Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Course
One-day CPD-certified training for nursing home Fire Safety Managers. Master HIQA Regulation 28 compliance, fire risk assessment interpretation, emergency planning, and staff training coordination.
Book a Public Course
This course is available as a public scheduled course open to individual bookings, and as on-site training delivered at your premises anywhere in Ireland. View upcoming dates and secure your place today.
Fire Safety Management for Designated Centres
The Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Course provides essential training for personnel responsible for fire safety management in Irish nursing homes. This intensive 1-day CPD-certified programme equips participants with thorough knowledge of fire safety legislation, HIQA Regulation 28 compliance, risk assessment interpretation, emergency planning, and protocols for coordinating staff training to protect vulnerable residents. Upon completion, participants will be competent to oversee fire safety management systems, ensure regulatory compliance, and effectively coordinate emergency responses within their designated centres. The course aligns with the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and HIQA’s Fire Safety Handbook.
Who Should Attend
This 1-day intensive programme is designed for professionals with responsibility for fire safety management in designated centres (nursing homes).
Fire Safety Managers
Appointed or prospective Fire Safety Managers and coordinators in designated centres and nursing homes across Ireland.
Nursing Home Managers
Line managers, unit supervisors, and Persons in Charge (PIC) responsible for fire safety compliance in their designated centres.
Clinical Nurse Managers
Clinical nurse managers who take charge during emergencies and oversee resident safety and welfare in nursing home environments.
Health & Safety Officers
Professionals managing safety compliance and risk management in nursing home and healthcare environments across Ireland.
Facilities & Maintenance
Staff overseeing building maintenance, fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, and contractor liaison in designated centres.
Quality & Risk Management
Personnel involved in HIQA inspection preparation, accreditation, and integrated risk assessment within nursing home settings.
Morning: Legislation & Fire Safety Systems
Legislative Framework (9:15 AM – 11:00 AM)
- Irish fire safety legislation: Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
- HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) compliance requirements
- Roles and responsibilities: Registered Provider, Person in Charge, Fire Safety Manager
Fire Safety Systems (11:15 AM – 1:00 PM)
- Understanding and interpreting fire risk assessments (PAS 79:2020-1)
- Fire detection and alarm systems per I.S. 3218:2024
- Passive fire protection: fire doors, compartmentation, and escape routes
- Emergency lighting requirements
Afternoon: Emergency Management
Fire Safety Management Plans (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)
- Developing fire safety management plans and emergency procedures
- The Fire Safety Manager role in designated centres
- Staff training coordination and record-keeping
- The Plan-Do-Check-Act continuous improvement cycle
Evacuation Planning (3:45 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Progressive horizontal evacuation strategies
- Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for vulnerable residents
- Evacuation equipment selection and procurement considerations
- Night-time evacuation with minimal staffing
- Fire drill planning, scenarios, and evaluation protocols
- Case studies of real nursing home fire incidents
Why Choose This Course
Purpose-built for designated centres, covering everything a Fire Safety Manager needs to ensure HIQA compliance and protect vulnerable residents.
HIQA Regulation 28 Focused
Specifically designed to demonstrate compliance with HIQA Regulation 28 fire precautions for designated centres and nursing homes.
Vulnerable Population Expertise
Specialised focus on evacuating residents with reduced mobility, including PEEPs and progressive horizontal evacuation strategies.
Case Study Learning
Analysis of real nursing home fire incidents to understand lessons learned and apply them to your facility’s fire safety management.
Expert Healthcare Instructors
Delivered by certified fire engineers and healthcare fire safety specialists who are members of NAHFO, IFE, IOSH, and IHEEM.
PDCA Methodology
Plan-Do-Check-Act continuous improvement framework to maintain and enhance fire safety management over time in your facility.
5-Year CPD Certification
CPD-certified with a 5-year validity period. Annual CPD maintenance of 30 hours recommended to maintain professional competence.
What’s Included
Your course fee includes everything you need for a comprehensive training day:
- Comprehensive Course Materials — printed reference guide covering all fire safety management topics, legislation, and procedures
- CPD Certificate — CPD-accredited Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Certificate valid for 5 years (Provider No. 22657)
- HIQA Compliance Toolkit — fire safety register templates, PEEP templates, and fire drill evaluation forms for immediate workplace use
- Case Study Resources — real-world nursing home fire incident analyses with lessons learned and action recommendations
- Emergency Procedure Templates — sample fire safety management plans and emergency evacuation procedures tailored for designated centres
- Post-Course Support — email access to our instructors for 30 days after completion for follow-up questions
- Renewal Reminder Service — automatic notification six months before your 5-year certification expires
What You’ll Learn
Fire Risk Assessment Interpretation
Understand and interpret PAS 79:2020-1 fire risk assessments completed by fire engineers. Identify key hazards and develop prioritised action plans based on professional recommendations.
