South West Sydney Fire Safety for Medical Centres
One of the most significant components of medical facilities is maintaining its safety. In this line of work, there is no room for mistakes. Everything should be done to ensure that the health care personnel, staff and patients are safe at all times and at all costs. The population in a healthcare facility are mostly sick, disabled and elderly. This makes planning a South West Sydney: Health Centres Fire Protection a lot more challenging than other facilities.
There are a lot of things that should be considered to achieve an effective fire safety plan. Attention to detail and routine safety checks are important in maintaining fire safety and prevention. Here are core methods in ensuring a fire-safe facility.
Keep an eye on the kitchen
The kitchen hospital is responsible for ensuring that the patients are provided with a healthy meal. Likewise, it is also their duty that they maintain fire safety practices while they prepare meals.
Records show that most hospital fire cases start from the kitchen. The cooking equipment presents a high potential for causing fires. Fortunately, these fires are often contained to the appliance where it started.
Follow these tips to prevent cooking fires in the medical centres:
- Regularly clean the grease traps of appliances to avoid grease fires.
- Keep flammable liquids, oils, and other items away from cooking equipment such as stove and oven.
- Grills and grill ducts should be cleaned regularly to make sure that no flammable material can fall into the cracks and gaps
- Inspect all electrical cords and appliances for damages, fray, and tears.
- Portable fire extinguisher should be kept nearby and ensure that the kitchen staff knows how to use the equipment
Furthermore, it is important that the staff are fully aware of the fire safety plan of the facility. If a fire does arise, the employees should be alert and be able to respond efficiently to avoid the fire from spreading.
Regularly inspect electrical outlets and wires
Unlike cooking fires, fires caused by electrical malfunctions are harder to confine. Most fires that spread beyond their point of origin are commonly caused by damaged wiring or overloaded outlets. The electrical setup of the healthcare facility should not be neglected to avoid electric fires.
Most of the fire departments would recommend to avoid using extension wires as much as possible. The best thing to do to avoid this situation is to move the appliance near the outlet or install a new outlet. However, if this can't be avoided, check the cords for any cracks or damages. Also, when using the cord, keep it away from flammable materials and do not run it through a window, wall or doorway. The cord should not be covered underneath a carpet or rug.
Ensure that only certified electricians set up, monitor and maintain the facility's electrical system.
Do not let smoke and oxygen mix
Designate a smoking area far from oxygen-dispensing machines or tanks. Fires can burn easier and quicker with the presence of oxygen. Also, ensure that cigarette butts are properly disposed of.
Install Wet-Pipe Sprinkler Systems
A wet pipe sprinkler system discharges water immediately as soon as the fire is detected. The sprinkler system helps in confining the fire in one area and prevents it from spreading.
Fire Safety in South West Sydney medical centres require vigilance and regular inspection from the facility management team. These simple and quite monotonous steps can make a significant difference between life and death.
For more information, contact FCF today. We offer comprehensive fire protection services including supply, installation and maintenance.