Fire safety in hospitals

Abstract

For the DHSS, who are involved in providing a life-saving and cost-effective health care service, fires in hospitals, which can destroy this service, are a cause of great concern.

Improving fire safety in the NHS is dependent on achieving the right balance for each Health Authority, between function, safety and cost, and it is here that the real problem lies.

The DHSS are devoting their efforts at improving fire safety to issuing. guidance and recommended standards, based oh rigorous research and covering a wide range of related factors. These are in three areas:

(1) The structure of the building, whether a new project or existing stock.

(2) The furnishing, fittings and fire detection and control equipment.

(3) The people who live and work in the hospital, the working practices, routines and policies.

This paper reviews these efforts and concludes that in ergonomics terms, in the NHS as we know it, it is not possible to produce a totally safe working environment. However, the nearest possible alternative to this may be achieved by making all people in the NHS aware of the dangers of fire and, moreover, expecting each individual to take responsibility for the effects of their actions in increasing or reducing the fire problem.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

JILL STEVENTON

Ms. Steventon acted as consultant to the Department of Health and Social Security. The opinions expressed in this paper are the author's personal views and not official DHSS policy.