Fire Safety Checklist for Care Homes and Residential Settings
Care homes face some of the strictest fire safety requirements of any property type. We've compiled a practical checklist covering alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting and evacuation planning.
Why Care Homes Face Stricter Requirements
Care homes house vulnerable residents who may be unable to self-evacuate. This places the highest level of fire safety obligation on the responsible person. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects care providers to demonstrate robust fire safety management as a condition of registration.
Fire Alarm System
Care homes require an L1 automatic fire detection system (BS 5839-1), covering all areas of the building. Systems must be serviced a minimum of twice yearly by a competent engineer, with monthly tests logged in the fire alarm logbook. All staff must know how to operate the alarm panel and respond to activations.
Emergency Lighting
All escape routes, exits and high-risk areas must be covered by emergency lighting to BS 5266. Monthly flick tests and annual full-duration tests must be recorded. FireJet provides emergency lighting testing and certification for care homes across the Northwest.
Fire Extinguishers
Appropriate extinguisher types must be provided throughout the premises (typically CO2 for electrical equipment, water or foam for general areas). Annual inspection and 5-yearly extended service by a competent engineer is required under BS 5306.
Fire Risk Assessment
A written fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all care homes. It must be reviewed annually and updated whenever significant changes occur. FireJet's qualified assessors can carry out PAS 79-1:2020 compliant fire risk assessments for care homes across the Northwest.
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