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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: memnon on November 29, 2018, 07:10:52 PM
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Converted terrace house with 4 service users 3 on first and 1 second floor with no physical issues just some mental health issues.
No DOLS (deprivation of liberty orders) so they can come and go as they see fit.
They have tenancy agreements for their rooms.
One support worker on site 24/7 who sleeps 2200 to 0730.
The service user in second floor refuses to take part in fire drills even if hes told its not a drill.
All doors to MoE are good but can not be sure of floors and ceilings etc.
Any suggestions ?
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If he's got capacity under the MCA I suspect not much - a person centred FRA may lead to a decision to go for supression and protected bedrooms for defend in place although that's an expensive route.
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always difficult these ones-as well as Anthony B's suggestions:
1) inform local fire service as they may upgrade any fire call to this address automatically to a 'persons reported'.
2) look to move the resident to a ground floor room, preferably at the front of the building-it may mean that the resident may have to move to another house/more suitable accommodation.
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Perhaps it might help if you asked a fire officer in uniform to speak to the individual?
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It could work but it depends on the individual - a uniform could provoke an unwanted reaction (anything from meltdown or aggression through to withdrawal). As part of a national FRA programme for a supporting living organisation it was part of the agreed site procedure to dress down as informally and casually as possible as certain service users would react badly to any formality be it business wear, uniform or similar.
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Hi All, Interesting question with, of course, a multitude of possible responses.
I give advice to a charity that accommodate people with an ASD diagnosis and staff have previously mentioned that there are SU who may not evacuate.
This was discussed and verbal advice given to consider the possibilities.
Subsequently I have advised staff, in writing, to give consideration to what actions/tactics they might use to ensure SU evacuate when there is a confirmed fire and in that specific situation ONLY.The sort of thing they consider are the prompts and enticements that are specific to each SU
We have discussed the use of a simple bolt fitted to SU rooms, with an appropriate sign to address DOLS concerns, if staff feel that the SU will not, as opposed to may not, leave but to date no managers feel this is necessary.
A fire officer, following an audit, has now decided that this is a 'stay put policy' and stated this in a phone conversation. This led to a call to me from his line manager where this assertion was repeated.
We await a meeting, which they have requested, to clarify things-their words.
In regard to the original question, I would advise that consideration be given to preventing the SU leaving their room in the event of a confirmed fire AND a staff evacuation and that the SU is be situated where rescue would be easier should this be necessary.