Smoke control systems play a vital role in ensuring the safety of occupants in the event of a fire, limiting smoke ingress in evacuation routes to provide time for staff and potentially vulnerable patients to be safely evacuated where necessary, allowing firefighters access to the source of the fire and potentially helping to limit the extent and cost of damage to estates. A proactive schedule of inspection and maintenance is essential to ensure these systems are functioning correctly and represents a key legal requirement for estates managers, says Conor Logan, Technical director at Colt International.
To comply with these requirements, most Trusts enter into a service and maintenance contract with a specialist provider. However, the level of support provided by firms under these contracts can differ. Before entering into these agreements, it is important to confirm that the organisation has the skills, knowledge, and training to not only carry out standard inspection works, but also complete maintenance and repair works themselves rather than outsourcing this to a separate third party.
To help estates teams to understand the requirements for smoke control maintenance, and who is qualified to carry out work on these systems, the Smoke Control Association (SCA) has published Guidance on Maintenance of Smoke Control Equipment. This guide provides an overview of the legal obligations for estates managers — along with advice on how to identify smoke control assets and suggested maintenance and inspection schedules. This document also defines a new role, Competent Maintainer, to ensure all servicing works are carried out correctly and by properly qualified individuals. It is important that managers understand this role and ensure any individual or company appointed to service their smoke control systems meet its definition.
Healthcare estates incorporate a wide range of equipment, materials and commodities which can act as potential sources or fuel for fires. Data from the most recent Estates Return Information Collection from NHS England showed that there was a total of 1,102 fires at NHS facilities in the period 1st April 2023 — 31st March 2024, leading to 21 injuries and one death.1
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
