Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment Ireland
Specialist fire risk assessments for residential care facilities, fully compliant with HIQA Regulation 28 requirements. All assessments conducted by NFRAR registered competent persons using PAS 79-1:2020 methodology. BS 8674:2025 Advanced level assessors. Professional indemnity insured.
Enquire Now⚕️ HIQA Regulation 28: Fire Risk Assessment by a Competent Person
HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) requires that designated centres for older people maintain adequate fire precautions, including fire risk assessments conducted by a competent person. The registered provider must ensure all fire safety measures are appropriate to the needs of residents.
Phoenix STS assessors meet the competent person requirement through NFRAR registration at Advanced level, verified qualifications, extensive healthcare experience, and compliance with the BS 8674:2025 competence framework for fire risk assessors.
Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment – Service Overview
Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment Ireland from Phoenix STS provides a specialist evaluation of fire risks in residential care facilities. Our assessments are designed specifically for nursing homes, designated centres, and healthcare environments where vulnerable residents require enhanced protection.
A nursing home fire risk assessment in Ireland must address the unique challenges of caring for residents who may be bedbound, have limited mobility, cognitive impairments, or require assistance to evacuate. Our methodology follows PAS 79-1:2020 while incorporating the specific requirements of HIQA Regulation 28, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and the Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended).
Every nursing home fire risk assessment is conducted by an assessor registered on the National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR) at Advanced level, demonstrating competence to assess high-risk premises with sleeping accommodation and vulnerable occupants under the BS 8674:2025 framework.
Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment – Key Facts
Need More Information?
💡 LHP Skillnet Funding Available
Private nursing homes may be eligible for subsidised fire safety services through Leading Healthcare Providers (LHP) Skillnet. Contact us to discuss funding options for your nursing home fire risk assessment.
What is a Competent Person for Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment?
HIQA Regulation 28 requires fire risk assessments in designated centres to be conducted by a competent person. But what defines competence for assessing fire risks in nursing homes and residential care facilities?
🎓 BS 8674:2025 Defines Competence
BS 8674:2025 Built Environment: Framework for Competence of Individual Fire Risk Assessors (published 15 August 2025) establishes three competence levels matched to building complexity and risk:
- Foundation Level: Simple, low-risk buildings (small offices, retail units)
- Intermediate Level: Medium-complexity buildings (hotels, schools, larger offices)
- Advanced Level: High-risk and complex premises including care homes, hospitals, and buildings with sleeping accommodation
Nursing homes require Advanced level competence due to the combination of sleeping accommodation, vulnerable occupants, and complex evacuation requirements.
All Phoenix STS fire risk assessors conducting nursing home assessments are registered on the National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR) at Advanced level, providing independent third-party verification that they meet the competence requirements for assessing residential care facilities.
All Our Assessors Are NFRAR Registered at Advanced Level
Every nursing home fire risk assessment conducted by Phoenix STS is completed by a qualified professional registered on the National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR) at Advanced level, administered by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM). This registration provides independent verification that our assessors meet the competent person requirement for HIQA Regulation 28.
Why Choose Phoenix STS for Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment
Selecting the right fire risk assessor for your nursing home is critical. Your residents depend on competent assessment and effective fire safety measures. Here’s what sets Phoenix STS apart as specialists in residential care fire safety:
HIQA Regulation 28 Expertise
We understand the specific fire safety requirements for designated centres under HIQA regulations, including documentation, policies, and evidence requirements for inspection.
NFRAR Advanced Level Assessors
All our nursing home assessors are registered on the National Fire Risk Assessors Register at Advanced level, meeting the competent person requirement for high-risk premises with vulnerable occupants.
BS 8674:2025 Compliant
Our assessors meet the new British Standard framework for fire risk assessor competence, ensuring your assessment is conducted to the highest professional standards required for residential care.
Healthcare Sector Specialists
Decades of experience in nursing homes, residential care centres, hospitals, and designated centres. We understand progressive horizontal evacuation, PEEPs, and the challenges of caring for dependent residents.
PAS 79-1:2020 Methodology
We follow the structured nine-step fire risk assessment process set out in PAS 79-1:2020, adapted specifically for the unique requirements of residential care environments.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
All assessments are backed by comprehensive professional indemnity insurance specifically covering fire risk assessment activities, protecting your facility from potential errors or omissions.
Fire Engineering Expertise
Our assessors hold degrees in Fire Engineering (BEng) and are members of professional bodies including IFE, IFSM, NFPA, IOSH, and IIRSM.
Actionable Reports for HIQA
Clear, prioritised action plans that demonstrate compliance to HIQA inspectors, with specific recommendations, timescales, and guidance for implementation.
Unique Fire Safety Challenges in Nursing Homes
Nursing home fire risk assessment in Ireland requires specialist expertise because residential care facilities present fire safety challenges not found in typical commercial premises:
Vulnerable Occupants
- Residents who are bedbound or have limited mobility
- Residents with cognitive impairments (dementia, Alzheimer’s) who may not respond appropriately to alarms
- Residents requiring oxygen therapy (increased fire risk)
- Residents who cannot evacuate without staff assistance
- 24-hour care with residents sleeping on premises
Evacuation Complexity
- Progressive horizontal evacuation strategies
- Compartmentation requirements for phased evacuation
- Evacuation equipment (ski sheets, evacuation chairs, rescue mattresses)
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for individual residents
- Staffing levels adequate for night-time evacuation
Building and Operational Factors
- Fire door integrity and self-closing mechanisms
- Automatic fire detection in all resident rooms
- Laundry facilities and associated fire hazards
- Kitchen operations and cooking fire risks
- Medical equipment and oxygen storage
- Maintenance of fire safety systems
Our Assessors Understand Residential Care
Phoenix STS assessors have extensive experience in nursing homes and designated centres. We understand the practical challenges of fire safety in residential care, from managing fire doors in dementia units to planning evacuations with limited night staff. Our assessments are realistic, practical, and focused on protecting your residents.
