Care Homes: Fire Regulations

(asked on 28th January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of current fire regulations in protecting residents of both public and private care homes, particularly taking into account the prevalence of (1) reduced mobility, and (2) dementia, of such residents.


Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
This question was answered on 10th February 2020

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to care homes and requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and put in place – and maintain – appropriate fire protection measures to mitigate the risk to life from fire. The fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly to ensure the ongoing fire safety of residents and staff, considering the physical and mental health of those on the premises. Government has made available guidance to support responsible persons in complying with the provisions of the Fire Safety Order, including specific guidance for those responsible for healthcare premises.

The Home Office published a Call for Evidence on the Fire Safety Order in 2019 to test whether the legislation is fit for purpose for all premises within its scope and, where appropriate, is aligned to wider building safety regimes. The responses are being considered and a follow up consultation is planned for spring 2020.

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