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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety of all {{org_field_name}} service users, staff, and visitors by outlining fire prevention measures and emergency evacuation procedures. As a supported living provider, it is essential that all staff members understand their role in preventing fire hazards and responding effectively in the event of a fire emergency in a service user’s home. This policy supports compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (including, as applicable, Regulations 12, 15, 17 and 18), and relevant fire safety legislation including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended), the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (where in scope). It also aligns with CQC Fundamental Standards and CQC guidance on safe care, premises/equipment, staffing and governance, including CQC’s expectations that providers can evidence fire risk assessment, evacuation planning (including PEEPs where required), staff training and fire drills.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all {{org_field_name}} employees, service users, contractors, and visitors who engage with the company’s operations. As a supported living provider, staff typically work in people’s own homes and/or supported living accommodation. Fire safety arrangements must therefore be property-specific and person-specific, and must reflect who holds the main fire-safety duties for the building (for example the landlord/freeholder/managing agent) and what duties fall to {{org_field_name}} as the care provider and employer (such as care risk assessments, evacuation planning, staff training and safe working practices).

3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

This policy aligns with (and where applicable, supports compliance with) the following legislation, regulations and guidance:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (risk assessment and arrangements)
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended)
• Fire Safety Act 2021
• Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (additional duties for Responsible Persons of certain residential buildings, where in scope)
• Care Act 2014 (including safeguarding duties and partnership working)
• Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, including (as applicable):
  • Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment)
  • Regulation 15 (Premises and equipment)
  • Regulation 17 (Good governance)
  • Regulation 18 (Staffing)
• Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 – Regulation 18 (Notification of other incidents), where applicable to fire events/incidents.

4. Responsibilities

The responsibility for fire safety is shared among all stakeholders:

• The Registered Manager is responsible for overseeing fire safety measures, ensuring compliance with legislation, and providing training to staff.
• Care Staff must remain alert to fire hazards in service users’ homes, follow fire safety procedures, and assist in emergency evacuations where necessary.
• Service Users and Visitors should adhere to fire safety guidance provided and cooperate in emergency situations.

Staff should regularly inspect service users’ homes for potential fire risks, such as overloaded electrical sockets, blocked exits, and the presence of flammable materials. Any identified hazards must be reported to the Registered Manager immediately.

5. Fire Safety Roles and “Responsible Person” (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005)

In supported living, the legal “Responsible Person” for the premises under fire safety law may be the landlord/freeholder/managing agent (and in some situations there may be more than one Responsible Person for different parts of a building). {{org_field_name}} will:

• clarify and record, for each property, who the Responsible Person(s) is/are and what fire safety measures they manage (for example: fire alarm system, emergency lighting, communal fire doors, signage, firefighting equipment, and the building’s evacuation strategy).
• co-operate and share relevant information with the Responsible Person(s) and, where appropriate, the local Fire and Rescue Service, so fire safety arrangements are coordinated.
• ensure that, regardless of building ownership, {{org_field_name}} meets its duties as a regulated care provider and employer by completing person-specific and activity-based risk assessments, ensuring staff training and competence, and delivering safe care that reduces the risk of avoidable harm.

6. Fire Prevention Measures

To reduce the risk of fire, the following measures must be implemented and evidenced:

• A fire risk assessment (FRA) is in place for each relevant premises/building area in scope, and is reviewed at least annually and immediately after any significant change (for example: change in a person’s mobility or cognition, changes to staffing support, alterations, new equipment, oxygen use, or an increase in night support needs).
• The FRA and care risk assessments identify: ignition sources, fuel sources, oxygen sources, people at risk, and the control measures/action plan.
• Evacuation planning is documented and includes arrangements for people who need assistance to evacuate, including PEEPs where required (and/or person-specific evacuation plans appropriate to the setting).
• Safe management of higher-risk hazards including (where applicable): smoking materials, lighters/matches, oxygen therapy, candles/incense, charging mobility scooters/e-bikes/lithium-ion batteries, kitchen safety, portable heaters, hoarding/combustible load, and arson risk.
• Electrical and heating equipment is maintained and checked as required; defective equipment is removed from use immediately.
• Escape routes and exits are kept clear at all times; staff must not wedge fire doors open where fire doors exist.
• Where fire safety equipment is provided (alarms, detectors, extinguishers, fire blankets), staff ensure it is accessible, in date/serviced as applicable, and used only if safe to do so.

