Keeping Patients Safe: How Hochiki Europe's Latitude Fire System Protects Whitby Community Hospital

An exterior view of Whitby Community Hospital, protected by Hochiki Europe's Latitude Fire System

Hospitals are complex environments where patient safety is paramount. A fire incident can have devastating consequences, making a robust and intelligent fire safety system an absolute necessity. This case study explores how Whitby Community Hospital, serving a diverse range of patients, implemented Hochiki Europe's Latitude fire system to ensure the highest level of protection.

The Challenge: Protecting A Diverse Patient Population

Whitby Community Hospital serves a large community, offering various services in its newly refurbished Tower Block. This includes an urgent treatment centre, podiatry services, physiotherapy, audiology, and the critical Memorial Ward. The diverse patient population, including those requiring extended stays and their families, necessitates a fire safety system that caters to specific needs. A widespread evacuation could trigger panic, potentially worsening the situation.

The Solution: Intelligent Evacuation Management With Latitude

The Solution: Intelligent Evacuation Management With Latitude Tees Fire Systems Limited, a trusted Hochiki Europe System Partner, recognised the need for a nuanced approach to fire safety at Whitby Community Hospital.

They recommended the Latitude fire system due to its powerful cause‑and‑effect functionality, a feature which allows for phased evacuations, crucial for healthcare settings. In the event of a fire, the Latitude system can isolate the affected area while triggering warnings in neighbouring sections.

This targeted approach provides valuable time for medical staff to prepare patients for evacuation, minimising potential disruption and stress.

David Hynes, Managing Director of Tees Fire Systems, emphasises, “Latitude worked seamlessly with other systems... This means a controlled and safe evacuation can be achieved, keeping patient safety the number one priority.”

Enhanced Communication And User‑Friendliness

The project also involved installing Hochiki Latitude Vision repeaters with LCD touchscreens at nurses' stations. These compact and intuitive repeaters provide real‑time information on the fire situation, allowing nurses to assess the situation efficiently. Hynes highlights the user‑friendly design, stating, “They are very compact... not much bigger than a tablet, meaning they don't take up lots of room in a busy nurse's station.”

Hochiki - your safety, our technology

Flexibility And Adaptability For Varying Needs

Hospitals require a fire safety system that adapts to different environments. Latitude delivers on this front through its use of a universal, electronics‑free mounting base. Sensors, sounders, and beacons can be easily attached and detached, enabling flexible fire safety design and simplified maintenance. This adaptability ensures optimal protection for all areas within the hospital, from patient wards to administrative offices.

Building A Long‑Term Partnership

Hospital staff safely protected by Hochiki Europe's Latitude Fire System

The successful installation at Whitby Community Hospital exemplifies the strong collaboration between Hochiki Europe and Tees Fire Systems. Mick Hall, System Sales Manager at Hochiki Europe, emphasises the enduring partnership, stating, “Tees Fire are one of our biggest independent system's partners... there is a trusted relationship there.”

This partnership extends beyond the initial installation. Tees Fire Systems currently provides ongoing maintenance of the Hochiki Europe fire safety devices, ensuring continued optimal performance and patient safety. Furthermore, recognising the importance of false alarm management in healthcare environments, Hochiki Europe collaborated with Tees Fire to deliver a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) program on the topic for hospital staff.

Whitby Community Hospital demonstrates the effectiveness of Hochiki Europe's Latitude fire system in safeguarding a diverse hospital environment. By enabling intelligent evacuations, clear communication, and flexible adaptation, Latitude empowers medical staff to prioritise patient well‑being during a fire incident. This, combined with the long‑term partnership between Hochiki Europe and Tees Fire Systems, ensures ongoing peace of mind for both hospital staff and patients.

Features And Benefits For Hospital Settings

The Latitude fire system by Hochiki Europe boasts several features that make it particularly well‑suited for hospital settings, focusing on patient safety and efficient response:

  • Phased evacuations with cause‑and‑effect functionality: Hospitals look after vulnerable patients who could be negatively impacted by a full‑scale evacuation. Latitude allows for targeted evacuations, isolating the fire sone while alerting nearby areas. This minimises disruption and panic, allowing medical staff to prioritise patient safety during the critical initial stages.
  • Enhanced communication with LCD touchscreen repeaters: Real‑time information is crucial in emergencies. Latitude Vision repeaters with LCD touchscreens provide nurses with a clear picture of the fire situation at their stations. This allows for informed decision‑making and quicker response times.
  • User‑friendly interface for busy staff: The compact and intuitive design of the Latitude Vision repeaters ensures ease of use, even in stressful situations. Nurses can readily understand the information displayed, saving valuable time during an emergency.
  • Flexibility with universal mounting base: Hospitals have diverse environments, from patient wards to administrative offices. The Latitude system's universal mounting base allows for easy installation, relocation, and maintenance of sensors, sounders, and beacons. This ensures optimal fire protection across different areas within the hospital.
  • Integration with building management systems: Latitude seamlessly integrates with other hospital systems, such as lifts, air conditioning and plant rooms. This allows for automated responses during a fire, such as elevator recall and ventilation shutdown, further enhancing safety and streamlining evacuation procedures.

To find out more about how your hospital could benefit from Latitude, visit the website: hochikieurope.com/latitude.

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Keeping Patients Safe: How Hochiki Europe's Latitude Fire System Protects Whitby Community Hospital