2026-01-01 · HawkSwift Ltd

care-home-fire-risk-assessment-cqc-and-rro-overlap

--- title: Care Home fire safety, care providers must assess and mitigate risks to health and safety, including fire risks.

The CQC does not enforce fire legislation directly—that is the job of the local fire and rescue authority. However, the CQC expects providers to meet all relevant legal requirements. If a care home fails to comply with the RRO, the CQC will likely view this as a breach of Regulation 12. Severe fire safety failures can lead to CQC enforcement action, including restricted registrations, financial penalties, or even cancellation of a provider's registration to operate.

Where CQC and RRO Requirements Overlap

The overlap between the CQC and the RRO is substantial. Both frameworks demand a proactive, documented approach to identifying and mitigating fire risks. Key areas of overlap include:

**Personal Emergency evacuations-evacuation, and the staff responsible for executing the plan.
Staff Training: The RRO requires that adequate fire safety training is provided to all employees. The CQC similarly expects staff to be competent in understanding fire procedures, using equipment, and supporting residents during an emergency.
Equipment Maintenance: Both frameworks require rigorous, documented maintenance of fire alarms, emergency lighting, sprinkler systems, and extinguishers. A broken fire door or a faulty alarm is both an RRO breach and a CQC compliance failure.
Continuous Review: fire safety is not a one-off tick-box exercise. The RRO mandates that fire risk assessments are reviewed regularly, particularly after any change in layout, staffing, or a resident's mobility needs. The CQC expects this same dynamic approach to risk management.

Navigating evacuation Strategies

One of the most challenging areas for care homes is balancing fire safety with the practicalities of moving vulnerable residents. Historically, full simultaneous evacuation was the standard. However, modern care home design often incorporates progressive horizontal evacuation. This strategy involves moving residents from the room of fire origin into an adjacent, fire-protected compartment, rather than immediately evacuating them down the stairs and out of the building.

Both the RRO and CQC require that whatever strategy is chosen, it must be realistic, regularly drilled, and matched to the physical capabilities of the residents and staff. If staff cannot physically move residents quickly enough during a fire, the evacuation strategy must be revised, and additional protective measures—such as enhanced fire doors or automatic suppression systems—must be implemented.

Getting Your Documentation Right

During a CQC inspection, fire safety documentation is one of the first things an inspector will ask to see. Equally, a fire and rescue authority audit under the RRO will demand the same paperwork. To satisfy both regulators, your documentation must be thorough.

Following recognised guidance, such as PAS 79, provides a structured framework for your fire risk assessment. This ensures all vital areas are covered, from ignition sources and hazardous materials to the structural fire protection of the building itself. A generic, off-the-shelf fire risk assessment will rarely meet the stringent demands of either the RRO or the CQC for a residential care setting.

How HawkSwift Can Help

Navigating the dual demands of the RRO and CQC requires specialist knowledge. At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors understand the unique complexities of care home fire safety. We provide comprehensive, PAS 79-compliant fire risk assessments starting from £199 + VAT, with detailed reports delivered within 48 hours. To ensure your care home meets both fire safety and care regulations, book a fire risk assessment with our expert team today.

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