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Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are especially vulnerable to the effects of fire breaking out, because of the significant number of immobile or difficult to evacuate people. So the early warning of fire in the shape of aspirating systems is becoming a more attractive option, says Martin Norris.
The quality and effectiveness of fire systems in healthcare facilities is a major concern around the world. An ever growing population with higher expectations of healthcare, combined with increased requirements to cater for the elderly, sees more demand for the construction and extension of these facilities. Hospitals, medical clinics and other care facilities have a real need for good fire protection to ensure the safety of their patients, staff and visitors. They also need solutions that allow them to avoid the cost of nuisance alarms and to maintain services.
While codes and standards generally govern the fire safety requirements in these facilities, they are often the minimal ones needed to provide a satisfactory level of fire safety for the risk and application. In aiming to satisfy such prescriptive guidance, traditional systems have been designed without a more holistic analysis of the fire risks, detection challenges and the advantages of alternative detection technologies.
Assessing the risks
Healthcare environments contain numerous special fire hazards. Alongside the various combustible products such as paper, plastics and linen is a plethora of electrical equipment, bottled and plumbed oxygen, and alcohol based preparations. From a single overheating contact in a switchboard or control panel to a failure in a lighting ballast; from a cigarette accidentally left in a bed in a care home to an under-rated cable in the underfloor space beneath an MRI scanning machine, the risks of hidden, slow growth fires and of fast growth fires is significant.
Apart from the obvious and dominant concerns for the safety of immobile and frail patients, millions of pounds of equipment and facilities are commonly lost in a healthcare facility fire. But perhaps of greater concern is the fact that a fire can have a significant impact on a community, due to the loss of the services and prolonged downtime of a facility. Some facilities that experience a fire never recover.
Detection challenges
A number of the unique environments within a healthcare facility present significant challenges for existing detection technologies. Poor detection performance can result in insufficient time to respond to a fire, as well as costly nuisance alarms. A new generation of advanced smoke detection solutions are gaining popularity among specifying engineers and informed healthcare facility managers. Air-sampling smoke detectors (ASD) work by continually drawing air into a pipe network attached to a central detector unit. The air is analysed in a very sensitive detection chamber for the smallest traces of smoke. Information on the level of smoke and alarm state are communicated to a fire alarm control panel and/or building management system in the normal way.
The high sensitivity of ASD systems ensures potential detection difficulties – such as the dilution of smoke in large open spaces or high airflows – are overcome and reliable detection is provided. The earlier a fire can be detected the safer occupants will be; evacuation becomes simpler, stress and anxiety on patients is reduced, and damage to property is minimal. The extra time provided by these very early warning systems allows advanced investigation and early intervention, usually enabling the manual suppression of a small fire. The extra time can also be used for emergency planning and improved preparedness for an evacuation, should the fire escalate.
Today, more than ever, there is a need to ensure the fire safety equipment requirements installed in these facilities meet the needs, demands and risks within the respective areas and environments of these facilities. Poor understanding of the fire risks or detection challenges can lead to the incorrect selection of detection equipment for the risk, the unsuitable siting of detectors, poor maintenance of the systems, and high costs in nuisance alarms.
The compartmentation of hospitals into fire zones and their sometimes long and meandering passageways may often be an impediment to rapid and safe patient evacuation in a fire, particularly in older buildings. Careful planning and frequent fire drills alleviate some of the problems associated with corridor congestion, but the number of staff available sets a limit on the speed with which patients can be transferred to safety. In some facilities this could be more of an issue ‘after hours’ when staff levels may be reduced. The removal of those patients who are immobilised, or who can move quickly only with assistance – infants, the elderly, and those dependent upon life support facilities – exacerbate the evacuation problem and further reduce the safety margin.
