12 Mar Fire Equipment in Residential Care Homes
Importance of Fire Equipment in Residential Care Homes
When it comes to Fire Equipment in Residential Care Homes its is important that the right procedures are in place.
With any building, fire safety is an important factor, crucial for safeguarding the people within the premises. Residential homes require more care due to the higher risk of fatalities with older people with more health issues.
It can certainly be a lot more challenging when it comes to evacuation in residential care homes. Ensuring residents are kept safe from the fire can be difficult, especially during periods were there are fewer staff on the premises.
Premises should have all the correct fire safety equipment in place and staff should be trained on what to do in the event of a fire especially with residents which are very vulnerable.
Laws & Regulations For Residential Homes
The laws and regulations in the health and social care sector are thorough. It is a legal requirement that you must have a ‘registered manager’, this is the person who is appointed by the company to manage all regulated activities on their behalf. In many cases, the provider may have more than one registered manager, within their duties fire safety regulations will be laid out as a duty.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order 2005) is the legislation for fire safety standards which each none domestic premises falls under. In addition, the Care Home Regulations 2001, is a piece of legislation which oversees all of the care homes in England. This details out a wide range of legislations including fire safety.
With regards to the fire safety element the registered manager should carry out the following:
- Consult with fire authorities
- Take adequate precautions against the risk of fire
- Arrangement for detection, containment and extinguishment of fires must be carried out through the provision of the recommended fire safety equipment.
- Regular maintenance of fire safety equipment must be carried out
- They are responsible for the training of other care home staff and also the appointment of competent fire wardens.
- Fire drills must be carried out on a regular basis to practice the evacuation process in the event of a fire. These drills must be recorded as well as any equipment testing carried out.
In addition to this the CQC (care quality commission) an independent regulator of health and social care in England. Both inspects and rates residential care and nursing homes as well as other social care and health establishments. Included in their ratings is the safety of the establishment, which also includes fire safety.
Fire Equipment & Fire Risk Assessments
With all workplaces, a fire risk assessment must be carried out as a legal requirement. These are designed to help prevent and reduce the risk of a fire breaking out.
Here at Safe and Sure fire protection, we carry out fire risk assessments for a range of businesses including: Local Councils, Retail Out-Lets, Factories, Public Houses, Restaurants & the Health Sector. Each fire risk assessment can be tailor-made to the exact needs and requirement of the business. Ensuring you are compliant with the current rules and regulations.
Finally, if you have any concerns regarding the above, or would like a fire risk assessment carried out. Please call us to arrange a Fire Risk Assessment today on 0191 378 1153
No Comments