care home example.pdf

7/28/2019 Care Home example.pdf

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RECORD OF FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT

Building Name & Use:

Address:

Postcode:

Laurel Care Home, 87 David Street, Belfast. BT51XNCare Home with sleeping accommodation for up to40 residents

Name of person(s) with fire safety duties: Mr & Mrs R Smyth

Name and contact details of assessor:Mr G Prophet, Fire Safety Advisor, 25 Toby St, Belfast,BT16 2QQ

Date ofAssessment:

6th February 2011Assessorsignature:

STEP 1 IDENTIFY FIRE HAZARDS

Refer to Part One of the relevant Fire Safety Risk Assessment guide (see list on back page)

Sources of ignition, eg, electrical fittings, smoking, heating, open flames

Normal range of electrical appliances for a care home environment. This includes appliances belonging tothe Care Home and to the residents. Washing, drying and ironing appliances in laundry room. No evidenceof misuse or wear and tear evident. A no smoking policy is in place in accordance with current legislation. Adesignated smoking area is provided outside for both staff and residents, although signage and disposalfacilities are inadequate. Staff retain any smoking materials belonging to residents. The premises areprovided with a gas-fired heating system, maintained under contract. The use of candles is prohibited butscented candles were evident in a number of rooms, a firmer control of this item will be required. Cookingfacilities are the only other evidence of a naked flame.

YES NOAction required (Please tick)If you answered YES, record Action Points at STEP 4

Sources of fuel, eg, furniture, textiles and fabrics

A normal provision of furniture throughout the premises which meets the required standards for the CareHome environment.


Sources of oxygen, eg, ventilation

Normal ventilation through windows and doors. No residents require oxygen therapy. Risk assessmentshould be reviewed if oxygen is used in the premises.



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STEP 2 IDENTIFY PEOPLE AT RISK

Refer to Part One of the relevant Fire Safety Risk Assessment guide

List all persons potentially at risk from fire, including employees, tenants, visitors and contractors

At the time of assessment, the Care Home had 37 long stay residents with different levels of need. Thereare 10 members of staff during the day and 3 at night. Each resident is accommodated in a singleoccupancy bedroom. Most residents suffer from mental health problems and are heavily reliant on staffsupervision. Residents are vulnerable to fire as a result of their age, capabilities, needs and in some caseslack of mobility. Visitors to the Care Home may be relatives, friends, professionals (e.g. Social workers,GPs, hairdressers, etc), in many cases they will have a familiarity with the building, others will not.Permanent employees are familiar with the building layout, however agency workers which are frequentlyused do not. Occasionally contractors will be working on the premises. At the time of assessment therewere no young persons under the age of 18 years employed.

YES NOAction required (Please tick)

If you answered YES, record Action Points at STEP 4

STEP 3 EVALUATE , REMOVE, REDUCE AND PROTECT FROM RISK

Refer to Part One of the relevant Fire Safety Risk Assessment guideLikelihood of a fire starting

The likelihood for a fire starting is normal for this type of occupancy, considering the fuel load, ignitionsources and people present. The potential for deliberate fire setting is increased as external wastecontainers, although sited well away from the main building, were found to be overflowing at time ofassessment and were not fitted with a suitable lid or cover.


Evaluate the risk to people

Due to the dependency of residents and the assessment of existing fire safety standards measures, anyincidence of fire would put residents at significant risk, particularly at night when staffing levels are reduced.The controlled efficient evacuation of elderly, confused, disabled or slow moving residents, particularly withlimited numbers of staff, many of whom have never received sufficient training on fire evacuationprocedures, would prove difficult to implement. Any failure by staff to implement the correct emergencyprocedures and in particular the appropriate horizontal phased evacuation strategy, could have majordetrimental repercussions for all concerned.



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STEP 4 RECORD, PLAN, INFORM, INSTRUCT AND TRAIN

Refer to Part One of the relevant Fire Safety Risk Assessment guideFire Safety policy (further guidance on Fire Safety Policy in Part Two of guide)

A fire safety policy has been established, however employees were unclear what the policy entailed andwho had overall responsibility at management level for dealing with fire issues.


Emergency fire action plan

An emergency fire action plan, identifying a phased horizontal evacuation strategy was generally adequate,however:

The plan/procedures were not regularly tested and some staff had never participated in a fire drill.

No fire drill has ever been undertaken to confirm that the emergency plan/procedures could besuccessfully implemented during periods of minimum personnel levels and highest risk i.e. overnightperiods.

