Fire safety


evacuation procedure and helping to identify any issues in the process that need improving.


According to the HM Government’s guide for fire risk assessment in residential care premises, all care home residents should be evacuated and assisted by staff to a place of safety in under 2½ minutes to avoid risk to life.


Before conducting a fire drill, first map out a clear evacuation plan, including which escape routes are available for you to use and which residents are in need of most assistance.


There are more factors to consider when there are residents with varying levels of mobility and dependence – your plan might involve something called progressive horizontal evacuation, which entails moving high-risk residents into areas of safety behind fire resistant barriers before moving them outside of the premises. Educate residents to leave the building – along with their belongings – and meet at a designated safety point if they hear the fire alarm sound and are able to do so without assistance. Make sure that staff know who is in need of assistance, where to find specialist equipment, and which evacuation route they are taking in all situations. Once all residents make it to the


designated safety point, it is essential to make sure all residents are accounted for and no one is allowed to return to the building.


Common causes of fires in care homes Cooking and cooking equipment Cooking and cooking equipment poses the biggest fire risk to care homes, responsible for 41 per cent of care home fires in London according to London Fire Brigade. The best way to mitigate this hazard is by making sure kitchen staff all have appropriate fire training. Cooking areas should be kept clean and away from flammable materials and should never be left unattended.


Kitchen appliances Twenty-one per cent of all care home fires in London were found to be caused by kitchen appliances. Regularly checking the condition of appliances and detailing these checks in a logbook could lessen the chances of a potential fire, as could always switching appliances off when not in use.


Mobility scooters While not one of the key causes of fires in care homes, mobile scooters still pose a


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major fire risk if not looked after properly. Improper charging or storage of the lithium-ion batteries used to operate mobility scooters can lead to fires that spread rapidly. When not in use, mobility scooters need to be stored in designated areas, and if this is not possible, then need to be regularly fire risk assessed.


Smoking


Finally, smoking was found to cause 13 per cent of fires in care homes. To prevent risks, smoking should only be allowed in designated smoking areas and strictly prohibited from bedrooms. Supervision of staff over residents who smoke to make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished, and providing items like non-tip ashtrays, will help keep risks to a minimum.


Conclusion Care homes provide a critical service, offering sanctuary and support to some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. However, these environments also present unique fire safety challenges. Residents often have varying levels of mobility and cognitive function, requiring a well- coordinated and nuanced approach to ensuring their safety in the event of a fire. The responsibility for fire safety in care


homes extends beyond individual facilities. Regulatory bodies, building professionals, and fire safety equipment manufacturers all have a role to play in ensuring best practices are followed and effective solutions are readily available.


Care homes must prioritise fire safety by


investing in risk assessments, robust plans, and ongoing staff training. They should


also foster a culture of safety through open communication and resident/staff participation in drills and education initiatives.


By prioritising fire safety and working


collaboratively, we can create a safer environment for the most vulnerable members of our society. Remember: even the most well-designed fire safety plan is only as effective as its implementation. Let us commit to continuous improvement and ensure that care homes are truly safe havens for all residents.


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Ian Poole


Before joining Firechief Global, head of sales Ian Poole had over 16 years’ sales experience in the healthcare market, where he enjoyed helping people by understanding their challenges and helping solve them. He believes that the fire safety market will enable him to do what he enjoys best – helping people by keeping them safe from fire.


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2024


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