Fire Safety Services With Integrity
Choosing a Fire Safety Company who enter and work in your premises is a personal thing. In an ideal world, we could choose a company who is local, professional, friendly, reliable, established, trustworthy, punctual familiar, competent, qualified, loyal, efficient and third party accredited. Some Fire Companies deliver less than this, which often lead to frustration and dis-satisfaction. At MCFP, we realise that Care Homes are unique in their living and working environments. We specialise in providing service and maintenance to Care Homes and value the sensitive environments that you work in. • Fire Extinguishers • Fire Alarm & Emergency Lighting • Fire Risk Assessment • Fire Warden and Staff Training • Sprinklers • Fire Door surveys and maintenance • CCTV and Intruder Alarms • PAT testing • Nurse Call Systems Another important point when choosing the Fire Safety Company you choose to work with, is to ensure their competency. MCFP achieve this by gaining Third party accreditation:- ISO 9001 certified, which ensures their quality control systems are seamless. BAFE qualified, which means that all MCFP technicians are trained, qualified and audited to ensure that safe, competent procedures are followed to British standards. NSI Gold registered, which guarantees our clients that work is carried out to strict standards and code of conducts. CHAS registered and on the Safe Contractors register, which ensures Health and Safety competence. Call us today to discuss a FREE Fire Safety survey of your premises or visit our website to gain more information. Tel 01869 252600 www.mcfp.co.uk E mail- info@mcfp.co.uk
Nearly half of escape routes failed inspection
In a recent inspection by the London Fire Brigade (LFB), emergency plans were found to be particularly lacking. In 24% of care homes, there was evidence of poor evacuation planning, inadequate staff training or a potential lack of staff to evacuate the home safely. In 43% of cases, LFB found failures with protected escape corridors and faulty fire doors. Now Fire Safety Officers are working closely with Care Quality Commission and the Directors of Adult Social Services in each London borough to share information and to monitor standards during inspections. Chris Callow, the LFB’s Head of Policy for Fire Safety Regulation, explained the reasoning behind the review, saying: “A number of fires in 2017/18 raised concerns that fire safety in care homes may need review. In 2017 sadly two people died at a Cheshunt care home, after a fire travelled through voids in the roof, which allowed it to quickly engulf the entire building. Crews from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue found residents in many rooms, many too frail too move themselves to safety. Miraculously, 33 residents were rescued. “We’re calling for care home managers and Fire Risk Assessors to urgently review their fire safety protection and management arrangements to ensure the safety of residents and staff in case of fire.” Further guidance is available from Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Residential Care Premises from www.gov.uk.
The shocking truth of fire safety in care homes and how to ensure you are compliant
We all know how damaging a fire can be; from seeing the devastating effects of the Grenfell Tower incident, to witnessing centuries worth of history burning down with the Notre Dam. Failing to conduct adequate and efficient fire safety checks makes the possibility of a disaster striking very high. As technology enhances and we rely more and more on digitalisation, the risk levels of an outbreak of a fire are increasing. Earlier this year, more than half of London-based care homes failed fire safety checks. A report by the London Fire Brigade showed that57% of the 177 care homes involved in the one-off investigation received a formal notice to address the fire safety issues raised. Main safety issues included poor emergency planning and/or inadequate members of staff to implement the plan, insufficiently protected escape corridors and problematic fire doors. Other aggravating factors of fires within care homes include; wedged open fire doors, electrical equipment (mainly faulty appliances and leads) and medical oxygen which is stored to closely to items such as matches and lighters. Repercussions and the importance of planning A care home in Cheshire was recently hit with a £40,000 fine as a result of numerous safety breaches. Penalties such as this are sometimes large enough to shut a privately-owned care establishment down. Fines and offences are based upon the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which includes aspects surrounding fire safety duties and enforcement. To say that care homes are home to some of the most vulnerable people in the country, the lack of duty of care when it comes to fire safety within them is alarming. Effectively managing fire safety in the care sector is one of the most important duties that care providers have, andonly 43% of care homes in the most highly populated city are effectively carrying this out. In this article Blueleaf runs through what you should be doing and what plans should be in place to ensure that you are compliant with fire safety regulations and adequate plans are in place for residents to evacuate safely: Conduct regular fire risk assessments Carrying out a thorough fire risk assessment will reduce risks and prevent fire-related emergencies or dangers occuring. It is not uncommon for care homes experience a high turnover of residents – with many residents having different restrictions and needs – so it’s important to review hazards, risks and challenges on a regular basis. There are many aspects that should be evaluated during a fire risk assessment; from housekeeping to kitchen safety and fire door monitoring. A fire risk assessment should integrate these five steps: One element that is often overlooked during an assessment is the roof of the building; roof voids often increase the spread and severity of a fire so this risk should definitely be incorporated into your assessment. In 2017, two residents died in a in a care home fire after the blaze travelled through voids in the roof which allowed it to quickly engulf the entire