Fire is a serious risk in any building, but in care homes the consequences can be particularly severe. Residents may have limited mobility, sensory impairments, cognitive difficulties, or medical conditions that affect how they respond in an emergency. This means fire safety in care homes requires careful planning, robust systems, and ongoing management.
Those responsible for care premises have a legal duty to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place to protect residents, staff, and visitors, and that risks are regularly assessed and managed.
If you operate a care home or supported living environment for elderly people, people with disabilities, or others considered vulnerable, fire safety must be treated as a core safeguarding responsibility, not just a regulatory requirement.
Contents
- 1 What Are the Fire Safety Regulations in Care Homes?
- 2 Fire Safety Guidance for Care Homes
- 3 Who Is Responsible for Fire Safety in a Care Home?
- 4 How Can You Ensure Fire Safety Compliance in a Care Home?
- 5 Our Experience in Care Home Fire Safety
- 6 Final Thoughts on Fire Safety in Care Homes
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Safety in Care Homes
- 7.1 Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for care homes?
- 7.2 Who is responsible for fire safety in a care home?
- 7.3 How often should a care home fire risk assessment be reviewed?
- 7.4 Do care homes need a different evacuation strategy?
- 7.5 Are fire drills required in care homes?
- 7.6 What fire detection and alarm systems are required in care homes?
- 7.7 Do residents need fire safety training?
- 7.8 What happens if a care home does not comply with fire safety law?
What Are the Fire Safety Regulations in Care Homes?
Fire safety in care homes in the UK is governed primarily by fire safety legislation, supported by sector-specific guidance.
The main legal framework is:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to care homes and similar premises in England and Wales. It places a duty on the Responsible Person to take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of residents, staff, and others.
Under the Fire Safety Order, the Responsible Person must:
- carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
- put in place appropriate fire safety measures
- maintain fire safety systems and equipment
- plan for emergencies, including evacuation
- provide information, instruction, and training
- review and update fire safety arrangements regularly
Fire and rescue authorities have powers to inspect care homes and take enforcement action where serious risks are identified. This can include enforcement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or prosecution in serious cases.
The Fire Safety Act clarified how the Fire Safety Order applies to residential buildings, confirming that fire risk assessments must consider building structure, external walls, and fire doors, which may be relevant in care home premises.
Fire Safety Guidance for Care Homes
In addition to legislation, care homes are expected to follow government fire safety guidance for premises providing sleeping accommodation and care to vulnerable people.
Care homes are expected to follow government fire safety guidance for sleeping accommodation, which explains how the Fire Safety Order applies to premises housing people overnight.
This guidance explains:
- the duties of the Responsible Person
- general fire precautions expected in care premises
- how to carry out a fire risk assessment for care homes
- how fire safety measures should be implemented and maintained
A key focus of the guidance is ensuring that fire risk assessments reflect the needs and vulnerabilities of residents, rather than assuming a standard evacuation approach.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Safety in a Care Home?
The person legally responsible for fire safety is known as the Responsible Person. In a care home, this is usually:
- the care home owner
- the registered provider
- the care home manager
- or the employer with control over the premises
The Responsible Person is responsible for ensuring that fire safety arrangements are effective, proportionate, and kept under review.
Typical responsibilities include:
- ensuring a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is in place
- appointing competent persons to assist with fire safety
- ensuring fire detection, alarm, and firefighting equipment is provided and maintained
- arranging staff training and fire drills
- ensuring evacuation arrangements are appropriate for residents
- keeping records of significant findings, actions, and maintenance
How Can You Ensure Fire Safety Compliance in a Care Home?
Because care home residents may not be able to evacuate independently, fire safety arrangements must be planned, tested, and realistic.
1. Carrying Out Regular Fire Risk Assessments
Fire risk assessments are the foundation of fire safety in care homes. They help identify hazards, assess who is at risk, and determine what measures are needed to reduce risk.
A care home fire risk assessment should include:
- identification of fire hazards
- identification of people at risk, including vulnerable residents
- evaluation of existing fire safety measures
- recording of significant findings and actions
- regular review and updating of the assessment
The assessment should consider progressive horizontal evacuation, staffing levels, and the ability of residents to respond to alarms.
2. Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Early detection is critical in care homes. Fire detection and alarm systems must be suitable for sleeping occupants and capable of alerting staff quickly.
Key considerations include:
- detectors installed in appropriate locations
- audible and visual warning systems where needed
- clear procedures for staff response
- regular testing and maintenance
Systems should be designed so that staff can respond immediately to assist residents.
3. Firefighting Equipment
Care homes should be equipped with appropriate firefighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers and fire hose reels where required.
Equipment must:
- be suitable for the risks present
- be positioned correctly
- be regularly serviced
- only be used by trained staff
Firefighting equipment is primarily intended to support initial response by trained staff, not residents.
4. Fire Doors and Compartmentation
Fire doors and compartmentation are essential in care homes to limit the spread of fire and smoke and allow time for evacuation or relocation.
Fire doors must:
- be correctly installed and maintained
- be kept closed or fitted with compliant automatic closers
- be regularly inspected
Effective compartmentation supports defend-in-place or phased evacuation strategies commonly used in care environments.
5. Evacuation Planning and Training
Care homes must have clear evacuation arrangements that reflect the needs of residents.
This includes:
- keeping escape routes clear at all times
- ensuring emergency lighting and signage are provided
- developing personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) where appropriate
- training staff on evacuation procedures
- carrying out regular fire drills and reviewing outcomes
- Evacuation strategies should be realistic and supported by adequate staffing levels.
Our Experience in Care Home Fire Safety
We regularly carry out fire risk assessments for care homes, supported living schemes, and other premises housing vulnerable residents across the UK. Our work involves assessing a wide range of care environments, from smaller residential care settings to larger multi-storey facilities with complex evacuation arrangements.
Our experience includes:
- assessing premises with sleeping occupants and vulnerable residents
- evaluating evacuation strategies such as progressive horizontal evacuation
- reviewing fire compartmentation, fire doors, and escape routes in occupied care environments
- identifying practical, proportionate improvements that can be implemented without disrupting care delivery
- working with care home managers and providers to ensure fire safety arrangements are realistic, clearly documented, and kept under review
We understand that fire safety in care homes must balance legal compliance, resident safety, and day-to-day operational realities. Our approach focuses on producing fire risk assessments that are clear, defensible, and usable by staff, rather than generic reports that are difficult to apply in practice.
Final Thoughts on Fire Safety in Care Homes
Fire safety in care homes goes beyond basic compliance. It requires careful planning, competent assessment, and ongoing management to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society.
A well-managed fire safety strategy helps safeguard residents, supports staff confidence, and demonstrates that fire risks are being taken seriously and managed appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Safety in Care Homes
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for care homes?
Yes. Care homes are legally required to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The assessment must be kept up to date and reflect the specific risks associated with vulnerable and sleeping occupants.
Who is responsible for fire safety in a care home?
The Responsible Person is legally responsible for fire safety. This is usually the care home owner, registered provider, employer, or care home manager with control over the premises and staff.
How often should a care home fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Fire risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and updated:
- when there are significant changes to the building, layout, or use
- when the needs or vulnerabilities of residents change
- after a fire, near miss, or enforcement action
- at intervals proportionate to the level of fire risk
Do care homes need a different evacuation strategy?
Yes. Care homes often require progressive horizontal evacuation or defend-in-place strategies, rather than immediate full evacuation. Evacuation arrangements must reflect residents’ mobility, health, and ability to respond to alarms.
Are fire drills required in care homes?
Yes. Fire drills should be carried out regularly to ensure staff understand their roles and evacuation procedures. Drills should be realistic and appropriate to the care setting and residents’ needs.
What fire detection and alarm systems are required in care homes?
Care homes must have appropriate fire detection and alarm systems suitable for sleeping accommodation. Systems should provide early warning to staff and be regularly tested and maintained in accordance with relevant standards.
Do residents need fire safety training?
Residents are not expected to receive the same level of training as staff. However, staff must be fully trained, and residents should be supported through appropriate evacuation planning, including personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) where required.
What happens if a care home does not comply with fire safety law?
Fire and rescue authorities can take enforcement action, which may include enforcement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or prosecution in serious cases. Non-compliance can also affect regulatory oversight and provider confidence.
