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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Suttonfire on April 17, 2015, 09:24:24 AM

Title: DCLG Care Home Fire Risk Assessment guide
Post by: Suttonfire on April 17, 2015, 09:24:24 AM: Does anyone else feel that this guide is poorly written in relation to Care Homes? To me it reads like a generic guide which has been slightly adapted in some areas.

However, If I am reading it correctly it recommends that in all care homes a fire alarm system incorporating manual call points is appropriate, even in a small house with up to 4 residents? Surely, interlinked automatic detection only is more suitable in this instance; particularly in properties housing persons with learning difficulties who may activate manual call points inappropriately.

The guide also recommended extinguishers on each floor (even in a small house with 4 residents or less) and the provision of signs.

Again, at the small care homes which I have visited (housing persons with learning difficulties) I feel that this would be inappropriate. The extinguishers are likely to be misused (and in any case a single extinguisher/combination on the ground floor can be quickly reached), and the installation of signs creates an institutional environment.

I am happy to acknowledge that this is a guide only; however, I have come across enforcing officers who treat it as gospel.

I'd be interested to hear views on what people would consider to be appropriate in terms of detection and warning/extinguishers in a small care home.
Title: Re: DCLG Care Home Fire Risk Assessment guide
Post by: Tom Sutton on April 17, 2015, 10:38:35 AM: Have you considered the amendments to that guidance. www.cfoa.org.uk/download/18502 and http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/associated/adult
Title: Re: DCLG Care Home Fire Risk Assessment guide
Post by: William 29 on April 17, 2015, 05:09:20 PM: None of the DCLG guides are great.
Title: Re: DCLG Care Home Fire Risk Assessment guide
Post by: Messy on April 17, 2015, 06:14:30 PM: Quote from: William 29 on April 17, 2015, 05:09:20 PM
None of the DCLG guides are great.

What nonsense. The original Animal Premises & Stable guide was hilarious :) (I just wish I had kept a copy!!)
Title: Re: DCLG Care Home Fire Risk Assessment guide
Post by: kurnal on April 17, 2015, 08:03:55 PM: Suttonfire I assume you have considered HTM88?
Title: Re: DCLG Care Home Fire Risk Assessment guide
Post by: Suttonfire on April 18, 2015, 08:32:35 AM: Kurnal - I tried to download a copy of HTM88 but found that It was archived. Do you know where I could find a copy.

Tom, thanks - I had looked at the updated guidance; however, the properties I am involved with are housing association with live in staff, rather than private homes which accept adult placements (although surely the principles on appropriate fire equipment to install etc should be the same).

My main issue the Local Enforcing Authority working off of the DCLG guide only. I just cant see how a fire alarm system with call points (as per the DCLG guide) is more suitable than having a system of interlinked AFD only in a typical home layout used to provide supported living accommodation.