Fire Safety
Fire safety is a critical responsibility for every care home. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, care homes must carry out a fire risk assessment, maintain fire safety measures, and ensure all residents — especially those with limited mobility or cognitive impairment — can evacuate safely. Care Handbook provides practical resources to help you meet these obligations.
Fire Safety in Care Homes
Care homes present unique fire safety challenges. Many residents have limited mobility, sensory impairments, or cognitive conditions such as dementia that mean they cannot evacuate without assistance. Some residents use oxygen, which increases fire risk. The fire risk assessment must take all of these factors into account.
The Responsible Person — usually the registered manager or care home owner — must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out, that fire safety measures are implemented and maintained, and that staff receive fire safety training. This includes practising fire drills at least twice a year.
Every resident who may have difficulty evacuating must have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). This document sets out the person's needs, the assistance they require, and the evacuation route they will use. PEEPs should be reviewed regularly and shared with all staff who may need to implement them.
Key legislation:Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England & Wales); Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006; Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. The CQC also inspects fire safety as part of its “Safe” key question.
In This Section
Fire Risk Assessment
How to carry out a fire risk assessment in your care home, including the four key categories of risk, who is responsible, and a step-by-step template walkthrough.
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
Create a PEEP for every resident who needs assistance to evacuate — covering mobility, sensory and cognitive needs, medical requirements, and designated escape routes.
Evacuation Checklist
Step-by-step evacuation procedure from discovering a fire to post-incident review, including a fire drill log and assembly point guidance.
Official Fire Safety Resources
⚠️ Important Notice
The fire safety guidance on Care Handbook is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional fire safety advice. Care homes must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any applicable devolved legislation. Always consult a qualified fire safety professional and your local Fire and Rescue Service for advice specific to your premises. In an emergency, always call 999.