building. The director and manager of the establishment were faced with charges of breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 after failing to conduct an adequate fire risk assessment and ensure residents were not at risk. Ensure there is an efficient evacuation plan in place Being responsible for residents that have limited mobility, rely on oxygen therapy equipment and/or suffer from dementia and cognitive impairments makes evacuating a burning building very challenging. Ensuring there are suitable and sufficient evacuation procedures in place is vital and it is advantageous to must make adjustments and plan accordingly It is essential to keep fire routes and exits free from obstructions at all times, especially when evacuating people that are reliant on evacuation chair for mobility, and should be constructed of fire-resistant materials and have ventilation. Clear and functional signage, as well as emergency lighting should be utilised and fire doors should be kept closed at all times (when not in use). Creating Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for your residents is a great way to ensure they can all safely evacuate the building too. PEEPs are particularly beneficial within the fire safety planning of care establishments as they explain the evacuation method that a vulnerable person will use to escape the building during a fire. Whether it is agreed that a resident will receive fire warnings via a personal pager or will use an evacuation chair, all the details of safety arrangements and actions that supporting staff will take are documented within these ‘bespoke escape plans’. Don’t overlook the importance of staff training Having access to equipment such as evacuation chairs, blankets and skids is futile unless you have staff who are trained to utilise it in the case of an emergency. Adequately trained staff is an asset that is more important than you could ever comprehend; earlier this month the quick response from a member of staff at a care home prevented a fire fatality thanks to good training, initiative and good fire safety management. As a result of adequate training and capable team members, what could have been a fatal disaster instead saw 16 residents taken to safety. Training should involve a healthy balance of regular online training courses, in addition to practical drills. As care homes often have a high turnover of staff regular training is vital for resident’s safety. All care homes should also have designated fire wardens, who have undergone theoretical and practical training and know how to effectively lead an evacuation with minimal risks during a fire. There should also be members of staff who are equipped and trained to use the fire extinguishers in the care home. Become familiar with and incorporate prevention strategies To prevent the risk of fires, everyone (both staff and residents) in the care home should actively minimise fire hazards. Staff should have knowledge regarding how to carry out work activities in a way that reduces fire risks and should also be aware of and understand the fire prevention procedures that are in place. Staff should follow the procedure effectively and not interfere with them
Ensuring free movement for care residents
Fire safety regulations require care settings to have heavy and self-closing fire doors on resident’s bedrooms. Whilst being a vital component of your fire management strategy they can lead to residents feeling trapped and isolated, unable to leave their bedrooms unaided. Many residents like to have their bedroom doors open, enabling them to see people passing, giving them the opportunity to engage in conversation throughout the day. Not being able to leave the bedroom independently or engage in conversation can lead residents to feel lonely and can impact on their self-esteem and mental wellbeing. Being able to leave their doors open makes all the difference to the independence of disabled or frail people and can aid in maintaining good mental health, which also has a positive impact on their general health, too. Under the Equality Act 2010 reasonable measures must be undertaken in a setting to make it as inclusive as possible. This includes removing barriers that prevent people from accessing and using all parts of a building. This issue has led some care settings to resort to the illegal practice of wedging bedroom doors open, leaving residents vulnerable in case of fire and endangering lives. Managers of care settings hold the legal responsibility to ensure that they have a robust fire safety management system. Breaching the regulations of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Order) 2005 by wedging fire doors open could land managers with a heavy fine or even a custodial sentence. However, they also have a legal duty to ensure their setting is as inclusive as possible. Finding a solution to ensure that you are meeting both obligations is not as difficult as you might have thought. Dorgard have developed a range of door retainers that are wire free, battery operated and easy to install. They will allow you to keep your fire doors open legally and will automatically release the door to close on the sounding of your fire alarm, maintaining a safe environment for residents, staff and visitors. With a range of Dorgards to choose from you will find a solution that is ideal for your particular setting. The original Dorgard is perfect for small to medium settings with normal or low noise levels. For a noisier environment, where enhanced sound recognition is beneficial, Dorgard SmartSound offers a great solution. If you have large premises or if you require the possibility to do a ‘one glance’ check that your system is working the Dorgard Pro can offer you the ability to manage up to 500 fire doors on one site. You also have the option of wiring the Pro into your alarm system. Fitting Dorgards to your fire doors will set your residents free, enabling them to achieve maximum independence whilst you ensure you are meeting all your obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Order) 2005. If you would like to discuss your needs further with one of our knowledgeable customer care team please contact them on 0800 978 8746 visit www.safelincs.co.uk/dorgards.
