Key points:
- Why healthcare facilities have different emergency response standards.
- How third-party fire guards and security guards benefit your team.
- How to utilize third-party partners for compliance and safety.
As a healthcare facility, you’re required to complete periodic evacuation and drills to ensure your entire team knows how to respond in the event of emergency. You may also be required to staff “Standby Personnel” during all shifts. These team members possess a high-level understanding of your evacuation procedures. Dispatching third-party fire watch helps your healthcare facility meet or exceed your monitoring and response.
As a healthcare facility, or Group 1 through 4 facility or institution, your requirements for dispatching fire monitoring are strict. While many businesses and buildings can wait for 4 to 10 hours before patrolling and logging, most healthcare facilities must begin monitoring the moment fire risk rises. Third-party partners fill the gaps created when you reassign your Standby Personnel to other areas.
Facilities With Higher Fire-Safety Standards
Healthcare facilities have high occupancy and vulnerable occupants and residents, many of whom are sick, injured, recovering, or have limited mobility or slower-than-average response times. In addition to having a robust fire safety system and emergency response plan, the facilities below are held to higher emergency and risk-response standards.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Assisted living facilities
- Custodial care facilities
- Group homes
- Hospitals
- In-patient hospice
- Intermediate care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Skilled nursing facilities
A Third-Party Team Fills the Gaps
We understand that your evacuation and emergency response plan is complex, and no one knows it better than you and your team. Since you need to reassign team members and security guards to fire monitoring, you may have some staffing gaps. Dispatching third-party partners fills these gaps so that you can assign those who know your facility best to the most critical areas. Or they provide extra monitoring.
Maintain Compliance with Labor Laws
OSHA, industry, insurance, and fire code aren’t your only compliance considerations. You must also ensure your employees receive their breaks. Your third-party team eases this burden by providing coverage during 30-minute and 10-minute breaks. Our services may also minimize overtime.
Read More:
- Why Dispatch Dual-Trained Fire Watch Security Guards
- Server Room Fire Watch in Denver
- How to Keep Compliant Fire Watch Logs
- Unique Consideration For High-Rise Fire Watch
Continuous Hot Work and Construction Monitoring
If you’re remodeling a section of your healthcare facility or repairs require hot work, consider dispatching a few third-party fire watch monitors. Hot work always requires at least 2 monitors, 1 who watches the hot work and 1 to complete patrols. Since healthcare facilities are large, expansive, and have multiple stories, you’ll need multiple people to complete patrols. Monitoring must begin before hot work begins, and continue for 60 minutes after.
Third-Party Fire Watch in Denver and The Springs
Scout Security understands that your team knows what they’re doing. We work seamlessly with you, providing either or both third-party fire watch or security guards. Just let us know what you need, and we’ll fill the gaps or help you meet or exceed your compliance requirements.
Dispatch us 24/7, pre-schedule our services, or add us to your emergency response contact list!
