Fire safety in nursing homes and hospitals is literally a life-or-death matter, given that many residents or patients may be non-ambulant or have impaired mobility. This article examines why evacuation equipment in healthcare settings must be demonstrably fit for purpose, drawing on real-world case studies and the legal framework governing fire safety in Ireland.
🔑 Key Legal Requirements
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Section 11): Employers must have adequate emergency plans and procedures and provide all necessary measures for firefighting and safe evacuation
- Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended 2003): Places a duty on those in control of premises to make adequate provision for the safety of everyone on the premises
- HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions): Requires designated centres to maintain clear emergency exits, proper fire equipment, and effective evacuation arrangements at all times
In practice, compliance isn’t just a paperwork exercise; it can be the difference between a coordinated rescue and a preventable tragedy. This review draws on Phoenix STS’s expertise in healthcare fire safety and real-world case studies to argue why evacuation equipment in healthcare settings must be demonstrably fit for purpose. In particular, it highlights how rigorous testing (and honest Failure-to-Test Reporting) ensures that evacuation aids will perform when needed.
Ensuring Verified Third-Party Testing
When selecting evacuation equipment, requesting and obtaining clear evidence that an independent, third-party body has carried out test-to-failure assessments is paramount. This step assures you that an evacuation chair, sheet, mat or pad has been pushed to its operational limits in a controlled environment, but it also gives you tangible proof of how and when the equipment was tested, along with the precise criteria it met or exceeded.
Having copies of verified test reports on file, rather than simply relying on a supplier’s verbal assurances, enables nursing home managers and fire safety consultants to demonstrate due diligence under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended).
Ultimately, documented test-to-failure evidence bolsters confidence that each evacuation aid will withstand the rigours of real-life emergencies, protecting both residents and staff when every second counts.
Phoenix STS: Specialists in Healthcare Fire Safety
Phoenix STS is an Irish safety consultancy and training provider with a strong focus on fire safety in healthcare environments. We offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to nursing homes and hospitals, helping create a 360° fire safety programme: from policy to practice and equipment to training.
🎓 Training Courses
📋 Consultancy Services
🛒 Evacuation Equipment
📐 Additional Services
Why is this so relevant to healthcare? Because in a care home or hospital fire, staff often must move non-mobile or wheelchair users swiftly to safety. Phoenix STS recognises that having an evacuation plan on paper is not enough; the plan must be drilled, the staff must be competent, and the evacuation devices must be fit for purpose.
Lessons from Real Incidents: Evacuation Equipment Can Save or Cost Lives
Real-world fire incidents in healthcare settings painfully illustrate how critical proper evacuation equipment (and training in its use) is. Below are documented examples, both positive and negative, that highlight the stakes:
9/11 World Trade Center Evacuation (2001)
A dramatic example comes from outside the healthcare sector but is highly instructive. During the 9/11 attacks, an evacuation chair (a device designed to glide down stairs) was used to rescue John Abruzzo, a quadriplegic office worker, from the 69th floor of the World Trade Center. Ten colleagues took turns using the evacuation chair to carry him down all those flights of stairs to safety, exiting the building just ten minutes before its collapse.
“An evacuation chair helped in the successful evacuation of five other people” on 9/11.
Though from an office tower, this story underscores a fundamental point for hospitals and nursing homes: specialist evacuation aids can mean the difference between life and death for mobility-impaired persons in an emergency.
Rosepark Nursing Home Fire, Scotland (31 January 2004)
One of the most notorious examples of inadequate preparation was the Rosepark nursing home fire in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, where 14 elderly residents perished. The subsequent Fatal Accident Inquiry (2011) found multiple fire safety failings.
“The management of fire safety at Rosepark was systematically and seriously defective. The deficiencies in the management of fire safety at Rosepark contributed to the deaths.”
Investigators found “limited attention paid to evacuation procedure” despite many residents’ low mobility. Too many dependent residents were housed in one area with too few staff to evacuate them, and staff had not received adequate fire training. In essence, evacuation aids and planning were grossly insufficient, and lives were lost as a result.
Ashlie Timms, Supported Living Fire, London (April 2018)
A more recent inquest examined the death of Ashlie Timms, a 46-year-old disabled woman, in a 2018 supported living fire in Chingford. She had severe mobility issues and relied on carers to evacuate. Shockingly, staff failed to implement her Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) or use any means to get her out; they even delayed calling emergency services by up to 45 minutes.
“If staff had called 999 and evacuated Ms Timms immediately, in line with her PEEP and national guidance for supported living accommodation, then Ashlie would have been rescued and taken to safety.”
