CQC registration document guidance

Care Home Fire Risk Assessment

If you are applying to register a care home with CQC, you should provide a current Fire Risk Assessment showing how fire hazards have been identified and how people will be protected.

Why this matters for your registration

  • •Fire safety is a key part of demonstrating that the premises are safe and suitable for residents, staff and visitors.
  • •CQC expects fire risks, evacuation arrangements and supporting controls to be addressed before registration.
  • •Where actions are identified by the assessment, CQC expects those actions to be completed before you apply.

What you should prepare

  • •A current Fire Risk Assessment specific to the premises, including potential fire hazards and people at risk.
  • •Consideration of residents who may need assistance to evacuate, including Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans where relevant.
  • •Assessment of fire exits, evacuation routes, alarms, extinguishers, other firefighting equipment and any smoking-related controls.
  • •Staff fire safety training arrangements and fire drill procedures that reflect resident needs and service realities.
  • •An action plan showing what issues were identified and how they have been addressed before submission.
  • •Consistency with your floor plan, evacuation arrangements, business continuity planning and staffing arrangements.

Before you submit

  • •Make sure the assessment relates to the actual care home and not a generic fire template.
  • •Check that identified actions have been completed before applying.
  • •Show clearly how residents who need support to evacuate will be protected.
  • •Keep the fire arrangements consistent with your floor plan, continuity plan and other premises evidence.