Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy
Healthcare fire safety consultancy is a specialist service for nursing homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals in Ireland. Our expert consultants help you achieve full compliance with HIQA Regulation 28, the Fire Services Act 1981, and Building Control Regulations Part B. All consultancy delivered by qualified fire safety engineers with extensive healthcare experience. Professional indemnity insured.
Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy Ireland
Specialist healthcare fire safety consultancy tailored to the unique challenges of healthcare environments. At Phoenix STS, we deliver comprehensive fire safety consultancy for nursing homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals across Ireland. Our services ensure your premises fully comply with critical Irish regulations including HIQA Regulation 28, the Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended), Building Control Regulations Part B, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
⚕️ HIQA Regulation 28: Fire Safety Consultancy for Designated Centres
HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) requires that designated centres for older people maintain adequate arrangements for detecting, containing, and extinguishing fires, and for evacuating residents safely. Professional fire safety consultancy is essential to demonstrating compliance with these requirements and protecting vulnerable residents.
Phoenix STS provides expert healthcare fire safety consultancy that directly supports your Regulation 28 compliance, giving you the documented evidence and professional guidance HIQA inspectors expect during registration and inspection visits.
HIQA
Regulation 28 Compliant
PAS 79-1
Methodology
BEng
Fire Engineers
PI Insurance
Full Cover
Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy Enquiries
Why Healthcare Facilities Need Professional Fire Safety Consultancy
📋 Regulatory Compliance
Healthcare providers face stringent regulations governing fire safety. Non-compliance with HIQA Regulation 28 or the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 can result in enforcement actions, operational disruptions, or facility closures.
🛡️ Vulnerable Occupant Safety
Residents in healthcare settings often have limited mobility or cognitive impairments, requiring specialised fire safety strategies. Our consultancy places resident safety at the forefront, ensuring emergency procedures effectively protect your most vulnerable occupants.
⚠️ Proactive Risk Management
Professional consultancy identifies and mitigates fire risks before incidents occur, protecting lives and reducing potential liabilities and financial losses. Prevention is always more cost-effective than remediation.
✅ Inspection Readiness
Our consultancy ensures you have the documented evidence, procedures, and management systems that HIQA inspectors, local fire authorities, and insurance assessors require during their visits.
🏥 Healthcare Expertise
Generic fire safety advice does not address the unique challenges of healthcare environments. Our consultants specialise in nursing homes and designated centres, understanding progressive horizontal evacuation and resident dependency levels.
📊 Integrated Approach
Fire safety consultancy integrates with your broader health and safety management framework, creating a cohesive approach to risk management required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Comprehensive Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy Services
Our experienced fire safety professionals provide a full range of consultancy solutions tailored to healthcare environments:
🔍 Healthcare Fire Risk Assessments
- Conducted according to recognised methodologies including PAS 79-1:2020 to identify hazards, assess risks, and recommend suitable control measures
- Ensures compliance with Irish regulatory requirements including HIQA Regulation 28, Fire Services Act 1981, and Building Control Regulations Part B
- Comprehensive reports with prioritised action plans and realistic timescales
📋 Fire Safety Management Systems
- Tailored fire safety management policies and emergency response plans
- Integration of safety procedures within the broader health and safety management framework required by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
- Documentation templates, checklists, and record-keeping systems
🚪 Healthcare Evacuation Planning and Emergency Response
- Customised evacuation plans specifically designed for residents with limited mobility or specialised care needs
- Coordination of evacuation drills and staff training to ensure effective emergency response
- Evacuation plan drawings prepared to ISO 23601:2009 standards
🎓 Healthcare Fire Safety Training for Staff
- On-site training courses covering emergency procedures, fire prevention, evacuation techniques, and firefighting equipment
- Online courses for flexible staff development
- CPD-certified training with certificates for staff records
📊 Fire Safety Audits and Compliance Reviews
- Routine audits to maintain ongoing compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks
- Continuous updating of documentation to reflect changes in legislation or facility alterations
- Gap analysis and improvement recommendations
Our Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy Process
Initial Consultation
We discuss your facility, current fire safety arrangements, regulatory concerns, and specific requirements. This helps us scope the consultancy to address your priorities.
Site Assessment
A qualified fire safety engineer visits your premises to assess the building, fire safety systems, compartmentation, means of escape, and current procedures.
Gap Analysis and Recommendations
We identify gaps between current arrangements and regulatory requirements, providing prioritised recommendations with realistic timescales and cost considerations.
Documentation and Systems Development
We prepare fire safety documentation, management systems, evacuation plans, and training materials tailored to your facility and resident profile.
Implementation Support and Ongoing Review
We support implementation of recommendations, deliver staff training, and provide ongoing review services to maintain compliance as regulations and your facility evolve.
