New Fire Safety Regulations for Holiday Homes in England
New Fire Safety Regulations for Holiday Homes in England
Fire safety guidelines are in place across the UK to help keep properties and guests safe while holiday letting, with more people using Airbnb's, it is important to be aware of the changes.
The government has issued new regulations which will apply from 1st October 2023. Full length, written assessments, covering all aspects of fire risk, will become a legal requirement for all properties.
Additionally, the government has issued new guidance for ‘small paying guest accommodation’. This is defined as: ‘A single premises of ground floor, or ground and first floor, providing sleeping accommodation for a maximum of 10 persons, with no more than four bedrooms on the first floor…’
OR
‘Individual flats (whether within a purpose-built block of flats or a house that has been converted into flats), other than unusually large flats.’
You can see the full guidance here.
What is cover under the new guidance?
Below are the main points:
Fire Risk Assessment
- A comprehensive, written fire risk assessment covering all aspects of fire risk within the property, will become a legal requirement for all properties. A copy of the full fire risk assessment must be on display in your property, ideally in your welcome folder.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 street lighting can be taken into account.Escape routes and fire doors
- All protected escape routes must have doors with a 30-minute fire protection capability or an adaption that offers the same level of protection.Smoke detectors
- Linked hard-wired smoke detectors will be required in all bedrooms and living rooms as well as protected escape routes, such as hallways, corridors, staircases, sitting rooms and dining rooms leading to the main fire exit.Hot water and heating -
All hot water and heating systems must be inspected annually, including systems powered by renewable energy e.g. air/ground source heat pumps.Locks - Thumb turn locks are now strongly recommended on all exit doors. There would be very few instances where it would be deemed unnecessary to fit these, and they can usually be retro-fitted to most doors easily.
Electrical testing -
The EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is required every five years by a qualified Electrician, and this now also applies to smaller properties such as glamping pods.Chimneys - Chimneys should be swept annually.
Fire checks -
Fire safety equipment and exit routes must be checked at each changeover and the results should be recorded.Candles -
Candles should be prohibited, and a clear policy is required for your guests.
What to do next...
Ensure that your Fire Risk Assessment is undertaken by a professional, accredited Fire Safety Risk Assessor, a professional FRA will ensure you do not put yourself or any guests at risk.
If you have any questions regarding the electrical requirements please get in touch, we would be happy to help.