The Fire Safety Scheme
The fire safety scheme address the challenge for knowing how safe a building is by providing the public with a fire safety star rating for a building, viewed both on line www.firesafetyscheme.uk and the window sticker which is placed at the entrance of a building, just look for the trade marked logo on the annually renewable window sticker! The fire safety scheme provides an application tool designed to enable a consistent approach to fire risk assessments. Historically, assessors have used different tools, different methodologies, and when assessors have been benchmarked were found to possess a vast range of experiences, knowledge and skills. The result often leads to inconsistent findings, which are not commensurate to the degree of fire risk. The fire safety scheme changes this and provides For further information please visit www.firesafetyscheme.uk or telephone +44 (0) 7803 518 035 or email jason@firesafetyscheme.uk
Change is in the air
Government departments are pouring over technical data and preparing new directives, trade bodies are examining every aspect of potential market implications. No, this is not another missive on BREXIT, but the reality of the changing world concerning Fire Doors and related risk critical products. Change is in the air and everyone should be aware of the urgent need to specify truly compliant products that play a significant role in the process of safety. Following the tragic events of the Grenfell disaster in 2017, a greater understanding began to emerge regarding the lack of a holistic approach to fire safety and the evident shortcomings of custom and practice, where the cheapest solution took precedence over properly certified and tested fire safe product solutions, such as fire doors and fire door assemblies. The recently published document Building a Safer Future,commits the government to a programme of reform which includes: The implementation of the Hackitt recommendations Create a more effective regulatory and accountability framework The introduction of clearer standards and guidance A vision to create a culture change The result of these actions will mean tougher sanctions for those who disregard residents’ safety, and more rigorous standards. In fact the Government has committed to carrying out a full technical review of Approved Document B. This will propose potential changes to a range of technical issues within the current Approved Document. While we all await the inevitable changes to legislation and good practice, it is encouraging to learn that Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent recommendations will form a cornerstone of the changes to come. Shaping future product specification, installation and ongoing use throughout the life cycle of buildings. For specifiers struggling to evaluate fire door solutions in this changing world, especially in respect to residential high-rise and complex buildings. It is comforting to know that Vicaima fire performance products offer a benchmark to the industry, with exceptional test evidence and incorporating key elements of Hackitt’s recommendations that less enlightened manufacturers have yet to adopt. Third party accreditation is assured, as Vicaima adhere to not one but two nationally recognised and highly reputable bodies to verify the performance of our products, namely BWF-Certifire and BM TRADA Q-Mark. In each case traceability is always visible with the use of tamper evident labels and plastic plugs to provide clear understanding of fire rating and of course origin of manufacture. This simple but effective marking, alongside a detailed inkjet stamp system to identify exact date of manufacture, enables Vicaima to establish complete control of our products throughout their lifecycle. Of course the fire door in itself does not provide the complete solution, this can only be achieved with compatible and rigorously tested components, including the correct frame and ironmongery. This is why alongside fire doors, Vicaima also manufacture an extensive range of doorset and kit solutions to create a complete, fully tested assembly via our Easi-Fit and Portaro brands. Doorsets represent a growing trend, advocated by government and industry as the way to ensure the whole system is safe and compliant. Vicaima peace of mind encompasses a full scope of performance characteristics for current and future housing specifications, namely: Fire Tested to BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1:2014 Secured by Design (SBD) approved products Acoustic performance, both inherent and additional as required FD30 and FD60 rated, plus smoke seals to FD30s and FD60s Durability with DD171 and EN 1192 severe duty rating, class 4 Mobility provision via glazing and dimensional flexibility Environmentally robust (all products are FSC Certified) Longevity with a 10 Year Guarantee As specialist fire performance door manufacturers Vicaima have long understood the need to go above and beyond industry norms and simple compliance to provide cutting edge and safe solutions that are fit for today’s market. Vicaima has always prided itself on the construction of its fire doors, never cutting corners or compromising, regardless of whether it’s a humble painted door or a fashion conscious designer product. Performance and design go hand in hand at Vicaima with innovative designs options encompassing finish foil, veneer, laminates and paint lacquered surfaces; including cost effective products for demanding projects. Whatever future regulatory changes lie in store for our industry you can be assured that Vicaima fire performance offers appropriate solutions and the first choice for a safer tomorrow. For more information regarding Vicaima Fire and other performance solutions visit www.vicaima.com
Don’t play with fire
After all, the specification and use of fire doors is a very serious matter and as we all know can have far reaching consequences if wrong decisions are made. It is little wonder therefore, that care home specifiers are turning to Vicaima products to dispel anxiety and apprehension when it comes to certified and tested fire doors. Vicaima products include a full scope of performance characteristics, namely: Fire Tested to BS 476 Part 22 and BS EN 1634-1:2014 FD30 and FD60 rated Durability with DD171 and EN 1192 severe duty rating Mobility provision via glazing and dimensional flexibility FSC Certified 10 Year Guarantee For more information visit www.vicaima.com
