Peter Barker, senior consultant at fire testing, consultancy, and certification specialist Chiltern International Fire, discusses the importance for healthcare estates personnel of training and competence in all aspects of passive fire prevention/protection, with a special focus on ensuring that fire doors are properly specified for purpose and regularly maintained.
The introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) and Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP) for fire authorities represented a major shift in approach to fire safety in England and Wales, with a change in emphasis from intervention after the event to prevention. Fire authorities are now tasked with managing potential risks and resources within their area using the IRMP process, while under the RRFSO all premises must have a suitable, sufficient risk fire risk assessment. Healthcare premises are no exception. The new regime’s effect has been two-fold:
• Those responsible for healthcare premises fire safety have had to re-address their fire risk assessments and strategies to ensure compliance with the new legislation.
• Fire and rescue authorities are putting increasing emphasis on healthcare premises, both in the number of inspections, and the level of detail afforded to them.
Consequently, while fire safety’s profile has been raised, shortcomings have been identified, less commonly with hospital fire risk assessments and strategies, but primarily with the equipment put in place to protect in the event of fire. It is important to consider what issues the RRFSO has raised in terms of training and competence of personnel, supported by an understanding of how to react to the findings of the fire risk assessment, and the role of PPM (planned preventative maintenance). Consideration will be given to passive fire protection, why it is important in healthcare environments, and how best it can be maintained in times of budget restraints. Four years in, the RRFSO has received a mixed reception, and there remains significant disparity among fire and rescue authorities in enforcement terms. Some healthcare premises are being hit with enforcement notices, whereas in other areas fire and rescue authorities are still adopting a lighter touch. Whatever the scenario for the particular service, it is important to receive pragmatic advice for maintaining fire safety provisions, which should be considered best practice regardless of the law at the time.
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