Overview
The Dower House is a residential nursing home near Winchester. Set in its own beautiful grounds it engenders the feeling of a country home hotel, which offers 39 long-stay rooms and a number of short-stay rooms for people requiring temporary help and support.
Services Provided
- Fire risk assessment
- Fire warden training
- Fire extinguisher training
Our Approach And Solution
Benfield Fire Safety carries out bi-annual fire risk assessments and ensure compliance under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; assessing risks and prevention including:
- Persons at risk
- Sources of ignition
- Building construction
- Means of escape
- Firefighting equipment
- Fire detection and warning
- Firefighting provision
- Emergency lighting
- Management of fire safety
- Signs and signals
- Effects on the environment
Key members of the nursing staff and others likely to play a lead role in a fire situation were trained as fire marshals/wardens. These staff lead or manage fire investigations as a result of a fire alarm activation, delegate staff and assign roles for staff, and are likely to acquire the assistance of the fire authority should a fire prevail.
The staff at the Dower House have also received fire extinguisher training. If there is a requirement to use fire extinguishers in the workplace, staff must be trained in their use and application. The key factors that must be considered if they tackle a fire are:
- Am I trained in the use of fire extinguishers and their application?
- Am I competent and confident?
- Have I ensured I am not putting myself at unneccesary risk?
- Have I ensured I am not firefighting in isolation; you must ensure you only firefight in a team of two to be safe?
Testimonial
Excellent training session
We have always done our fire training in-house with our own excellent trainer, but on this occasion, I was looking for specific training for my senior team of nurses who are fire wardens. On meeting Jason I realised that he understood the care business and our training needs and would be able to support us. He delivered an excellent training session for our fire wardens, which was followed by a practical hands-on fire extinguisher session outside. This was attended by staff from various departments. They all thoroughly enjoyed the experience, using the equipment Jason brought with him. It is invaluable to have the opportunity to use real fire extinguishers to see how they handle and to build confidence for an occasion that you hope will never happen.
I would recommend Benfield Fire Safety to you for all your fire training needs.