Nursing Home Fire Safety Compliance

Nursing Home Fire Safety Compliance Ireland

Ensure HIQA Regulation 28 compliance and peace of mind with Phoenix STS's 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 demonstrate compliance during inspections.

Keeping up with HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) is a legal requirement and a major challenge. According to HIQA's 2022 Overview Report, 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%. Phoenix STS makes compliance simple. We were the first company in Ireland to achieve 3rd party CPD certification for our Nursing Home Fire Safety Training course.

Package Comparison

Compare all three packages to find the right fit for your nursing home:

Documentation & Assessments

• Fire Safety Management Documents — Essential: Included | Advanced: Add-on | Complete: Included

• Annual PAS 79-1 Fire Risk Assessment — Essential: Add-on | Advanced: Add-on | Complete: Included

• Annual Supervised Evacuation Drill — Essential: Guidance | Advanced: Add-on | Complete: Included

• Evacuation Planning — Essential: Add-on | Advanced: Add-on | Complete: Included

• Emergency Response Plan — Essential: Included | Advanced: Add-on | Complete: Included

Training & Support

• CPD Staff Fire Safety Training — Essential: No | Advanced: Included | Complete: Included

• Discounts on Courses — Essential: No | Advanced: Included | Complete: Included

• Phone & Email Support — Essential: No | Advanced: Included | Complete: Priority

• Dedicated Account Manager — Essential: No | Advanced: No | Complete: Included

Health & Safety (Complete Care)

• H&S Management Documents — Included in Complete Care

• Safety Statement — Included in Complete Care

• Annual H&S Risk Assessments — Included in Complete Care

Contract Terms

• Free Regulation Updates — Essential: 1 Year | Advanced: Multi-Year | Complete: Multi-Year

• Multi-Year Contract Discount — Essential: No | Advanced: Included | Complete: Best Value

• Price Match Guarantee — All packages: Yes

Not sure which package suits your needs? Talk to our experts for a free consultation.

What's Included in Your Compliance Package

Fire Safety Documentation

We develop a complete 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, including:

• Fire Safety Management Policy and Strategy

• Fire Safety Plan (for employee induction packs)

• Emergency Response Plan covering fire, power loss, flooding, and other emergencies

• Maintenance schedules for fire alarms, extinguishers, and emergency lighting

• Staff inspection routines and checklists

• Fire drill procedures and record templates

Fire Risk Assessments

Our PAS 79-1:2020 fire risk assessments are conducted by NFRAR registered competent persons at Advanced level, meeting HIQA Regulation 28 requirements. Assessments include:

• Comprehensive site inspection by qualified fire engineer

• Evaluation of fire detection, compartmentation, and means of escape

• Assessment of evacuation strategy for your resident profile

• Prioritised action plan with realistic timescales

• Documentation formatted for HIQA inspection requirements

Evacuation Planning

Our evacuation planning service develops bespoke strategies for your facility:

• Progressive horizontal evacuation procedures

• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) framework

• ISO 23601:2009 evacuation plan drawings (optional add-on)

• Staff role assignments and communication protocols

• Coordination with Fire and Rescue Services

CPD-Certified Staff Training

Our Nursing Home Fire Safety Training is Ireland's first 3rd party CPD-certified course for residential care. Training includes:

• Fire prevention and awareness

• Use of firefighting equipment

• Evacuation techniques for dependent residents

• Use of evacuation aids (evacuation chairs, ski sheets)

• Emergency response planning

• Certificates valid for HIQA inspections

Health & Safety Integration — Complete Care

The Complete Care package also covers broader health & safety management:

• Full Safety Statement meeting HSA requirements

• Health & Safety Management Documents

• Annual Health & Safety Risk Assessments

• Integration of fire safety and H&S policies

• One-stop compliance for all safety requirements

Multi-Year Compliance Benefits

Phoenix STS offers multi-year EMS contracts designed to provide sustained support and maximum value. While single-year plans are available, most clients choose 2 or 3-year agreements for these benefits:

• Cost Predictability — Lock in your rate with interest-free fixed pricing for up to 3 years. Predictable budgeting protects you from inflation and annual price increases.

• Best Value Discounts — Our Complete Care package delivers the best value per year. Multi-year discounts make higher-tier packages extremely cost-effective over time.

