Type of premise

[Redone]

I'm a member of a group which have premises providing welfare breaks for people, sometimes for no cost, not a care home, health premise or hotel, so I guess a mix of the guides is required...

We have one member of staff sleeping on site to deal with alarms ect.  
Any residents who require assistance to vacate the premises must bring their assistant with them.  A recent drill took about five minutes to take the role call of residents (which is currently deemed to be the priority), my worry is some residents don't respond, then the staff go and round them up, while the (potential ) fire grows.

Wouldn't it be reasonable for staff to investigate at the first instance (addressable system installed) while the residents make there own way to the assembly point, and the fire is at it's early stage of growth, relative to 5 minutes later?

[nearlythere]

If you have one member of staff his/her first priority is to ensure evacuation. If you have a second member then you could consider investigating but only whilst the first is doing the evacuation bit.
Can I assume that when persons arrive they are made aware of the emergency proceedures?
If you have a problem with residents failing to respond, and it is not be a DDA issue, then throw them out and don't let them back.
Always cover your ass first and the leisure of others later.
What is the nature of the persons you cater for? They may come under one of the catagories you mention.

[kurnal]

Theres so much variation between the guides for the range of premises you refer to - from HTM88 which would probably be my choice of standard for what you describe but others would see that as OTT as the domestic standard in the ADB is applied to some such premises.
Your exerience indicates to me that you need more than the minimum domestic standard as you have recognised the need to place a member of staff in the premises for other reasons.  What is the standard of the fire precautions in the premises? Are stairs and escape routes protected at all?

Its absolutely right for staff to investigate without putting themselves at risk, then if its a false alarm the evacuation of the more vulnerable can be avoided whereas if its a fire those at greatest risk can be clearly identified and prioritised for assistance, the information can be given to the fire service who may mobilise more resources and / or ambulance, and be prepared and donned up on arrival.

To enable them to do this safely I would teach them the basics of fire behaviour and hazards, elements of backdraft and flashover, the fire action plan for the premises,  and give them clear instructions on when and when not to open a door to investigate. Fianally first aid firefighting - how the equipment provided can be safely used bearing in mind they will be working alone.

Your first priorty IMO  should be to make sure all the guests are fully aware of the fire procedures on arrival and impress on them the need to MOVE when the alarm sounds.

[nearlythere]

Theres so much variation between the guides for the range of premises you refer to - from HTM88 which would probably be my choice of standard for what you describe but others would see that as OTT as the domestic standard in the ADB is applied to some such premises.
Your exerience indicates to me that you need more than the minimum domestic standard as you have recognised the need to place a member of staff in the premises for other reasons.  What is the standard of the fire precautions in the premises? Are stairs and escape routes protected at all?

Its absolutely right for staff to investigate without putting themselves at risk, then if its a false alarm the evacuation of the more vulnerable can be avoided whereas if its a fire those at greatest risk can be clearly identified and prioritised for assistance, the information can be given to the fire service who may mobilise more resources and / or ambulance, and be prepared and donned up on arrival.

To enable them to do this safely I would teach them the basics of fire behaviour and hazards, elements of backdraft and flashover, the fire action plan for the premises,  and give them clear instructions on when and when not to open a door to investigate. Fianally first aid firefighting - how the equipment provided can be safely used bearing in mind they will be working alone.

Your first priorty IMO  should be to make sure all the guests are fully aware of the fire procedures on arrival and impress on them the need to MOVE when the alarm sounds.

Thats all good and fine Kurnal for someone to go and check on the situation before assessing the priorities for evacuation. In this case there is only one person and if he/she goes off to check they may not come back. The residents may then consider that there isn't a problem and go back to bed.

[kurnal]

Depends how much noise they make- I aint suggesting silencing the alarm in this case.

[Redone]

Thanks all so far... 5839 system in place, looks L2.  Policy is not to put folks upstairs who cannot use the stairs.  Fire training is spot on.

All the residents receive instruction on arrival including a drill on day one, however some residents may/will be taking medication or a drink or three which will affect there ability to hear the alarm/wake up.

To me, medication is addressable by asking for this info to be 'declared' on arrival so a generic PEEP could be talked through, however staff feel this info is personal, as this is not a care facility.

To me an investigation has to take place for all the reasons given.  If the residents receive fire policy briefing on arrival, then ignore the procedure during an alarm, the RP's still in the poo because they are aware of the type of occupant coming through the door.  We cannot pick and choose.

I'm leaning towards extra staffing required as the way forward, unlikely to accept sprinklers as a trade off.

[kurnal]

however some residents may/will be taking medication or a drink or three which will affect there ability to hear the alarm/wake up

Sounds just like our house then

[Ken Taylor]

I've had this sort of problem with almshouses where some residents don't hear the sounders. The addition of annoying strobe lights could be useful in your case.