CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskEvery update we have published. 108 articles across 11 categories.
Showing 108 of 108
Products
R10 or R11: choosing the right slip rating for care home safety flooring
Altro and Polyflor both publish two distinct slip-resistance tiers across their care-relevant ra...
2w ago · 2 min read
Products
Selecting AKW shower seats and screens for assisted bathrooms: what the spec sheets actually say
AKW's 4000 Series shower seats are tested to BS EN 12182:1998 and BS EN 12727:2000 with a 254kg ...
2w ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Repointing brickwork: choosing the right mortar for the job
The repointing-brickwork rate on the platform covers a wide range because mortar type is one of ...
2w ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Crack stitching: when it is the right repair, and when it is not
The structural-crack-repair rate on the platform spans from 150 pounds for a hairline crack to 5...
2w ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Masonry and movement joint sealants: what the movement class actually means
A sealant product picked on price alone can fail within a year or two if its movement capability...
2w ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Roofline maintenance: fascias, soffits and guttering explained
Fascia, soffit and guttering repairs are priced as separate line items on the platform for a rea...
2w ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Gutter clearance: how often, and why a skipped visit costs more later
Gutter clearance is priced on the platform as a routine attendance service (50-150 pounds for a ...
2w ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Contractor qualifications: the care home manager checklist
Before any contractor works on your building, verify they hold the right qualifications. This gu...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
Gas Safe and ACS: what qualifications your gas engineer must hold
All gas work in a care home must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who also holds...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
Electrical qualifications explained: what to look for when hiring an electrician
For care home managers commissioning EICR or electrical installation work, City and Guilds 2391 ...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Doors
Fire door inspector qualifications: FDIS and BM TRADA Q-Mark explained
NFCC recommends that fire door inspections in care homes are carried out by a third-party certif...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
CITB and CSCS cards: what every contractor on your site should carry
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), administered by CITB, is the standard for d...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
CIOB membership and chartered builders: when it matters for care home projects
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the professional body for construction management....
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
NVQs and City and Guilds: a plain English guide for care managers
City and Guilds qualifications and NVQs are the backbone of trade certification in the UK. This ...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Legionella responsible person: what training is required
Every care home must have a nominated responsible person for Legionella control. HSE L8 requires...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Choosing a competent fire risk assessor: qualifications to look for
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a competent person to carry out fire ris...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Working at height in care homes: duties under WAHR 2005
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work where a person could fall and be injured, ...
1mo ago · 2 min read
LOLER
LOLER thorough examination frequency: what care homes must arrange
Every hoist, stairlift, passenger lift and bath hoist in a care home must undergo a thorough exa...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Drainage maintenance in care homes: obligations and best practice
Blocked or failing drainage in a care home can create hygiene, flood and structural risks. Opera...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Building Safety Act 2022: what changes for care home property managers in 2026
The Building Safety Regulator is now fully operational. Here is what care home operators need to...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Asbestos management surveys in care homes: what the duty to manage requires and who carries it out
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) Regulation 4 imposes a duty to manage asbest...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
CP12 gas safety certificates: what care home managers need to check before renewal
Annual gas safety inspections are a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use...
1mo ago · 2 min read
LOLER
LOLER hoist inspections in care homes: frequency, competence and what to record
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 require that all patient hoists in...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Asbestos in care homes: the duty to manage and what a management plan must contain
Buildings constructed before 2000 very likely contain asbestos. The Control of Asbestos Regulati...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
FD30S fire door inspection frequency: what the NFCC guidance actually requires and when it applies to your building
The National Fire Chiefs Council guidance specifies that FD30S fire doors in care homes must be ...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Legionella responsible person in care homes: who must be named, what the role requires, and how to evidence it
HSE's Approved Code of Practice L8 requires every organisation to appoint a "responsible person"...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
ACM register reinspection in care homes: frequency, who does it, and what to record
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) identified in a management survey must be reinspected annua...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
EICR in care homes: how often, who can carry it out, and what the certificate must show
Electrical Installation Condition Reports are expected by CQC, HSE and insurers. The accepted st...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Fire compartmentation surveys in care homes: what they cover, who carries them out, and when they are required
A passive fire protection survey or compartmentation survey assesses the integrity of all fire...
1mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC Regulation 15 Premises and Equipment: what inspectors check and how to evidence compliance
Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 req...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
EICR C2 observations in care homes: what they mean, how long you have to act, and what to do with the remediation certificate
A C2 observation on an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) indicates a potentially d...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
Verifying Gas Safe registration before allowing contractors to work on care home gas appliances
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require that all gas work is carried out ...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Legionella temperature monitoring in care homes: what L8 requires and how to set up your log
HSE Approved Code of Practice L8 requires that care homes implement a written Legionella control...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Doors
New fire door inspection frequency guidance confirmed for care homes
The National Fire Chiefs Council has clarified that FD30S fire doors in care homes should be ins...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) in care homes: maintenance, testing frequency and what your records must show
TMVs must be maintained and tested annually or more frequently where manufacturer guidance or t...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Flat roof inspection in care homes: the inspection cycle, common failure points and when to call a specialist
Flat roofs on care home buildings should be inspected twice yearly spring and autumn to identi...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Compliance & CQC
CQC Single Assessment Framework: what property evidence do inspectors now look for?
Since the CQC transitioned to its Single Assessment Framework, environmental and building safety...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Q3 Legionella monitoring logs due by end of July key dates for care providers
Quarterly L8 monitoring records must be completed and signed off by 31 July. HSE inspectors are ...
1mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC Well-led key question and property maintenance: how inspectors now assess your maintenance programme
CQC's revised inspection framework includes the quality of property maintenance planning as an i...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Asbestos management plan in care homes: what the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires and where most providers fall short
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require every duty holder with responsibility for non-d...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Fire door self-closers in care homes: maintenance requirements and when to replace
A fire door that does not close fully when released has failed its purpose. Self-closing devices...
1mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC updates Environmental Safety inspection framework what property teams need to know
The revised framework places greater weight on evidence of proactive maintenance planning, not j...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in care homes: legal position, common gaps and what a compliant plan contains
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that evacuation arrangements account for...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
Gas safety in care homes: CP12 certificates, what they cover and what happens when they lapse
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require annual gas safety checks on all g...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Notifying contractors about asbestos before building works: the CAR 2012 duty and how to meet it
CAR 2012 Regulation 4(4) requires that anyone carrying out building, maintenance, repair or refu...
1mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
EICR fixed-wire testing: NHS and private care home frequency difference clarified
The IET has confirmed that care homes operating under CQC registration should treat their EICR c...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
When does a water risk assessment need reviewing? The HSE triggers that care home operators miss
HSE L8 ACOP requires a water risk assessment to be reviewed whenever there is reason to believe ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Drainage maintenance in care homes: CCTV surveys, scheduled clearing and what the records must show
Care homes generate higher-than-normal drainage loads due to continuous occupation and clinical ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
Carbon monoxide detection in care homes: where detectors are required and how to maintain them
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 extended CO detection requireme...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Summer overheating risk: HSE refreshes guidance for older care home buildings
Updated HSE guidance focuses on passive cooling strategies in pre-1980s buildings where mechanic...
2mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC enforcement action for property failures: the difference between a Warning Notice and a Fixed Penalty Notice
CQC has a range of enforcement powers it can use where Regulation 15 breaches are identified. Wa...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
FRA review cycle: when does your Fire Risk Assessment need updating?
The National Fire Protection Guidance recommends an FRA review every 12 months for residential c...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Weekly fire alarm testing in care homes: what the log must contain and how long to keep it
BS 5839-1 requires that fire detection and alarm systems in care homes are tested weekly, with r...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Industry News
Care home building stock in England: 38% pre-dates 1980 new analysis
A CQC-commissioned survey of registered care home premises found that more than a third are hous...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Dead legs in care home water systems: identifying, capping and recording them correctly
A "dead leg" is a section of pipework that is no longer in active use but remains connected to t...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
Electrical visual inspection between EICRs: what BS 7671 recommends and how to log it
BS 7671 (18th Edition) recommends periodic visual inspection of electrical installations between...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
Flue and chimney inspections for care home gas boilers: what the annual service must include
A gas boiler service that does not include a flue gas analysis and a visual inspection of the fu...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Asbestos awareness training for care home maintenance and cleaning staff: who needs it and what it must cover
CAR 2012 Regulation 10 requires that any employee who may encounter asbestos in their work recei...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Asbestos survey types in care homes: the difference between a management survey and a refurbishment survey
There are two types of asbestos survey: a management survey for routine management purposes, and...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Sentinel outlet monitoring: a practical guide for care home estates teams
HSE L8 requires that sentinel outlets are flushed and temperature-checked weekly in occupied pre...
2mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC Safe key question: the five property evidence items inspectors check first on every visit
Analysis of recent CQC inspection reports for residential care homes identifies five property ev...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
Boiler service records in care homes: what the annual service report must contain and how it differs from the CP12
An annual gas safety check (CP12) and an annual boiler service are two separate requirements. Th...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Who is the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order and what does that mean for a care home operator?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places legal duties on the "Responsible Person" f...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Window safety restrictors in care homes: legal position, specification requirements and maintenance obligations
Building Regulations Part K and HSE guidance require that windows accessible to residents above ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Gas Safety
LPG in care homes: compliance requirements for bulk tank and cylinder installations
Care homes in rural areas or off-gas-grid locations commonly use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) f...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Doors
Automatic door closers: specification and maintenance requirements updated
BS EN 1154 requires door closers on fire-rated doors to be maintained and replaced at the point ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Shower head cleaning and descaling in care homes: L8 ACOP requirements and the minimum frequency
HSE L8 ACOP requires shower heads and hoses to be cleaned and descaled at regular intervals to p...
2mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC inspection frequency changes in 2026: what the new assessment framework means for property teams
Following CQC's operational recovery programme, inspection frequency and focus have been revised...
2mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
CQC property visits: what inspectors actually look for on the day
Based on disclosed inspection frameworks, CQC property assessments focus on four areas: evidence...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
What qualifications should a fire risk assessor hold for a care home and how to check before you commission
Fire safety legislation does not specify a mandatory qualification for fire risk assessors, but ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
PAT testing in care homes: what the law actually requires, what it does not, and how often is defensible
There is no legislation that specifies mandatory PAT testing frequencies. The legal requirement ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
Emergency lighting: BS 5266 testing requirements in care settings
BS 5266 mandates monthly functional tests and an annual full-duration discharge test for emergen...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Calorifier temperature monitoring in care homes: what L8 requires, what to record and when to escalate
HSE L8 ACOP requires that calorifiers store water at a minimum of 60C and that this temperature ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
What does Outstanding look like for property in a CQC inspection? Evidence patterns from rated providers
Care homes rated Outstanding for the Safe key question consistently demonstrate proactive enviro...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Car park and external surface maintenance for care homes: trip hazard assessments, resurfacing triggers and record-keeping
External surfaces car parks, paths and patio areas are a leading cause of resident, visitor an...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Flat roof maintenance: care home operators facing higher insurance premiums after claim spike
Insurers report a 23% increase in care home property claims related to flat roof failure over th...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
Emergency lighting in care homes: BS 5266 testing requirements and what the log must contain
BS 5266-1 requires that emergency lighting systems are tested monthly (short duration) and annua...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Products
Altro Whiterock vs traditional ceramic tiling in wet rooms: a cost comparison
A whole-life cost analysis of two wet room wall systems across a typical 40-bed care home found ...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Sprinkler retrofitting in existing care homes: funding and practical considerations
The Welsh Government retrofit mandate and increasing insurer pressure are prompting English oper...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Point-of-use filters: when are they required and how long do they last?
HSE guidance confirms that POU filters should be used at all outlets serving immunocompromised r...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Industry News
Contractor rates 2026: what rising costs mean for your maintenance budget
Contractor rates across reactive maintenance trades have risen an average 6.2% in 2026. Operator...
2mo ago · 2 min read
Fire Doors
Third-party certification for fire door inspectors: what it means for your audit trail
The Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) and BM TRADA Q-Mark scheme provide independent verificati...
2mo ago · 2 min read
CQC
Key question: Is the service safe? how property teams can evidence environmental safety
The CQC "Safe" key question increasingly encompasses environmental risk management. Inspectors r...
3mo ago · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Damp and mould in care homes: revised remediation standards following Awaab's Law
Awaab's Law (Housing Act 2023 amendments) introduces mandatory remediation timescales for damp a...
3mo ago · 2 min read
Electrical
EV charging points on care home sites: planning, installation and compliance considerations
OZEV regulations require all new EV charge points on non-domestic sites to be smart-enabled and ...
3mo ago · 2 min read
LOLER
LOLER 1998: Why Every Hoist in Your Care Home Needs a 6-Monthly Examination
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 require that equipment used for li...
