Fire Risk Management in Sheltered Housing Paul Lane 22 March 2017 making the difference
Fire Risk Management in Sheltered Housing Paul Lane 22 March 2017 making the difference
Agenda What is Sheltered and Extra Care Accommodation? Are the occupants at increased risk? What are the key factors? Solutions? Case Study Extra Care Building Use, Occupancy, Layout and Facilities Evacuation Strategy Flats Common areas Staff levels and other challenges 3
What is Sheltered and Extra Care? Sheltered Accommodation Residents live independently in self-contained accommodation, as in a block of flats. Predominately occupied by, and promoted to, people who are of a defined age or vulnerability. Some schemes include communal facilities, such as lounges etc. May be staffed during office hours by a Warden, Scheme Manager or House Manager. May feature social ( Telecare ) alarm systems to enable communication between residents and someone on or off-site. Extra Care Managed on-site care and support services maybe 24/7. Residents are still able to live independently. 4
Are the occupants at increased risk? 8 7 Relative Risk 7 6 5 5 4 3 2 1 1.1 2 0 Percentage of people living in sheltered housing Percentage of domestic fire deaths in sheltered housing Percentage of housing stock comprising sheltered housing Percentage of fires in sheltered housing stock Figures taken from Specialised Housing Guide for Public Comment v4 5
Are the occupants at increased risk? 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 Fatalities per Million Population 7.9 17.8 6 4.8 4 2 0 General Population 65-79 year olds 80 years and over Figures taken from Specialised Housing Guide for Public Comment v4 6
Are the occupants at increased risk? 90 80 Percentage fires and fatalities in sheltered housing by item first ignited 79 70 60 50 52 40 30 20 10 0 11 Fires/fatalities - smokers materials 9 Fires/fatalities - clothes/textiles Fires/fatalities - furniture and furnishings 4 20 Figures taken from Specialised Housing Guide for Public Comment v4 7
What are the key factors? Vulnerable residents are at higher risk Smoke/heat detection vital Fire suppression rarely fitted to all areas Resident in room of origin may not be saved Mobility Scooters Fire Evacuation Lack of understanding of the stay-put principle. Fire alarm and remote monitoring configuration call identification / blocking. Some residents may need assistance with evacuation. Common area fire risks and evacuation (event management & wheelchairs). Limited staff levels/varying shift patterns unrealistic assumptions at design stage. 8
Solutions Consider resident generic factors, such as:- Residents potential to start/develop a fire e.g. hoarding, smoking, medical gases Residents potential to respond to fire or fire alarm. Residents ability to escape. However in some cases:- May need to introduce person specific controls to minimise risk of fire. Safer ash trays Smoking aprons Fire retardant bedding/clothes, etc. May need to introduce person specific controls to alert to a fire. Vibrating pads/visual alarms Voice sounders May also need to consider local suppression systems if fire does occur. 9
Solutions Evacuation Strategy Stay put strategy usually OK for sheltered housing Often essential due to lack of staff to facilitate SE. Relies on fire compartmentation integrity (60 minutes). Robust fire alarm and remote monitoring strategy but minimise false alarms. Separate fire alarms to flats BS5839-6 LD1. Separate common parts fire alarm where communal facilities exist but must not be more than 45dB(A) in flats to maintain stay put strategy. Produce plans for FRS locating those who many need evacuation assistance. Mobility Scooters Designated and suitably designed storage and charging points. Should avoid residents own accommodation. Should never be stored in corridors or stairways. 10
Case Study Extra Care Sheltered Housing Scheme making the difference 11
Case Study Building Use, Occupancy, Layout and Facilities Large lounge area on First Floor used for day and evening events Five storey building 74 Residential apartments for senior citizens Central hub area formed between Ground & 2nd Floor Fire fighting strategy relies on use of escape stairs Wheelchair refuge areas provided in main stairs Separate fire alarms to flats BS5839-6 LD1 Separate common parts fire alarm. Kitchen Staff Staff Facilities Health & Beauty Salon (External Provider) Restaurant & Bar (External Provider) Elderly residents some with physical and mental impairments Offices and Laundry Mobility Scooters Cafe (External Provider) Retail Staff
Evacuation Strategy Flats Stay put for flat occupants Appropriate fire alarm/detection and robust compartmentation Developed plans for FRS which identified those with mental / physical impairment which could affect their ability to escape. Central Hub Area and Corridors Externally managed restaurant (open to the public), bar and kitchen. Externally managed café and health & beauty salon. Large first floor lounge area where nightly events are held attracts a lot of residents many of whom are in wheelchairs. Simultaneous evacuation strategy to communal areas. Very limited wheelchair refuge area in main staircase. Would need to rely on horizontal evacuation to corridors in building wings. 13
Evacuation Strategy Staff levels and challenges Three shifts (Morning, Evening and Night). Each shift has different staffing level. Number of staff during the day maximum of two care staff in evening and night. Care staff may be attending to resident if communal alarm activated. Care staff required to identify/investigate alarm location within 3 minutes. Would be difficult to fire marshal all communal areas. Would need to evacuate wheelchair users who can t use refuge away from the fire. Reliant of residents knowing what to do and key individuals taking on the FM role. Emergency Voice Communication system control located in Hub area. Solution Prescribed minimum staff levels for certain times of day/events, including Security Officer. External providers tasked with FM duties when present. Complex Evacuation Strategy. 14
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