Fire Safety Management Systems
Collaborate with qualified fire safety consultants to develop, review, and implement technical fire safety management plans. Monitor system performance and maintain compliance documentation.
Regulatory Compliance
Manage compliance with HIQA Regulation 28, Fire Services Acts, and relevant standards. Maintain comprehensive Fire Safety Registers with records of drills, equipment inspections, and training.
Staff Training Coordination
Organise and oversee regular fire safety training and drills for all staff. Understand when and how to engage competent external trainers for formal HIQA-compliant training.
Vulnerable Population Planning
Implement provisions for residents requiring evacuation assistance. Create effective Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and select appropriate evacuation aids based on resident profiles and facility characteristics.
Emergency Response Leadership
Confidently manage fire incidents by activating emergency procedures, coordinating evacuations, communicating with emergency services, and assisting the fire brigade upon arrival.
Why Fire Safety Matters in Nursing Homes
Fire safety management in nursing homes presents unique challenges due to vulnerable populations: elderly residents with reduced mobility, cognitive impairments, and individuals requiring constant care and supervision.
Critical Change: Since the 2003 amendment of the Fire Services Act, fire authorities are no longer obliged to provide complete evacuation services. This shifts the onus onto nursing homes to ensure their own emergency preparedness. When a fire occurs, evacuation is the responsibility of your staff, not the Fire and Rescue Service.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) mandates strict fire safety standards through Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions), requiring adequate means of escape, comprehensive staff training, and documented fire safety policies.
Clinical Leadership During Fire Emergencies
In nursing home environments, a traditional Fire Warden role does not typically exist because, during any emergency, the senior clinical person on duty must take charge to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents.
While Fire Safety Managers play a crucial role in fire prevention and preparedness — overseeing risk assessments, training coordination, and maintenance of fire safety systems — decision-making authority during an actual incident rests with clinical leadership. This course prepares Fire Safety Managers to support clinical leaders effectively during emergencies by ensuring robust systems, training coordination, and procedures are in place.
Certification
Upon successful completion, participants receive a CPD-certified Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Certificate valid for 5 years. Assessment is competency-based through workshop participation, group discussion, and scenario-based problem-solving.
- Certificate Validity: 5 years from date of completion
- Renewal: 1-day refresher course after 5 years
- Annual CPD: Minimum 30 hours CPD annually to maintain competence
- No Prerequisites: No prior fire safety qualifications required
- Language: Good English language proficiency essential
Our Instructors
Phoenix STS is an established provider of specialised fire safety training for nursing home environments. Our instructors are experienced fire safety professionals, including qualified fire engineers and former fire officers with extensive knowledge of the designated centre sector.
Professional body memberships include:
- NAHFO — National Association of Health Fire Officers
- IFE — Institution of Fire Engineers
- IOSH — Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
- IIESMS — Institute of Industrial Engineers & Safety Management Systems
- IIRSM — International Institute of Risk and Safety Management
- IHEEM — Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management
- L&DI — Learning & Development Institute of Ireland
Phoenix STS operates under ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
Book This Course
Attend a public scheduled course or get a quote for on-site training at your premises. Available nationwide across Ireland.
Places are limited to 20 per course. Secure your place today to avoid disappointment. Public course dates fill quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Content last reviewed: March 2026. This page is regularly updated to reflect changes in Irish, UK, and EU legislation and standards.
In Ireland, primary legal responsibility falls on the person "having control" of the premises, typically the nursing home owner or manager. Under the Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended 2003), this person must take all reasonable measures to prevent fires and ensure occupant safety. Failure can result in severe penalties, including fines or imprisonment. HIQA's regulations also hold the registered provider and the person in charge accountable for compliance with fire precautions (Regulation 28).
Vulnerable residents — elderly individuals with reduced mobility or cognitive impairments — often cannot evacuate independently. Fire safety training coordination is critical to protect these at-risk groups. Our Nursing Home Fire Safety Training Course provides essential awareness training for all staff.
HIQA's Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) integrates fire safety into daily nursing home routines. Management must conduct regular fire risk assessments and maintain up-to-date emergency plans. Daily operations include ensuring fire exits remain clear, fire doors are not propped open, and firefighting equipment and alarms are regularly checked.
