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.
