Care homes are at high risk of fire, and their fire safety procedures need to be more complex than in other residences. In 2016 there were 120 accidental care home fires in London alone.
This is why compliance matters — having the correct fire safety procedures in place saves lives. Prevention is the best form of firefighting.
Fireco’s new eBook ‘Everything you need to know about fire safety in care homes’ makes compliance easy.
The eBook is free to download and is aimed at anyone in a care home responsible for fire safety.
Fire safety can seem complicated to those that are unfamiliar with fire regulations. The eBook simplifies the topic, with a step-by-step guide that clearly explains how care homes can remain safe and compliant.
What is covered?
- Fire risk assessments: By law, all care homes must have a fire risk assessment. This needs to be regularly checked and updated. The fire risk assessment must show that reasonable precautions to protect residents and employees have been taken.
- Risk assessments are covered in detail in the eBook with a checklist to take you through the process. Examples of common hazards are included, as well as sources of ignition and fuel.
- Training: Training should be spread throughout the year and all staff trained in how to use fire extinguishers. The eBook explores what needs to be covered in training, how many fire wardens are needed, fire drills, fire safety equipment maintenance and more.
- Evacuation: Evacuation is not a straightforward process in a care home as many residents will be unable to move without difficulty. Different evacuation methods are covered, including progressive horizontal evacuation and delayed evacuation.
- PEEPs: The eBook also features a personal emergency evacuation plan template.
- Fire prevention: The more people are aware of what could be a fire risk, the safer the premises. The guide covers what to look out for, and how to ensure everyone knows what to do if they spot a fire hazard.
- Responsible Person: The person in charge of fire safety is the Responsible Person. The eBook gives guidance as to who has the role of Responsible Person and their duties and legal obligations.
- Emergency plan: The eBook features a detailed checklist of what you need to think about when preparing your emergency plan, including what staff should do if they discover a fire, how to raise the alarm, contacting the fire and rescue service and escape routes.
- Deaf and hard of hearing residents: Deaf and hard of hearing residents will not hear a fire alarm, so the guide has advice on suitable notification systems.
To download the eBook for free, visit fireco.uk/care
