Fire Safety

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places specific fire safety duties on persons who have control of premises, including common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)). The key to ensuring that such duties are complied with is the carrying out of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment see example document .

Even if your property is not an HMO, a Landlord or their agent needs to consider that fire is defined as a Category 1 Hazard under HHSRS and Health and Safety. The housing provider still has a duty of care to the tenant and persons visiting or working in the premises.

You must ensure that there is an adequate means of escape in the event of a fire (so make sure the tenant has all the keys to the property and those windows open and close easily). Consider installing self-closing doors on rooms. The benefits of smoke detectors CANNOT be emphasised enough and for an HMO they must be   interlinked and    mains-powered. Consider the use of cylinder locks instead of mortice locks as these can be opened from the inside without having to use a key. Things such as fire blankets and extinguishers may also prove useful.

Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform Order

 
To promote the efficient use of resources, and avoid duplication and confusion for landlords, a new fire safety protocol has been developed by a multi agency working group with support from CLG. It sets down a framework within which both authorities can establish effective working arrangements, thereby achieving the goal of improving fire safety. The protocol contains guidance on which authority should normally take the lead inspection and enforcement role in different types of properties. However, it is accepted that this guidance cannot cover every possible situation and that certain properties may fall into more than one category.
 
It should also be noted that not all LAs and Fire Authorities have adopted the protocol or finalised details of how they will work together in this field, so you may find both want to visit your property and require works. The best way to avoid unnecessary work is to liaise with both authorities to ensure both are happy with the level of fire precautions and means of escape in your property.

Considerations

The problem is unless you are suitably qualified to understand/perform a fire risk assessment it may be considered negligent should you do one and there were a consequence (fire) - The fire risk assessment should be completed by a competent person. see a template [fire risk assessment example document .] from a Fires Safety site - but this is not a recommendation to use
 
Applies - The common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings
  • An HMO common areas under control of Landlord and cleaner etc may be required to perform duties so therefore a workplace - Fire risk assessment required but the law/guidance is ambigious on properties under exclusive control of the Tenant example House Let -

Additional Information

If you want further information and advice can contact either your local Environmental Health Officer or the Fire Safety Department at your local Fire Brigade, or visit the FIRE BRIDGADE WEBSITE.