Dozens of care home managers have attended a fire service safety seminar, at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Sheffield training centre.

The seminar gave care providers tips on the steps they can take to avoid falling foul of fire safety law. This includes carrying out a fire risk assessment, which is essential for ensuring the safety of those being cared for. Other measures include proper maintenance of fire detection systems and ensuring escape routes are adequate.

Speakers at the event also discussed how sprinkler systems can be installed to provide added protection to premises and those they house.

Technical Fire Safety Manager Amy Jenkinson, said: “Vulnerable people, including older people, as well as those with mental health problems and those with mobility issues, are amongst the people most at risk from fire. But we were concerned by how many premises- which should be places where people feel safe- are failing to meet some basic fire safety standards. So it was pleasing that a good number of people in associated with residential care facilities attended this event to learn more about fire safety.

“Prosecutions taken under fire safety legislation are always a last resort and we would much rather work with care providers to ensure good safety standards are met. Educating businesses about their obligations is always our first approach, which is why we put on this event, so care home managers can pick up advice and so they know what to expect when one of our inspectors visits their premises.

SYFR revealed last month that enforcement action had been taken against 14 residential care or nursing homes since 2013 under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This included working with owners to ensure adequate fire safety measures were put in place.

Care homes are monitored by the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.

Read more about fire safety laws for businesses