Fire safety is a huge concern for hospitals, which rely on running smoothly to keep waiting times to a minimum and ensure that patients, staff, and visitors, are safe. However, as such facilities continue to evolve, they can face a growing number of new fire safety challenges, with advances in technology and demand for better services placing a heavy reliance on cables to keep equipment and their supporting infrastructure running safely. Paul Gretton, lead marketing manager – Cable Management, at Legrand UK & Ireland, explains why using effective and future-proof firestopping in healthcare environments is crucial.
There is no denying that hospitals and healthcare facilities are complex working and operating environments. With hundreds of vulnerable patients, as well as staff, visitors, and equipment to consider, along with these facilities’ sheer size, estates managers have a lot to bear in mind when it comes to keeping processes running smoothly, upholding health and safety requirements, and limiting damage to the buildings in the event of, for example fire or flood. High on the list of considerations is fire safety. It is no surprise that hospitals are at such a high risk of fire given the vast amount of electrical equipment, kitchen facilities, flammable gases, chemicals, bed linen, and paperwork on site, to name but a few.
However, there is one major fire risk which may not immediately spring to mind – cabling. Hospitals contain a significant amount of power and data cabling which regularly changes, whether to meet increasing demand for connectivity, or to accommodate new equipment. Combined with an ever-growing requirement for greater speed, system upgrades, and improved wireless connectivity, the number of cables required in hospitals is only going to increase. Unlike pipe or ducting, the cables on a cable support system can provide a source of fuel to propagate a fire, and can also release toxic smoke and gases. It is thus vital that they are firestopped correctly to ensure both compliance and the safety of staff and patients.
When you consider the sheer size and complexity of an average UK hospital, it is easy to see why a fire evacuation process can be a significant logistical challenge. From shutting down key areas such as operating theatres, wards, and waiting rooms, to safely moving vulnerable patients who are likely to lack mobility in an emergency situation, it can be a formidable task.
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