2025-07-01 · 2 min read
LOLER
LOLER Sling Registers: What Care Homes Must Record and When
Hoist slings are lifting accessories under LOLER 1998 and must be examined by a competent person...
2025-06-15 · 2 min read
Building Fabric
PSSR 2000: Does Your Care Home Calorifier Have a Written Scheme of Examination?
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 require a written scheme of examination for pressur...
2025-05-20 · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Fire Damper Drop Testing in Care Homes: BS 9999 Requirements and What Gets Missed
Fire dampers are installed where ductwork penetrates compartment walls and floors. They must be ...
2025-04-10 · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Ventilation System Servicing in Care Homes: What Needs Doing and How Often
Ventilation systems in care homes mechanical extract ventilation (MEV), heat recovery systems (...
2025-03-18 · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Window Restrictors in Care Homes: Building Regulations Part K and Resident Safety
Windows that open above ground floor level in care homes must be fitted with restrictors limitin...
2025-02-25 · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Microbiological Water Sampling in Care Homes: What It Is and When It Is Required
Temperature monitoring under HSE ACOP L8 tells you whether conditions for Legionella growth are ...
2025-01-14 · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Gas detector placement in care home kitchens: HSE requirements and common installation errors
Fixed gas detectors are required in care home kitchens where natural gas or LPG appliances are i...
2026-07-16 · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Means of escape signage in care homes: BS 5499 requirements and what inspectors look for
BS 5499-4 governs the design and positioning of fire escape and exit signs in UK buildings. Care...
2026-07-14 · 2 min read
Fire Safety
Laundry room fire risk in care homes: lint build-up, dryer maintenance and compartmentation requirements
Care home laundry rooms are a significant and frequently underestimated fire risk. Tumble dryer ...
2026-07-10 · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Cold water storage tank inspection in care homes: HSG274 requirements and what the annual check must cover
HSE HSG274 Part 2 requires cold water storage tanks (CWSTs) to be inspected annually. The inspec...
2026-07-09 · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers at care home sites: L8 notification and control scheme requirements
Any cooling tower or evaporative condenser at a care home site must be notified to the local aut...
2026-07-06 · 2 min read
Water Hygiene
Water softeners and L8 compliance: the risks care home operators need to understand
Water softeners reduce scale but can increase Legionella risk if not correctly maintained. Softe...
2026-06-28 · 2 min read
Electrical
RCD protection requirements in care homes: what BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 2 now requires
Amendment 2 to BS 7671 (18th Edition), effective from 28 September 2022, significantly extended ...
2026-06-25 · 2 min read
Electrical
Solar PV on care home roofs: electrical safety, maintenance obligations and what the DC isolator requirement means for you
Solar PV installations on care home roofs introduce live DC cabling that presents different risk...
2026-06-20 · 2 min read
CQC
Adding beds to a care home: what CQC registration requires before you admit additional residents
Increasing the number of registered places at a care home is a regulated activity change requiri...
2026-06-18 · 2 min read
CQC
CQC conditions of registration relating to premises: what triggers a breach and how to manage changes
CQC registration conditions for a care home typically specify the premises address, the regulate...
2026-06-14 · 2 min read
CQC
CQC Responsive key question and the built environment: how falls prevention design affects your rating
CQC Responsive key question includes assessment of whether the environment supports residents to...
2026-06-10 · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Passenger lift maintenance in care homes: LOLER, PSSR and what the service contract must include
Passenger lifts in care homes are subject to both LOLER 1998 (six-monthly thorough examination) ...
2026-06-06 · 2 min read
Building Fabric
Cavity wall insulation and damp in care homes: identifying failed insulation and your remediation options
Cavity wall insulation (CWI) installed in care homes during the 1990s and 2000s retrofit program...
2026-05-30 · 2 min read
Industry News
Facilities management in care homes: the growing case for a named, qualified estates lead
Skills for Care data shows that fewer than 12% of care homes employ a named facilities or estate...
2026-05-22 · 2 min read
Products
Nurse call systems in care homes: IP-based vs analogue specification, cost and maintenance differences
The market has largely moved to IP-based nurse call systems, which offer room-level data logging...
2026-05-14 · 2 min read
CQC
IPC and the Built Environment: What CQC Inspectors Look for in Care Home Premises
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in care homes is not purely a clinical matter the physic...
2024-12-10 · 2 min read