care-home-fire-safety-cqc-alignment-guide
--- title: compliance:** PEEPs must be specific to each resident and regularly updated to reflect their current physical and mental health.
- Poor fire door maintenance: fire doors are often propped open or have damaged seals, compromising the building's compartmentation.
- Inconsistent training records: Gaps in staff fire safety training or a lack of documented evidence that staff understand evacuation procedures.
How HawkSwift supports your care home
Achieving full compliance requires specialist knowledge. At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors understand the specific demands of care environments. We provide thorough, practical fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT, delivering your detailed reports within 48 hours so you can address any urgent risks without delay.
Whether you are preparing for a CQC inspection or simply want to ensure your residents are protected, our guidance is designed to keep you compliant under UK law without overcomplicating the process. To ensure your premises and procedures 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.