Fire protection of residents in care facilities

Fires in convalescent homes and elderly care facilities represent a statistically significant threat to their residents, who tend to be less mobile and therefore less able to escape harm. This threat is expected to increase as demographics shift and more people move into this type of facility. A study has been conducted in Sweden to investigate the means by which fire protection and response can be improved with respect to burning clothing and furniture. Small scale ignition and flame spread tests were conducted on a variety of clothing articles. The heat release rate, mass loss, flame spread, and fabric temperature were measured for cotton, wool, polyester, and blended fabrics. The small scale results were used to estimate a time to injury and to provide guidance for clothing ensembles that were subsequently used in full scale tests. The full scale tests consisted of a manikin having a heated circulatory system and simulated skin. Thermocouples were attached in 13 locations. The manikin was dressed in summer and winter ensembles and was seated for three tests and lying in a bed for one test. These tests were performed in a two-sided "corner" arrangement having a ceiling upon which smoke detectors were installed in two and three locations, respectively. Results of the full scale tests show that second-degree burns are likely to occur on a significant portion of the skin surface at about the same time as the smoke detectors activate. Further skin damage occurs during the ensuing time interval until help can arrive.