Nuisance alarms
Traditional smoke and fire detection equipment can be situated in environments where it is unsuitable and can cause nuisance alarms. Duct detectors, for instance, are notorious for causing nuisance alarms. Also, many point detectors are not able to filter out nuisance alarm sources such as steam and can cause significant disruption. The consequence is that operational continuity is put at risk even if the alarm has been generated from a nuisance source, such as the steam from a shower or the washing down of an operating theatre.
The problem with traditional detection systems is that they don’t provide true early warning of the risk of a fire. When an alarm is sounded, the prudent assumption in a healthcare facility must be that there is a real and potentially substantial risk of a life-threatening fire. With advance notification of a potential risk we see a better scenario. ASD has the ability to provide multiple levels of warning, from a very low risk of smouldering fire (which could be an environmental anomaly), to a very high risk of a flaming fire. When a low level of smoke is detected, facilities staff can be discreetly advised (by SMS, email etc) that a low level risk requires investigation. Should the level of smoke escalate, a second alarm can be used to prompt a broader range of staff (perhaps including patient care staff) that an emergency condition may exist; local indicators may sound/flash. At a third level of alarm, the fire brigade is notified and evacuation procedures are put into action. This is the regulated alarm level supported by all traditional systems. At a fourth level of alarm, suppression systems in special hazards areas may be activated. In this way, the staff and/or patients involved are appropriate to the level and location of the fire safety threat.
A common misconception is that high sensitivity detection increases false alarms. The truth is that very early warning smoke detection with multiple levels of alarm reduces the cost of nuisance alarms, while improving safety and business continuity.
As well in being used in general wards, aspirating smoke detection systems are also well suited to more ‘challenging’ environments specific to healthcare facilities, such as operating theatres and MRI rooms, as well as those common to any large organisations such as computer facilities and plant and machinery rooms. Operating theatres, for example, have what we might term ordinary combustibles, linen, bedding, plastics etc. along with various items of electrically powered equipment and potentially flammable cleaning agents and solvents. MRI facilities too have high current electrical devices that are known to cause fires. The accommodation of these very expensive, highly magnetic and delicate machines also has special requirements – no fire detection equipment or devices containing metallic (ferromagnetic) components are allowed to be installed in MRI facilities unless they have been tested by the device manufacturer and have been labelled ‘MR safe’.
Because an ASD detector can be placed remotely and outside the protected area, only the non-magnetic plastic pipe network needs be in the MRI room. This makes ASD uniquely suited to protecting such environments. X-ray facilities and other forms of critical scanning equipment can be similarly protected.
Roof spaces and ducts
Perhaps one of the most important areas where fire is a threat in healthcare facilities is in concealed roof spaces, where electrical cables, lighting, power and heating and cooling equipment are often located, and which service inspections or ongoing maintenance may easily overlook. Yes, fire detection is generally a requirement in these areas in line with local codes and standards, but has the correct detection equipment been selected for this risk area and is it effective?
Heat detectors and optical point type smoke detection are generally the default choice in roof spaces, but are heat detectors really suited in this area? What size of fire will ultimately have taken hold by the time heat detectors react? These are some of the questions being asked by fire authorities. The use of optical type point detection in roof space applications has also caused some concern amongst regulators. Traditional duct detectors, based on point detector technologies, are intolerant of high airflows and quickly become contaminated. Duct detectors can also cause false alarms when exposed to very high humidity or condensation forming within a cooled duct – such as on the roof of a hospital in cool night air.
Aspirating systems have been successfully used in roof space and duct environments worldwide because contaminants (dirt, dust and moisture) can be filtered out before they reach the detection chamber. Maintenance is simple as the detector is located below or remotely from the ceiling space or duct, thus providing a more reliable and cost effective solution.
Early diagnosis
In each of these challenging environments commonly found in healthcare facilities both large and small, highly sensitive air-sampling smoke detectors are suitable to reliably offer early indication of fire. This early diagnosis can be crucial in limiting the impact and spread of fire, protecting not just the buildings but also the communities they serve.
