Fire safety by sector / Guide
Fire safety for care homes — a compliance overview
Care homes carry the highest fire-safety burden of almost any UK building: dependent residents, frequent night-time staffing changes and a kitchen on-site. The Fire Authority and CQC both expect demonstrably current compliance.
What the law says
Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, care homes need a written fire risk assessment by a competent person, a BS 5839-1 Category L1 fire detection system (detection in every room, including voids and roof spaces), a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for each resident, and evacuation drills appropriate to a 'progressive horizontal evacuation' strategy.
Recommended starter spec
- BS 5839-1 L1 fire alarm system with six-monthly engineer servicing.
- Water or foam extinguishers on every escape route (one per 200 m², minimum two per floor).
- CO2 + wet chemical (F-class) in kitchens; CO2 in laundry / boiler rooms.
- Photoluminescent escape signage and emergency lighting tested monthly.
- Evac chairs at every floor change, with annual servicing.
- Fire safety logbook kept in reception or duty office.
Common gaps we find on inspection
- Fire doors wedged open on resident corridors.
- Missing PEEPs for new residents.
- Alarm panel showing faults at the next audit.
- Kitchen wet-chemical extinguisher missing or out of service.
- No record of evacuation drills in the last 12 months.
This guide is for general information. A site-specific fire risk assessment by a competent person is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.