It is import that an outbreak of fire in a Residential care home should be detected at a very early stage so that the occupants or residents are alerted and the emergency fire action plan implemented as soon as reasonably possible. The longer a fire continues without being detected, the greater the risk to the safety of residents. There should also be a means so that anyone in the premises who discovers a fire, can raise the alarm and alert others.
In accordance with RRO, a fire risk assessment must be undertaken to ascertain if a fire alarm system is required. The fire alarm system can be wired or a wireless fire alarm, whichever is most suitable and cost effective for the client.
Residential Care homes should be provided with a fire alarm and automatic fire detection system which can be operated both by a person and automatically by means of the automatic fire detectors. The provision of suitable fire detection and fire alarm system will only achieve compliance with requirements where the staff personnel (and where appropriate other occupants) know how to operate the fire alarm system and how to respond to system operation.
Some of the features of a fire alarm system may be:
- Manual call points;
- Automatic fire detectors;
- Sounders, bells, electronic sirens and other warning devices;
- Fire Alarm Control and indicator panel;
- Fire Detection zoning; and
- Linked operation and Central Station operation.
The fire alarm system must have a fire alarm maintenance and inspection every six months in accordance with the Regulations.
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