To ensure the safety of properties and guests during holiday lettings, it is vital to understand and comply with the new fire safety guidance in place throughout the UK. This article will cover everything you need to know and how we can assist you.
Starting from the 1st of October 2023, all structures governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 will be subject to new fire safety regulations as part of the Home Office’s fire safety reform initiative. This is the programme’s third phase and represents a crucial milestone in ensuring fire safety in all properties regulated by the FSO.
Phase 3 aims to enhance fire safety across all FSO-regulated premises by promoting better coordination among Responsible Persons (RPs), raising the bar for recording and sharing fire safety information, and ensuring that enforcement authorities can take swift action against non-compliance. Plus, residents will have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building, enabling them to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety. These measures are designed to create a safer environment for everyone.
This article will help you to understand your responsibilities as a host and make the transition to the new regulations as seamless as possible.
Property size and the new guidance
Make sure you identify whether your property falls under the category of small self-catering premises, open-plan properties, or larger self-catering accommodations. The guidelines have been updated and now differentiate among these three types, with rules that vary by size and characteristics. Determining which category your property falls into to ensure compliance with the new guidelines is essential.
Smaller properties (Less than 4 bedrooms or sleep less than 10 guests)
Typically, adhere to these guidelines:
Small accommodation fire safety
Open-plan or larger properties (4 bedrooms or more, or sleep more than 10 guests)
These properties should follow these guidelines:
Large accommodation fire safety
Key points from the new guidance
We have taken the time to outline the key aspects of the latest regulations. These new legal elements were previously only advisory. Here are the main aspects of the new regulations:
Conduct and document risk assessments
To comply with the new regulations, you must conduct and document a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) for your property. The FRA report should also be visibly displayed within the property; your welcome folder is an ideal place to display it.
We suggest hiring a professional FRA company that can demonstrate competence in assessing all potential risks and staying up to date with legal requirements. We can provide details of recommended Fire Risk Assessors in your area.
Provide an escape route and fire doors
It is now required that all properties display a fire escape plan. This plan should detail how guests can evacuate the property in case of a fire. It is vital to ensure that this plan is easily accessible and visible to all guests. All protected escape routes must have doors with a 30-minute fire-resistance rating or an equivalent adaptation.
Hard-wired smoke/heat detectors in every room used for living
For safety reasons, it is now mandatory to install hard-wired smoke detectors in every room used for living, as well as in protected escape routes, such as hallways, corridors, staircases, sitting rooms, and dining rooms, that lead to the main fire exit. These smoke and heat alarms must be mains-operated with a battery backup.
Inspected heating systems
It is necessary to conduct an annual inspection of all heating and hot water systems, including those that rely on renewable energy sources such as air- or ground-source heat pumps.
Checks on all fire safety equipment between guests
To ensure the safety of our guests, it is important to conduct regular checks of fire safety equipment and exit routes. As such, we are currently working on incorporating these checks into our cleaning checklists. This will help providers remember to inspect these systems at every clean, ensuring they are always up to date and functioning correctly.
EICR
The EICR (fixed wiring check) is required every five years in all properties used as self-catered accommodation.
Emergency lighting
Emergency escape lighting is required in all bedrooms and along the escape route, such as plug-in torches. Borrowed light from an external source, such as a streetlight, can be considered. Larger properties may need full escape lighting, as torches may not be sufficient. A fire risk assessor can advise on suitable options when undertaking a risk assessment.
Locks
Install thumb-turn locks on exit doors for improved safety.
Candles prohibited
As per the updated regulations, candles and tea lights are now prohibited in all properties. Hosts must ensure a clear policy is in place for guests to adhere to this rule.
Chimneys swept annually
All properties with chimneys or flues must have these swept annually.
How can we help you as a registered host?
We are more than happy to help you with the following:
- Organising inspections and testing through an approved, qualified contractor.
- Supporting with fire risk assessments.
- Carrying out a health and safety check of the property.
- Organise any remedial or maintenance work to be carried out.
Breaches of fire safety law may lead to enforcement action, prosecution, fines and/or imprisonment. The Home Office has issued a guide on the sanctions that are available to Enforcing Authorities if you fail to comply with fire legislation.
If you have any questions about any of the above, you can contact us, and we will help in any way we can. We hope this article has been helpful, and we thank you for your cooperation!
Matt & Kerry
Office: 0333 335 6976
Mobile: 07841 104 357
Email: info@preciousplaces.co.uk