Fire safety in old peoples homes

Abstract

Fire safety in old peoples homes is an important issue for every person who accepts responsibility either directly or indirectly, which for the involves care and accomodation of the elderly. Residents in old peoples homes are more likely to suffer from the consequences of fires for a number of reasons. One is that elderly people often have one or more handicaps not sufficient for them to be classed as disabled, but sufficient to expose them to a greater risk of fire. The failing physical and mental faculties of the elderly make it unrealistic to expect a specific routine to be followed by them in the event of a fire, unless they have staff assistance. In an old peoples home the predominant risk is the risk to life, and solutions to fire protection problems that may be relevant to motels, hostels, and similar occupancies are not necessarily appropriate to the accomodation of the elderly.