CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskA practical monthly checklist covering the key environmental safety checks CQC expects to see evidence of.
Weekly environmental safety checks should cover: one fire detector test (rotate to cover all detectors over time), fire exits clear and unlocked, fire doors closing and latching, emergency lighting functioning (visual check), hazardous substances secured, no obvious slip/trip hazards on floors and corridors, window restrictors in place, and any maintenance defects reported and logged.
Monthly checks should include: full emergency lighting test (15-30 minute discharge), temperature monitoring at sentinel outlets (hot and cold water), fire extinguisher visual inspection, hoist and sling visual inspection, internal inspection of all accessible areas of the building fabric, review of outstanding maintenance items, and update of the fire safety log book.
Quarterly checks: fire door physical inspection (all doors), flush of sentinel outlets, shower head descaling, electrical RCD test (test button), review of contractor certificates due for renewal, and review of the risk register.
Annual: FRA review, gas safety check all appliances, boiler service, LOLER thorough examinations, emergency lighting full discharge test, water temperature profiling, calorifier check and service, roof inspection, asbestos register review. Two to five yearly: EICR, Legionella risk assessment review, compartmentation survey, access audit review.
CareHomeDesk gives you compliance checklists, maintenance logs, and contractor management tools built around exactly this kind of knowledge.