Reading List

A focused Reading List to support and extend learning from Fire Training for Residential Care Staff.

This Reading List applies to fire-safety practice across the UK. England and Wales operate under the Fire Safety Order framework; Scotland and Northern Ireland follow different legislation and guidance. Use the nation-specific sources below together with your care home's fire-risk assessment, evacuation strategy, staff training records, and local emergency procedures.

1. England and Wales: Core Duties

• GOV.UK - Fire safety in the workplace: who's responsible
  Overview of the responsible person role, including fire risk assessment, emergency planning, maintenance, and staff information, instruction and training.
  https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities

• GOV.UK - Fire safety risk assessment: residential care premises
  The Home Office guide for employers, managers, occupiers and owners of residential care premises where residents may need staff assistance to be safe in a fire.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-residential-care-premises

• GOV.UK - Fire safety risk assessment: 5-step checklist
  A practical checklist covering fire hazards, people at risk, actions to reduce risk, recording and review, planning, training and drills.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-5-step-checklist/fire-safety-risk-assessment-5-step-checklist-accessible

• GOV.UK - Check your fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022
  Explains duties for responsible persons under the Fire Safety Order, including recording, cooperation and information sharing requirements.
  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/check-your-fire-safety-responsibilities-under-section-156-of-the-building-safety-act-2022/fire-safety-responsibilities-under-section-156-of-the-building-safety-act-2022

2. Care Regulation and Premises Safety

• CQC - Regulation 15: Premises and equipment
  Relevant for England care providers; covers clean, secure and suitably maintained premises and equipment, plus staff training and risk management.
  https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/regulations-service-providers-and-managers/health-social-care-act/regulation-15

3. Special Fire Risks in Care Homes

• MHRA - Emollients: risk of severe and fatal burns
  Emollient residue on clothing, bedding or dressings can increase ignition risk and burn intensity; guidance covers paraffin and some paraffin-free products.
  https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/emollients-new-information-about-risk-of-severe-and-fatal-burns-with-paraffin-containing-and-paraffin-free-emollients

• Scottish Government - Chapter 5: reducing the likelihood of fire in care homes
  Scotland-specific advice on risks such as oxygen, smoking, storage, aerosols, equipment, electrics and escape routes; useful for practical risk control measures.
  https://www.gov.scot/publications/practical-fire-safety-guidance-care-homes/pages/5/

4. Four-Nations Signposting

• GOV.WALES - Fire Safety Act 2021
  Wales-facing guidance on the Fire Safety Order, the responsible person role, duty holders, fire risk assessment and cooperation in shared premises.
  https://www.gov.wales/fire-safety-act-2021-html

• Scottish Government - Practical fire safety guidance for care homes
  Main Scotland guidance under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 for care-home fire safety practice.
  https://www.gov.scot/publications/practical-fire-safety-guidance-care-homes/

• Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service - Fire safety guides
  Northern Ireland guidance for business fire safety and risk assessment under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, with links to residential care premises guidance.
  https://www.nifrs.org/home/staying-safe/business-fire-safety/fire-safety-guides/

Use this Reading List to strengthen your approach to fire-risk assessment, resident evacuation support, local fire procedures, care-home hazards and emergency response while following nation-specific requirements.