Leading provider's Suffolk care homes win praise from fire chiefs

Care UK’s new care homes, which will begin opening later this year, have been praised by the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service for going above and beyond the fire safety regulations currently required and fitting high quality water sprinklers.

John Johnson, head of health and safety for Care UK’s £60 million Suffolk care home development project, said: “Resident and colleague safety is of the utmost importance to Care UK, which is why we will be installing automatic sprinklers to BS 9521 in each of the county’s ten new homes.

“Suffolk Fire and Rescue representatives are very positive about this as the use of fire sprinklers exceeds the current legal minimum for fire safety regulations in England.”

Councillor Colin Spence, cabinet member for public protection, said: “We are delighted that Suffolk County Council has been able to work closely with Care UK in the progression of our ambition to include fire safety sprinklers within the design of these new care homes. This represents the best possible option for both the safety of older members of the community of Suffolk and a clear commitment by Care UK to community welfare and business continuity planning.”

John Johnson will be speaking about Care UK’s use of fire sprinklers at an event hosted by Suffolk Fire and Rescue on Friday, 7 February at Lowestoft South Fire Station, as part of National Fire Sprinkler Awareness Week, which this year runs from 3-9 February.

To be held from 10.30am to 2pm, this event aims to raise awareness of the benefits of fitting sprinklers and will be looking at what more could be done to protect businesses and homes in Britain and specifically within Suffolk against the devastating effects of fire. All interested businesses and organisations are welcome to attend.

Since Care UK began its Suffolk development project one year ago in partnership with Suffolk County Council, planning approval has been granted for nine out of the ten developments and construction is already underway on seven developments. Care UK look forward to opening the first homes in Mildenhall, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Haverhill later this year.

Each new care home will house 60 to 80 residents and provide nursing and specialist dementia care services in state-of-the-art facilities. An adjacent wellbeing centre will provide day care activities and clubs for older people living in the community.