Rank: New forum user 
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The RRFSO does not cover domestic properties, but a stand-alone mental health care home (2 up, 2 down terraced house) is both a workplace to the carers as well as a residence to those under their care - it would be unfeasible to put fire extinguishers into an elderly person's home if they start receiving care (even though it becomes a person's workplace) but, as the home I'm referring to is owned and operated by a care provider with the intention of being both a workplace and a domestic dwelling, does the RRFSO apply?
Also - can the company use risk assessment (likelihood of the extinguishers being used to cause damage or as a weapon) as a means of not installing FFE when they are unlikely to be required in the event of a fire (evacuation only policy in place)? I'd be really grateful to hear from anybody that has experience of working with an FSO in a similar environment to help unravel this little conundrum. Thanks in advance.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Is the residence staffed around the clock? The description you give is that this is a workplace like many other residential healthcare facilities. There is a sleeping risk. I work with a number of residential centres and insist that fire fighting equipment is installed. Where there may be a risk of use as a weapon we secure the extinguishers in a staff only area with staff having 24hr access. this is only done after a comprehensive risk assessment demonstrates that the fire fighting equipment provides a greater level of danger than safety being in a communal area.
Hope this helps!
Kevin
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 1 user thanked kevkel for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Thanks for the answer, especially the pioint about FFE provision; at the moment the facility in question is not manned 24 hours as the persons in care do not require that level of intervention but other residents at other sites (yet to visit) do have staff on waking nights.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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It's possible to get enclosures for FFE specifically designed for use in workplaces where there are people with dementia. The FFE can be got out relatively easily, but not by somebody with advanced congitive impairment. We had these in our one demetia care place at my former employer,
John
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Rank: Super forum user 
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To answer your first question, I believe the RRFSO does apply to the property you describe. It applies to a workplace and if there are any communal areas it will also apply. If not mannned 24/7 I presume the property has a 'stay put' policy?
I am not familiar with this type of property but it does sound like a HMO, in any case being a care home it requires to be registered with the CQC and a licence. The provision of FFE in HMOs is not normally a prerequisite for the residents on the provisio that other fire controls are in place e.g. smoke/heat detectors linked to a fire alarm. Furthermore, does the property have a telecare system linked to the alarm?
Whether FFE equipment should be in situ for the staff is a moot point - I believe there is a good argument for it. Staff would have to be trained in the use of FFE of course.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The answer to the question is in the registration of the property i.e. care home, HMO or supported living service and may extent to the residents tenancy agreement with the landlord, care provider etc... I'm not sure about the rest of the UK but, in Scotland a Care Home would normally be occupied by care staff during at night. If its a registered care home then fire safety is critical, and the guidance is specific, including the provision of suitable fire fighting equipment. The link below is the guidance 'what I call the fire safety bible for care' that we use in Scotland, unsure of the England/Wales equivalent though. The provisions of FFE are based on lots of factors, for example level of automatic detection, are sprinklers fitted, residents abilities to evacuate and staff training. In essence, it's based around the Fire Risk Assessment of the property. Please Note: Just because care staff are working and yes where they work is their workplace, this does not preclude that legislation apply just because they are working. Notwithstanding the duty of care, employers have to their staff. Hope this helps. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0044/00444923.pdf
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry for the spaces in the previous post. I alway past from MS word.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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We do not have them in our care home 'houses' but then again it all depends on your fire R/A, we are not the landlords but provide the care service.
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