CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskWhy sleeping-risk premises require a higher standard of fire safety provision and how to demonstrate compliance.
A 'sleeping risk' premises is one where people sleep on the premises other than in their own home. All residential care homes are sleeping-risk premises. This classification triggers a higher standard of fire safety provision under BS 9999 and the guidance documents that accompany the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Sleeping-risk premises generally require: a Category L1 fire detection system (full coverage), 30-minute minimum fire compartmentation between bedrooms and corridors, automatic door closers on all bedroom and significant corridor doors, a documented progressive horizontal evacuation strategy, and sufficient staff at all times to carry out that strategy.
The FRA must explicitly address sleeping risk. It should model evacuation in worst-case conditions, confirm that compartmentation has been surveyed and is adequate, and confirm that staffing levels at night are sufficient. These points are commonly tested by both the fire authority during inspections and by CQC when assessing the safety of the environment.
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