How Often Does a Care Home Need a Fire Risk Assessment?
Understanding the Legal Requirements
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every care home in England and Wales must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. The law does not prescribe a fixed calendar date for renewal, but it does require that the assessment is kept under regular review and updated whenever circumstances change. In practice, this means a care home cannot treat a single assessment as a one-off exercise — it must be a living document that reflects the current state of the premises and its occupants.
The Responsible Person — typically the registered provider, manager, or owner — holds the legal duty to ensure the assessment remains current. Failure to maintain an up-to-date fire risk assessment can result in enforcement action from the local fire and rescue authority, including prohibition notices that could force partial or full closure of the home.
Recommended Review Frequency
While the law requires ongoing review rather than a set renewal cycle, fire safety professionals and the HSE broadly agree that care homes should undertake a full fire risk assessment at least once every 12 months. This annual cycle is considered best practice given the high-risk nature of the environment.
However, an annual review alone is rarely enough. The Responsible Person should also carry out interim reviews at any point when a material change occurs. Common triggers include:
- Structural alterations, extensions, or changes to internal layout
- A significant change in the number or dependency level of residents
- Introduction of new equipment, bedding, or furnishings that may affect fire loading
- Following a fire incident, near miss, or formal enforcement notice
- Changes to staffing levels, particularly night-time cover
- Updates to relevant guidance, British Standards, or sector-specific regulations
Why Care Homes Require More Frequent Attention
Care homes present a uniquely challenging fire safety profile. Many residents have reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, or reliance on medical equipment, all of which complicate evacuation. Sleeping occupants, oxygen use, and the presence of laundry and kitchen facilities add further layers of risk.
The HSE, which regulates care homes alongside the fire and rescue authorities, expects a robust and proactive approach to fire safety management. An assessment that was adequate 18 months ago may no longer reflect the reality of the building or its residents, which is why regular review is so critical in this sector.
What a Care Home Fire Risk Assessment Covers
A competent assessment follows the framework set out in PAS 79 and addresses the full scope of fire safety within the premises. Key areas include:
- Identification of fire hazards and sources of ignition
- Assessment of means of escape, including travel distances and emergency lighting
- Condition and coverage of fire detection and alarm systems
- Provision and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment
- Fire door integrity and compartmentation
- Evacuation plans, including Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for individual residents
- Staff fire safety training and drill records
- Management procedures and the overall fire safety policy
The Role of the Responsible Person Between Assessments
The duty to manage fire safety does not rest solely with the assessor. The Responsible Person must ensure day-to-day compliance between formal reviews — checking that fire doors close properly, alarm tests are logged, extinguishers are in date, and staff receive regular refresher training. This ongoing vigilance supports the formal assessment and demonstrates a genuine commitment to resident safety.
Keeping Your Assessment Current
If you are unsure whether your care home's fire risk assessment remains valid, or if any of the changes listed above have occurred since your last review, it is prudent to arrange a new assessment promptly. A stale or incomplete assessment offers little protection — for your residents or your business.
HawkSwift provides thorough fire risk assessments for care homes carried out by NEBOSH-qualified assessors, with detailed reports delivered within 5 working days. To arrange yours, book a fire risk assessment today.