Core Quality Compliance

What is it?

An EICR is a formal inspection of all the fixed electrical wiring and equipment within your care home — think consumer units (fuse boards), sockets, switches, lighting circuits, and distribution boards. A qualified electrician tests every circuit for deterioration, damage, overloading, or anything that doesn't meet current BS 7671 wiring regulations. The report grades any issues as C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), or C3 (improvement recommended), and you receive full documentation for your compliance file.

What is it?

PAT Testing involves the inspection and electrical testing of every portable appliance in your care home — kettles, televisions, fans, hoists, lamps, computers, charging equipment and more. Each item is physically inspected for damage and then tested with specialist equipment to check insulation, earth continuity, and safety. Passing items receive a dated PAT label; failed items are removed from use immediately. You receive a full asset register with pass/fail results for your records.

What is it?

A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a structured evaluation of your care home to identify fire hazards, assess who is at risk (particularly residents with limited mobility), and determine what control measures are in place or needed. It must be carried out by a competent person and kept up to date — it should be reviewed at least annually and whenever significant changes are made to the building, layout, or occupancy. The written assessment is a legal document required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

What is it?

Your fire alarm system must be professionally serviced twice a year in line with BS 5839 to ensure every detector, call point, sounder, and panel component is working correctly. Between services, weekly alarm tests (activating a call point) must be logged in your fire safety logbook. Faults must be reported and rectified promptly. As a Core Quality Compliance client, you also benefit from 24/7 support for any fire alarm panel faults or queries — so you're never left without guidance, day or night.

What is it?

All fire extinguishers must be inspected annually by a competent engineer in line with BS 5306-3. The inspection covers the condition of the cylinder, pressure gauge, safety pin, hose, and label — and ensures extinguishers are correctly positioned, clearly signed, and accessible. In addition to the annual professional service, staff should conduct monthly visual checks. Extended service (discharge and recharge) is required every 5 years depending on type.

What is it?

Fire doors are a critical passive fire protection measure — they contain fire and smoke long enough for evacuation. BS 8214 and government guidance require that fire doors in care homes are inspected by a competent person every 6 months. Checks cover the door leaf, frame, seals, hinges, closers, glazing, and signage. Any damaged or non-compliant doors must be repaired or replaced promptly. Daily visual checks by staff should also be recorded in your fire safety logbook.

What is it?

Emergency lighting ensures evacuation routes remain lit if mains power fails. Under BS 5266, a monthly short-duration function test (activating the battery backup) and an annual full-duration discharge test (3 hours for sustained systems) must be carried out and recorded. The annual test must be performed by a competent engineer. All luminaires, exit signs, and maintained lights must be included.

What is it?

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all activities that could cause harm. For care homes this typically includes manual handling, COSHH (hazardous substances), slips/trips/falls, lone working, and resident-specific risks. Written assessments must be kept on file, reviewed regularly, and updated whenever working practices change.

What is it?

An annual gas safety check must be carried out on all gas appliances, pipework, and flues in your care home by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This covers boilers, gas hobs, ovens, and any other gas-fired equipment. The engineer checks for safe operation, adequate ventilation, and the absence of dangerous gas leaks or carbon monoxide risks. A Gas Safety Record (sometimes called a CP12) is issued after each inspection and must be kept on file. With vulnerable residents in your care, ensuring gas appliances are safe is both a legal duty and a critical safeguard.

What is it?

Legionella is a bacterium that can multiply in poorly managed water systems and cause Legionnaires' disease — a serious and potentially fatal lung condition. Care homes, with vulnerable residents, are particularly high-risk. ACoP L8 requires that a written Legionella risk assessment is in place, covering all hot and cold water systems. Regular temperature monitoring, flushing of infrequently used outlets, and cleaning of showerheads must be logged. A formal review of the assessment should be conducted annually or following any significant changes to the water system.