In this guide, we'll explain what legislation covers fire safety in the UK, changes to the law, and steps to follow to ensure compliance.
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Fire safety procedures are used to help highlight what steps are needed when a fire happens. Whilst dealing with vulnerable people, like care home residents, they require specific methods to keep them safe.
Employers have a legal duty to minimise fire risks within their care homes. If you neglect these safety regulations, you could end up causing detrimental effects to residents, staff, and your business.
In this guide, we’ll look at why fire safety is important, common causes of fires, and how to prevent such devastating events happening in care homes.
What is the importance of fire safety procedures in a care home?
It’s so important to have proper fire safety procedures covering all areas of your care home. Rest spaces, work equipment, even building infrastructure. With the right form of management, employers can control and minimise the potential risk of a fire breaking out.
Any flaws in your plans could lead to all sorts of problems; like long-term health issues, permanent building damage, and even fatalities. Employers must maintain full control during fire incidents – and that includes acting quickly, calmly, and safely.
Remember, these procedures must adhere to your residents. Some may have mobility issues or certain health problems. Some residents may have hearing or sight disabilities, making it harder to react in the case of a fire.
What are the most common causes of fires in care homes?
Fires can start from the smallest of ignitions; and can engulf properties in minutes. That’s why it’s crucial to keep on top of fire safety in care homes. Let’s look at some of the most common causes of fires in care homes:
Cooking
One area where most care home fires are found is the kitchen. Cookers, fryers, toasters, and other kitchen appliances are often involved. Without proper supervision, these devices can lead to full-blown kitchen fires.
All cooking appliances must be well-maintained and regularly checked for fire risks. It’s also important to check whether they’re stored next to flammable materials. Fire safety assessments can help spot these potential hazards.
Electrical equipment
People use all kinds of electrical equipment in their daily. Despite that, using ones that are worn out or damaged can lead to potential fires. Fire safety procedures highlight what equipment is safe for use and what should be thrown away.
This could be a sensitive topic for care home residents, especially those who have sentimental attachments to their personal items. Here, you must highlight all health and safety risks the items pose.
Smoking
It might come as a shock to some, but care homes are exempt from smoke-free legislation in the UK. That’s because residents have a legal right to smoke in their own homes, even residential ones.
Most care home will have designated smoking rooms or areas. These spaces should present their own fire safety procedures. For example, not being allowed to smoke in bedrooms or only smoking in areas under direct supervision from staff.
As well as this, you also need to be aware of the dangers of emollient creams (such as E45 cream). These creams can increase the flammability of fabrics, creating a dangerous combination with residents who smoke unsupervised.
What laws cover fire safety procedures in care homes?
Employers have a legal responsibility to have appropriate care home fire safety procedures in place. Your methods must comply with:
The Fire Safety Act 2021.
The Health and Social Care Act 2008.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The Care Standards Act 2000.
The Care Home Regulations Act 2001.
Healthcare providers, like care homes, must also follow guidelines outlined by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Failure to comply with legal obligations means you could end up facing fines, business closure, and even imprisonment.
How to introduce a fire safety policy and procedure in a care home
Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their residents and staff. This includes ensuring their premises follows the latest fire safety regulations in care homes.
Let’s look at how to introduce a fire safety policy and procedure in your care home:
Conduct fire risk assessments
Under UK law, all care homes must have a fire risk assessment in place. These investigate all areas in your premises and highlight what safety steps must be taken. They can also include specific measures; for example, keeping vulnerable people safe.
All fire risk assessments must be:
Reviewed annually and after relevant incidents (like after a fire).
Reviewed after a significant change has occurred on your premises or to your residents.
Must be completed by a competent fir risk assessor, who has the appropriate qualifications, skills, and experience.
No matter what industry you work in, all fire safety procedures must include risk assessments. It falls to employers to implement proper practices and amend any issues. Failing this could lead to endangering lives.
Install fire alarm systems
All care homes should have a sufficient fire alarm system in place. The ‘L1’ fire alarm system offers the highest possible level of coverage. It has an automatic detection, including smoke and heat detectors – making it a popular choice for care homes.
Because of the L1’s efficiency, people are able to exit a premise as soon as possible. Having sufficient time during fires is priceless in places like care homes. That’s because it takes longer to evacuate people who are elderly, sick, or vulnerable.
L1 fire alarm systems should be serviced at least every six months; which is done by a qualified fire alarm engineer. Weekly fire alarm tests should also be conducted by a competent person. All testing results should be added to your fire log-book and fire alarm service certificate.
Present fire extinguishers
During a fire, one safety equipment that’s frequently used are extinguishers. Every care home should have them. And they should be kept in appropriate locations throughout your premises.
There are all kinds of fire extinguishers; like carbon, water, and foam-based. Each one is based on specific types of fires. It’s vital for employees to know which extinguisher to use in cases of a fire.
Like all safety equipment, fire extinguishers must be serviced annually. They should be replaced once they’ve run out or gone out of date. These details are usually found on their fire service labels.
Invest in fire doors
Investing in good, quality fire doors within your care home drastically decreases the chances of fires from spreading. This is crucial when it comes to evacuating vulnerable people during emergencies.
All fire safety evacuation plans should highlight fire doors throughout their premises. This is especially important if rooms and hallways were to be filled with smoke, making hard to see.
‘Magnetic retainer’ fire doors are connected to alarm systems. They hold the door open during normal day-to-day operations, but close when the fire alarm is activated. These are electronically linked to the alarm system.
‘Acoustic retainer’ fire doors are also connected to alarm systems. Like a magnetic retainer, they hold open and close when the fire alarm activates. However, they aren’t always suitable in all locations (like a staircase that is the only escape). Which door you choose for your care home should be recommended by a fire risk assessor or fire engineer.
All fire doors must close properly against the frame and stops. They require visual inspections at least every quarter and after specific accidents. All findings should be documented in your fire log-book.
Introduce evacuation training
Employees should receive basic fire safety awareness for care homes. Training can include how to evacuate the premises, as well as help residents leave quickly and safely. You should assign a fire marshal who will take charge during such events.
Evacuation training takes two forms; simultaneous and horizontal. Simultaneous evacuation procedures are when everyone leaves the building at the same time, in an orderly manner. For example, meeting at the fire safety point in the car park.
Horizontal evacuation procedures involve moving people away from a fire located on the same floor. For example, relocating higher-risk patients first during a fire. Both plans must involve caring for all residents, particularly those with health or mobility issues.
We have also created a free for you to download and use within in your business, reminding your employees of fire safety.
Get expert advice on fire safety procedures in care homes with Peninsula
Fires can start from the smallest of triggers; and have the potential to cause irrevocable damages. That’s why employers must ensure all fire safety procedures are compliant with the law and their type of residents.
Peninsula offers expert advice on fire safety procedures in care homes. We offer 24-hour HR advice - ensuring your residents, staff, and business are protected from devastating accidents.
Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.
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Peninsula GroupHR and Health & Safety Experts