The coroner concluded her death was entirely avoidable. This case exposed how untested assumptions and unprepared staff can render evacuation equipment and plans effectively useless. The building had an evacuation plan on paper, but when the moment came, neither the plan nor any evacuation device was actually put into action, with fatal consequences.
Key Lesson: Sometimes even having equipment on-site isn’t helpful if it’s not the right type or not accessible when needed. Equipment must be suitable for the conditions, and only realistic drills would reveal such limitations before an emergency.
Are Your Evacuation Aids Fit for Purpose? The Role of Testing and “Failure-to-Test” Reports
For fire safety consultants and nursing home managers, it is imperative to verify that evacuation equipment will perform as expected. The best way to do this is through regular, rigorous testing and drills, essentially attempting to find failures before a real emergency does.
A “failure-to-test report” refers to the documented findings when something doesn’t work during a drill or inspection. Far from being something to hide, these reports are gold dust for improving safety. They provide concrete evidence of weaknesses that need fixing and protect you from complacency.
“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” – every drill that uncovers a problem is actually a success in making your facility safer.
Regulatory guidance strongly supports this approach. HIQA’s Fire Safety Handbook notes that fire evacuation drills are essential to test your procedures and equipment; drills should simulate real-life conditions as closely as possible. A case study in the HIQA handbook recounts a fatal fire in a residential facility where “fire evacuation drills were inadequate” and a full evacuation was never practised. When a real fire broke out from a different route, chaos ensued, and lives were lost.
The takeaway is clear: test all scenarios, test all equipment, and don’t assume things will go smoothly. If an evacuation chair’s wheels jam during a practice run, or a pad tears under the weight of a bariatric resident during a drill, that is exactly the kind of information you want to capture in a failure-to-test report. It allows you to promptly service or upgrade the equipment and train staff on the new limitations or procedures.
Key Takeaways and Practical Steps
Audit Your Evacuation Aids Now
Do you have enough evacuation chairs, sheets, pads or mats for your non-ambulant patients? Are they the correct type for your building layout (e.g. will they fit down your narrow secondary stairs)? If unsure, consult experts or suppliers. Evacuation aids should be third-party certified and appropriate to the setting.
Implement a Rigorous Drill Programme
Schedule frequent fire drills, including at night (scenario) and with minimal staffing, to reflect the toughest circumstances. Use these drills to test different escape routes and pieces of equipment. In each drill, assign an observer or use video to catch snags: was an evacuation pad hard to pull across the floor? Did it take two people to operate a stair chair when it should have taken one? Note it, report it, fix it.
Embrace “Failure” as Feedback
Encourage a culture where staff report any difficulty or defect with evacuation equipment without fear. A broken strap on an evacuation pad or a mislocated safety belt is not an embarrassment; it’s an opportunity to improve. Track these in your safety management system. Should a HIQA inspector ask how you know your evacuation plan works, you can produce records of drills, maintenance logs, and improvements made, a compelling case that you’re meeting your obligations.
Leverage Available Support
Fire safety upgrades can be costly, but not doing them can cost far more. Keep an eye on initiatives like Ireland’s Nursing Home Resident Safety Improvement Scheme, a €10 million fund that offered grants of up to €25,000 to nursing homes for fire safety improvements. Many homes used this to install modern fire detection and upgrade evacuation equipment, directly bolstering compliance with Regulation 28. Availing of such funding, and partnering with specialists like Phoenix STS for implementation, is a wise investment in peace of mind.
Conclusion
Ensuring evacuation equipment in healthcare is fit for purpose is not just a regulatory checkbox, but a moral imperative to protect vulnerable lives. By learning from past incidents and rigorously testing our emergency plans, we can prevent the next tragedy before it happens.
For those responsible for fire safety in nursing homes and hospitals, the message is clear: plan for the worst, test your plan, and you will save lives.
True preparedness comes from training, testing, and taking action on the results. An evacuation device that has been properly tested, and maybe even had a “failure” that was corrected, is one you can trust when the unthinkable happens.
Need Help with Healthcare Fire Safety?
Phoenix STS provides comprehensive fire safety solutions for nursing homes and healthcare facilities across Ireland, from risk assessments and training to evacuation equipment supply and compliance consultancy.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this content does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Fire safety requirements may vary depending on your specific circumstances, building type, and applicable regulations. The case studies referenced are based on publicly available reports and inquests; readers should refer to official sources for complete details. Always consult with qualified fire safety professionals and refer to current legislation, including the Fire Services Acts, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and HIQA regulations, for guidance specific to your facility. The mention of specific products or equipment does not constitute an endorsement; all evacuation equipment should be independently assessed for suitability. Phoenix STS accepts no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on this article.
