Fire Blankets & Fire Extinguishers in Almshouses

[EwelmeWarden]

I have recently taken over as Warden where there are fire extinguishers and fire blankets provided in Almshouse kitchens. I was very surprised by the Fire Extinguishers, in particular.

When I managed large student properties, the Fire Brigade advised us to remove Fire Extinguishers as there was considered more danger in someone trying to fight a fire – and I imagined the advice might be the same for Almshouses.

In my last Almshouse post, the advice was to remove all Fire Blankets as it was felt too dangerous for residents to attempt to use these and the ‘Get Out, Stay Out, Call the Fire Brigade Out’ is still considered the most sensible policy.

I’m curious to know if other Almshouses provide (a) Fire Blankets and (b) Fire Extinguishers in individual Almshouses for residents use in the event of a Fire.

I’ve asked our local Fire Brigade for advice, but no response yet.

Thank you.

Sam
Almshouse Warden

[Avril Steele]

Hello Sam
We do have fire extinguishers throughout our site, including outside residents’ flats but not within.
We are a Grade 1 listed building, open to the public and with 20+ residents.
All staff undergo regular training in how to assess risks and manage fire extinguishers and the direction is that if one has a chance to use an extinguisher to either extinguish the fire or delay the spread of it, then one uses one extinguisher only and then moves out.
Residents are under instructions not to attempt to fight a fire but to evacuate immediately on hearing the alarm.
We don’t supply fire blankets for the residents’ kitchens but do have one in the main kitchen which provides lunch to the residents 5 days a week.
The cook and warden would be the most likely staff to use this.
Heat and smoke detectors remain our early warning system.
Hope that helps!
Avril Steele
Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty

[lana_sh]

Hello, Sam.

We had a recent Fire Safety inspection in our almshouses. Although our almshouses are bungalows with separate exits, the inspector advised us to keep fire blankets, but fire extinguishers are not necessary in our case. We do not encourage residents to use blankets in case of fire, but we learned that it is comforting for them to know they have them.

There are no legal requirements in place for our type of housing to provide fire extinguishers and/ or blankets inside each flat/bungalow, but only in common areas.

I hope this helps.
Lana
Clerk to the Trustees
Robert Thompson Charities

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Sam

I know that I’m not directly answering your question, but can I recommend you Google the following question?

“is it legally required to have fire extinguishers or fire blankets in sheltered accommodation?”

When you get your answer, click on ‘AI Mode’. You will get a very useful and informative summary of the regs.

BTW, none of the previous posters are wrong in what they are doing, even though there are some difference between them.

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[thesmac]

Hi Sam
Same here, my predecessor purchased fire blankets and extinguishers but the fire services visit I organised recommended that residents do not attempt anything, get out of the flat as quickly as they can and call fire services
Anne

[EwelmeWarden]

Thank you Nick, I will do that. Sam.

[Tina LL]

Fire blankets could be used by residents escaping a fire- by wrapping themselves in the blanket and making sure their hands are covered..

As for extinguishers- we have been removing them when residents dont want them. The fire service advised us they were not required. We however do intend to keep the rest as family members, myself or contractors on site might be able to use use them. We also show residents how to use the extinguishers in the carpark. I am confident using the different extinguishers and would prefer have the option for myself if it aided my escape from a fire.

[EwelmeWarden]

Thank you Tina. Interesting point – I’d not thought of using a fire blanket to escape a fire. Sam.

[EwelmeWarden]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Some interesting points I’d not considered. Sam.

[Tim Richardson]

Extinguishers within individual flats are not really a good idea – they need to be regularly serviced and the guidance (which is not for individual dwellings) suggests people should be trained to use them.

Fire blankets, on the other hand, are service free and more often provided as training is not required.

Neither is mandatory however and an immediate evacuation is the best policy.

Tim Richardson – Panel consultant and Nationally Registered Fire Risk Assessor.

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by Tim Richardson.

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