Nursing Home Fire Safety Compliance

Nursing Home Fire Safety Compliance – Comprehensive EMS Solutions for Irish Care Homes

Ensure HIQA Regulation 28 compliance and peace of mind with Phoenix STS’s newly restructured Nursing Home Fire Safety & Emergency Management System (EMS) contracts. Our three-tier Essential, Advanced, and Complete packages provide everything Irish nursing homes need to meet fire safety regulations, protect residents, and impress inspectors.

Essential offers core documentation support (with remote guidance for required risk assessments), Advanced builds on this with staff training and annual on-site support, and Complete delivers an all-inclusive solution covering both fire safety and health & safety compliance. At every package level, we handle the crucial compliance tasks – from documentation to emergency plans (and on-site training in the higher tiers) – so you can focus on providing quality care. Safeguard your nursing home today!

HIQA Regulation 28 Compliance Made Easy

Keeping up with HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) is a legal must – and a major challenge. In fact, “in 2022, fire safety in nursing homes remained a key issue of concern for inspectors with a reported level of non-compliance at the end of the year of 32%”​. HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) explicitly requires nursing homes to have robust fire safety measures (including regular staff training) to protect residents. With this in mind, we were the first company in Ireland to achieve 3rd party certification for our fire safety training course in nursing homes, CPD-Certified Nursing Home Fire Safety Training. Compliance with Regulation 28 has been identified as an area of concern by HIQA in many centres​, and failing to comply can result in enforcement action or even closure. Phoenix STS makes compliance simple:

• Complete Fire Safety Documentation: We develop a full suite of fire safety policies, risk assessments and emergency response plans tailored to your facility. All documentation is kept up-to-date with Irish fire regulations and HIQA standards.
• Regulatory Liaison: Our experts work closely with you to ensure compliance. From preparing Fire Service pre-fire planning drawings to guiding you through HIQA’s Assessment Judgment Framework for inspections, we ensure nothing falls through the cracks​.
• Ongoing Audits & Updates: Fire safety isn’t one-and-we-are-done. We conduct regular reviews and update your fire precautions whenever regulations change – at no extra cost – keeping you continually in line with HIQA Regulation 28 requirements.

By partnering with Phoenix STS, your nursing home can confidently meet and exceed HIQA fire safety standards, reducing risk and providing inspectors with proof of compliance.

Nursing Home Health & Safety Management Integration

Fire safety is just one piece of the puzzle. Our Complete Care EMS contract also covers broader nursing home health & safety management so that all your compliance needs are under one roof. Irish law (Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act) requires an up-to-date safety management system in every workplace, including nursing homes. Phoenix STS helps you meet these obligations effortlessly:

• Health & Safety Documentation: We provide a full Safety Statement, risk management policy, risk assessments, and other required H&S Documents for your centre​. This means your facility will meet Health & Safety Authority (HSA) requirements for a safe workplace – from infection control to equipment safety – in addition to fire safety.
• Integrated Policies: Our team ensures your fire safety plans and general health & safety policies work in harmony. For example, evacuation procedures are aligned with resident mobility plans, and fire drill schedules complement other safety drills.
• One-Stop Compliance: With Phoenix STS’s EMS, you won’t need separate fire safety and occupational safety consultants. Everything is covered in one comprehensive system, saving you time and money and ensuring nothing is overlooked.

By choosing a higher-tier package like Advanced or Complete Care, nursing home owners and managers can have total peace of mind that all aspects of safety compliance are managed, not just fire, but every facet of resident and staff safety.