Martin Norris is UK sales director for VESDA. www.xtralis.com
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are especially vulnerable to the effects of fire breaking out, because of the significant number of immobile or difficult to evacuate people. So the early warning of fire in the shape of aspirating systems is becoming a more attractive option, says Martin Norris.
The quality and effectiveness of fire systems in healthcare facilities is a major concern around the world. An ever growing population with higher expectations of healthcare, combined with increased requirements to cater for the elderly, sees more demand for the construction and extension of these facilities. Hospitals, medical clinics and other care facilities have a real need for good fire protection to ensure the safety of their patients, staff and visitors. They also need solutions that allow them to avoid the cost of nuisance alarms and to maintain services.
While codes and standards generally govern the fire safety requirements in these facilities, they are often the minimal ones needed to provide a satisfactory level of fire safety for the risk and application. In aiming to satisfy such prescriptive guidance, traditional systems have been designed without a more holistic analysis of the fire risks, detection challenges and the advantages of alternative detection technologies.
Assessing the risks
Healthcare environments contain numerous special fire hazards. Alongside the various combustible products such as paper, plastics and linen is a plethora of electrical equipment, bottled and plumbed oxygen, and alcohol based preparations. From a single overheating contact in a switchboard or control panel to a failure in a lighting ballast; from a cigarette accidentally left in a bed in a care home to an under-rated cable in the underfloor space beneath an MRI scanning machine, the risks of hidden, slow growth fires and of fast growth fires is significant.
Apart from the obvious and dominant concerns for the safety of immobile and frail patients, millions of pounds of equipment and facilities are commonly lost in a healthcare facility fire. But perhaps of greater concern is the fact that a fire can have a significant impact on a community, due to the loss of the services and prolonged downtime of a facility. Some facilities that experience a fire never recover.
Detection challenges
A number of the unique environments within a healthcare facility present significant challenges for existing detection technologies. Poor detection performance can result in insufficient time to respond to a fire, as well as costly nuisance alarms. A new generation of advanced smoke detection solutions are gaining popularity among specifying engineers and informed healthcare facility managers. Air-sampling smoke detectors (ASD) work by continually drawing air into a pipe network attached to a central detector unit. The air is analysed in a very sensitive detection chamber for the smallest traces of smoke. Information on the level of smoke and alarm state are communicated to a fire alarm control panel and/or building management system in the normal way.
The high sensitivity of ASD systems ensures potential detection difficulties – such as the dilution of smoke in large open spaces or high airflows – are overcome and reliable detection is provided. The earlier a fire can be detected the safer occupants will be; evacuation becomes simpler, stress and anxiety on patients is reduced, and damage to property is minimal. The extra time provided by these very early warning systems allows advanced investigation and early intervention, usually enabling the manual suppression of a small fire. The extra time can also be used for emergency planning and improved preparedness for an evacuation, should the fire escalate.
Today, more than ever, there is a need to ensure the fire safety equipment requirements installed in these facilities meet the needs, demands and risks within the respective areas and environments of these facilities. Poor understanding of the fire risks or detection challenges can lead to the incorrect selection of detection equipment for the risk, the unsuitable siting of detectors, poor maintenance of the systems, and high costs in nuisance alarms.
The compartmentation of hospitals into fire zones and their sometimes long and meandering passageways may often be an impediment to rapid and safe patient evacuation in a fire, particularly in older buildings. Careful planning and frequent fire drills alleviate some of the problems associated with corridor congestion, but the number of staff available sets a limit on the speed with which patients can be transferred to safety. In some facilities this could be more of an issue ‘after hours’ when staff levels may be reduced. The removal of those patients who are immobilised, or who can move quickly only with assistance – infants, the elderly, and those dependent upon life support facilities – exacerbate the evacuation problem and further reduce the safety margin.
