightly in place?
n Are there any signs of fluid on the outside of the door closer or on the face of the door?
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com January 2025
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