Siemens and Jackson Fire & Security highlight importance of fire safety competence in care homes

by Featured NewsSafety

Fire safety focus for care homes

Siemens Building Products and Jackson Fire & Security are focusing on the importance of competence in fire safety systems for care homes.

Care homes have specific fire protection needs, particularly considering the elderly occupants and their mobility challenges.

According to a report submitted to CROSS-UK, a system where professionals can report safety issues, two incidents from fire and rescue services exposed residents to risks.

The report concluded that this may reflect a broader issue across the care home sector.

Competence in conducting fire risk assessments is essential.

Assessments must account for the specific environment and residents’ needs.

Addressable fire alarm systems in care homes

Many care homes still use older conventional fire alarm systems.

The British Standard recommends upgrading to addressable systems, which help quickly identify the location of an incident.

However, upgrading has cost implications.

Siemens offers addressable systems that do not require changes to wiring, provided the existing cables are suitable, which can reduce installation costs.

British Standard suggests L1 systems, offering maximum life protection, are ideal for larger nursing homes.

Minimising false alarms in care homes

False alarms are disruptive in care homes, where residents may struggle to evacuate.

Siemens’ ASA detectors, used by Jackson Fire & Security, guarantee no false alarms, using multi-criteria technology to detect fires quickly while avoiding common triggers like toasters and steam.

Drift compensation technology ensures consistent performance throughout the detector’s lifespan, maintaining sensitivity despite dust or dirt build-up.

Training and competence in fire safety system installation

Ensuring the competence of engineers installing fire safety systems is critical.

Steve Jackson, Managing Director of Jackson Fire & Security, said: “Whenever we bring a new franchisee on board, we ensure that they receive full training directly from Siemens in the equipment they will be installing.”

Rob Yates, Siemens Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland, added: “Training has always been an important focus in our relationships with our partners.

“We are constantly looking at our training programmes to make them more customer-focused.”

Siemens underscores fire safety system competence in care homes: Summary

Siemens Building Products and Jackson Fire & Security are emphasising the importance of competence in the provision of fire safety systems for care homes.

A report submitted to CROSS-UK revealed risks to care home residents in two incidents, suggesting that this could be a wider issue in the sector.

Siemens recommends upgrading to addressable fire alarm systems, which reduce false alarms and installation costs.

Both Siemens and Jackson Fire & Security underline the importance of ensuring that engineers installing and maintaining these systems are fully trained, with Siemens providing comprehensive training programmes.

NFCC welcomes new provision for sprinklers in all new care homes

by ActiveFeatured NewsFire SuppressionFire Suppression

The UK National Fire Chiefs Council has welcomed the recent announcement that sprinklers will be mandatory in all new care homes. The Government made the announcement in a Ministerial Statement published last week, with the provision being made through an update to Approved Document B, which gives guidance on building regulations relating to fire safety matters in England.

NFCC has been calling for strengthening of sprinklers requirements in care homes for many years, most recently in the updated Automatic Water Suppression Systems (AWSS) policy statement published in May.

Responding to the announcement, NFCC Lead for Sprinklers and AWSS, Jonathan Dyson, said:

“NFCC welcomes the announcement that all new care homes in England will be required to have sprinklers installed.

“The use of sprinklers in care homes reduces the likelihood of a fire spreading beyond the room of origin. This buys crucial time for evacuation and firefighting and can reduce the need for unnecessary movement of residents who may also be more vulnerable to fire due to age, mobility issues or cognitive impairments. There have been several high-profile fires in care homes across England in the last 10 years. In many of these cases there were no sprinkler systems in place and it was not possible for firefighters to fully mitigate the effects of serious fires that resulted in lives being lost, serious injury, and major property damage.

“The recent announcement recognises and addresses the serious concerns we have had about fire safety in care homes. It is a measure that the NFCC and fire and rescue services have long called for to help protect vulnerable residents and staff.”