7. Fire Safety Checks and Maintenance

• Smoke/heat/CO alarms: testing frequency will follow the property’s arrangements and risk assessment; tests and defects must be recorded and defects escalated immediately to the Responsible Person/landlord where applicable.
• Fire blankets/extinguishers (where provided): kept accessible; inspected routinely; serviced in line with manufacturer/contractor requirements; staff must only use them if trained and it is safe to do so.
• Escape routes: checked routinely to ensure they are unobstructed; any obstruction is removed and/or escalated immediately.
• Fire doors (where present): checked routinely for damage/closure; doors must not be wedged open; defects escalated to the Responsible Person/landlord.
• Required servicing certificates and actions are stored in the property safety file and included in audit checks.

8. Fire Emergency Procedures

In the event of a fire, domiciliary care staff must act quickly and decisively to ensure the safety of service users. Staff must follow the property’s agreed evacuation strategy (for example “simultaneous evacuation” or “stay put” where applicable to some blocks of flats). The strategy for each property must be recorded in the property file and reflected in each person’s evacuation plan. If staff are unsure of the strategy, they must prioritise life safety, call 999, and follow Fire and Rescue Service instructions.

The following steps must be taken:

• Upon discovering a fire:
  • Raise the alarm immediately by calling 999 or 112.
  • If safe, close doors behind you to slow fire/smoke spread.
  • Do not use lifts unless they are designated evacuation lifts and staff are trained and the building plan allows their use.
  • Do not stop to collect belongings.
  • Do not re-enter the building until Fire and Rescue Service confirms it is safe.
  • Alert the service user and any other occupants, ensuring they are aware of the situation.
  • If it is safe to do so, attempt to contain the fire using appropriate extinguishers or fire blankets.
  • If the fire cannot be contained, evacuate the service user and yourself immediately.

Evacuation Procedures for Service Users:

• Each service user will have an individual risk assessment that considers their mobility and cognitive abilities. Staff must familiarise themselves with these assessments to ensure an efficient response in emergencies.
• If the service user is ambulatory, guide them to the nearest safe exit.
• If the service user has mobility impairments, assist them using pre-planned evacuation techniques, such as supporting them physically or using mobility aids.
• If immediate evacuation is not possible due to life-threatening risk, staff must move the person to the nearest safer place (for example behind a fire-resisting door and away from smoke) and call 999 to give the exact location and assistance needed. This is an emergency contingency only and must be reflected in the person’s evacuation plan and risk assessment.
• Once outside, take the service user to a safe assembly point and provide reassurance until emergency services arrive.
• Provide Fire and Rescue Service with: names/number of people, last known location of anyone still inside, mobility/cognition needs, presence of oxygen, and any known hazards (for example hoarding, lithium battery charging, or behavioural risks).

9. Fire Safety Training and Competency

• All staff must complete fire safety training at induction before working unsupervised, and refresh at least annually (or more frequently where risk assessments identify higher risk).
• Training must be role-appropriate and include: hazard identification in domestic settings, understanding the property evacuation strategy, safe evacuation assistance techniques, when not to fight a fire, calling 999 and handing over critical information, and use of any evacuation aids provided.
• The Registered Manager (or delegated competent person) must maintain a training matrix and carry out competency checks/supervision to confirm staff can apply training in practice.

10. Reporting and Record-Keeping

• All fire safety checks, risk assessments (including FRAs where applicable), evacuation plans/PEEPs (where applicable), training, drills/exercises, servicing certificates and actions taken must be documented and stored securely.
• Any fire, suspected fire, smoke event, evacuation, fire service attendance, or significant near miss must be reported immediately to the Registered Manager and recorded as an incident.
• Where required, {{org_field_name}} will make statutory notifications to the CQC in line with the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 (including Regulation 18 – notification of other incidents), and will notify commissioners/landlords/responsible persons and safeguarding partners as appropriate.
• Records will be retained for at least 6 years (or longer where required by contract, safeguarding processes, insurer requirements, or ongoing investigations).

11. Review and Continuous Improvement

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if legislation/guidance changes or following a fire incident/near miss. The Registered Manager will ensure fire safety is included in the service’s quality assurance programme (for example audits of: completion/review of risk assessments and evacuation plans/PEEPs where applicable, training compliance, incident trends, actions closed on time, and learning shared). This supports compliance with Regulation 17 (Good governance).

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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