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Manager doesn't care the smoke alarms don't work - what can I do?

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  • 12-05-2021 10:18am
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    I work in a front line residential service with vulnerable people. They live there and staff sleepover. There was an incident recently where a tea towel was left on a hob, it was fire resistant but the whole kitchen filled with smoke and no alarms went off. It has come to light that this is the second incident of this kind and the alarms have not been checked.

    My manager is totally incompetent, as are her higher ups. I don't know where to bring this. I am afraid when I go to bed there now, and I'm afraid for the people residing there.

    Any tips on where to go?


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    #2
    statto25
    Registered Users Posts: 3,839 ✭✭✭statto25


    Contact HIQA. They have fire safety protocols outlined in their handbook. You could also contact the Local Fire service but I would think the state body would be the first call


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    #3
    listermint
    Registered Users Posts: 33,692 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Local fire station will take quite a dim view on this . Reach out to regional fire for your area


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    #4
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,307 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    firesafety wrote: »
    I work in a front line residential service with vulnerable people. They live there and staff sleepover. There was an incident recently where a tea towel was left on a hob, it was fire resistant but the whole kitchen filled with smoke and no alarms went off. It has come to light that this is the second incident of this kind and the alarms have not been checked.

    My manager is totally incompetent, as are her higher ups. I don't know where to bring this. I am afraid when I go to bed there now, and I'm afraid for the people residing there.

    Any tips on where to go?

    Are they smoke and heat alarms ?

    You don’t use smoke alarms in kitchens

    https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/keeping-your-child-safe-from-fire-at-home/smoke-alarms.html


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    #5
    spaceHopper
    Registered Users Posts: 3,970 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    If it is a heat activated alarm it might not have gone off but a monoxide one would have, if there is a fire system in the building it has to be serviced every year and fire extinguishers check (possibly every 2) there should be a service record sticker on the panel and each extinguisher check them and check the company name. Email the manager and higher up with the details. Say following second insiden it appears the fire system is not working and hasn't been check since x date the company to contact is x and their number is ... leave them no choice the information is all there.

    If the smoke detectors are older than 10 years they will probably want to change them same with extinguishers. None of it is difficult or expensive. 120 to 150 call out and 50 euros a sensor. 200 ish for an extinguisher.

    If you get nowhere contact the local fire station. Even just call in for advice at a distance they won't mind.


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    #6
    xzanti
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 10,436 Mod ✭✭✭✭xzanti


    Is there a petty cash in the office? Could you purchase some smoke alarms from your local hardware and leave the receipts in the petty cash tin.

    Obviously the whole building needs to be protected which is going to have to be a specialist job. But in the meantime I would put up some batterie operated alarms around the place. Better than nothing.


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    #7
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,307 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    xzanti wrote: »
    Is there a petty cash in the office? Could you purchase some smoke alarms from your local hardware and leave the receipts in the petty cash tin.

    Obviously the whole building needs to be protected which is going to have to be a specialist job. But in the meantime I would put up some batterie operated alarms around the place. Better than nothing.

    it'll just go off constantly, as previously mentioned you don't put smoke alarms in kitchens.


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    #8
    JustAThought
    Registered Users Posts: 5,323 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    ted1 wrote: »
    it'll just go off constantly, as previously mentioned you don't put smoke alarms in kitchens.

    OP - put what you have said here IN WRITING your manager. Highlight your concern about ykur safety in sleeping there. Ask if the annual fire certificate has been audited and reviewed for 2021 - if s/he says yea ask then can you have a copy of this for your peace of mind. If s/he lies you have them straight to the workplace commission.

    They may say their responsibility is not the management of the property - just the care of the reaidents. OK -but they have duty of care to you because your workplace is now not safe.

    If they give you this line ask who is responsible for the building and write to them BOTH and ask them to address it as a matter of wxtteme urgency. This impacts on their dury of care as landlords AND to their clients - whom you look after.

    Your manager sounds irresponsible, childish and totally incompetent - and extremely daNgerous. What else are they ignoring or what H&S matter that you can’t see are they pushing under the carpet along with basic fire safety.

    You can also cc their manager in your letter but that will piss them off - write to them first and oht a date deadline on the reply you need as you have to consider your safety and that of the people you have a duty of care towards. That should not allow them to pretend they are doing it and gives you a date by which you can either remind them or write to their manager & others in authority & come across as professional and concerned.


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    #9
    Emme
    Registered Users Posts: 4,055 ✭✭✭Emme


    You need to contact HIQA and tell them about the issue. Ask the local fire station for advice as well. I don't think your manager will respond to anything.


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    #10
    ILoveYourVibes
    Registered Users Posts: 15,176 ✭✭✭✭ILoveYourVibes


    Report it to the health and safety authority they will send an officer out.


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