Agency staff have not been advised of the fire emergency plan and procedures.

Some employees were unaware of their specific roles/duties in relation to fire.


Fire safety information and training

Some deficiencies in staff training were evident in respect of:

Use of fire extinguishers. Emergency procedure for fire drills. Some staff, especially agency staff, unaware of the reason for and use of manual overrides (green

boxes) on doors fitted with electronic operated locks. A number of Fire Action Notices missing from staff areas.



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STEP 4 RECORD, PLAN, INFORM, INSTRUCT AND TRAIN (continued)

Refer to Part One of the relevant Fire Safety Risk Assessment guideFire drills

No fire drills take place.


Maintenance of safety measures (For further guidance see Appendix A of relevant Risk Assessment

guide)

The fire alarm was being tested, however, it was being done sporadically rather than on a weekly basis. Theemergency lighting was not being tested. First aid fire fighting equipment had not been maintained withinthe previous 12 month period.


Recording information and keeping records

No suitable records of maintenance and testing of fire safety measures were kept on the premises.



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FURTHER DETAILS ON FIRE RISKS AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Refer to Part Two, Section One of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideHousekeeping and Storage- Materials and Substances

Generally reasonable standard maintained, however at time of inspection it was noted that several bags ofbedding were left on landings inside fire escape staircases, this had been following a bed change a number

of hours earlier. Office areas generally tidy, however waste bins were quite full of combustible waste.

The roof space was partially floored and being used for the mixed storage of residents personal items incardboard boxes, consumable stock including large quantities of absorbent pads, aerosol sprays andcleaning materials, some of which are combustible or flammable and would contribute to fire spread. Someboxes and their contents had fallen over.


Equipment, Machinery and Electrical

In the laundry room on ground floor, evidence that dryer filters not being cleaned regularly.

Some combustible items being stored in electrical switch room.

There was evidence of inadequate cleaning of extraction equipment in kitchen, obvious build up of greaseand fat deposits.


Hazards in Escape routes

Upholstered furniture located in fire escape staircase at reception area.

Fire exit door at first floor level only capable of being unlocked by a key.

Some fire doors are being wedged open.



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FURTHER DETAILS ON FIRE RISKS AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Refer to Part Two, Section One of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideRestricting the spread of fire and smoke

The premises are compartmented with fire resisting construction to staircases, bedrooms and corridorescape routes. Premises are generally satisfactory although it was noted, following recent refurbishmentworks, that holes for the passage of cables and pipe work through fire resisting walls and other protected

routes serving bedrooms had not been fire stopped.

The building is constructed in accordance with current building standards and is considered satisfactory andit is therefore assumed cavity barriers have been fitted.

The internal surface finishes are emulsion paint to walls, however polystyrene tiles were noted on ceiling ofupper corridor fire escape route.


Deliberate fire setting

A timber hut sited close to external wall gives the potential for fire spread to the main building through awindow.


FURTHER DETAILS ON FIRE DETECTION AND WARNING SYSTEMS

Refer to Part Two, Section Two of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideSystem type

There is an electrical fire warning system. Manual call points are sited next to exit doors. The systemincorporates automatic fire detectors, smoke detectors in circulation areas and heat detectors in thebedrooms. There is no detection in roof space area.



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FURTHER DETAILS ON FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

Refer to Part Two, Section Three of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideFire Fighting equipment for use by persons

There is an adequate number and range of fire extinguishers for the occupancy type. Some of theextinguishers require to be wall mounted or placed on purpose designed stands.

Consider training some staff to fire warden standard.


FURTHER DETAILS ON MEANS OF ESCAPE

Refer to Part Two, Section Four of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideEscape routes

There is adequate provision of fire doors throughout the building. The number and location of fireexits is also sufficient. No travel distances exceed the required guidelines.

In general escape routes are kept clear and free from obstruction.



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FURTHER DETAILS ON EMERGENCY ESCAPE PLAN

Refer to Part Two, Section Five of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideEscape route lighting

The normal lighting and emergency lighting is satisfactory.

Testing and maintenance is required.


FURTHER DETAILS ON SIGNS AND NOTICES

Refer to Part Two, Section Six of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guideSigns and notices

Some escape routes are not clearly indicated. During the assessment it was evident of the need for somefire exit directional signage.



