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Care homes, supported living and children's homes
Fire risk assessments for care homes and supported living
Fire risk assessments that consider your building, the people living there and the staff available to help them. We review evacuation arrangements, fire precautions and day-to-day fire safety management, providing a clear report with prioritised recommendations.
Since 1999
Fire safety across the East Midlands
104
care and residential settings we work with
FPA & IFSM
Fire Protection Association
and Institute of Fire Safety Managers
What we assess in residential care settings
We look at the people living in the home, the way staff work and the fire precautions the evacuation arrangements depend on.
Evacuation with night-time staffing
We review how residents would be moved to safety when staffing is at its lowest, including who would assist them, what equipment is available and whether new or agency staff can follow the plan.
Residents' changing needs
Mobility, cognition and other individual needs can affect evacuation. We consider the types of needs present and whether the overall evacuation arrangements are suitable
Fire doors
We check how fire doors work in everyday use, including doors that do not close properly or are wedged open. We recommend simple changes to ensure the space can still be used effectively and safely.
Smoking, oxygen and skin creams
We consider smoking arrangements, medical oxygen and emollient creams that can leave flammable residue on clothing or bedding, taking account of residents' needs and choices.
Kitchens, laundry and storage
Cooking, tumble dryers, electrical equipment and the storage of combustible materials can all introduce risks. We look at where these hazards occur and the precautions in place.
Training, drills and fire safety records
We review alarm testing, maintenance, staff training and evacuation drills, including whether responsibilities remain clear across shifts and when staff or residents change.
Some settings need a different approach
Responsibilities and risks work differently in supported living and in children's homes, so we assess them differently.
Supported living
Where the people you support hold their own homes or tenancies, fire safety duties may sit with the owner/landlord, the care provider or both. This depends on who controls each part of the premises and what the contracts say.
We assess the areas and the risks relating to each person, and identify where responsibilities need to be clarified and co-ordinated between the parties.
Children's homes and semi-independent settings
Children's homes involve different people, routines and regulation from adult care. We consider each young person's risks, including access to lighters, vaping, tampering with smoke detectors and any history of fire-setting.
Our recommendations aim to manage those risks without making the house feel institutional.
What you receive
A fire risk assessment for your home and an action plan with prioritised recommendations.
The report is designed to provide a clear record of findings and recommendations, which you can share with regulators, your insurer or the fire and rescue service if asked.
Quoted to the size and type of your home.
Common questions
Can we use the report for CQC or a fire and rescue service inspection?
Yes. We make a point of recording the fire precautions and good practices already in place, not just the gaps. We want CQC or the fire and rescue service to see a fair picture of your home: what you’re doing well, what needs attention and what you’ve done about it. You can share the report and action plan alongside your records of completed work. It’s useful evidence, but note that it isn’t an approval from the regulator.
Our night team is smaller. Will you check whether our evacuation plan is realistic?
Yes. We look at how your evacuation arrangements would work with the staff on your least-staffed shift, often at night, and the equipment they have available. If the plan relies on people or resources that might not be there, we’ll explain what concerns us and what could be improved.
What if a resident’s choices create a fire risk?
People’s choices matter, and so does keeping everyone safe. We look at how the home manages risks such as smoking or personal belongings that could affect fire safety, and suggest practical precautions proportionate to those risks. The aim is to support safe choices, not introduce unnecessary restrictions.
Do you write or review personal evacuation plans (PEEPs)?
We don’t write or review PEEPs for individual residents. During the fire risk assessment, we look at the overall picture: the types of support people in the home may need, the evacuation arrangements you have in place, and whether those arrangements appear suitable. If you need a written evacuation policy and a template your team can use for personal plans, we can provide these as a separate service.
Will the visit disrupt the home?
We plan around mealtimes, medication rounds and personal care wherever we can. Someone who knows the building and day-to-day routines will need to show us around for part of the visit, and we’ll agree a suitable time with you beforehand.
How often should our fire risk assessment be reviewed?
It needs to be reviewed regularly, and sooner if there’s reason to think it no longer reflects the home. Changes in residents’ needs, staffing, the layout or how rooms are used can all prompt a review. We’ll recommend a review date in the report and send a reminder when it’s due.
Are follow-up visits included?
A follow-up visit isn’t usually included. It’s useful to keep evidence of completed actions, such as dated photos, invoices or logbook entries, alongside your report. If you’d like us to come back and update the assessment after work has been carried out, we can quote for that separately.
Your assessment is just the starting point
Once we understand your home and how it operates, we can help with staff training, written fire safety policies and routine servicing. You deal with the same team, and we use what we’ve learned about your premises rather than starting from scratch each time.
Based on your premises
Staff training
Fire safety awareness and fire marshal training using your home’s layout, alarm system and evacuation arrangements. Staff can talk through what they’d actually need to do in an emergency.
Tailored to your home
Fire safety policies and evacuation plans
Written policies and evacuation arrangements tailored to your home, including the different types of support residents may need. Templates for individual personal plans are also available.
Regular checks and servicing
Routine testing, inspections and servicing
Fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, PAT testing and fire door inspections. We keep track of the services we provide and remind you when they’re due. If we find a defect that needs repair, we’ll explain what needs attention.
We don’t carry out repairs: where we find defects, we record them with recommendations and can point you to a qualified contractor.
Ask about training and servicingNot sure what you need? Talk to us.
Phone: 07859 741 285
WhatsApp: Message us
Email: info@acefiremidlandsltd.com
We cover Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. If you are elsewhere in the Midlands, get in touch too and we should be able to still help.
We reply within one working day.