Whitby Community Hospital, a cornerstone of healthcare in the region, recently completed a major renovation of its Tower Block wing. This project aimed to provide modern, accessible facilities for inpatients and outpatients, with patient safety as a top priority.
A key element of the refurbishment was installing a state-of-the-art fire protection system. Tees Fire Systems worked with Hochiki Europe for their expertise. The team chose to install Hochiki's advanced fire safety technology, Latitude, perfect for healthcare settings.
Prioritised safety and orderly evacuation
The hospital project utilised Hochiki Europe's Latitude system, known for its powerful cause-and-effect functionality, which is crucial in healthcare settings, allowing for phased evacuations. Hospitals house many vulnerable individuals, and the Latitude system addresses this by enabling the immediate evacuation of the affected area while simultaneously alerting nearby zones. This provides staff with valuable time to prepare for a potential evacuation, ensuring a calm and controlled process.
Seamless integration and staff awareness
The Latitude system integrates with other critical building systems, prioritising patient safety during emergencies. Additionally, Hochiki Latitude Vision repeaters with LCD touchscreens were installed at nurses' stations, providing clear situational awareness during an alarm without taking up too much room.
Flexibility and ease of maintenance
Hochiki Europe's devices are adaptable to various ward layouts. Utilising a universal mounting base, sensors, and alarms can be easily installed and replaced, ensuring flexibility and simplified maintenance.
Successful collaboration and ongoing maintenance
The project presented unique challenges due to the pandemic. However, the availability of an entire floor during specific phases allowed for efficient installation and testing. Both Tees Fire Systems and Hochiki Europe highlighted the successful collaboration, with Tees Fire even delivering a Continuing Professional Development session on False Alarm Management for hospital staff. Tees Fire's commitment extends beyond initial installation, with an ongoing maintenance contract to ensure the system's continued optimal function.
The Whitby Community Hospital project exemplifies the importance of prioritising patient safety. By implementing a sophisticated fire protection system and fostering strong partnerships, this project sets a commendable standard for modern healthcare facility design.
Visit the Hochiki website to find out how the Latitude system could protect your hospital.
