What happened when the fire inspector visited in February 2025, and what it means for the people who live here.
On 25 February 2025, Catherine House received a fire safety inspection from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority. These inspections are carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and they can happen at any time, without notice.
We welcome them. Fire safety is not something we treat as a box to tick. Five people live here. Every one of them depends on us to keep this home safe.
What the inspector found
The inspector confirmed that a reasonable standard of fire safety was evident throughout Catherine House. The premises were assessed as not high risk.
The inspection was carried out on 25 February 2025 by a Fire Safety Inspector from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The outcome confirmed a reasonable standard of fire safety at Catherine House, 131 Hamilton Road, Taunton.
The inspector also noted our ongoing duty to periodically review our fire risk assessment and fire safety measures. That is something we do as a matter of course, not because we were told to. Bea, our compliance assistant, monitors our fire safety review dates automatically alongside every other regulatory deadline at Catherine House.
Who maintains our fire equipment
Our fire detection and protection equipment is serviced and maintained by Coomber Security in Taunton. That covers our fire alarm panel, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and all associated equipment. Regular servicing and maintenance by a professional local provider means we are not waiting for something to fail before it gets attention.
Why we are telling you this
Because transparency matters. If you are a family considering Catherine House for a loved one, you deserve to know how we handle safety. If you are a commissioner making a referral, you deserve to see that we take this seriously. And if you are anyone else reading this, you deserve a care provider that does not hide from scrutiny.
We passed. We will keep passing. And we will keep telling you about it.
If you have any questions about fire safety at Catherine House, or anything else, call Laura on 01823 630750 or email info@forwardsupport.co.uk.