Who Is Responsible for a Care Home Fire Risk Assessment?

A care home fire risk assessment is one of the most important fire safety responsibilities in residential care settings. Care homes support some of the most vulnerable people in society, many of whom may have limited mobility, sensory impairments, or require assistance to evacuate in an emergency. Because of this, fire safety in care homes is subject to particularly close scrutiny, and responsibilities must be clearly understood and properly managed.

In this blog, we explain who is legally responsible for fire risk assessments in care homes, what risks are most common in these kinds of settings, and why fire risk assessments for care homes differ from other types of buildings, so you have a better understanding of your responsibilities when it comes to managing the safety of your residents, staff, and premises.

Are care homes legally required to have a fire risk assessment?

The short answer is yes. All care homes are legally required to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment as stated in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation applies to all non-domestic premises, including care homes, nursing homes, and supported living environments.

The law places a duty on the ‘responsible person’ to identify fire hazards, assess the risks, and implement appropriate fire safety measures to protect residents, staff, and visitors. In a care home setting, this includes ensuring safe evacuation arrangements for residents who may not be able to self-evacuate, particularly during night-time hours.

Failure to carry out or maintain an up-to-date fire risk assessment in care homes can result in enforcement action by the fire authority, including improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or even prosecution in some serious cases.

What are some common fire risks identified in a care home fire risk assessment?

A professional fire risk assessment in care homes often highlights a range of fire hazards linked to the daily operations of residential care environments. Some of the most common fire risks include:

• Electrical equipment – such as portable heaters, medical devices, charging equipment, and overloaded sockets in residents bedrooms and staff areas.
• Oxygen use – especially in nursing care settings where oxygen-enriched environments can significantly increase the intensity and speed of fire spread.
• Smoking materials – this includes cigarettes and lighters, especially if residents smoke without appropriate supervision or in safe smoking areas.
• Kitchen and food preparation areas – cooking equipment, hot surfaces, and oils increase the risk of ignition.
• Laundry rooms – these often contain heat-producing equipment such as dryers and irons.
• Storage areas – combustible materials may be poorly stored or housekeeping standards are not consistently maintained.

Effective fire risk assessments for care homes identify these hazards and provide practical, proportionate recommendations to reduce the likelihood of fire and limit its impact, helping to protect residents, staff, and visitors.

Who is the ‘responsible person’ in a care home?

The ‘responsible person’ is the individual or organisation with overall control of the care home premises. This is typically the care home manager, operator, provider organisation, or in many cases, the registered manager. While responsibilities may be shared across management, estates, and health and safety teams, legal accountability can’t be delegated.

The responsible person must ensure that a care home fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent and qualified individual, that the findings are acted upon, and that appropriate fire safety measures are maintained at all times. This includes ensuring fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors, evacuation procedures, and staff training are in place and regularly reviewed.

They must also ensure that the assessment is kept up to date and reviewed whenever changes occur, such as alterations to the building, changes in residents, or staffing adjustments.

How are fire risk assessments for care homes different from other buildings?

Fire risk assessments for care homes are more complex than other commercial buildings due to the nature of the occupants and how evacuation is managed. Many residents may be unable to evacuate independently, meaning assisted evacuation strategies are essential.

Care homes often rely on compartmentation and evacuation strategies such as progressive horizontal evacuation, where residents are moved to a place of relative safety on the same level rather than immediately leaving the building. Staffing levels, particularly at night, play a crucial role in determining whether evacuation plans are realistic and safe.

The assessment must also consider sleeping accommodation, night-time fire risks, cognitive impairment, and the need for calm, controlled evacuation to avoid stress. These factors make for specialist knowledge essential when carrying out a fire risk assessment for care homes.

How often should a care home fire risk assessment be reviewed?

It’s recommended that a care home fire risk assessment should be formally reviewed at least once every 12 months. However, additional reviews should be carried out if any of the following occur:

• A fire or near-miss
• Significant refurbishment or changes to the building layout
• Changes to resident dependency levels or care needs
• Alterations to staffing levels or night-time supervision arrangements
• Introduction of new equipment, systems, or care practices

Regular reviews ensure the assessment remains accurate and reflective of the real risks present within your care home. Because resident needs and operational arrangements can change quickly, keeping the assessment current is essential for maintaining both safety and legal compliance.

Can responsibility be delegated to external fire risk assessors?

While the legal responsibility will always remain with the care home, appointing competent professionals, like City Fire Protection, to carry out fire risk assessments for care homes is strongly recommended. This is because specialist assessors bring the experience and technical knowledge needed to assess complex residential care environments accurately and in line with current fire safety legislation.

When choosing a provider, care homes should look for:

• Proven experience in residential care settings, including care homes and nursing homes
• A strong understanding of evacuation strategies for vulnerable occupants, such as assisted evacuation and progressive horizontal evacuation
• Knowledge of care home-specific fire risks, including night-time staffing, sleeping accommodation, oxygen use, and resident dependency
• Clear, practical reporting, with prioritised actions that are easy to understand and implement
• Recommendations that are realistic and proportionate, helping improve safety without disrupting day-to-day care
• Ongoing support and advice, including follow-up reviews and assistance with remedial actions

At City Fire, we provide high-quality fire risk assessments for care homes, helping you remain compliant while providing practical guidance that genuinely improves safety for your residents, staff, and visitors.

Get in touch with us for your care home fire risk assessment

Fire safety in care homes isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a fundamental part of protecting residents, staff, and visitors. A professional care home fire risk assessment helps ensure risks are identified, responsibilities are clear, and appropriate measures are in place to keep everyone safe.

At City Fire, we specialise in delivering expert fire risk assessments for care homes, tailored to the unique challenges of residential care environments. Our experienced assessors provide clear guidance, practical recommendations, and ongoing support to help you maintain compliance and peace of mind.

As we’re part of the LS Fire Group, we have the ability to deliver consistent quality and coverage across the UK with our network of leading fire risk assessment specialists. Get in touch with our team today to arrange your care home fire risk assessment or to discuss how we can support your wider fire safety requirements.