Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2. Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.
The healthcare sector faces several unique challenges when it comes to door access security. These challenges are influenced by the need to balance high security with accessibility, protect sensitive patient information, and comply with various regulations. Factors such as a high volume of traffic, large and complex Hospital layouts along with vulnerable patients and a large amount of sensitive data all need due consideration. Combining a pleasant and welcoming, yet highly secure environment is a key objective.
Here are some key door access security challenges specific to healthcare:
1. Compliance with Regulations
- Challenge: Healthcare facilities must comply with all relevant regulations such as UK GDPR, BS 8300, BS EN 16005 and others
- Impact: Access control systems must be safe, effective in their purpose, and ensure that only authorised personnel can access sensitive areas, such as patient records and medication storage to comply with these regulations.
2. High Turnover and Temporary Staff
- Challenge: Healthcare facilities often experience high turnover rates and have many temporary or part-time staff, including those on work experience and contractors.
- Impact: Managing access rights for a constantly changing rota of personnel can be complex and time-consuming. Ensuring that access is promptly revoked when staff leave or change roles is crucial.
3. Emergency Situations
- Challenge: During emergencies, such as medical crises or evacuations, access control systems must allow rapid access for medical staff while still maintaining security.
- Impact: Systems need to be designed to facilitate quick access without compromising security, often requiring features like emergency override or fail-safe mechanisms.
4. Integration with Other Systems
- Challenge: Healthcare facilities use a variety of systems, including electronic health records (EHR), medical equipment, and facility management systems.
- Impact: Access control systems must integrate seamlessly with these other systems to ensure that access permissions are aligned with current roles and needs, and to facilitate comprehensive security management.
5. Protecting Sensitive Areas
- Challenge: Certain areas, such as pharmaceutical storage, patient rooms, and data centres, contain highly sensitive information and materials.
- Impact: Access to these areas must be tightly controlled and monitored to prevent unauthorised access and ensure the integrity of critical resources.
6. User-Friendly Solutions
- Challenge: Healthcare environments require access control systems that are both secure and user-friendly, accommodating staff who may be under stress or working in high-pressure situations.
- Impact: Systems need to be intuitive and easy to use to ensure that they do not hinder workflow or create additional burdens on healthcare staff.
7. Physical Security vs. Digital Security
- Challenge: The integration of physical access control with digital security (such as networked medical devices and electronic records) poses a challenge.
- Impact: Ensuring that physical access controls are aligned with digital security measures is essential to protect both physical and electronic assets from unauthorised access.
8. Compliance with Safety Standards
- Challenge: Access control systems must also comply with safety standards, such as ensuring that door mechanisms do not obstruct emergency exits or hinder the evacuation process.
- Impact: Balancing security with safety requirements can be challenging, especially in high-traffic areas like emergency rooms and patient wards.
9. Management of Access Credentials
- Challenge: The management of access credentials, such as badges, key fobs or biometric data, must be handled with care to prevent loss, theft, or misuse. The management and deletion of expired credentials is essential to ensure access is only available to authorised personnel.
- Impact: Credential management systems must ensure that access rights are updated in real-time and that expired, lost or stolen credentials are promptly deactivated.
10. Budget Constraints
- Challenge: Healthcare facilities often operate under tight budgets, which can limit their ability to invest in the latest access control technologies.
- Impact: Balancing cost with the need for robust security solutions can be challenging, requiring careful consideration of the best value for investment.
Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes advanced access control technologies, effective management practices, and ongoing staff training. By tackling these issues, healthcare facilities can enhance security while ensuring that access control supports the efficient delivery of care.
Got a question about Access Control systems? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
A little more about Fixfire®.
Operating nationally, Fixfire® is a market leading independent family business specialising in Life and Property Protection systems and equipment.
As a well-known and trusted brand, Fixfire® is renowned for delivering proven, quality and affordable solutions.
Foundational principles of honesty and integrity firmly remain as core values at the heart of the company ethos.
Driven by a passion to innovate and find better ways, Fixfire® is constantly challenging conventional norms and brings a refreshingly different approach to compliance.
We serve many different verticals including:
1. Healthcare
- Hospitals, Hospices, Nursing Homes, Clinics and Pharmacies
2. Education
- Schools, Universities, Libraries and Student Accommodation Complexes
3. Government and Public Sector
- Government Buildings, Military and Defence Sites, Data Centres, IT Facilities, Law Enforcement Agencies, Emergency Services, National Security Facilities, Legislative Buildings, Judicial Buildings, Public Sector Agencies, Research Facilities, Financial and Economic Offices, Embassies, National Archives and Secure Storage Facilities
4. Financial Services
- Banks and Investment Firms
5. Retail
- Retail Stores and Shopping Centres
6. Manufacturing and Industrial
- Factories, Warehouses, Construction, Energy and Utilities
7. Transportation and Logistics
- Airports, Ports and Shipping
8. Corporate and Business
- Office Buildings and Corporate Campuses
9. Hospitality and Leisure
- Hotels and Resorts and Convention Centres
10. Entertainment and Sports
- Stadiums and Arenas, Motorsport, Theatres and Concert Venues
11. Telecommunications
- Data Centres and Telecom Facilities
Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.
The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.
When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.
The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.
What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?
- Hard copy
- Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.
The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.
Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.
Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.
Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.
Solutions you should consider:
The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.
Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.
Products include:
- Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
- The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
- A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
- A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.
We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.
KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.
KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.
It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!
For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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