• Priority Service — Longer-term partners receive priority scheduling for training and consultancy visits. Complete Care clients get a dedicated account manager.

• Continuous Compliance — We continuously update your documentation and practices, including free updates for new legislation and regular compliance audits.

• Flexible Payment Plans — Simple payment plans with costs spread monthly or quarterly. Equipment financing options available for safety equipment upgrades.

• Price Match Guarantee — You won't find the same level of service for a better price. We're committed to delivering premium value affordably.

Why Choose Phoenix STS

• Irish Nursing Home Expertise — We specialise in the nursing home sector, understanding the unique challenges of protecting vulnerable elderly residents.

• Proven Track Record — Phoenix STS has helped numerous nursing homes across Ireland attain full compliance with HIQA Regulation 28.

• First CPD-Certified Provider — We were the first company in Ireland to achieve 3rd party CPD certification for nursing home fire safety training.

• Qualified Fire Engineers — All consultancy delivered by engineers with degrees in Fire Engineering (BEng) and extensive healthcare experience.

• Quality Assurance — ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certified. Training courses certified and updated regularly.

• One-Stop Compliance — Fire safety, health & safety, training, and equipment supply all under one roof.

• Professional Indemnity Insurance — Comprehensive PI insurance specifically covering fire safety and health & safety consultancy services for healthcare facilities.

• Insurance Premium Benefits — Many clients report lower insurance premiums after implementing our comprehensive safety system.

Legislative Framework

• HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) — Requires designated centres to maintain adequate arrangements for detecting, containing, and extinguishing fires, and for evacuating residents safely.

• Fire Services Act 1981 — The person in control must take all necessary fire safety measures including documented evacuation arrangements.

• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 — Requires employers to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of employees and others affected by work activities.

• General Application Regulations 2007 — Detailed requirements for emergency planning, evacuation procedures, and fire safety measures.

• Building Control Regulations Part B — Fire safety design requirements affecting means of escape, compartmentation, and fire service access.

• HIQA Regulation 16 (Staff Training) — Requires appropriate training for staff including fire safety training, with records maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HIQA Regulation 28 and why is it important?

HIQA Regulation 28 (Fire Precautions) applies to designated centres for older people in Ireland. It requires registered providers to ensure adequate fire precautions including fire detection systems, compartmentation, firefighting equipment, staff training, and fire risk assessments by competent persons. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action, operational restrictions, or facility closure.

Which EMS package is right for my nursing home?

Essential suits nursing homes needing core documentation with budget constraints. Advanced is ideal for facilities wanting professional CPD-certified staff training alongside documentation. Complete Care is best for nursing homes wanting total peace of mind with all-inclusive fire safety AND health & safety compliance, plus a dedicated account manager. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your specific needs.

How much do the EMS packages cost?

Pricing depends on your facility size, resident numbers, and chosen package. We offer competitive rates with multi-year discounts and flexible payment plans. Our price match guarantee ensures you won't find the same level of service for a better price. Contact us for a detailed quotation.

Can we upgrade from Essential to Advanced or Complete?

Yes. You can upgrade your package at any time. Many clients start with Essential to establish their compliance foundation, then upgrade as they see the value of staff training and comprehensive support. We'll credit your existing contract value toward the upgraded package.

Do you provide services for nursing home groups?

Yes. For nursing home groups, we develop group-level policies and systems providing consistency across your organisation, alongside site-specific assessments and documentation for each facility. Group contracts offer additional discounts and centralised account management.

How quickly can you help us prepare for a HIQA inspection?

We can mobilise quickly when needed. For urgent inspection preparation, we prioritise documentation review, gap analysis, and immediate remediation of critical issues. However, we recommend engaging our services proactively. Ongoing EMS contracts ensure you're always inspection-ready.

What happens if regulations change during our contract?

We include free updates for regulation changes in all packages (1 year for Essential, multi-year for Advanced and Complete). When HIQA standards, fire safety legislation, or HSA requirements change, we update your documentation at no additional cost.

What areas of Ireland do you cover?

Phoenix STS provides nursing home fire safety compliance services nationwide across Ireland. We are based in Longford with easy access to all regions. Our consultants regularly work with nursing homes throughout Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster.