Published on: 19 October 2022

FIRE PRECAUTIONS HEALTHCARE PREMISES FIRE PRECAUTIONS HEALTHCARE PREMISES 

HALLOWEEN AND BONFIRE NIGHT DECORATIONS

In healthcare premises it is essential that fire safety is paramount for the safety of patients, visitors and staff.  Halloween and bonfire night brings additional risks of fire and the following guidance must be followed. Trust fire officers will be carrying out unscheduled walk around dept. / areas on the lead up to Halloween and bonfire periods to ensure everyone follows guidance and staff, patients and visitors are safe and the building is not at risk.

 

Decorations

  • Only inherently flame retardant types of decorations must be used within healthcare premises;
  • If in doubt, it is essential that written proof of the standard of fire retardancy be obtained from the suppliers – this may be found on the box
  • Combustible materials are not acceptable (paper, cotton wool, plastic etc.).  Decorations when bought will have the CE /British Standard mark attached to the packaging
  • They should be firmly fixed and not draped near electrical fittings.  All escape routes and signage to be kept clear with a clearly defined path. Circulation areas such as the hospital street and staircases are not to have any decorations at all
  • Combustibles and sources of heat/ignition (e.g. mains voltage electrical equipment) should be kept separated by a distance of about 1m.  In the case of decorations this is critical, if the flame retardancy is unknown then do not use it.  Ensure that ventilation of electrical equipment is not reduced
  •  Wall displays must not be more than 5% of wall surfaces.
  • Decorations suspended from ceilings, on door handles, handrails and other surfaces and high touch points must be flame retardant, and kept to absolute minimum (no netting etc. to hang from ceilings). Do not hang anything from suspended ceilings without approval of Estates.
  • Steer clear of large decorations and free standing fabric characters as they are much harder to clean, any used must be flame retardant and not placed along corridors, exit routes and staircases where they could impede bed evacuation.

Lights

  • All sets of lights must comply with the ‘Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016’ and relevant British Standard
  • Must be low voltage supplied by a safety isolating transformer;
  • Power points and electric circuits must not be overloaded
  • Any extension leads must be PAT tested and display appropriate sticker, must not be overloaded (remember there is normally only a 13a fuse in them) and must not be doubled up creating a ‘snake like’ effect
  • Block multi plug adaptors must not be used at any time and will be removed if found
  • Cable reel extension leads must not be used
  • Plugs and extension cables must not be covered
  • If not brand new, light sets should have a PAT test sticker attached to prove compliance.  If they are brand new then please ensure a general check is undertaken to ensure the lights are not defective. If in doubt to the safety of any lights…do not use them;
  • Managers and staff should routinely inspect lights and other forms of decoration for any signs of damage over the Bonfire night period.  Blown bulbs, discoloured bulbs, hot plastic surrounds and worn wiring are amongst the commonest faults.  Where any fault is found the whole light system must be taken out of use immediately and replaced with new.

 

General Conditions

  • It is important that the proposed location of both large and small decorations is given careful consideration, taking into account the number of fires caused due to possible deliberate ignition, which is on the increase;
  • Displays must not be positioned on exit routes or next to fire doors;
  • Ensure that escape routes are not made narrower or more difficult for progressive and horizontal bed evacuation or persons with disabilities to negotiate;
  • Before fixing decorations ensure its safe. Use ladders etc. and do not disturb dust by going above false ceilings.  Do not damage ceiling tiles by attaching decorations to them and approval must be sought from Estates.
  • Ensure that gangways, corridors and fire exits are kept clear at all times;
  • Television sets; make sure they have plenty of air circulating around them.  Do not put decorations on, around or close to TV sets;
  • As soon as bonfire night has finished, tidy up and check that all areas are cleared of any combustible materials and communal routes and emergency exit routes are clear of obstructions.

 

If you require any further advice please contact the Trust Fire Safety Officers

on 1043 or 2374 at STDH or 42559, 49613, 40114 or 40113 at SRH

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