Fire Safety in Care Homes Common Pitfalls and Lessons Learned? .

1. Fire Safety in Care HomesCommon Pitfalls and Lessons Learned?. Date 23rd Sept 2015 Sean Coleman sean@colemanrisk.ie www.colemanrisk.ie

2. The Context ? • Fire Safety in 17 Irish Nursing Homes • John Moore/ Victor HrymakDublin Institute of Technology 2012 • Inability to prevent fire or evacuate residents to a place of safety • The lack of a standardised fire safety risk assessment methodology • “It is regrettable that should a fire occur in a nursing home that results in fatalities and injuries, it may be the only way that the existing situation will change”

3. The Context ?    That’s why we want to see all residential care homes fitted with sprinklers. The number and regularity of care home fires that the Brigade attends  is clear evidence that builders, developers, local authorities and private providers need to stop ignoring their benefits.” LFB 2013                                 

4. Rose ParkGlasgow 14 dead 9 minutes before they contacted the fire service. < 2 minutes away 4 minutes, added delay fire brigade went to wrong entrance Access hampered by a secured gate that had to be bolt-cut open Night staff unfamiliar with the recently installed fire alarm panel No smoke dampers in ductwork Fire barriers in the roof space were breached, Aerosols stored in the electrical cupboard exploded leaving residents' bedroom doors open at night

5. Rose Park Fire tests FAILURE TO IDENTIFY ABSENCE OF ELEC INSPECTION/TESTING CONTRIBUTED TO FIRE AND DEATHS COMPLETION CERTIFICATE ISSUED WHEN SERIOUS COMPLIANCE FAILURE (DAMPERS NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR QUALS OF FIRE RISK ASSESSORS OF CARE HOMES

6. Night time fires If not detected beforehand 1 min to detect with good AFD Rescue unlikely in first minute Within 2 to 3 mins conditions in room of origin extremely dangerous All embracing fire within 6 mins 2014 England’s largest social landlord for older people has been ordered to pay more than £170,000 for breaching fire safety laws after a woman died in a care home fire. Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by --------nightwear coming into contact with a naked flame

7. Pressure on costs 2013 Staff at a Liverpool care home left elderly residents inside the building during a fire – despite getting out themselves fine of £22,000 each > £4,000 costs. Care home refused to call fire brigade following alarm as it would have cost too much http://www.thejournal.ie/richmond-house-hiqa-2293001-Aug2015/

8. Conflicts/ Problems PEEPs and the common good Confusion over refuges - should staff stay Security v egress Absconding Fire Doors and movement – special fittings- ventilation Door closing pressures Over emphasis on paperwork v action Investigation v evacuation v FB call out Availability of staff at night

9. Problems High staff turnover Aging population Not purpose built – evolved No dedicated FM person Fire an infrequent reality- Motivation Stairlift – polished handrails Outside and inside waste storage Lighting and way finding Competence and design knowledge

10. Management “Fire Safety is included in cost of service” CFPA guidelines Infrastructure Management A fire risk management system is required not a disjointed number of elements

11. Management

12. System • Identify – Assess • Plan – Organise Perform • Execute • Measure (Meaningful) & Improve • Are you doing what you said you will do and how will you do it better?

13. References Sprinklers required in Scotland http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/FireandEmergencyServices/FileDownLoad,820,en.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-healthcare-premises

14. Fire safety Management • evacuation of a protected zone in 2.5 minutes; • rooms of residents unable to evacuate – upgrading to 60 minutes fire resistance; • staff remaining with residents who are unable to evacuate; • the use of external fire escapes by residents; • the travel distance of evacuation routes; • the use of by-pass routes. http://cfpa-e.eu/wp-content/uploads/files/guidelines/CFPA_E_Guideline_No_6_2011_F.pdf

15. Summary Sean Coleman sean@colemanrisk.ie Keep motivation of management /staff in the limelight (remember the hard lessons) Competent advice and assessment Integrate management and infrastructure Adopt Fire Safety Management System Emergency response plan