More Than 20,000 People Reside in Care Homes. Slovenia has a national network of care homes, most of which were built between 1970 and 1990. Older buildings, constructed before the introduction of modern building standards, may not meet today’s fire and seismic safety requirements.
From a fire safety perspective, nursing homes are high-risk facilities, as many residents are immobile, have limited mobility, or suffer from dementia, requiring assistance during evacuation. Evacuating residents in the event of a fire is extremely challenging, as demonstrated in 2017 when a fire broke out in a nursing home in Črnomelj. The incident resulted in one fatality, with 16 people requiring medical attention and 69 residents successfully evacuated.
A similar tragedy occurred in Serbia in January this year, when eight residents lost their lives in a fire south of Belgrade.
European fire safety guidelines for elderly care homes emphasize that fire prevention and response are critical aspects of managing facilities that care for vulnerable groups. These guidelines stipulate that residents must be able to exit a building within 2–3 minutes. If they are unable to evacuate independently, staff must provide assistance, as fire brigades often do not arrive in time. Therefore, staff must be trained to respond immediately, and automatic fire suppression systems are essential.
Buildings classified as high fire-risk facilities—those with more than ten beds for patients or residents, or those accommodating more than 50 people at a time—are required to have a fire safety plan. Newer facilities generally offer better fire protection, as they are designed to meet modern safety standards. In contrast, the level of fire safety in older facilities largely depends on the proactive measures taken by their management, including proper equipment and staff training.
Fire Safety Inspections and Findings
The Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (IRSVNDN) is responsible for supervising fire safety in buildings, including care homes, in accordance with the Fire Protection Act.
Inspections have been conducted since 2015, typically every three to five years.
There has been an improvement in the annual practical fire evacuation training for employees, with a compliance rate of 93%. The percentage of regularly maintained fire protection systems increased from 88% in 2022 to 94% in 2024.
Over the years, no nursing home was found to be without a fire safety plan, and similar results were observed in the availability of evacuation plans.
We have checked the fire safety in the elderly care homes:
DSO Ljubljana Vič – Rudnik
Evacuation routes are clear, and evacuation cushions for immobile residents are installed. Staff are trained in fire fighting and evacuation procedures. Evacuation drills, both internal and with fire services, are conducted annually. Fire extinguishers, hydrants, and fire doors are available.
DSO Moste
Fire safety is in accordance with regulations, and staff are regularly trained. Evacuation drills are periodically carried out. Evacuation procedures are adapted for immobile and dementia patients.
DSO Ljubljana Bežigrad
An advanced protection system includes a fire control center, fire extinguishers, and fire doors. Staff are trained for evacuation and initial fire fighting. Evacuation drills are held annually.
DSO Logatec
Fire sector systems, fire extinguishers, and hydrants are installed. Staff carry out regular evacuation drills. Evacuation plans are in line with legislation.
DSO Ljutomer
Fire safety includes regular evacuation drills, even for immobile residents, with the help of evacuation chairs. Staff training is conducted every two years.
Dom Poljčane
Staff are trained to evacuate all residents, including those with dementia. Evacuation drills are regularly conducted, involving fire services.
DEOS Senior Centers
All 10 centers are equipped with a fire control center, smoke and gas detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting. Regular evacuation drills include both staff and residents.
Dom Taber
Fire safety includes regular staff training and evacuation drills. Evacuation of immobile residents takes place in adjacent fire sectors, with the assistance of staff and rescuers.
Dom starejših Šiška
The building is equipped with a fire control center and evacuation staircases. Staff are trained for evacuation, and annual evacuation drills are carried out with fire services.
Koroški Dom Starostnikov Dravograd
The fire alarm system and fire extinguishers are regularly maintained. The evacuation of immobile residents is carefully planned and carried out with appropriate equipment.
Dom Starejših Občanov Metlika
Fire safety complies with regulations, and regular inspections are carried out. Annual evacuation drills are conducted in cooperation with the fire services.
Dom ob Savinji Celje
Fire safety includes automatic fire alarms and evacuation staircase systems. Staff are regularly trained for evacuation, and drills are carried out annually.
DSO Trebnje
Evacuation plans and fire safety regulations are in line with legislation. Staff are regularly trained and annual evacuation drills are carried out.
Obalni Dom Upokojencev Koper
Fire safety includes fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, and evacuation routes. Staff are regularly trained, and evacuation drills are conducted in cooperation with the fire services.
DSO Tezno
Following a comprehensive renovation, more evacuation exits and fire protection systems have been provided. Staff are regularly trained for evacuation procedures.
