The importance of Fire, Health & Safety Risk Assessments in Residential Care Homes
We were contacted by a concerned Client re the Staffing Levels in a Residential Care Home in South West London. The elderly relative had just joined the Home and reported to him that there was only one member of Staff at night to look after 30 people.
The Client spoke with one of our Risk Assessors for sometime to get advice as to where he could obtain guideline numbers of required ratio Staff to Service Users.
It was recommended that he should start with DCLG Guidance Residential Care Homes Pages 68, 70-71, 72, 75, 129 and then go to Care Quality Commission Regulation 18.
Whilst this information is invaluable both point to Risk Assessing. Every Residential Care Home is different and the required level of Staffing will reflect the Service Users needs.
We suggested that probably the best way forward would be to witness the Premise Fire, Health & Safety Risk Assessments because within the documents it would outline the Evacuation procedure and there it will identify required Staffing levels.
A lot for the Client to think about and investigate but hopefully he will be able to put the Relative and the Family’s minds at rest.
This advice was given on a complimentary basis not only as a better business practice but because of a true concern in regards to peoples Fire, Health and Safety.
We carry out many Risk Assessments for Residential Care Homes in London and the surrounding area. If you are not sure that the Risk Assessment you have for your Home contains an effective and workable Evacuation Plan contact us on 01689 890879 or click here for more information.
We are highly regarded for our Emergency Plans including Phased Horizontal Evacuation technics.
London Fire Brigade report – Two jailed after Wood Green pub declared ‘potential death trap’
Astonishing report just issued by the Fire Brigade:
“The former manager and leaseholder of a Wood Green public house have been jailed for nearly six months for breaking fire safety laws following a successful prosecution by the Brigade. “
The Manager and the Leaseholder of Royal Oak, were each handed custodial sentences of 24 weeks after pleading guilty to eight offences under the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
“Our fire safety inspecting officers were alerted by Haringey Council that The Prince of Wales, at 1 Finsbury Road, was being used as an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and that they had concerns about fire safety.”
On 14 November 2011, a joint inspection was carried out by a Brigade fire safety inspector and the council.
Following the visit, our inspectors raised a number of fire safety concerns including:
- Inadequate fire detection
- Compromised escape routes
- Defective fire doors
- Inadequate fire separation between the staircase and kitchen
- No staff training records
- Disabled smoke alarms in the building’s corridor, kitchen, and a number of bedrooms
- A motorbike containing petrol in one of the bedrooms
- No emergency fire plan in place
- No fire risk assessment for the premises had been carried out
To read more of this London Fire Brigade report click here
London Fire Risk Assessments Advice: Coincidently we have been involved with a similar Premise under the same circumstances but we were engaged at an early enough time so as to be able to help the Responsible Persons in satisfying the requirements of both Prohibition and Enforcement Notices. By working together and liaising with the Fire Authority and the local Authority we were able to assist in the lifting of the Prohibition Notices so that the Building could be used to its full potential. We were able to satisfy the requirements in relation to the Enforcement Notice. We ensured that the Building could be used safely and so that the Responsible Person could maintain and exhibit a level of Fire Safety Management so as to avoid any further enforcement actions. They did not incur any monetary fines and were not prosecuted.
If you are in a similar situation perhaps in relation to London Night Clubs, Pubs, Bars and any premise with mixed use the earlier you show due diligence and seek professional help the less likely it will be that serious punitive action will be considered Call us now to discuss how we can help you 01689 890879
Schools in London, Kent, Surrey and Essex – Do your Staff need Fire Marshal Training?
London Fire Risk Assessments has just completed Fire Marshal Training at an Ecclesiastical College in South East London – and what perfect timing it was for them. The College was closed to the majority of Students so the Staff could concentrate on the all important subject – how to keep their Students safe at a time of emergency.
The bespoke course was designed specifically for the Collage as LFRA had previously carried out a ‘Standard’ Fire Risk Assessment package for the premise levitra online best price. The Trainer knew the Premise well so could answer site specific questions which made the whole session much more inter active.
The 3 hour programme includes film clips and various challenges!! So why not take this opportunity to update your Teachers and Staff on their duty as Fire Marshals. For further information click here or call 01689 890879
Schools out for Summer! Time to review the Fire Risk Assessment for your School!
Calling all Nurseries, Primary & Secondary Schools, Free Schools, Colleges and Universities in London, Kent and Surrey – now is your opportunity to review your Risk Assessment and have the 6 weeks Summer Holidays to carry out your Fire Safety Actions cheap levitra no prescription.
We have allocated specific days to carry out the Fire Safety Inspections so book your timeslot now – Call 01689 890879 Don’t leave it too late!
London Fire Risk Assessments Introduces A New Fire Safety Maintenance Checklist As Part Of Their Risk Assessment Packages
As part of our Third Party Competency commitment, we have included a NEW Fire Safety Maintenance Checklist to all of our Fire Risk Assessment packages.
Our Checklist can be used as a means of supporting the Fire Safety Policy and identifying the required Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Six Monthly and Annual Inspection and Testing requirements and recommendations for your Premise.
The Tool is not meant as a substitute for a Risk Assessment but is meant to complement the Fire Safety Management Plan and give you the ability to Manage and Maintain your Active and Passive Fire Safety Prevention measures.
The Tool is generic and ideal for people managing Purpose Built Blocks of Flats, Flat Conversions, Residential Care Homes, Schools and Offices to name but a few, it can be simply modify, where necessary, to fit your needs.
There is also provision to incorporate the recommendations of Manufacturers and Installers of Fire Safety equipment such as Extinguishers and Fire Alarm systems that may have been installed in your Premise.
It should give you the Responsible Person, an opportunity to identify any concerns which may require further investigation and appropriate action. In larger and more complex Buildings it may highlight the need to seek the assistance of a competent person to carry out some of the checks.
London Fire Risk Assessments – always aiming to improve their service to their clients. Contact us now or Ring 01689 890879 to discuss the most suitable Risk Assessment package for you.