Scottish care homes to get fire checks

Every Scottish care home for older people is to be visited by fire
prevention experts in the wake of the Uddingston nursing home fire
which killed 14 residents last week.

Justice minister Cathie Jamieson made the announcement to the
Scottish parliament stating that there would be a public inquiry
into the blaze at the Lanarkshire home.

However, opposition MSPs have called for sprinkler systems to be
introduced in all 1,800 care homes and multi-occupancy
housing.

Michael Matheson, the SNP’s deputy justice minister – who
introduced a bill to have sprinkler systems installed in all
multi-occupancy housing last year – called for a review of all fire
precautions in homes where evacuation of residents is made
difficult by their vulnerability.

MP Phil Hope, minister for building regulations, told parliament
the incident “indicates that sprinkler systems may have a role to
play in protecting vulnerable groups such as homes for elderly and
higher risk houses in multi-occupancy”.

In England, the National Care Standards Commission has written to
all care home providers reminding them of the need to regularly
review their fire risk assessments and the regulations and minimum
standards they need to comply with. Inspectors can require
immediate improvements if these are not being met. 

Employers guide for Fire Precautions Regulations from
www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/fire/index.htm

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