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Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that fire safety measures and evacuation procedures in our care home are robust, effective, and fully compliant with Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Our priority is to protect the lives of people we support, staff, visitors, and contractors by implementing proactive fire prevention strategies, rigorous safety checks, and well-rehearsed emergency evacuation plans.

Fires in care settings pose a significant risk due to the vulnerability of individuals who may have limited mobility, cognitive impairments, or medical conditions. It is our duty to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent fire hazards, and that in the event of a fire, there is a safe, structured, and well-executed evacuation process.

This policy outlines how our care home:

• Implements fire prevention measures to reduce risks.
• Conducts regular fire risk assessments and safety audits.
• Provides fire safety training to all staff members.
• Ensures evacuation procedures are clear, effective, and rehearsed.
• Complies with CQC and fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff members, including management, care workers, housekeeping, and maintenance teams.
• People we support, ensuring they receive tailored support during evacuations.
• Visitors, families, and contractors, ensuring they are aware of fire safety procedures.
• Regulatory bodies, including CQC and the Fire and Rescue Service, demonstrating our commitment to compliance.

This policy covers:

• Fire prevention strategies.
• Fire risk assessments and safety checks.
• Emergency evacuation procedures.
• Training and drills.
• Roles and responsibilities in fire safety management.

3. Related Policies

This policy aligns with:

• CH11 – Safe Care and Treatment Policy, ensuring safety is a core part of care delivery.
• CH16 – Health and Safety at Work Policy, covering workplace safety standards.
• CH19 – Emergency and Business Continuity Plan, ensuring preparedness for emergencies.
• CH25 – Notification of Other Incidents Policy, outlining procedures for reporting fire-related incidents.

4. Policy Statement

We are committed to ensuring the highest levels of fire safety in our care home. We take proactive measures to prevent fires, conduct regular fire drills, and provide staff with the training they need to act quickly and safely in an emergency.

To achieve this, we ensure that:

• Fire safety measures are in place and regularly reviewed.
• Evacuation plans are clear, effective, and tailored to individual needs.
• Staff are trained to respond to fire incidents efficiently.
• Fire risk assessments are carried out and updated as needed.
• People we support, staff, and visitors are aware of fire safety protocols.

5. Implementation – How We Manage Fire Safety Efficiently

5.1 Fire Prevention Measures

Fire prevention is the first line of defence against potential fire hazards. Our care home takes the following preventative steps:

• Regular fire safety checks, including testing alarms, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers.
• Ensuring fire doors remain unobstructed and in good working condition to prevent fire spread.
• Strict no-smoking policies, with designated smoking areas located away from the building.
• Safe storage of flammable materials, such as cleaning chemicals and oxygen supplies.
• Routine PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) for electrical equipment to prevent faults and fire risks.
• Adequate staffing levels, ensuring staff can respond quickly to fire risks.
• Clear kitchen safety protocols, reducing the risk of cooking-related fires.

We work closely with local fire authorities to ensure our fire prevention strategies remain up to date with the latest fire safety guidance.

5.2 Fire Risk Assessments

A fire risk assessment is carried out annually and reviewed whenever there are changes to the premises or fire safety regulations. The assessment includes:

• Identifying potential fire hazards, such as faulty wiring, flammable substances, or blocked fire exits.
• Assessing the risk to people we support, staff, and visitors, including those with mobility impairments or cognitive conditions.
• Evaluating current fire prevention measures and identifying improvements.
• Ensuring fire-fighting equipment is accessible, maintained, and functional.
• Reviewing emergency evacuation plans, ensuring they remain practical and effective.

Each fire risk assessment is documented and reviewed by management, and any necessary improvements are implemented immediately.

5.3 Fire Safety Equipment and Maintenance

We ensure that all fire safety equipment is regularly checked, maintained, and replaced if necessary. This includes:

• Fire alarms, tested weekly.
• Smoke detectors, checked regularly and replaced when needed.
• Fire extinguishers, inspected and serviced annually.
• Sprinkler systems, tested in accordance with fire regulations.
• Emergency lighting, ensuring visibility during evacuations.

Maintenance records are kept up to date to demonstrate compliance with fire safety regulations.

5.4 Evacuation Procedures

In the event of a fire, a clear and well-practised evacuation plan is critical. Our care home follows a structured evacuation process, which includes:

1. Fire alarm activation – If a fire is detected, alarms are activated immediately, and emergency services are contacted.
2. Staff response – Staff follow pre-designated roles, assisting with evacuations and ensuring fire doors are closed.
3. Evacuation routes – People we support are guided to the nearest safe exit using pre-planned evacuation routes.
4. Assisting those with mobility impairments – Each person has a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) tailored to their needs.
5. Designated assembly points – Everyone gathers at safe assembly points outside the building, where roll calls are conducted.
6. Emergency services coordination – The fire warden liaises with emergency responders, providing details of missing persons or hazards.

Fire drills are carried out at least twice a year to ensure everyone understands their role in an evacuation.

5.5 Fire Safety Training for Staff

All staff receive mandatory fire safety training, covering:

• How to identify fire hazards and prevent fires.
• How to use fire-fighting equipment safely.
• Emergency evacuation procedures and fire drill participation.
• How to assist individuals with limited mobility during evacuations.
• The role of the fire warden in coordinating emergency responses.

Training is refreshed annually to ensure staff remain confident and competent in responding to fire emergencies.

5.6 Reporting and Learning from Fire Incidents

All fire-related incidents, including false alarms and near misses, are reported immediately.

Report:

Verbally report the concern immediately to a staff member.

Send an email detailing the concern to the Registered Manager at: {{org_field_registered_manager_email}}.

Call the office to inform the Registered Manager at {{org_field_phone_no}}.

If the concern arises out of office hours, call the out-of-hours phone number: {{out_of_hours}}.

Website: {{org_field_website}} – using the contact form provided

The Registered Manager ensures that:

• A full investigation is conducted, identifying the cause and preventing recurrence.
• CQC is notified of significant fire incidents, in line with Regulation 18 – Notification of Other Incidents.
• Staff are briefed on lessons learned, improving future fire safety protocols.

6. Compliance with CQC and Fire Safety Regulations

This policy ensures compliance with:

• Regulation 15 – Premises and Equipment, ensuring fire safety standards are met.
• Regulation 12 – Safe Care and Treatment, ensuring fire risks are mitigated.
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, detailing legal fire safety obligations.
• Regulation 18 – Notification of Incidents, ensuring CQC is informed of fire-related incidents.

7. Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if:

• Regulatory requirements change.
• A fire incident occurs, requiring updates to procedures.
• Staff or external fire safety experts identify improvement areas.

The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance and fire safety improvements.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
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