Posted By Daniel Melconian Hi, I have a client who manages residential care homes. They care for elderley individuals who have differing levels of mobility. The bedrooms are located on both ground floor and 1st floors, with access to 1st floor via lifts and a staircase. In the event of a fire, obviously, the lift is not used. The residents are unable to use the stairs unassisted and since on nights they have a minimum of 3 care staff for 29 residents of which 14 reside upstairs they have a major issue in ensuring that all residents are escorted safely and quickly off the premises. It is forseeable that by the time they assist a couple of residents down the stairs the fire brigade will have turned up. Would it be acceptable for all residents located upstairs to be kept in their bedrooms provided that their rooms all have suitable fire/smoke stop door until the fire brigade arrive? The staff would in the meantime ensure all downstairs are evacuated safely. If we were to suggest that their bedrooms could be used a refuge area what additional controls would be necessary e.g. an external fire escape staircase, additional fire protection in rooms etc. Many thanks in advance, Dan