In care facilities - e.g. in hospitals or retirement homes - a large number of people have limited mobility. As a result, residents are often unable to use escape and rescue routes to get to safety independently in the event of a fire. They are dependent on the help of care staff.
A care facility therefore needs a holistic fire protection and evacuation concept that focuses on protecting the people present. Reducing the risk of fire and the spread of fire by means of technical, structural and organizational fire protection measures has top priority.
Prevent & react quickly
Fire protection in care facilities prioritizes fire prevention and rapid response in the fire development phase.
Ideally, smoke detectors and fire alarm systems should be part of the basic equipment. They enable early fire detection and therefore rapid intervention by care staff and the fire department. In addition, fire extinguishers and possibly wall hydrants are necessary to contain an incipient fire.
Good to know: At least 5% of staff should be trained as fire safety and evacuation assistants. Annual fire safety training is also required.
Regulations for fire protection in care facilities
Care facilities are considered special buildings in some federal states. At the same time, VdS Guideline 2226 “Hospitals, nursing homes and similar facilities for the accommodation and treatment of persons / fire protection guidelines” applies.
There are also state-specific regulations, such as the guideline on building inspection requirements for the construction and operation of facilities with nursing and care services in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Your regional CWS experts will be happy to advise you on the fire protection regulations applicable in your federal state. Contact us now.
Your partner in fire protection
CWS Fire Safety has a broad product and service portfolio in preventive fire protection to help ensure greater safety in new builds, extensions and the ongoing operation of care facilities.
Our fire safety experts plan, install and maintain the necessary fire safety equipment in accordance with the applicable DIN specifications. We also offer fire protection training for employees and residents throughout Germany. If required, we can also provide you with an external fire safety officer or accompany you during official fire inspections.
Are you looking for a partner for fire protection in your care facility?
Our regional contacts will advise you without obligation. Get in touch now.
Fire protection in care facilities
Optimum fire protection in care facilities is based on a combination of the three pillars of preventive fire protection.
Click on the three areas and find out more about the individual fire safety precautions.
Technical fire protection
Technical fire protection is a building block in optimum fire protection for care facilities with extinguishing and early fire detection equipment, such as smoke detectors or fire alarm systems. The number of extinguishing devices (e.g. fire extinguishers and wall hydrants) depends on the size of the fire compartment, while the type depends on the existing fire classes. In care facilities, fire classes A and B are usually present, so water or foam extinguishers are suitable. In addition, fire alarm systems are recommended for care facilities and are mandatory in some federal states (such as NRW). It should be noted that fire alarm systems require an inspection every 3 months.
CWS Fire Safety offers installation and maintenance throughout Germany of, among other things
- Fire extinguishers
- wall hydrants
- Fire alarm systems
- Smoke and heat extraction systems
- safety lighting
Structural fire protection
In structural fire protection, the separation of building areas and storeys by forming fire compartments is important. For this purpose, fire and smoke protection doors with hold-open systems are used, which keep the doors “open” during daily operation and close automatically when smoke develops. In addition, two separate escape and rescue routes are essential according to today's safety standards.
The fire protection experts at CWS install and maintain, among other things
- Fire barriers
- Fire dampers
- Fire and smoke protection doors
Organizational fire protection
Organizational fire protection in care facilities is of great importance. In addition to regular training, it also includes the appointment of a fire safety officer and the creation of fire safety plans and fire safety regulations. It is important that fire protection plans (e.g. escape and rescue plans or fire department plans) and fire safety regulations are always up to date.
CWS supports you in the following areas:
- External fire protection officer
- Creation and updating of fire protection plans
- Fire protection instructions
- Training for fire protection and evacuation assistants
