Critical Deadline for Safer Firefighting Practices Nears

As the July 2025 deadline for the phase-out of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in firefighting foams approaches, care home owners must act now to ensure compliance with updated fire safety regulations. This change is essential for protecting both the environment and the people who live and work in your care home.

What is Changing?

PFOA is part of a group of chemicals known as PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down in the environment. Historically used in firefighting foams, these chemicals are now known to pose significant health risks and environmental harm.

Under the UK Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, all care homes must stop using firefighting foams containing PFOA by 4 July 2025. Until then, their use is only allowed if they are fully contained and all usage is documented.

If your care home holds more than 50kg of PFOA-based foam, this must be reported to the relevant authorities. Importantly, the use of these foams for training or testing is prohibited unless there is no risk of environmental release.

What Do Care Home Owners Need to Do?

To comply with the regulations, you should:

• Check Your Equipment: Review safety data sheets for your current firefighting foams to see if they contain PFOA.
• Speak to Your Suppliers: Confirm with your foam or fire safety equipment provider whether your products are PFOA-free.
• Test Foam Samples: Have your firefighting foams tested by a certified laboratory to ensure they meet the new standards.

Why is This Important?

PFAS chemicals, including PFOA, persist in the environment and can contaminate water supplies and soil. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to serious health issues, making their removal a critical step in improving safety.

The UK’s decision to phase out PFOA aligns with global efforts to reduce the use of harmful chemicals and protect ecosystems. Care home owners have a responsibility to stay ahead of these changes to ensure their premises are safe for residents, staff, and visitors.

How Can You Prepare?

To avoid potential fines and risks, we recommend the following steps:

• Inspect Your Fire Safety Systems: Check all firefighting equipment to identify any that may contain PFOA and arrange for its replacement.
• Dispose of Hazardous Materials Safely: Follow approved guidelines for the safe disposal of outdated firefighting foams.
• Adopt Safer Alternatives: Work with your fire safety provider to transition to environmentally friendly firefighting foams.

Support from Quality Care Group

At Quality Care Group, we understand the unique challenges care home owners face when navigating regulatory changes. Our Risk Management team is here to support you in meeting these requirements and implementing safer, more sustainable fire safety practices.

For further advice or assistance, please contact our team on 01273 424904.

For more information around PFAS and forever chemicals, you can visit the government website here.