Nuisance alarms
Traditional smoke and fire detection equipment can be situated in environments where it is unsuitable and can cause nuisance alarms. Duct detectors, for instance, are notorious for causing nuisance alarms. Also, many point detectors are not able to filter out nuisance alarm sources such as steam and can cause significant disruption. The consequence is that operational continuity is put at risk even if the alarm has been generated from a nuisance source, such as the steam from a shower or the washing down of an operating theatre.
The problem with traditional detection systems is that they don’t provide true early warning of the risk of a fire. When an alarm is sounded, the prudent assumption in a healthcare facility must be that there is a real and potentially substantial risk of a life-threatening fire. With advance notification of a potential risk we see a better scenario.
ASD has the ability to provide multiple levels of warning, from a very low risk of smouldering fire (which could be an environmental anomaly), to a very high risk of a flaming fire. When a low level of smoke is detected, facilities staff can be discreetly advised (by SMS, email etc) that a low level risk requires investigation. Should the level of smoke escalate, a second alarm can be used to prompt a broader range of staff (perhaps including patient care staff) that an emergency condition may exist; local indicators may sound/flash. At a third level of alarm, the fire brigade is notified and evacuation procedures are put into action. This is the regulated alarm level supported by all traditional systems. At a fourth level of alarm, suppression systems in special hazards areas may be activated. In this way, the staff and/or patients involved are appropriate to the level and location of the fire safety threat.
A common misconception is that high sensitivity detection increases false alarms. The truth is that very early warning smoke detection with multiple levels of alarm reduces the cost of nuisance alarms, while improving safety and business continuity.
As well as being used in general wards, aspirating smoke detection systems are also well suited to more ‘challenging’ environments specific to healthcare facilities, such as operating theatres and MRI rooms, as well as those common to any large organisations such as computer facilities and plant and machinery rooms. Operating theatres, for example, have what we might term ordinary combustibles, linen, bedding, plastics etc. along with various items of electrically powered equipment and potentially flammable cleaning agents and solvents. MRI facilities too have high current electrical devices that are known to cause fires. The accommodation of these very expensive, highly magnetic and delicate machines also has special requirements – no fire detection equipment or devices containing metallic (ferromagnetic) components are allowed to be installed in MRI facilities unless they have been tested by the device manufacturer and have been labelled ‘MR safe’.
Because an ASD detector can be placed remotely and outside the protected area, only the non-magnetic plastic pipe network needs be in the MRI room. This makes ASD uniquely suited to protecting such environments. X-ray facilities and other forms of critical scanning equipment can be similarly protected.
Roof spaces and ducts
Perhaps one of the most important areas where fire is a threat in healthcare facilities is in concealed roof spaces, where electrical cables, lighting, power and heating and cooling equipment are often located, and which service inspections or ongoing maintenance may easily overlook. Yes, fire detection is generally a requirement in these areas in line with local codes and standards, but has the correct detection equipment been selected for this risk area and is it effective?
Heat detectors and optical point type smoke detection are generally the default choice in roof spaces, but are heat detectors really suited in this area? What size of fire will ultimately have taken hold by the time heat detectors react? These are some of the questions being asked by fire authorities. The use of optical type point detection in roof space applications has also caused some concern amongst regulators. Traditional duct detectors, based on point detector technologies, are intolerant of high airflows and quickly become contaminated. Duct detectors can also cause false alarms when exposed to very high humidity or condensation forming within a cooled duct – such as on the roof of a hospital in cool night air.
Aspirating systems have been successfully used in roof space and duct environments worldwide because contaminants (dirt, dust and moisture) can be filtered out before they reach the detection chamber. Maintenance is simple as the detector is located below or remotely from the ceiling space or duct, thus providing a more reliable and cost effective solution.
Early diagnosis
In each of these challenging environments commonly found in healthcare facilities both large and small, highly sensitive air-sampling smoke detectors are suitable to reliably offer early indication of fire. This early diagnosis can be crucial in limiting the impact and spread of fire, protecting not just the buildings but also the communities they serve.
Martin Norris is UK sales director for VESDA. www.xtralis.com