Quick question are children's homes exempt from putting up fire safety notices, i.e. Exit signs, fire doors and action notices. I am being told this time and again but I cannot locate an exemption anywhere.

I am aware that secure units, prisons etc. Can lock final exit doors for the obvious reasons.

Hi, the 'Children's Homes' (England) Regulations 2015 make some requirements (below) and seem to state that if agreed with the local fire authority, a children's home can operate either in or out of the RRFSO2005.

If operating outside RRFSO2005 then some basic requirements are required (listed below), an 'adequate means of escape' is required but this doesn't mention signage. I would argue to be adequate it would normally need signs, but imagine a domestic house type setting with three stable and mature-ish residents and a carer...?

The argument would be that a fire plan similar to what you would have at home would be OK, in this circumstance, in addition to the other specifics listed below. The rationale being to keep it as 'homely' as possible....

Regs: Fire precautions

25.—(1) After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

(a) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

(b) provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire;

(c) make arrangements for persons working at the home to receive suitable training in fire prevention; and

(d) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire.

(2) If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

(a) paragraph (1) does not apply; and

(b) the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home.

(3) In this regulation, “the fire and rescue authority” means the fire and rescue authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004(2) for the area in which the home is located.

Hi - I guess so, the RRFSO2005 guidance for residential care homes (below) indicates that at some 'simple' premises you don't need signs, I'd suggest the vast majority would. You may be able to do the assessment yourself to say signs aren't needed under the RRFSO2005. Certainly if it was outside the RRFSO it would need to be agreed. I cant actually think of any reason why any children's home would need to fall outside these requirements, maybe some types of foster homes or core and cluster perhaps...?

"Signs

In care premises it is important to avoid an ‘institutional’ environment. However, signs must be used, where necessary, to help people identify escape routes, find firefighting equipment and emergency fire telephones. These signs are required under the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 19965,6 and must comply with the provisions of those Regulations.

Other than in the smallest and simplest of premises where the exits are in regular use and familiar to staff, residents and visitors, a fire risk assessment that determines that no escape signs are required (because, for example, trained staff
will always be available to help residents and visitors to escape routes), is unlikely to be acceptable to an enforcing authority."

It seems to be a bit of a grey area. I have even completed a risk assessment on a resedential school were they said OFSTED said they could lock final exit doors. I have asked for theis in writing as I think there are other ways to ensure that young people can't leave without permission.

I'll go to the local fire and rescue service.

Thanks for all your help.