Reducing Risk For Vulnerable People
The risk of harm from fire is substantially increased by ill health, disability and addiction. The NFCC and Fire and Rescue Services are therefore working with Health, Social Services and Third Sector Organisations to raise awareness of known risk factors and ensure that appropriate fire and safety measures are in place.
NFCC is supporting stakeholders and responsible persons to provide suitable and sufficient fire and safety measures, to reduce the incidence of death or injury from fire to vulnerable residents, living in domestic dwellings and high-risk residential accommodation.
NFCC will actively seek to share information, data and intelligence and identify, develop and promote best practice, to ensure that persons at high risk from fire are provided with adequate standards of protection, prevention, monitoring and management, whilst still maintaining their independence and quality of life.
NFCC advises that consideration is given to the following when designing and/or providing accommodation for vulnerable persons:
- Structural fire separation and compartmentation
- A Stay Put policy (where appropriate)
- Fire and safety monitoring and response services
- Promotion of improved understanding of risk factors and need for continuous assessment of fire risk • Consultation, coordination and cooperation between regulators and stakeholders
- Suitable fire detection and warning in compliance with BS5839 Part 6 2013 (and/or any subsequent amendments or revisions)
- Fire suppression systems in purpose built accommodation for high risk groups or individuals
- Invasive fire risk assessment of the building taking account of health, behaviour and fire risks
This statement should be read in conjunction with NFCC position statements on ageing safely, domestic fire detection and fire suppression systems.
This statement sets out the NFCC’s position on fire safety provisions for vulnerable people and aligns with supporting statements on ageing safely, fire suppression systems and domestic fire detection.
The principle of this statement is that risk and risk reduction measures should be developed around the health, behaviour and needs of persons and not solely the type of premises or properties in which they reside.
NFCC aims to ensure that all homes within the UK are provided with a standard of fire detection and warning that is appropriate to the layout, fire risks and hazards within the home and best suited to the health and circumstances of the occupants.
