Do care homes Need a Specific fire risk assessment?

Choosing the Right Assessor Because care homes present such complex fire safety challenges, it is highly recommended to use a competent, professional assessor. NEBOSH-qualified assessors understand the nuances of UK fire safety law and have the training to evaluate progressive horizontal evacuation strategies and complex compartmentation requirements accurately. Attempting to manage this in-house without specialist knowledge can lead to critical oversights, putting lives at risk and leaving you legally exposed. At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors provide thorough, practical evaluations tailored specifically to the complexities of care homes. We deliver detailed fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT, with comprehensive reports returned within 5 working days to help you stay compliant and keep your residents safe. To ensure your premises meet the highest standards of safety, please book a fire risk assessment with our team today. <script type=\"application/ld+json\"> {\"@context\":\"https://schema.org\",\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https://www.hawkswift.co.uk\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https://www.hawkswift.co.uk/blog\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"do-care-homes-need-a-specific-fire-risk-assessment\",\"item\":\"https://www.hawkswift.co.uk/blog/do-care-homes-need-a-specific-fire-risk-assessment\"}]} </script> <!-- expanded-by-hawkswift-bot --> ## 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.*