Legislative Framework for Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy
- Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended): Requires the person in control to take all necessary fire safety measures, including proactive measures against fire risks and effective emergency evacuation procedures.
- Building Control Regulations Part B: Sets fire safety requirements related to structural integrity, compartmentation, means of escape, and fire service access.
- HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions): Specifies mandatory fire safety precautions in residential care environments, including effective fire alarm systems, compartmentation, and evacuation capabilities.
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005: Mandates employers maintain comprehensive safety management systems, including fire safety provisions for employees and others affected by work activities.
- General Application Regulations 2007: Provides detailed requirements for emergency planning, evacuation procedures, and fire safety measures in workplaces.
- I.S. 3218 Standard: Governs fire detection and alarm system installation, commissioning, and maintenance requirements.
⚠️ Fire Safety Consultancy Insurance
Given the life-safety critical nature of fire safety consultancy in healthcare facilities, it is essential that your provider carries comprehensive professional indemnity insurance. Phoenix STS maintains comprehensive PI insurance specifically covering fire safety consultancy services for healthcare facilities, protecting your organisation should any deficiency in our work contribute to loss or regulatory action.
Benefits of Phoenix STS Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy
- Healthcare Expertise: Our consultants possess extensive knowledge of healthcare-specific fire safety requirements, regulations, and best practices, with particular expertise in nursing homes and designated centres.
- Tailored Solutions: We provide customised fire safety consultancy adapted to your specific facility layout, resident profile, and operational requirements.
- Comprehensive Service: From initial assessment through to implementation, training, and ongoing compliance support, Phoenix STS offers end-to-end consultancy services.
- Regulatory Assurance: Our detailed documentation and proactive compliance measures provide confidence during inspections by HIQA, local fire authorities, and insurance assessors.
- Qualified Fire Engineers: All consultancy delivered by engineers with degrees in Fire Engineering (BEng) and extensive healthcare sector experience.
- Staff Training: Our comprehensive range of on-site courses and online courses, complete with CPD certification, supports your staff development requirements.
Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy FAQs
Why do nursing homes need specialist fire safety consultancy?
Nursing homes face unique fire safety challenges due to vulnerable residents with limited mobility, cognitive impairments, and complex care needs. Generic fire safety advice does not address progressive horizontal evacuation strategies, compartmentation requirements, or the specific expectations of HIQA Regulation 28. Specialist consultancy ensures your fire safety arrangements are appropriate for your resident profile and regulatory environment.
What does HIQA Regulation 28 require?
HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) requires that designated centres maintain adequate arrangements for: detecting fires (fire alarm systems), containing fires (compartmentation and fire doors), extinguishing fires (firefighting equipment), and evacuating residents safely. You must also maintain records demonstrating regular testing, maintenance, drills, and staff training. Our consultancy helps you meet all these requirements systematically.
How often should we engage fire safety consultancy services?
Fire risk assessments should be reviewed annually as a minimum, or whenever there are significant changes to your premises, fire safety systems, resident profile, or staffing. Many providers engage ongoing consultancy support to maintain compliance, prepare for inspections, and address emerging issues. Following a HIQA inspection with fire safety findings, immediate consultancy input is advisable.
What qualifications should a fire safety consultant have?
For healthcare fire safety consultancy, look for consultants with: degrees in Fire Engineering (BEng or higher), membership of relevant professional bodies (IFSM, IFE, IIRSM), specific experience in healthcare and nursing home environments, and professional indemnity insurance. Phoenix STS consultants hold these qualifications and have extensive healthcare sector experience.
What is included in a fire safety management system?
A comprehensive fire safety management system includes: fire safety policy, roles and responsibilities, fire risk assessment, emergency action plan, evacuation procedures, staff training programme, fire drill schedules and records, testing and maintenance schedules, record-keeping systems, and review procedures. We develop all these elements tailored to your facility.
Can you help us prepare for a HIQA inspection?
Yes. We provide pre-inspection consultancy to review your fire safety documentation, assess physical arrangements, identify gaps, and recommend improvements. We can also conduct mock inspections and help you prepare the evidence portfolio HIQA inspectors expect to see. Following an inspection with findings, we help you develop and implement action plans.
Do you provide fire safety consultancy for new builds and refurbishments?
Yes. We provide fire safety consultancy input during design stages to ensure new nursing homes and refurbishment projects meet Building Control Regulations Part B and HIQA expectations from the outset. Early engagement avoids costly remediation works and ensures fire safety is designed in rather than retrofitted.
What areas of Ireland do you cover?
Phoenix STS provides healthcare fire safety consultancy services nationwide across Ireland. We are based in Longford with easy access to all regions. Our consultants regularly work with nursing homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals throughout Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster.
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Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Residents and Maintain Compliance
Contact Phoenix STS to discuss your healthcare fire safety consultancy requirements and discover how our expertise can enhance resident safety, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience.
Page last updated: January 2026
