Care Homes and Sheltered Housing
There are various building regulations and fire safety laws surrounding properties that home vulnerable people, which are in place to further protect those who are most at risk. The addition of a fire suppression system into a care home can further prevent injuries to those who have mobility issues and cannot evacuate the property quickly.
With the use of manual hoists, mobility scooters and other electrical devices to assist with the care of the residents in a care home and sheltered housing, there is a vast amount of electricity being used at once in a single setting. With the stay put procedure still in effect as a guidance, the extra protection a fire suppression system adds can be vital to the survival of residence in the event of a fire.
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5.2.1.2 Multi-Basement Buildings
For dwellings with multiple floors below ground level, a protected stairway, and an AWFSS, 9m meters should not be exceeded for from the foot of the protected stair to any habitable room
6.4 (b) Dwelling Houses with one or more storey greater than 7.5m in height (4 storeys)
A second, separate protected stairwell is not required if AWFSS is fitted throughout.
9.1 (d) Internal Planning of Flats and Maisonettes
Flats or maisonettes with an open plan arrangement and more than one floor should have a protected stairway and AWFSS fitted. This allows escape to the shared external entrance.
9.7 Open Plan Layouts
Open planned flats are permissible with a fully fitted AWFSS
9.3 (b) Provision of inner rooms in flats not more than 4.5m in height
Inner rooms are not suggested unless the use of an AWFSS is utilised throughout the entire building, along with a grade D LD1 Fire detections and fire alarm system in accordance with BS 5839-6:2013.
9.4.2 (a) Extended travel distances within an open-plan flat
Flats more than 4.5m above ground level that are entered on the same level can increase total travel distances to the entrances from 9m to 20m with the use of AWFSS throughout the entire building, along with a LD1 fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with BS 5839-6:2013.
11.1 Flats where occupants are not capable of independent evacuation
It is possible to use provisions o an AWFSS where the use of the building is required for people not capable of independent evacuation (excluding common corridors and stairways). It is further possible to protect common areas (excluding common corridors and stairways) using provisions of an AWFSS where the use of the building is required for people not capable of independent evacuation.
Care Homes and Sheltered Housing Case Studies
Melbourne Springs – Cambridge
Melbourne Spings in Cambridge is a very prestigious company. With 429 nozzles and 1 residential pump installed, iMist were able to guarantee the safety of their guests.
Denmead Carehome – Portsmouth
The iMist system was installed to protect guests, in particular in-mobile tenants. In doing so, the iMist suppression system would be able to buy guests time when evacuating from the building.
Rogolo Place – Kent
This is a large care home facility, featuring 63 one and two-bedroom apartments, lounges, restaurants, activities rooms, hairdressers etc. The iMist system was installed to protect the lives of its guests.
