2. Phil B, are you saying that the FSO DOES NOT apply to the flat/dwelling as I know of one Fire Authority that would challenge this and would enforce certain fire alarm provisions. E.g. L2 fire alarm system throughout with a heat detector just inside each flat and a Grade C 5839 Pt 6 smoke detector within the flat itself.
William you miss the point PhilB is trying to make. L2 Grade C has always been enforced. Fire Authorities can do that (they say it is to protect the commons MOE) and not only that it is in Government RRO the sleeping guide!
The point made is regarding assisted evacuation. In a care home service users dont self evacuate, it is the duty of staff to assist them. What Midland Retty is asking, quite sensibly in my opinion, is that many sheltered housing schemes are so close to residential care homes now (or even nursing homes) should it not be the case that wardens are on site 24 / 7 to assist in evacuation? or should additional fire safety measures be installed to protect the bed bound?.
One way these sheltered schemes have gone under the radar is to allow third parties to provide the domicillary care provided to the residents. One part of me feels this is deliberate. Another part of me feels im being unfair in saying that.
Also MR asks whether or not a duty of care is required where residents rent an apartment (as some do). Most residents own their own apartment / flat and that becomes a very grey area and I think PhilB is right in his assumption that the RRO would not apply. That said lets not forget these places have common areas. What if a resident is stuck in one of the common areas when the alarm activates?
This is a very big can of worms and I firmly believe the crap will hit the fan one of these days. Test case alert!
On one hand some residents need help in evacuating in on the other sheltered housing is supposed to be no different than Grandma living in her own house.
I just wonder if anyone who designed these places realised the residents would grow old and their health would deteriorate.