Fire Safety for Holiday Lets
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Fire Safety for Holiday Lets
Holiday Lets include accommodation such as apartments, lodges, cottages and glamping pods. Owners and managers of these holiday lets are responsible for fire safety and identifying and addressing fire risks to guarantee the safety of their guests.
This responsibility involves adhering to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 in England and Wales, which applies to all holiday lets. As part of this compliance, owners and managers will need to create a detailed, regularly updated fire risk assessment, along with mitigating identified fire risks and implementing effective fire safety protocols, such as maintaining fire safety equipment so it is in optimal condition and ensuring guests understand any emergency fire procedures.
From 1 October 2023, new UK Government guidelines for fire safety for holiday lets introduced tailored rules based on the size and layout of the property. These guidelines cater to holiday lets hosting up to 10 people and feature specific criteria for properties with up to four bedrooms on the first floor, including individual units within converted or purpose-built blocks. The Home Office’s guide: “Making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire“, offers comprehensive details on fulfilling fire safety obligations under the Fire Safety Order. This document includes a handy fire risk assessment checklist template.
Properties with open-plan designs, those with more than four bedrooms, or those accommodating over 10 guests are subject to a different set of guidelines outlined in the “Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Sleeping Accommodation“.
Non-compliance with the Fire Safety Order and new regulations can lead to consequences, including enforcement action, prosecution, fines or even imprisonment.
In the next section of this article, we will provide practical advice for fire safety for holiday lets, including conducting a fire risk assessment in your holiday let, emphasising the importance of implementing fire safety measures and ensuring your property complies with legal and safety standards. Please note that this information serves as general guidance, but we recommend that you conduct your own research too.
Recommendations for your Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Safety Measures
- Identifying guests with special evacuation needs upon booking.
- Providing accessible fire safety and evacuation information for guests.
- Installing comprehensive fire alarms along with clear evacuation routes.
- Properties should have doors or modifications offering 30 minutes of fire protection along escape routes.
- Emergency escape lighting should be installed in bedrooms.
- It is advised to equip the property with essential firefighting tools like extinguishers and fire blankets.
- Ensure regular testing and maintenance of all fire safety equipment.
- Smoke and heat alarms should be interconnected and installed in all high-risk areas, including kitchens and living spaces.
- The property should enforce a strict no-smoking policy.
- Conduct annual inspections of heating systems.
- Adhere to electrical safety standards.
- Prohibit open flames, such as candles.
- Ensure easy evacuation and ensure evacuation routes are kept clear of rubbish and objects.
- Promote safe cooking practices.
- Complying with furniture and furnishings fire safety regulations.
- Manage seasonal fire risks appropriately, such as extra lights and decorations at Christmas or barbecues and fire pits in the garden in the summer.
- Provide fire safety training for staff
- Vet contractors for fire safety compliance.
As the owner or manager of a holiday let, it’s your legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 and the new guidelines effective from 1 October 2023 to be responsible for fire safety for your holiday let, this includes, conducting a thorough fire risk assessment and taking decisive steps towards fire prevention and protection. This not only ensures the safety and security of your guests but also demonstrates your commitment to complying with regulatory standards.
Enhance your event’s fire safety protocols with our IFE-approved and CPD-accredited online Fire Marshal/Warden Course for staff, or opt for our customisable face-to-face Fire Marshal/Warden Courses, tailored specifically to your venue, to ensure the safety of your guests and staff.
Alternatively, if you would like additional information about your fire training requirements, you can get in touch with our friendly customer service team by calling us on 01327 552160, emailing us at hello@smarthorizons.co.uk, getting in touch via live chat or filling in our web contact form.