Fire Safety in Irish Nursing Homes - What Professionals Should Know in 2026

Editorial note: reviewed and corrected on 3 July 2026 against the published instruments. Figures that could not be verified against the legislation have been removed or corrected.

Fire safety in residential care remains one of the most demanding areas of professional practice in Ireland. The population is ageing. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. Fire engineers and competent persons working in the nursing home sector need current knowledge and structured development to meet that demand.

The regulatory environment

Several frameworks overlap. The Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 provide the primary statutory basis. They place a duty on persons having control of premises to guard against the outbreak of fire and to ensure the safety of persons in the event of fire. For designated centres, Regulation 28 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 415 of 2013) requires the registered provider to make adequate arrangements for evacuating all residents, including residents with high dependency, and for staff training in those arrangements. HIQA inspects against the National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland.

On the construction side, Part B of the Building Regulations and its technical guidance apply to new builds and material alterations. Fire Safety Certificates and Disability Access Certificates are required under the Building Control Regulations 1997 as amended — and the scope of works requiring certificates expanded from 1 May 2025 under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 56 of 2025), which also introduced the care facility building definition. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014) separately established the statutory certification regime, including the assigned certifier role, for works within its scope.

Key areas of professional focus

Competence in this sector rests on a defined set of practices. Fire risk assessment to PAS 79-1 and BS 9999 methodology, adapted for residents with limited mobility. Evacuation planning built on progressive horizontal evacuation, with refuges and equipment such as evacuation sheets, mattresses and chairs matched to resident dependency. Fire detection and alarm design to I.S. 3218:2024, with L1 category systems in sleeping accommodation. Emergency lighting to I.S. 3217:2023. Compartmentation surveys and fire door inspection to verify passive protection. And staff training that covers fire awareness, evacuation procedure and first-attack firefighting.

Professional recognition and CPD

IIESMS offers two fire-specific grades: Fire Engineer (FEng.IIESMS) and Certified Fire Engineer (CFEng.IIESMS). Both are defined against published qualification and experience criteria. The Institute's CPD baseline for members is 20 hours per year, recorded in a CPD log, combining structured learning with self-directed development. For nursing home practice, relevant CPD includes evacuation planning training, fire risk assessment peer review and attendance at sector events. The IIESMS Fire Safety Group provides seminars, regulatory updates and peer networking to support that cycle.

Looking ahead

Irish fire safety regulation continues to strengthen, as the 2024 and 2025 instruments show. Professionals who hold recognised designations, keep their knowledge current and engage in structured CPD are best placed to deliver the standard that residents, families and regulators expect. If you work in fire safety in the nursing home or healthcare sector, explore the IIESMS membership grades to find the grade matching your qualifications and experience.

References

Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 · Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 415 of 2013), Regulation 28 · HIQA, National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland · Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 56 of 2025) · Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014) · I.S. 3218:2024, I.S. 3217:2023 · PAS 79-1, BS 9999 · IIESMS Byelaws v1.0, 26 September 2025 (CPD baseline).