The LWF Blog
Fire Risk Assessment for Healthcare Premises – Managing Fire Safety – Part 121
January 16, 2023 12:23 pmLWF’s blog series for healthcare professionals aims to give information on best practice of fire safety in hospitals and other healthcare premises. In part 120 of Fire Risk Assessments for Healthcare Premises, LWF began to look at smoke control in healthcare buildings and daily, weekly, monthly and annual tests and checks. In part 121, we continue looking at the necessary annual tests and checks that must be undertaken for fire safety purposes in a healthcare building.
It is possible that equipment kept in an assessment area can become a fire hazard if not maintained properly. The following is necessary:
- A programme of planned preventative maintenance throughout the healthcare premises
- An agreed procedure for reporting faults
- Actions to repair faults once reported or to ensure the relevant equipment is made safe
- An adequate number of electrical sockets for the equipment used in each room or area
- Clear user instructions for complex electrical equipment to avoid user errors
- The use of extension leads, two way adaptors etc. is limited to usage under the direction of a suitably qualified member of staff/other person
- Plugs should be wired only by suitably trained personnel
- Personal electrical equipment may only be used after it has been checked by a suitably qualified member of staff or other qualified person (e.g. phone chargers, radios etc.)
That concludes step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk as part of the risk assessment in patient-access areas.
Step 4: Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
The significant findings of the risk assessment should be recorded along with the action taken
The significant findings should include:
- Fire hazards identified
- Actions to remove or reduce the chances of a fire occurring (preventative measures)
- Persons who are at risk, particularly persons at greatest risk
- Actions taken to reduce risk to people from the spread of smoke or fire (protective measures)
- Actions that must be taken in case of fire including details of nominated persons to carry out particular functions as per the emergency plan
- Information, instruction and training required by building occupants and how it will be delivered
- Evidence to support co-operation and co-ordination with other building occupants
- Significant findings of risk assessment in relation to DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002) and Article 1 of the Fire Safety Order
In Part 122 of LWF’s blog series, LWF will continue to look at how the fire risk assessment should be recorded and used. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this blog, or wish to discuss your own project with one of our fire engineers, please contact us.
Lawrence Webster Forrest has been working with their clients since 1986 to produce innovative and exciting building projects. If you would like further information on how LWF and fire strategies could assist you, please contact LWF on freephone 0800 410 1130.
While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in LWF’s publications is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of this information.