13. Soft Furniture

i) Furniture within the premises should be labelled to identify that it satisfies the crib ignition source 5 test of the current British Standard.

i) In order to allow residents to rest while moving around the home, certain approved areas may be allowed a limited amount of furniture. Approval is to be given by the local authority fire officer. Only soft furniture labelled to identify that it satisfies the crib ignition source 7 test of the current British Standard may be placed in approved respite sitting areas.

ii) These areas must not encroach on the required minimum escape widths and must not form ‘lounges’.

iii) These areas should be indicated on the homes plan for inspection purposes.

iv) Any other sitting areas i.e. a small lounge, must be separated from the remainder of the building by fire resisting construction.

i) It is understandable that residents wish to "personalize" their own room with the use of ornaments, pictures, plants, etc.

ii) Due to the increased fire risk, residents should be discouraged from bringing their own soft furniture or bedding into the home.

iii) There is no guaranteed method known to the fire and rescue service for upgrading soft furniture by spray applications, therefore if a resident is adamant that they wish to bring in a favourite chair, this must be confined to their own personal bedroom.

iv) The furniture should be marked and a written agreement entered into between the home and the resident with regards to personal furniture, which will include a section stating that all personal furniture will be removed when the resident leaves for whatever reason and disposed of or reclaimed by the family as agreed. This will be held in the resident’s personal file.

v) The provider/manager should use their discretion in this matter and advice is available from the fire and rescue or the CSCI on request.

vi) The homes insurance should be checked to ensure allowing such furniture into the home does not adversely affect the policy.

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