Tracey Sopp, our Managing Director, visited our team of Fire Safety Advisors who play a central role in keeping everyone safe across the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust estate. They have a varied role which covers everything from training to ensuring buildings are safe and follow the latest safety regulations.

Their work begins long before a building is even constructed. They are involved at the design stage to ensure compliance with regulations, codes of practice, and specialist guidance for healthcare settings. This includes checking the number of escape routes, checking distances to exits, and even features such as ceiling height, which can affect evacuation times.

The team continues to work throughout the build process, carrying out checks and final inspections. They also review refurbishments and assess the impact of new works, where breaches in compartmentation requires remedial fire-stopping measures. Their remit even extends to property leases and acquisitions, where they ensure standards are met.

The team explained to Tracey about the fundamental differences in our approach compared to many other organisations which makes their role and expertise unique. First is the number of locked doors we have in inpatient areas and second is that evacuation, has to be carefully considered and controlled as a last resort. Easy quick evacuation through unlocked fire doors is a cornerstone of fire safety so the team’s understanding of both the physical environment and patient needs ensures a risk-based approach to safety.

The team brings a wealth of experience, with some members having previously worked in the fire service. They maintain strong links with specialist departments in local fire services to ensure compliance and share expertise. Fire safety regulations are highly complex and interlinked, and the team navigates these challenges every day.

Their responsibilities include fire risk assessments, audits, and staff training. This covers fire wardens, evacuation chair use, and hands on fire extinguisher training, which Tracey had a go at on the visit. They also investigate incidents and share learning to help staff prevent and respond effectively to fire incidents.

Tracey heard how their work is constantly evolving. For example, while reduced smoking rates have lowered some risks, new challenges have emerged from items like e-cigarettes which can have incompatible chargers, frayed cables and volatile lithium batteries if damaged or subjected to heat. They also handle unique requests, such as assessing whether personal bedding meets safety standards, balancing risk with patient wellbeing.

Ultimately, everything the team does is about keeping service users safe. Their depth of knowledge is invaluable and it’s their expertise that underpins our ability to keep people safe across our sites.