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Over recent weeks, we've seen an increase in fire-related insurance claims being reported across the care sector. While every incident is different, they all reinforce the same message: effective fire prevention starts long before an emergency occurs.
For care homes, nursing homes and domiciliary care providers operating from commercial premises, a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) shouldn't simply be viewed as a regulatory requirement. It should be a living document that evolves alongside your service, your residents and your building.
Regular reviews can help identify emerging risks, support compliance and, most importantly, protect the people who rely on your care.
A Fire Risk Assessment is a structured review of your premises that identifies potential fire hazards, evaluates the level of risk and sets out actions to reduce those risks.
It should consider:
Importantly, an FRA should be reviewed regularly, particularly following significant changes to your premises, occupancy or operations.
Many providers assume their Fire Risk Assessment only needs attention every few years.
In reality, it should be reviewed whenever there are changes that could affect fire safety.
These might include:
A Fire Risk Assessment should always reflect how your service operates today, not how it looked when it was first completed.
Although every incident is unique, some of the most common causes of fire-related insurance claims include:
Inadequate maintenance of electrical systems
Many of these risks can be reduced through routine inspections, preventative maintenance and regular staff awareness.
Fire safety depends on people as much as procedures.
Every member of staff should understand:
Regular fire drills also help ensure staff remain confident and prepared should an incident occur.
Even relatively small fires can have significant consequences.
Alongside damage to buildings and equipment, providers may face:
Having an effective business continuity plan alongside appropriate insurance arrangements can help organisations recover more quickly if the unexpected happens.
Regular reviews can help identify issues before they become costly incidents.
Consider checking:
✔ Is your Fire Risk Assessment up to date?
✔ Have all recommended actions been completed?
✔ Are fire doors, alarms and emergency lighting tested regularly?
✔ Are escape routes kept clear at all times?
✔ Are electrical appliances inspected and damaged equipment removed from use?
Small improvements made consistently can make a significant difference to overall fire safety.
How often should a Fire Risk Assessment be reviewed?
There is no fixed timeframe, but it should be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur within the premises or service.
Does a Fire Risk Assessment need updating if nothing has changed?
Even if there have been no obvious changes, periodic reviews remain good practice to ensure the assessment remains accurate and any previous actions have been completed.
What is the biggest fire risk in a care home?
Risks vary between services, but common causes include electrical faults, kitchen fires, faulty appliances, smoking materials and poor housekeeping.
Why is fire safety especially important in care homes?
Many residents may require assistance to evacuate safely during an emergency. This makes effective planning, staff training and robust fire safety procedures particularly important.
At Quality Care Group, we believe effective risk management is about preventing incidents before they happen.
Alongside specialist insurance, our Risk Management team supports care providers with practical guidance that helps strengthen resilience, improve governance and reduce operational risk.
Reviewing your Fire Risk Assessment, maintaining robust fire safety procedures and ensuring your organisation is prepared for the unexpected can all play an important role in protecting your residents, your staff and your business.
If you'd like to review your fire risk management arrangements or discuss how Quality Care Group can support your organisation, speak to our team today.
Because when it comes to fire safety, prevention is always better than recovery.
