fire safety requirements for nursing homes

[axeman]

does anyone have any idea, what is the fire safety requirement for nursing homes, in canada?

would you agree that the only difference between nursing homes and hospitals, is that , the latter have operating theatres?

[wfdpic]

you'll find that most Provinces will have their own regulations on Nursing homes, Ontario has a very good standard that they must meet. I agree with your point about a NH being like a Hospital to a point, but there are many other differnces as well, staffing is a big one, and public access. the type of patients (or residents) as well as hazards contained in them.

[axeman]

thanx for your reply. good point raised there about staffing level and public access.

less the operating theatre, would you agree that the fire safety requirement on it's core nursing facility is similar to a hospital? for example the need for bedlift, bigger lift lobby and escape staircase landing, area of refuge, etc.

[CFDFF]

Well here in alberta you can go to the municipal affairs website and look at the standata sheets and the bulletins. They do have a fire code bulletin sheet issued october 2002 that outlines long term care facilities and explains the means of egress, smoke control etc.

Hope this helps you

http://www3.gov.ab.ca/ma/ss/ss-standata.cfm


This addy is for the standata sheets and bulletins

[wfdpic]

In theory it would be correct that a NH have the same requirments for the means of egress that a hospital has, but you can find many old NH that were once victorian style homes that have little or no room in the lobby, or have any signifigant catchment areas for residents, they may not even have adaquate fire protection.

Staff levels are my big pet peve, and one that few are willing to address. In you Fire Safety plan you would have a minimun staffing level to carry out evacuations etc....well why is it at night time FD are lettng the staffing levels fall way below an acceptable level to carry out the duties as outlined in the fire safety plan?