Enhanced fire safety standards for UK care homes: a report reveals urgent concerns

by Featured NewsResearchSafety

Urgent report highlights fire safety competence gaps in UK care homes

A recent report from CROSS UK issued on 20 February 2024 has shed light on critical fire safety concerns within UK care homes, specifically focusing on the competence of maintenance staff.

Following two incidents that compromised resident safety due to inadequate electrical and fire door maintenance, the fire and rescue service has raised alarms over the apparent skills gap.

The report, spanning across the UK, underscores a pressing need for rigorous fire safety management and competent personnel to address and mitigate such risks effectively.

The importance of competent maintenance personnel

The findings emphasise the importance of ensuring that individuals responsible for fire safety, including those undertaking maintenance tasks related to fire safety equipment, possess the necessary competence.

The report references the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and similar regulations across the UK, highlighting the legal requirements for a structured fire safety management system.

It suggests that inadequate maintenance of electrical installations and fire doors can lead directly to situations endangering lives, as evidenced by two recent cases in care homes specializing in end-of-life care and those housing residents over 65.

Challenges in fire safety management

One of the challenges identified is the employment of unqualified maintenance personnel for tasks requiring specific competencies, leading to serious fire safety breaches.

An instance of faulty electrical installation and another involving improper fitting of fire door safety components illustrate the grave risks posed by such practices.

The report calls for immediate action, urging responsible persons to ensure only competent professionals undertake maintenance work critical to fire safety.

Recommendations and actions

The report offers recommendations for care regulators and fire and rescue services.

It stresses the need for comprehensive inspection regimes targeting high-risk settings like care homes, where the competence of staff is paramount for ensuring resident safety.

The call for embedding fire safety competence across all levels of care home staff reflects a broader concern for safeguarding vulnerable populations against fire-related hazards.

Expert panel insights

An expert panel convened to discuss the report’s implications echoed the concerns raised, pointing out the dire consequences of neglecting fire safety competence.

The panel’s commentary reinforces the need for stringent adherence to fire safety regulations and the critical role of competent maintenance in preventing tragedies.

Their insights underline the broader implications for care home management, regulatory compliance, and the essential need for continuous education and verification of skills within the sector.

IFSJ comment

The report’s revelations about fire safety competence in UK care homes serve as a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of some of society’s most vulnerable members.

It highlights the indispensable role of stringent regulatory compliance, the need for competent personnel, and the collective responsibility of care providers, regulators, and fire safety services.

This situation underscores the need for continuous improvement in fire safety standards and practices.

PRP lands government fire safety work for care homes

by PassiveProjects

PRP has been appointed by the government to carry out research on fire safety regulations in care homes and specialist housing.

Under the contract with the Ministry of Housing (MHCLG), PRP will also review current provisions in Approved Document B (ADB) and propose alternative design options to inform future policy decisions.

The practice will review current design approaches, including evacuation strategies, at specialised housing and care homes, identify gaps in existing fire safety guidance and assess risks, costs and benefits of alternative design options.

The team will also conduct an international review of regulatory and design approaches to inform potential alternative design approaches.

The appointment comes after embattled housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s publication earlier this year of advice for building owners in an attempt to ensure all multi-occupancy residential buildings are safe.

PRP partner and Building Design regs columnist Andrew Mellor said: “A lot of progress has been made in fire-safety regulations since the Grenfell Tower fire, but a lot more still needs to be done, especially when it comes to care homes and specialist housing. We look forward to working with the wider industry in delivering this key piece of research that will ensure the safety of older people and their families across the UK.”

As part of the research, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2021, PRP’s development consultancy and later-living teams will work with the wider industry, academia, government bodies, the fire service and interest groups to gather data and expertise on fire safety.

PRP partner Jenny Buterchi said: “This is a unique opportunity for us to combine our development consultancy’s in-depth experience on fire safety with our later-living team’s unrivalled experience in the design of specialist housing and care-homes and through our regular work with the APPG on older people’s housing.”

PRP is already technical advisor to MHCLG on building safety analytical work.