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Fire Safety in Healthcare & Care Homes
Fire Safety Guide #27 | A guide to the unique fire safety challenges in healthcare and care homes, the laws that apply, and best practice for protecting vulnerable occupants.
Hospitals, clinics, and care homes face unique fire safety challenges. Unlike many other buildings, a significant proportion of occupants in healthcare settings are elderly, vulnerable, or unable to evacuate without assistance. This makes fire prevention, early detection, and robust protection systems absolutely critical.
This guide explores the specific risks, legal requirements, and best practices for fire safety in healthcare facilities and care homes.
This guide explores the specific risks, legal requirements, and best practices for fire safety in healthcare facilities and care homes.
Why Fire Safety Is Critical in Healthcare & Care Homes
Healthcare environments are particularly complex when it comes to fire safety. Many residents or patients may be unable to evacuate independently due to age, disability, or illness. Large hospitals and multi-storey care homes often have long corridors, numerous treatment rooms, and high occupancy levels, which complicate evacuation procedures.
Specialist equipment such as oxygen supplies, medical devices, and flammable chemicals also increase fire risks. On top of this, staff in healthcare environments often need to prioritise patient safety over immediate evacuation, which is why robust compartmentation and fire-resistant design are essential.
Specialist equipment such as oxygen supplies, medical devices, and flammable chemicals also increase fire risks. On top of this, staff in healthcare environments often need to prioritise patient safety over immediate evacuation, which is why robust compartmentation and fire-resistant design are essential.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Healthcare providers and care home operators must comply with a range of UK fire safety legislation and guidance.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a Responsible Person to conduct fire risk assessments and ensure adequate fire precautions are in place.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarifies that external walls and flat entrance doors in multi-occupied care facilities must be included in fire risk assessments.
The Building Safety Act 2022 applies to higher-risk residential buildings, including care homes over 18 metres tall or with seven or more storeys.
Healthcare-specific guidance also applies.
The Healthcare Technical Memorandum (HTM 05-01) provides detailed fire safety standards for NHS premises, while the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects care homes on safety standards, including compliance with fire precautions.
Healthcare providers and care home operators must comply with a range of UK fire safety legislation and guidance.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a Responsible Person to conduct fire risk assessments and ensure adequate fire precautions are in place.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarifies that external walls and flat entrance doors in multi-occupied care facilities must be included in fire risk assessments.
The Building Safety Act 2022 applies to higher-risk residential buildings, including care homes over 18 metres tall or with seven or more storeys.
Healthcare-specific guidance also applies.
The Healthcare Technical Memorandum (HTM 05-01) provides detailed fire safety standards for NHS premises, while the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects care homes on safety standards, including compliance with fire precautions.
Key Fire Protection Measures
Effective fire protection in healthcare and care homes requires a combination of systems, structure, and staff preparedness.
Fire detection and alarm systems must be comprehensive, including smoke, heat, and multi-sensor detectors. Zonal alarms help staff quickly identify the location of a fire, while integration with staff alert systems enables a controlled response.
Compartmentation and fire doors are vital. Buildings must be divided into fire-resistant compartments (e.g. 30 or 60 minutes protection), with fire doors fitted with automatic closers and smoke seals. Horizontal evacuation strategies allow patients to be moved safely into adjacent compartments without leaving the building immediately.
Emergency lighting and signage provide crucial guidance in an evacuation, ensuring staff can safely direct patients — including those using wheelchairs or beds — during a power loss.
Firefighting equipment such as portable extinguishers and fire blankets should be provided in staff-accessible areas. Staff must be trained to understand when to tackle a fire and when to prioritise evacuation.
Staff training and drills are essential. All staff must receive regular fire safety training, including evacuation techniques for vulnerable residents. Frequent drills should cover both horizontal and vertical evacuation, supported by clear fire safety instructions displayed throughout the building.
Effective fire protection in healthcare and care homes requires a combination of systems, structure, and staff preparedness.
Fire detection and alarm systems must be comprehensive, including smoke, heat, and multi-sensor detectors. Zonal alarms help staff quickly identify the location of a fire, while integration with staff alert systems enables a controlled response.
Compartmentation and fire doors are vital. Buildings must be divided into fire-resistant compartments (e.g. 30 or 60 minutes protection), with fire doors fitted with automatic closers and smoke seals. Horizontal evacuation strategies allow patients to be moved safely into adjacent compartments without leaving the building immediately.
Emergency lighting and signage provide crucial guidance in an evacuation, ensuring staff can safely direct patients — including those using wheelchairs or beds — during a power loss.
Firefighting equipment such as portable extinguishers and fire blankets should be provided in staff-accessible areas. Staff must be trained to understand when to tackle a fire and when to prioritise evacuation.
Staff training and drills are essential. All staff must receive regular fire safety training, including evacuation techniques for vulnerable residents. Frequent drills should cover both horizontal and vertical evacuation, supported by clear fire safety instructions displayed throughout the building.
Best Practice in Care Environments
To meet legal duties and safeguard lives, healthcare and care home providers should adopt best practice measures:
To meet legal duties and safeguard lives, healthcare and care home providers should adopt best practice measures:
- Carry out regular fire risk assessments tailored to healthcare-specific risks.
- Store and manage oxygen safely, well away from potential ignition sources.
- Inspect and maintain fire doors, alarms, and emergency lighting on a routine basis.
- Train staff in progressive horizontal evacuation (PHE), moving patients to safe adjacent zones.
- Implement a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for every resident in care homes.
Conclusion
Fire safety in healthcare and care homes goes far beyond regulatory compliance — it is about protecting some of society’s most vulnerable people. By investing in robust fire protection systems, maintaining effective compartmentation, and ensuring staff are well-trained, providers can safeguard lives while giving reassurance to families, residents, and patients.
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