Our Nursing Home Fire Risk Assessment Process
We follow a structured approach based on PAS 79-1:2020, adapted specifically for nursing homes and residential care facilities:
Pre-Assessment Briefing
Initial meeting with the Person in Charge, Fire Safety Manager, and key staff. We review existing documentation including previous fire risk assessments, fire safety policies, training records, maintenance certificates, and fire drill logs. We gather information about resident numbers, dependency levels, and staffing patterns.
Comprehensive Site Inspection
Systematic inspection of all areas including resident rooms, corridors, lounges, dining areas, kitchens, laundry, plant rooms, and storage areas. We examine fire detection systems, means of escape, fire doors, compartmentation, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, and housekeeping standards.
Fire Safety Management Evaluation
Assessment of fire safety policies, emergency procedures, staff training records, fire drill frequency and outcomes, maintenance regimes, and overall fire safety culture. We evaluate whether staffing levels are adequate for evacuation at all times, including night shifts.
Evacuation Strategy Appraisal
Specific evaluation of the evacuation strategy for your resident population. We assess progressive horizontal evacuation arrangements, compartmentation adequacy, evacuation equipment provision, PEEP requirements, and whether staff can evacuate residents safely within compartment fire resistance times.
Report and Action Plan
Comprehensive written report documenting all findings, with a prioritised action plan for any improvements required. The report is formatted to support HIQA inspection requirements and includes clear evidence of competent assessment. Delivered within 10 business days.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
⚠️ Why Professional Indemnity Insurance Matters for Nursing Homes
Given the vulnerability of nursing home residents and the potential consequences of fire safety failures, it is essential that your fire risk assessor carries comprehensive professional indemnity insurance. An assessor without adequate PI insurance could leave your facility exposed to significant financial and legal risks if errors or omissions in their assessment contribute to regulatory non-compliance or, in the worst case, harm to residents.
Phoenix STS maintains comprehensive professional indemnity insurance specifically covering fire risk assessment services for healthcare facilities. This provides protection for your nursing home should any deficiency in our assessment lead to loss or regulatory action.
Our Fire Risk Assessor Credentials
NFRAR Registration
The National Fire Risk Assessors Register (NFRAR) is administered by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) and provides a publicly searchable database of competent fire risk assessors. For nursing home assessments, our assessors are registered at Advanced level, demonstrating competence for high-risk premises. Registration requires:
- Evidence of relevant qualifications and healthcare experience
- Submission of sample fire risk assessments for review
- Verified Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Valid professional indemnity insurance
- Annual renewal and audit
Professional Body Memberships
Our fire risk assessors hold memberships with leading professional bodies:
Qualifications
Our assessors hold qualifications including:
- BEng Fire Engineering
- BSc Environmental Health and Safety Management
- NEBOSH National Diploma in Fire Safety
- IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science
- Higher Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) applies to designated centres for older people in Ireland. It requires registered providers to ensure adequate fire precautions, including suitable fire safety equipment, building services, and arrangements for detecting, containing, and extinguishing fires. Critically, it requires fire risk assessments to be conducted by a competent person and that all reasonable measures are taken to protect residents from fire.
A competent person for nursing home fire risk assessment is someone with the qualifications, experience, and skills to assess fire risks in residential care facilities with vulnerable occupants. Under the BS 8674:2025 framework, this means Advanced level competence due to the combination of sleeping accommodation, dependent residents, and complex evacuation requirements. NFRAR registration at Advanced level provides independent verification of competence for nursing home assessments.
A nursing home fire risk assessment requires Advanced level competence and specialist expertise in residential care. It must address vulnerable occupants who cannot evacuate independently, progressive horizontal evacuation strategies, 24-hour sleeping accommodation, PEEP requirements, staffing adequacy for evacuation, and the specific requirements of HIQA Regulation 28. General commercial fire risk assessments do not require this level of specialist knowledge.
Best practice recommends annual review for nursing homes due to the high-risk nature of the occupancy. The assessment should also be reviewed whenever there are significant changes such as alterations to the building, changes to resident numbers or dependency levels, changes to staffing, modifications to fire safety systems, or following any fire incident or near-miss. HIQA may also require review as part of inspection findings.
Progressive horizontal evacuation is the standard evacuation strategy for nursing homes. Rather than immediately evacuating all residents outside (which would be impractical and potentially harmful for dependent residents), staff move residents from the fire-affected compartment to an adjacent fire-protected compartment on the same floor. This allows residents to shelter in relative safety while staff continue evacuation if necessary. The building must be properly compartmented for this strategy to work.
You will receive a comprehensive written fire risk assessment report including: executive summary, premises description, fire hazard analysis, assessment of fire protection measures, evaluation of fire safety management, specific consideration of resident vulnerabilities and evacuation strategy, prioritised action plan with recommendations and timescales, photographic evidence, and assessor credentials including NFRAR registration number. The report is formatted to support HIQA inspection requirements.
Yes. Our fire risk assessment report is designed to provide the evidence HIQA inspectors require under Regulation 28. We can also provide ongoing support including fire safety training, evacuation planning, fire safety management systems, and assistance addressing action plan items. If you have an upcoming HIQA inspection and concerns about fire safety compliance, contact us to discuss your requirements.
Yes. Phoenix STS offers CPD-certified Nursing Home Fire Safety Training specifically designed for residential care staff. This includes fire awareness, use of firefighting equipment, evacuation techniques for dependent residents, and emergency response planning. Training can be delivered on-site at your facility.