Emergency Preparedness & Evacuation Planning

Every nursing home needs to be ready for the worst-case scenario. Phoenix STS specialises in emergency preparedness and evacuation planning tailored to the nursing home environment. Our Emergency Management System contracts provide:

• Custom Fire Safety Management Policy and Strategy: We develop a tailored fire safety management policy and strategy for your facility, aligning it with Irish fire safety legislation and HIQA standards. This core document establishes clear responsibilities and procedures to prevent fires, maintain protective measures, and ensure an effective response if an incident occurs.
• Custom Fire Safety Plan: This high-level summary of the Fire Safety Management Policy and Strategy is designed to form part of your employee induction pack. It lays out the key points of fire prevention, detection, and response, including maintenance schedules (e.g., for fire alarms and extinguishers), staff inspection routines, and other ongoing safety checks. By providing a concise overview to new hires, you ensure no aspect of fire prevention is overlooked from day one.
• Custom Emergency Response Plan: We develop a detailed Emergency Response Plan specific to your facility, covering fire, power loss, flooding and other potential emergencies. This includes clear step-by-step protocols for staff, ensuring no confusion during a crisis.
• Evacuation Plan & Drills: Proper evacuation planning can save lives. We create personalised evacuation route drawings. Our team will conduct on-site fire drills and evacuation drills (Advanced and Complete packages) to test and refine your procedures. Staff get hands-on practice executing emergency evacuations, so they’ll be ready if the real thing happens.
• Compliance with Fire Authorities: We coordinate with local Fire and Rescue Services as needed, including submitting pre-fire plans with critical information like hydrant locations, access routes​, and entry point locations. This meets regulatory requirements and gives firefighters vital knowledge of your building layout, enhancing overall preparedness.

With Phoenix STS, emergency preparedness becomes part of your culture. We ensure that every staff member knows their role in an emergency, alarm systems and exits are optimised, and regular drills keep everyone confident and ready. In an industry where seconds count, our expertise helps minimise risk and maximise resident safety.

Staff Training & CPD Opportunities

A plan is only as effective as the people who implement it. Our EMS contracts emphasise staff training & continuous professional development (CPD). Well-trained staff keep residents safe and fulfill regulatory training mandates (HIQA’s Regulation 28 explicitly calls for ongoing staff fire safety training​ , CPD-Certified Nursing Home Fire Safety Training). Key training benefits of our packages include:

• On-Site Fire Safety Training: Our Advanced and Complete Care packages include annual on-site training sessions for your team. Phoenix STS instructors (Ireland’s leading fire safety experts) deliver practical Nursing Home Fire Safety courses that equip your staff to prevent and handle fires confidently. All training is HIQA-compliant and CPD-certified, which counts toward staff professional development hours.
• Evacuation Aids & Drills Training: We ensure your staff can adequately use evacuation equipment (like evacuation chairs or ski sheets) and carry out evacuation procedures. Through hands-on drills, employees learn how to safely assist elderly residents during an emergency evacuation – a critical skill noted by HIQA inspectors (inadequate staff training and poor drill practices are common issues in non-compliance findings). With Phoenix STS, these gaps are addressed proactively.
• Online Training Portal: All packages get access to our secure online training portal, with the Complete Care plan offering the full library of CPD-certified courses for your staff. New hires or refreshers for existing staff can be completed conveniently online, covering fire safety, health and safety, first aid, and more. This keeps your team’s knowledge up-to-date year-round.
• Certification & Records: Staff receive certificates (valid for HIQA inspections) after each training, and we maintain training records for you. This documentation proves your compliance with staff training requirements and helps with HIQA Regulation 16 (Staff Training and Development).

Investing in staff training satisfies regulators and empowers your employees to respond effectively in emergencies, reducing potential harm and liability. Continuous training through multi-year contracts ensures your team’s skills never lapse.

Multi-Year Compliance Support & Benefits

Phoenix STS offers multi-year EMS contracts designed to provide sustained support and maximum value for your nursing home. While you can opt for a single-year plan, most of our clients choose multi-year (2 or 3-year) agreements once they see the benefits:

• Cost Predictability: With a multi-year contract, you lock in your rate for the duration. We offer interest-free fixed pricing for up to 3 years, protecting you from inflation or annual price increases. This predictable budgeting is a relief for nursing home operators facing tight margins.
• Discounts & Best Value: Our Complete Care (All-Inclusive) package is priced to encourage longer commitments – it delivers the best value per year. We often include multi-year discounts or added services for those who choose 3-year terms, making higher-tier packages extremely cost-effective over time.
• Priority Service & Support: Longer-term partners receive priority in scheduling training and consultancy visits. You also get a dedicated account manager (Complete Care) who knows your facility inside out and provides continuity. Our support team is available for urgent queries, and you enjoy unlimited phone and email support in all packages (with top-tier partners getting first-in-line priority).
• Continuous Compliance Assurance: Regulations can change rapidly. Over a multi-year span, Phoenix STS has continuously updated your documentation and practices. We include free updates for new legislation and regular compliance audits to ensure you never fall behind. Essentially, we become your ongoing compliance partner—an extension of your team—rather than a one-off vendor.
• Flexible Payment Plans: We understand cash flow is essential. All contracts offer simple payment plans, and we can spread costs monthly or quarterly. We even provide equipment financing options for safety equipment upgrades​. Plus, our price match guarantee means you won’t find the same level of service for a better price—we’re committed to delivering premium value affordably.

Upgrading to Advanced or Complete Care multi-year contracts, you invest in a long-term safety net for your nursing home. The ROI is clear: fewer compliance issues (avoiding potential fines or admissions freezes), smoother HIQA inspections, improved staff performance, and a safer resident environment. Many clients also report lower insurance premiums after implementing our comprehensive safety system, as insurers recognise the reduced risk.

Ready to secure your nursing home’s compliance for years to come? Compare our three packages below and choose the ideal solution for your needs.

Are you unsure which package suits your needs? Talk to our experts for a free consultation.

We’ll assess your current compliance status and recommend the ideal solution – the Essential documentation package for a quick compliance boost or the Complete Care plan for an all-inclusive, multi-year partnership.

Why Choose Phoenix STS as Your Compliance Partner?

Phoenix STS is the trusted partner for nursing home fire safety in Ireland, with years of experience helping care facilities achieve regulatory compliance and operational excellence. When you choose our EMS contracts, you’re getting more than a service provider – you’re getting a safety partner invested in your success. Here’s why we stand out:

• Irish Nursing Home Expertise: We specialise in the nursing home sector, so we understand the unique challenges of protecting vulnerable elderly residents. Our solutions are designed around HIQA’s standards for designated centres and best practices in care home safety.
• Proven Track Record: Phoenix STS has helped numerous nursing homes across Ireland attain full compliance with HIQA Regulation 28 Fire Precautions and other health and safety regulations. After implementing our systems, our clients have achieved excellent HIQA inspection results and improved safety records.
• Comprehensive Support: From initial risk assessment and documentation development to staff training and annual reviews, we handle every aspect of fire and safety compliance. You won’t find a more all-encompassing offering on the market.
• Quality Assurance: All documentation we provide is delivered in secure, tamper-proof digital format (256-bit encrypted PDFs with digital signatures) to meet legal standards and ensure authenticity. Our training courses are certified and updated regularly, and our consultants are accredited professionals passionate about safety.
• Customer Satisfaction & Value: We pride ourselves on long-term relationships. Our multi-year clients enjoy the peace of mind from having a fixed-cost, high-touch safety programme. With our price match guarantee and value-packed tiers, you can be confident you’re getting the best ROI for your compliance budget. We even assist with additional needs like fire safety equipment supply and certification, making us a one-stop shop.

Don’t leave your fire safety compliance to chance. By choosing Phoenix STS, you are aligning with a team that lives and breathes fire safety and emergency preparedness—it’s in our name! We continuously innovate and stay ahead of regulatory changes, so you’ll always be a step ahead.

Ready to Strengthen Your Nursing Home’s Safety?

Protect your residents, staff, and business by investing in a Phoenix STS Nursing Home Fire Safety & Emergency Management System contract. Whether you operate a single nursing home or a group of facilities, we have a package that will fit your requirements and ensure you remain compliant with HIQA Regulation 28, HSA laws, and Fire Services Act standards at all times. The cost of prevention and preparedness is far less than the cost of an incident or enforcement action – with our flexible plans, compliance has never been more attainable.

Take the next step toward worry-free compliance. Today, we will discuss how Phoenix STS can tailor an Emergency Management System for your nursing home. Let us handle the paperwork, training, and hassle of fire safety compliance while you focus on providing excellent care. Secure your facility’s future with Phoenix STS – Ireland’s premier nursing home compliance partner in fire safety and emergency management.