Healthcare Fire Safety Consultancy

Healthcare fire safety consultancy is a specialist service that helps nursing homes, hospitals, and designated centres comply with HIQA Regulation 28, the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, and the SHWW Act 2005. It encompasses fire risk assessments to PAS 79-1:2020, fire safety management systems, progressive horizontal evacuation planning, fire door inspections, fire safety policies and procedures, and ongoing compliance monitoring. The aim is to protect vulnerable occupants while ensuring the facility meets all legislative and regulatory requirements.

Regulation 28 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations requires registered providers to ensure that adequate precautions are taken against the risk of fire. This includes having suitable fire safety equipment, maintaining fire detection and alarm systems, ensuring staff are trained in fire safety procedures, conducting regular fire drills, and maintaining a current fire risk assessment. HIQA inspectors assess compliance with Regulation 28 during every inspection of a designated centre.

Nursing homes house vulnerable residents who may have reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, or medical dependencies that prevent self-evacuation. This means standard fire safety approaches designed for able-bodied occupants are insufficient. Specialist consultancy addresses healthcare-specific challenges including progressive horizontal evacuation, compartmentation, oxygen management, night-time staffing levels, and the complex regulatory requirements of both HIQA and the fire authority.

PAS 79-1:2020 is the publicly available specification providing detailed guidance on conducting fire risk assessments in non-housing premises, including nursing homes and other buildings with sleeping accommodation. It sets out a structured methodology for hazard identification, risk evaluation, and the determination of appropriate fire safety measures. All Phoenix STS healthcare fire risk assessments follow this standard to ensure a thorough, systematic, and legally defensible assessment.

Progressive horizontal evacuation is the standard approach for healthcare facilities where vertical evacuation via stairs is not feasible for many residents due to reduced mobility or medical conditions. Instead of evacuating downstairs, residents are moved horizontally from the compartment of fire origin into an adjacent fire compartment that provides a safe refuge. This process can be repeated if the fire spreads. Effective progressive horizontal evacuation depends on sound compartmentation, trained staff, and well-rehearsed procedures.

Fire risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually, or following any significant change to your building, layout, use, staffing, or resident profile.

Yes, Phoenix STS provides comprehensive fire door inspection services for healthcare facilities in accordance with BS 8214:2016. We assess every fire door for gaps, intumescent and cold smoke seals, self-closing devices, signage, and overall condition. Each door receives a clear pass, advisory, or fail rating with prioritised remedial recommendations.

Nursing homes require a fire risk assessment, fire safety policy, emergency evacuation plan, evacuation plan drawings, fire drill records, staff fire safety training records, fire equipment maintenance records, fire door inspection records, and a fire safety management system.

Yes, Phoenix STS delivers CPD-certified fire safety training courses on-site at your healthcare facility. Our training covers fire awareness, fire warden duties, extinguisher use, progressive horizontal evacuation techniques, and emergency response procedures. All courses are tailored to healthcare environments and certified by the CPD Standards Office.

A typical nursing home fire risk assessment takes one full day on-site, followed by a detailed reporting period of approximately one to two weeks. Larger or more complex facilities such as multi-storey hospitals may require additional time on-site. We always provide a clear timeline during the initial consultation.

Yes, Phoenix STS provides healthcare fire safety consultancy services across all 26 counties in Ireland. We serve individual nursing homes, multi-site care groups, hospitals, and designated centres nationwide, with BEng fire engineers based throughout the country.

Yes, every Phoenix STS fire safety consultancy engagement is backed by comprehensive professional indemnity insurance. This provides our healthcare clients with complete confidence that all fire risk assessments, recommendations, and management systems we deliver are underpinned by full professional accountability and financial protection.