Fire Safety in Assisted Living Facilities: Lessons from Recent Events

Assisted living facilities play a vital role in providing care and support for elderly and vulnerable residents, but they also face unique risks when it comes to fire safety. With residents who may have limited mobility, cognitive impairments, or health conditions, the consequences of a fire can be devastating. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), assisted living facilities must prioritize robust fire protection systems to protect lives and ensure rapid response. At Communication Company of South Bend, we specialize in designing, installing, and maintaining life safety systems tailored to healthcare and assisted living environments. In this article, we’ll explore the critical importance of fire safety, drawing from a recent tragic event, NFPA recommendations, and how our products and services can help mitigate risks.

A Recent Tragedy Highlights Fire Safety Gaps

On June 13, 2025, a fire broke out at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Massachusetts, resulting in the death of ten residents and injuring nearly three dozen residents and firefighters. The blaze was determined to have originated in a second-floor unit and quickly spread throughout the facility. Although the investigation is currently ongoing, investigators suspect the fire may have been caused by smoking near an oxygen tank. A determination of whether the facility’s sprinkler system was in working order is also ongoing, and it appears as though the presence of medical oxygen was a contributing factor to the rapid spread of the fire. This incident, as analyzed by the NFPA, emphasizes how even small oversights in fire protection can lead to catastrophic outcomes in assisted living settings, where residents may require assistance to evacuate.

The NFPA stresses that fires in assisted living facilities often involve vulnerable populations, making prevention and early detection paramount. This event serves as a stark reminder for facility managers to evaluate their systems regularly, ensuring compliance with codes and addressing potential vulnerabilities like outdated alarms, missing sprinklers, or the presence of oxidizers (such as medical oxygen) or flammable materials.

NFPA Precautions for Fire Safety in Assisted Living

The NFPA provides key guidelines for fire safety in assisted living facilities, focusing on prevention, detection, and response. For new constructions, sprinkler systems are mandatory under NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), as they can suppress fires before they spread, giving residents and staff time to evacuate. In existing buildings, retrofitting sprinklers is highly recommended, especially in high-risk areas like resident rooms and common spaces.

Alarms play a crucial role in early detection. Compliance with NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) ensures alarms are tested and maintained annually. Smoke and fire alarms should be interconnected and linked to a central monitoring station or directly to the fire department for immediate notification. The NFPA also emphasizes the importance of staff training on evacuation procedures, regular fire drills, and maintaining clear egress paths. Resident mobility assessments are essential, ensuring that plans account for those who need help during emergencies.

Healthcare facilities typically have a higher concentration of medical oxygen and need to be particularly cautious when dealing with oxidizing substances. While not flammable, oxidizers facilitate the spread of the flames, making it more difficult to suppress. The NFPA provides additional tips for dealing with medical oxygen in NFPA 99 (Health Care Facilities Code) and NFPA 53 (Recommended Practice on Materials, Equipment, and Systems Used in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres). They’ve also provided a downloadable fact sheet on Medical Oxygen Safety.

By adopting these precautions, facilities can significantly reduce fire risks and enhance resident safety.

Communication Company's Fire Safety Products for Assisted Living

At Communication Company, we offer best-in-class fire safety solutions to help assisted living facilities meet NFPA standards and protect residents. Our Siemens Cerberus PRO fire safety systems provide comprehensive detection, alarming, and evacuation capabilities. These intelligent fire alarm systems use advanced sensors to detect smoke and heat early, triggering audible and visual alerts tailored to the facility's layout. With Siemens' Customer Choice program, our certified technicians can design, install, and expand systems to fit your needs, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

For assisted living, where quick communication is key, we integrate fire safety with healthcare systems like the Rauland Responder 5 nurse call platform. This allows alarms to alert staff via wireless handsets or staff workflow stations, enabling rapid response. Our solutions also include voice evacuation systems and strobe lights for residents with hearing impairments, complying with NFPA requirements.

These products not only detect and alert but also support building management, ensuring fires are contained and evacuations are efficient. We've helped numerous Midwest facilities upgrade their systems, reducing response times and enhancing overall safety.

Leveraging ComCare Managed Services to Minimize Fire Risks

Prevention is as important as detection, and that's where our ComCare Managed Services shine. With two levels—Basic and Select—ComCare ensures your fire safety systems remain reliable year-round. The Basic plan provides warranty protection for labor and equipment for one year post-installation, guaranteeing workmanship and compliance with manufacturer standards.

For comprehensive coverage, ComCare Select offers 24/7/365 monitoring and alerts, priority support, and annual tests and inspections. Our team handles software updates, configuration backups, and rapid response to issues, minimizing downtime and ensuring NFPA compliance. This proactive approach prevents small problems—like faulty alarms—from escalating into emergencies.

In assisted living, where regulatory compliance like HIPAA and NFPA codes is crucial, ComCare reduces risks by providing cost-effective, scalable maintenance. Facilities save on in-house IT costs while gaining expert oversight, allowing staff to focus on resident care. As outlined in our recent article on managed services in healthcare, outsourcing these tasks enhances efficiency, cybersecurity, and overall safety—directly applicable to fire systems in assisted living.

Prioritizing Fire Safety for a Secure Future

The Massachusetts fire tragedy reminds us that fire safety in assisted living facilities isn't optional—it's essential. By implementing NFPA-recommended precautions, such as sprinklers, connected alarms, regular training, and medical oxygen safety, facilities can protect vulnerable residents. Communication Company is your partner in this, offering Siemens fire systems, Rauland emergency communication solutions, and ComCare services to reduce risks and ensure compliance.

Don't wait for an incident—proactive fire safety saves lives. Connect with us today or visit our Fire Safety and Healthcare pages to learn more. Let's work together to safeguard your facility and residents.