Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness Audit - Care Homes

Evidence to check

• • Fire safety policy is current, reviewed and accessible to staff
• • Policy covers prevention, detection, evacuation, fire doors, oxygen, smoking, contractors, drills and emergency escalation
• • Staff can explain key fire safety actions for their role
• • Practice observed in the home matches the written policy

Evidence to check

• • Current fire risk assessment completed by a competent person
• • Assessment reviewed annually or after changes in residents, layout, building works, equipment or incidents
• • Action plan includes owners, deadlines and completion evidence
• • Outstanding high-risk actions are escalated to senior leaders

Evidence to check

• • Walkaround confirms exits and escape routes are clear
• • Fire exit signage is visible and appropriate
• • Daily or regular checks are recorded
• • Obstructions are removed promptly and repeated issues are addressed

Evidence to check

• • PEEPs are completed for all residents
• • PEEPs reflect current mobility, cognition, sensory needs, equipment, oxygen use and night-time support needs
• • Staff can explain how sampled residents would be evacuated or supported to a place of safety
• • PEEPs are reviewed after changes in condition, falls, hospital admission or equipment use

Evidence to check

• • Fire drill records include date, time, staff involved and scenario tested
• • Drills include different shifts and staffing levels where possible
• • Learning points are recorded and actioned
• • Staff who miss drills receive briefing or catch-up training

Evidence to check

• • Fire alarm testing records
• • Emergency lighting test records
• • Extinguisher and firefighting equipment servicing records
• • Faults are reported, risk assessed and repaired promptly

Evidence to check

• • Fire safety training records for all staff
• • Staff can answer scenario-based questions about fire response
• • Training includes evacuation of residents with mobility or cognitive impairment
• • Staff understand their own safety and when not to use extinguishers

Evidence to check

• • Induction records include fire safety before staff work unsupervised
• • Training matrix shows refresher dates
• • Agency and bank staff receive local fire procedure briefing
• • Overdue training is escalated and managed

Evidence to check

• • Fire logbook or digital equivalent is current and organised
• • Records include alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers, drills, fire doors, incidents and maintenance
• • Gaps or missed checks are investigated
• • Records are available for inspection and management review

Evidence to check

• • Fire door checks are completed and recorded
• • Doors close fully and seals, hinges, closers and gaps are checked
• • No fire doors are wedged open with unsafe objects
• • Faults are reported and repaired promptly

Evidence to check

• • Detection and suppression systems are included in maintenance records
• • Servicing records are current
• • Faults, isolations or disabled zones are clearly recorded and risk assessed
• • Staff know what to do if detection or suppression systems are impaired

Evidence to check

• • Fire procedure identifies roles and responsibilities
• • Staff can describe their role during a fire
• • Shift leader responsibilities are clear
• • Drill records show staff roles were tested and reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Emergency relocation or business continuity plan
• • Plan includes transport, medication, records, staffing, equipment, food, clothing and family communication
• • Alternative accommodation or mutual aid arrangements are identified
• • Plan is tested or reviewed through scenario discussion

Evidence to check

• • Visitor fire information is displayed or included in sign-in process
• • Residents receive information appropriate to their cognition and communication needs
• • Staff support residents to understand evacuation arrangements where possible
• • Relatives are informed of relevant emergency arrangements where appropriate

Evidence to check

• • Oxygen risk assessments are completed for residents using oxygen
• • Cylinders are stored upright, secure and away from ignition sources
• • Appropriate signage is used where required
• • Staff understand oxygen fire risks, including smoking and electrical safety

Evidence to check

• • Kitchen and laundry fire safety checks are completed
• • Extraction systems, cooking equipment and dryers are cleaned and maintained
• • Fire doors and suppression systems are maintained where present
• • Staff know how to respond to kitchen or laundry fire risks

Evidence to check

• • Escape routes are checked for lighting, width, flooring and accessibility
• • Evacuation equipment is available and suitable where needed
• • Staff know where evacuation aids are kept and how to use them
• • PEEPs reflect escape route and equipment needs

Evidence to check

• • COSHH and storage arrangements are followed
• • Flammable items are kept away from heat and ignition sources
• • Waste and laundry are not allowed to build up in escape routes or plant areas
• • Storage rooms and cupboards are checked regularly

Evidence to check

• • Visitor and contractor sign-in records
• • Fire instructions are available at entry or sign-in
• • Contractor hot works or high-risk activities are controlled where relevant
• • Evacuation procedure includes checking visitor and contractor presence

Evidence to check

• • Records of fire alarm activations, false alarms and incidents
• • Cause and response are reviewed
• • Actions are taken to reduce repeat false alarms or unsafe practice
• • Learning is shared with staff

Evidence to check

• • Team meeting, supervision or governance records include fire safety themes
• • Fire drill learning, faults and audit findings are shared
• • Staff concerns about fire safety are recorded and acted on
• • Leadership reviews repeated issues or overdue actions

Evidence to check

• • Drill debrief records
• • Learning points are shared across shifts
• • Actions are completed and reviewed
• • Future drills test whether improvements have worked

Evidence to check

• • Evacuation procedure is displayed in appropriate areas
• • Staff on different shifts can explain the procedure
• • Procedure reflects current resident dependency and building layout
• • Procedure is updated after changes in residents, staffing or premises

Evidence to check

• • Fire safety action tracker
• • Actions include owner, deadline and completion evidence
• • High-risk actions are prioritised
• • Delays are escalated and temporary risk controls are documented

Evidence to check

• • Governance reports include fire safety compliance and risks
• • Senior leaders review fire safety actions and overdue items
• • Fire safety is included in quality assurance and risk register processes
• • Leaders can evidence how they know the home is prepared for a fire emergency

Evidence to check

• • Resident fire risk assessments include smoking, vaping, candles, heaters and personal appliances where relevant
• • Control measures respect resident choice while reducing risk
• • Staff know how to support safe smoking or vaping where permitted
• • Unsafe personal electrical items or heat sources are addressed promptly

Evidence to check

• • Audit includes walkaround checks, staff questioning and record sampling
• • Audit tests PEEPs, evacuation equipment, fire doors, exits and staff knowledge
• • Findings are linked to action plans
• • Follow-up confirms readiness has improved