care-home-fire-risk-assessments-cqc-frs-expectations
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- A significant change in staff numbers or shift patterns.
- Following any near-miss fire incident.
If you are unsure whether your current assessment meets the exacting standards required for a care environment, it is highly recommended to seek professional guidance.
At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors understand the specific compliance demands of the care sector. We provide thorough, practical fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT, delivering detailed 48-hour reports to help you keep your residents safe and your business compliant. To ensure your premises meet the required standards, book a fire risk assessment with our team today.
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Your duties under the RRO 2005 for care homes
- care homes must plan for residents who cannot self-evacuate — 'stay put' or assisted evacuation must be documented.
- CQC regulates care; fire safety is a CQC line of enquiry and must evidence RRO 2005 compliance.
- fire doors, detection and staff fire training are inspected routinely (Art. 17, Art. 21).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written fire risk assessment? Yes, if you employ 5+ people, are a licensable or higher-risk premises, or the building is not a private home (Art. 9). How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*
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What a competent fire risk assessment covers
A suitable and sufficient FRA follows the PAS 79-1 methodology:
- Stage 1 — Preliminary: gather premises info, identify responsible person and previous assessments.
- Stage 2 — Identify hazards: sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen across all areas.
- Stage 3 — People at risk: occupants, visitors, contractors and anyone needing assistance.
- Stage 4 — Evaluate & protect: whether risks are eliminated or reduced, and whether fire precautions are adequate.
- Stage 5 — Record & plan: write it down, set an action plan with owners and dates, and set the review date.
HawkSwift delivers this as a written, court-defensible report — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
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Book your assessment
HawkSwift delivers NEBOSH-qualified, court-defensible fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT with a 48-hour turnaround. A written report, an action plan you can hand to an inspector, and no jargon. Book your FRA or talk to the team today.