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FURTHER DETAILS ON RECORDING, PLANNING, INFORMING,INSTRUCTIONS AND TRAININGRefer to Part Two, Section Seven of the relevant Fire Risk Assessment guide

No fire evacuation procedures were available to both visitors and contractors.

No procedures in place for the periodic checking and reporting of defects in relation to escape routes,extinguishers, fire doors, etc.

Keep records of any false alarms in log book.

Have any relevant documentation available for inspection by enforcing authority.



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The assessor completing the following section should prioritise remedial measures, based on the level ofrisk.

Priority ratings and suggested timescales:

Low (L) 3 6 months Medium (M) Up to 3 months High (H) As soon as possible

STEP 4 ACTION POINTS

PriorityPerson

responsibleCompletion date

Note: Please print additional sheet if required

Provide No Smoking signs.

Review fire exit directional signage.

Fire Action notice signage required.

External waste containers to havesuitable lids and consider wastereduction.

Survey premises and surroundinggrounds and implement anymeasures to reduce likelihood ofdeliberate fire setting.

Remove polystyrene tiles andreplace with suitable wall covering

or painted finish.

Notify all staff that candles areprohibited in residents rooms.Establish a routine for cleaningfilters from tumble dryer and

cooking extraction equipment.

Review fire safety policy. Informemployees of all relevant aspectsof the policy. Identify person withoverall management responsibility

for fire issues.

High March 2011Mr R Smyth

Medium

May 2011Mr R SmythMedium

March 2011Mrs SmythHigh

May 2011

Low Mr R Smyth

Mr R Smyth

Aug 2011

March 2011Mrs SmythHigh


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PriorityPerson



Review staff training & inform staffof fire action plan. Confirm thesuitability by implementing fire drillsat times of low staffing levels to test

roles & responsibilities.

Agency staff to be given sufficientlevel of training on induction.Fire safety brief to be madeavailable to both visitors andcontractors, held at reception.

Inform staff on the use of manualoverrides for locks on doors.Change locking mechanism on 1stfloor fire exit door.

Ensure appropriate employees aretrained in the use of fire

extinguishers.

Prohibit the use of wedges to holddoors designed to be self closingand fire resisting. If necessaryconsider use of approved holdopen devices.

A suitable programme of testingand maintenance in respect to firesafety measures should beimplemented. Information to be

kept in Fire Safety Log book.

High March 2011Mrs Smyth

High

May 2011Mr R SmythMedium

March 2011Mr R SmythHigh

March 2011

High Mrs Smyth

Mr R Smyth

March 2011



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PriorityPerson



Inform staff that laundry bags onfire escape stairways should beremoved as soon as possible.Waste bins to be emptied once a

day.

Re-site timber hut at least 3 metresfrom building.Remove upholstered furniture from

reception fire exit staircase.

Provide smoke detection to roofspace.

Infill all openings in fire resistantwalls with suitable fire resistant

material.

Remove storage from roof spacearea or consider construction ofsuitable fire rated storage area.Remove storage from electricalswitch room.

Mount fire extinguishers on walls orprovide suitable stands.

Consider training member of staff

to Fire Warden standard.

High March 2011Mrs Smyth

Medium



May 2011

Medium Mr R Smyth

Mr R Smyth

May 2011

Aug 2011Mr R SmythLow


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Review the fire risk assessment if there is a reason to suspect it is no longer valid or if there hasbeen a significant change in the matters to which it relates

Reference Part One of the relevant sector specific, fire safety risk assessment guide

STEP 5 ASSESSMENT REVIEW

Review date February 2012 Review by

Reason for review: Annual review.

Outcomes of review


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FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDES

The following premises guides are available from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue websitewww.nifrs.org. Follow the Make sure youre Fire Safe link and go to GuidanceDocuments. These can be downloaded from the Communities and Local Governmentsection.

1 Offices and Shops;2 Factories and Warehouses;

3 Sleeping Accommodation;

4 Residential Care Premises;

5 Educational Premises;

6 Small and Medium Places of Assembly;

7 Large Places of Assembly;

8 Theatres, Cinemas and Similar Premises;

9 Open Air Events and Venues;

10 Healthcare Premises;

11 Transport Premises and Facilities;

12 Animal Premises and Stables;

13 Means of Escape for Disabled People (Supplementary Code); and

14 Reducing the Number of False Alarms from Detection and Alarm Systems.

Adapted from original materials created by the Scottish Centre for HealthyWorking Lives and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services