Gracewell Healthcare backs campaign to install fire sprinklers in all care homes

Gracewell Healthcare has given its backing to a campaign by London Fire Brigade to get all care homes to install fire sprinkler systems.

The London Fire Brigade called for all care homes to install sprinklers, after it revealed there are more than 10 fires a week in London’s care homes and sheltered accommodation.

Last year, the Brigade saw 540 fires in care homes and sheltered accommodation in the capital – with two people dying and 26 people injured as a result.

It claims that the vast majority of care homes and sheltered accommodation in London are not fitted with these potentially life-saving devices.

Peter Curtis, chief executive of Gracewell Healthcare, which runs seven care homes in England, said: “I was genuinely shocked to read the report on carehome.co.uk which revealed that there are more than 10 fires a week in London’s care homes and sheltered accommodation.

“I applaud this campaign and admit that I do sleep easier at night knowing that all Gracewell’s new build homes have the latest sprinkler systems in place.”

However, he added: “Fire safety is about much more than just a state of the art sprinkler system. It’s about the preparedness of the staff and the plans put in place to act should the worst case ever transpire. “Fire safety is all about prevention – ideally care home managers should be in control of the situation long before there is the need to activate a sprinkler system.

“The lack of mobility of many care home residents means each home should have a decent ‘horizontal’ evacuation plan in place which ensures any fire is quickly isolated and residents are immediately out of harm’s way.”

It is also vital to have the building separated into ‘fire zones’ so any fire can be contained for a significant period of time, giving the home and the emergency services ample to time to get everyone to safety.

The design of the building is also key, according to Mr Curtis as “proper fire doors, with intumescent seals, and decent detection systems, will buy valuable time in an emergency”.

He added: “So while we can never eliminate all risk of fire, basic human error or an unknown electrical fault can sadly always occur, there is much the social care sector can do to be ready for the disaster should it strike. Preparation and good building design are essential – and yes, a modern sprinkler system should be the gold standard the industry is striving for.”

In Scotland there is already a requirement within Building Standards for all new build residential care buildings to have sprinkler systems installed. London Fire Brigade believes there should be the same level of protection in London as sprinklers can be effective in stopping fires from spreading and putting them out quickly.

London Fire Brigade’s Draft Fifth London Safety Plan, which sets out how the Brigade will work over the next three years, includes a target to reduce fires in care homes and sheltered housing by three per cent by March 2016.

It also includes a commitment to campaign and promote opportunities for councils and housing providers to provide sprinklers as a cost effective way of saving property and protecting the lives of residents most at risk from fire.