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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
December 2, 2015

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BRE Global Introduces the First Watermist Standard for the Residential and Care Homes Sectors

BRE GLobal LPS 1655 fireBRE Global has introduced the UK’s first fire performance benchmark for Personal Protection System (PPS) equipment.

Developed in consultation with industry stakeholders LPS (Loss Prevention Standard) 1655 defines requirements and test methods for LPCB third-party approval and listing of personal protection watermist systems.

Until now there was no established standard or methodology for benchmarking the performance of a PPS, whose demand has been driven by fire and rescue services. Seeking to remedy this LPS 1655 provides a third-party approval standard in the absence of a dedicated BS or EN standard.

A PPS is a fire suppression system that reacts to a fire in a specific area of a home, such as a bed or chair.  A typical PPS is self-contained and comprises a water container and open watermist nozzle, which sprays watermist onto a specific area upon activation of an internal control panel by fire.

Targeted at the residential sector, including care homes, they are designed to protect the elderly, disabled and other groups most vulnerable to fire risks.

Mobility problems, dementia, mental health conditions and drug or alcohol problems tend to make rapid, safe evacuation in the event of a fire more challenging. Accomodation can pose additional risk factors such as the use of candles or heaters, or evidence of previous fires, such as burns to bedding or furniture.

Rigorous test protocols

After two years of research and development work at BRE Global’s research and test centre in Watford the third-party certification body says LPS 1655  can now define rigorous test protocols and performance criteria.

The Care Quality Commission has recently added fire prevention and risk recognition to its Common Induction Standards, which everyone training to me a care worker must meet.

BRE Global has also collaborated with the London Fire Brigade on a guide to identifying and protecting those most vulnerable within their home. The most at-risk group of people account for 39% of fire fatalities in domestic and residential accommodation, according to one study.

“Many of these vulnerable people are on the radar of social workers, care professionals or family carers providing support in the community,” said Nigel Firkins of BRE Global.

“We want to ensure they are aware of PPS as a risk reduction option, as well as fire safety and fire service professionals, building maintenance and FM specifiers, and managers of housing association and social housing accommodation.

“We are promoting LPS 1655 in hand with London Fire Brigade’s guidance to provide all stakeholders with a clear understanding of the risks and an effective benchmark for the specification and provision of PPS.

“This will help building, FM and care professionals to better identify and safeguard individuals whose health and home circumstances are indicators for exposure to greater fire risks.”

BRE Global has cautioned that PPS should act as a supplementary protection to smoke alarms and other fire-risk measures, neither should they be a substitute for fire suppression/sprinkler systems.

 

 

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shanenefdt
shanenefdt
December 8, 2015 8:39 am

Dude, your spelling is atrocious:

“Mobility problems, dementia, mental health conditions and drug or alcohol problems tend to male rapid, safe evacuation in the event of a fire more challenging.”