Care homes failing to meet fire safety standards

The London Fire Brigade conducted an audit after the Grenfell Tower tragedy and found a total of 34 care homes in Waltham Forest and 20 care homes in Redbridge were failing to meet the required standards.

London Assembly Members have responded to the news.

Jennette Arnold, Assembly Member for Waltham Forest, and Tom Copley, London-wide Assembly Member, urged care homes to “co-operate fully with the London Fire Brigade to get their fire safety standards up to scratch” to prevent any future tragedies.

A total of 1,226 fire safety audits have been carried out by the London Fire Brigade at care homes across the capital since June 2017.

As a result, 51 establishments received an enforcement notice and 498 received a notice of deficiencies. The remaining majority of care homes were found to be ‘broadly compliant’ with fire safety standards.

Across London, Bromley had the highest number of care homes failing to meet fire safety standards, with 71 care homes either receiving a notice of deficiencies or an enforcement notice.

On the other hand, Hammersmith and Fulham had only five care homes that were not up to scratch.

A notice of deficiencies from the London Fire Brigade does not carry any statutory force, but if the person responsible for fire safety on the premises fails to undertake improvements, this will be taken into account during future inspections.

An enforcement notice is issued when a fire brigade inspector can identify a clear breach of the law, significant risk factors or improvements that can be made within a set period of time.

All care homes that received an enforcement notice, and those whose notice of deficiencies pointed to more significant failings, will receive a follow up visit from the London Fire Brigade to ensure the required improvements have been made.

As of March 2019, the London Fire Brigade have conducted follow up visits at 30 of the care homes that received an enforcement notice. The remaining 21 sites will be checked on in the near future to give operators an opportunity to fix the problems.

All 30 care homes the fire brigade have returned to so far have been deemed “broadly compliant”.

Ms Arnold said: “It is very concerning that some of the most vulnerable members of our community are being put at risk in this way.

“These inspections carried out by the London Fire Brigade have been vital in highlighting, not only a local issue, but one that urgently affects the whole of our capital.

“Care homes have a duty of care to their residents. It is vital they co-operate fully with the fire brigade to get their fire safety standards up to scratch and take all possible measures to prevent any future tragedies”.

A spokesman for Waltham Forest Council said: “The safety of all our residents is a priority for the council, and there are no enforcement or deficiency notices outstanding at council-run homes.

“We work closely with the London Fire Brigade, and they have been consulted on the council’s approach to contract management for private homes and are satisfied it is robust. We also work closely with care providers to share with them the latest guidance and advice on keeping residents safe.

“Enforcement notices and notices of deficiencies are monitored by the fire brigade.”

A spokesman for Redbridge Council said: "The LFB audit found concerns at one sheltered scheme in the borough where the council has responsibility for fire safety so we are undertaking all the necessary work as a matter of urgency to ensure all systems are up to date.”