The current structure of the Fire Service in Ireland is based upon the legislation of the Fire Services Act of 1981 & 2003.
While the “duty of care” in respect of Fire Safety in Buildings rests with the Owner/Occupier under the Fire Service Act, 1981, the Fire Authorities have various powers of inspection and enforcement for Fire Prevention/safety measures in existing Buildings.
Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Act, 1981 & 2003 is quoted as follows: -
“It shall be the duty of every person having control over premises to which this section applies to –
(a) take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on such premises,
(b) provide reasonable fire safety measures for such premises and prepare and provide appropriate fire safety procedures for ensuring the safety of persons on such premises,
(c) ensure that the fire safety measures and procedures referred to in paragraph (b) are applied at all times, and
(d) ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of persons on the premises in the event of an outbreak of fire whether such outbreak has occurred or not.”
A person convicted of an offence under the above may be liable to a maximum fine of €12,697.38 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.
Check the Code of Practice below:
Lets give a some brief Fire Safety tips for Nursing Homes and Hospitals
Nursing assistants, personal care aides and others who work in a hospital or nursing home must know about fires and fire safety. They must know how to prevent fires and how to act when a fire starts. They must also tell their patients and residents how to prevent fires and what to do if a fire starts.
HOW DO FIRES START?
Fire needs three things.
- Something to burn. It needs a solid, liquid or gas that is able to burn.
- Air is always present. It cannot be taken away.
- Heat
Fire needs ALL three of these things.
If you take one of them away a fire cannot start. Air cannot be taken away but heat and something to burn can be taken away in order to prevent a fire.
You can prevent fires by keeping heat away from something that can burn. It is as simple as that. Keep heat away from something that can burn!
You can prevent fires by keeping the patient’s clothes (something that can burn) away from a damaged electrical wire (heat). You must keep cigarettes (heat) away from bed sheets (something that can burn). A fire will start if you do not keep heat away from something that can burn.
WHAT YOU MUST DO IF A FIRE STARTS
If a fire starts, you must act very fast. You must R-A-C-E and follow your fire plan. You must:
R- Rescue all the people that are in danger. The first thing you must do is rescue people that are in danger. Follow your fire plan. Get your patients and residents out of danger. Move them to a safe place inside if you can. Move them outside if there is no safe place indoors. Get them out of the area and keep them out.
A- Alarm. You must then pull the fire alarm.
C- Confine or contain the fire if you can. Close all of the doors and windows. Do NOT ever prop doors open. Fire doors must be able to freely close when there is a fire or smoke. These doors confine fires into small areas where they are free to move.
E- Extinguish the fire if you can safely. Do it without causing any danger to yourself and others. If the fire is a very small one that you can quickly and safely put out using water or a fire extinguisher, do it. If the fire is too big, get everyone out and pull the alarm.
All personal items should be left behind. No one should go back to get personal items. They may never get the chance to leave again.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Every nursing home and hospital must have fire extinguishers and all the staff must be trained to use them.
PLANNING FOR A FIRE EMERGENCY
Be Able to Evacuate Your Patients and Residents Quickly and Safely
All hospitals and nursing homes must have stairway exits that are clearly marked with signs that are lit up so that all can see them. Nursing assistants must tell patients and residents to use the stairs and NOT the elevator if a fire starts in the area and they have to be moved to another floor of the facility for safety. Everyone must use the stairs.
If a patient or resident cannot walk down the stairs, the nursing assistant and other healthcare providers or a fireman must carry them down the stairs or gently slide the person down the stairs so that they can leave when they are in danger.
Know and Practice Your Fire Response Plan.
All health care providers must know how to respond to fires and other emergencies. All hospitals and nursing homes have a fire safety plan. If a fire starts we must all follow the plan.
It is also helpful to teach our patients and residents about fire safety and the proper response if a fire starts.
WHAT YOU MUST DO IF A ROOM IS FILLED WITH SMOKE
GET LOW AND GO if you are in a room filled with smoke.
HOW CAN I HELP A PATIENT WHEN THEIR CLOTHES ARE ON FIRE?
STOP, DROP & ROLL.
If a person’s clothes catch fire, tell them to STOP and NOT run. Tell them to lay down on the floor and cover their face with their hands. They should be told to then roll over and over to smother the flames. The nursing assistant should also cover the person with a blanket or another item to put out the flames.
Make sure that your Nursing Home/ Hospital has the Fire services according to the Irish legislation. Cannon Fire Safety Group provides all the Fire Safety requirements that you might need, highlighting the deaf fire alarm interface that links with any existing commercial fire alarm system, catering for the deaf, deaf blind, hard of hearing and elderly.
Call us 01 295 7540 or email us info@cfsg.ie
Certified by NSAI/ Member of FESA
Source: http://www.dublincity.ie/WATERWASTEENVIRONMENT/DUBLINFIREBRIGADE/FIREPREVENTION
