We have extensive experience of working with healthcare premises such as Doctors Surgeries, Health Centres, Nursing Homes, Care Homes, Hospitals and Laboratories. We understand the specific challenges faced by healthcare facilities with regards to fire detection such as the need to minimise false activations and disruption, managing and upgrading older or aging systems, managing complex fire alarm systems that have evolved over time and working with sites that have multiple buildings spread over a large area.

There are stringent rules in place for premises which can be found in various legislation such as Building Regulations and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as well as British Standards and specific premises related guidance documents.

There are five main actions you need to take:

1. Undertake and regularly review the premises Fire Risk Assessment.
2. Install the necessary fire safety systems, equipment and measures.
3. Train staff (and or provided information to occupiers) on the prevention of fire and in the premises fire procedures.
4. Service and maintain all fire safety systems, equipment and measures at the relevant intervals to current British Standards.
5. Keep a record of all of the premises fire safety related information and maintain a fire logbook for the premises.

A false alarm in any organisation is an issue, but for a hospital, surgery, medical facility or care home, the implications are far more serious and potentially dangerous as patients are potentially less able to move on their own and may have to rely on staff members to move them to a safe area. False alarms can be caused by faulty equipment, accidental activation of a call point, or false activation by a toaster (these have been banned in some hospitals as it is the most common cause of false alarms in hospitals).

Fire detection equipment is generally expected to last 10 years (FIA Guidance on the Life Expectancy of a Fire Detection & Alarm System Issue 1).  However, it is generally the case that fire detection equipment remains in place for up to 25 years. With older equipment the reliability reduces over time and varied faults can cause false alarms and unnecessary disruption to hospital operation. Over time a fire alarm system cannot continue to be maintained due to obsolescence or no longer being supported by a manufacturer.

Healthcare facilities are commonly split across large sites with multiple buildings of varying ages. RES are experienced in dealing with large complex sites and can work with the estates management or building services to ensure the regular inspection, maintenance, servicing and upgrades for all your fire protection needs.

Our team of experienced engineers and fire safety experts take great pride in their work and strive to provide the best possible service at all times.

We have experience working with all aspects of fire protection for the Healthcare sector such as Doctors Surgeries, Hospitals, Medical Centres, Medical Clinics, Laboratories, Care Homes, Chemists and Hospital Accommodation.

Our services cover: Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, Emergency Lighting, Fire Doors, Fire Stopping, Fire Safety Signage, Fire Extinguishers, Fire Safety Training, Fire Risk Assessment Consultancy, Fire Plans, Fire Extinguishing Systems, Dry Risers, Disabled Refuge Systems, Smoke Control and Ventilation Systems and Fire Hydrants.