Fire detection systems save lives every single day, providing an early warning so everyone can react quickly. However, you need to ensure the system in any property accounts for vulnerable people. We want to have a closer look at this crucial topic here. Then, if you need professional help with fire alarm installations in Redcar, fire risk assessments, and more, you can rely on us.
Who is vulnerable?
The first thing you need to look at is what factors determine if people are vulnerable or not. It can be harder than you think. Crucially, it can come down to their circumstances or lifestyle, work setting, and behaviour.
Typically, you can classify someone as vulnerable if one of three things applies; they have slower reaction times, they have more difficulty evacuating, and they generally have a higher fire risk.
Disabilities
Anybody in the property with a disability could be more vulnerable if there is a fire. For example, they may have hearing impairment. In this case, you need to ensure your system has alternative warnings such as lighting or vibration pads. You can’t simply rely on audible warnings like sounders.
Any people with disabilities that limit their movement also need to be taken into account. This includes vision impairments and low mobility. You need to ensure your fire detection system will give them as much notice as possible to evacuate. Best practice here is to link all alarms, so they all activate simultaneously. It means people get notified even if the fire is in a completely separate part of the building. Talk to us about fire alarm installations in Redcar.
On the subject of vision impairment, you need to make sure evacuation routes are as clear as possible. There are several things you can do, including using specific textures on the flooring and surfaces.
Lifestyle, work, and behaviour
Some people are more vulnerable if there is a fire because of their lifestyle. There are some crucial things to think about. For example, you may have people who are very heavy sleepers; traditional alarm sounders may not be enough to budge them. Or, you could have people that use headphones regularly or have noisy hobbies. In both cases, you need to ensure the alarm system has alternative warning signals.
Different work activities can also have a massive impact on how vulnerable someone is to fire. One of the most important is physically working with tools, equipment, or materials that could cause a fire. In addition, people could be working in noisy areas where they will struggle to hear alarm sounders; you need alternative warning signals in these situations.
Working in different locations also increases vulnerability in some cases. You may have staff in remote parts of the property. If so, ensure the alarm system will give them enough warning. Make sure you take into account how long it will take them to evacuate safely.
Talk to us about fire alarm installations in Redcar
ABC Fire Safety & Security can provide exceptional services for a variety of clients. Our goal is to help you maximise fire protection, including reducing the chance of fires starting and ensuring everybody gets a warning if there is one. Crucially, we can help you to account for any vulnerable people in the property.
So, speak to us if you want to arrange fire alarm installations in Redcar or other services. We’re knowledgeable, competent professionals and achieve the highest standards for every client.
