Operations & management of elderly care homes can be a tricky business. Homes for the elderly are not only about boarding & lodging, there is a crucial element of safety & security, of which Fire Safety is of foremost importance.
Fortunately for India we have not had many cases of fire in senior citizen homes however a recent fire in a care home was a rude reminder on the need for fire safety precautions, training & preparedness.
Unfortunately very few elderly care homes have documented SOP’s on fire safety standards especially w.r.t emergency evacuation.
On one hand, clearance from the fire department is mandatory for most buildings, but then a lot of times the rules are blatantly flouted due to which fires have taken place in health care facilities.
We normally assume that if the fire department has given approval then there is nothing to worry about, however when a fire breaks out the blame game starts.
Fire safety approval is not a simple formality which can be justified by placing a few fire extinguishers or doing an yearly audit, it is much more than simple paperwork. It is about safeguarding lives.
Fire is a potential hazard for all, be it elderly care homes, hospitals, health facilities etc. The consequences of fire in health & senior care homes can be especially serious because of difficulties & dangers associated with the emergency evacuation of residents, many of who may be dependent or have mobility impairment.
Fire safety procedures should ensure that outbreaks of fire do not occur, however if an outbreak cannot be prevented then it must be rapidly detected, effectively contained & quickly extinguished.
The home management has many responsibilities as part of fire safety procedures, a few are listed below:
- Daily monitoring & maintenance of equipment’s & appliances which are prone to catch fire.
- Providing fire training to all staff regarding;
- a) Local fire procedures & evacuation plan
- b) Means of escape
- c) Location of fire alarm alert systems
- d) Fire fighting equipment
- e) Identifying any premise / site for fire risks
- f) Information on location of residents alternative accommodation
- g) Organising a fire evacuation practice at least once a year
- h) Ensuring records of testing & maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting & fire fighting equipment are being maintained.
- i) Ensuring staff are aware of the procedures & actions required for reporting fire safety defects
- j) Ensuring written records are updated in the fire risk assessment action plan & the fire log book etc.
For senior living operators it is important that country / state fire safety standards should be referred for developing training modules.
Resource document “Fire Safety Guidelines for Homes for the Elderly” by Health Care Standards Directorate, Malta, is a simple and relevant read.
The document can be downloaded here (Fire Safety Guidelines for Elderly Care Homes) or can be viewed below