This course provides theoretical knowledge of fire extinguisher types, fire class suitability, selection criteria, and maintenance requirements as per I.S. 291:2015+A1:2022. Participants gain the understanding needed to coordinate and oversee staff fire extinguisher training through qualified providers.
Yes. The course includes detailed information on evacuation aids used in nursing homes, including Ski Evacuation Sheets and Evacuation Chairs. Participants learn about equipment specifications, selection criteria based on resident profiles, procurement considerations, and how to coordinate equipment-specific training for staff through qualified providers.
While Irish law does not specify exact intervals, HIQA guidance strongly recommends monthly fire drills in nursing homes. Our Compartment Fire Evacuation Drills service can support your drill programme.
Yes. Managers and senior staff have additional compliance and coordination responsibilities. For general workplace fire safety management, see our Fire Safety Managers Course.
The Fire Services Act 1981 (as amended) places clear duties on premises owners and operators to "take all reasonable measures" to prevent fires and protect occupants. For nursing homes, this means ensuring adequate fire safety measures, maintaining these systems, training staff, and conducting drills.
Yes, all staff require fire safety training regardless of employment status or hours. Fire emergencies can occur at any time, and every person working in the facility must know how to respond and assist with evacuations.
Upon successful completion, participants receive a CPD-certified Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Certificate valid for 5 years. After five years, a one-day refresher course is required to renew certification. Certified Fire Safety Managers must complete at least 30 hours of CPD annually.
Compare Our Fire Safety Management Courses
Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Course
Duration: 7 hours (1 day)
Certification: 5-year validity
CPD Hours: 7
Focus: HIQA Regulation 28 compliance for nursing homes
Ideal for: Fire Safety Managers, Persons in Charge, and clinical leaders in designated centres
Covers:
- HIQA Regulation 28 compliance requirements
- PAS 79:2020-1 fire risk assessment interpretation
- Progressive horizontal evacuation and PEEPs
- Evacuation equipment selection for nursing homes
- Clinical leadership during fire emergencies
- Plan-Do-Check-Act continuous improvement
Fire Safety Managers Course (General)
Duration: 7 hours (1 day)
Certification: 5-year validity
CPD Hours: 7
Focus: Fire safety management for all workplace types
Ideal for: Fire Safety Managers in offices, factories, schools, hotels, and general commercial premises
Covers:
- Fire safety legislation for all workplaces
- Fire risk assessment and management systems
- Emergency evacuation planning for general premises
- Staff training coordination
- Fire safety record-keeping and documentation
- Compliance with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
View the Fire Safety Managers Course for full details and booking.
Available Nationwide Across Ireland
Phoenix STS delivers the Designated Centre Fire Safety Managers Course on-site at your premises anywhere in Ireland. Our instructors travel to you, minimising disruption to your nursing home operations and allowing training to be tailored to your specific fire safety environment.
We regularly deliver training in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Athlone, Sligo, Dundalk, Longford, and all other locations across the Republic of Ireland. Public scheduled courses are also available — view upcoming dates and locations.
On-site training is ideal for nursing home groups, HSE facilities, and any designated centre with staff requiring fire safety management competency. Contact us for an on-site training quotation.
Related Courses and Services
Explore other fire safety training and consultancy services from Phoenix STS:
- Nursing Home Fire Safety Training Course — essential fire awareness training for all nursing home staff
- Fire Safety Managers Course — general workplace fire safety management training
- Compartment Fire Evacuation Drills — supervised evacuation drill service for nursing homes
- PAS 79 Fire Risk Assessment — professional fire risk assessments by qualified fire engineers
- Evacuation Planning Consultancy — bespoke evacuation plans for designated centres
- Fire Door Inspection Consultancy — comprehensive fire door surveys and reporting
Why Choose Phoenix STS
Ireland’s trusted provider of CPD-accredited fire safety and healthcare training.
Experienced Team
Over 15 years delivering accredited fire safety training to nursing homes and healthcare facilities across Ireland. Our instructors are qualified fire engineers with real-world healthcare expertise.
Irish Owned
A proudly Irish-owned company based in Longford, serving nursing homes and designated centres nationwide. Our courses are tailored to Irish legislative requirements and HIQA standards.
Experts in Healthcare Fire Safety
ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 certified. CPD-accredited training provider (No. 22657). All courses meet HIQA, HSA, and relevant Irish legislative requirements for designated centres.