COMMERCIAL SAFETY & SECURITY
Winter breaks in the UK mean fire safety is as critical as ever
From the rugged coastline of Cornwall to the the heather clad Highlands , the UK is a wonderful place to take a winter break . Especially when you can spend a cosy evening in front of an open fire or wood burner .
» TO MEET THE DEMAND , THE number of UK holiday homes has risen by 40 %. But the rapid increase has brought with it several concerns . Top amongst them is fire safety . The Fire Door Inspection Scheme says that last year a staggering 75 % of UK fire doors failed inspection , the majority of which are in rented buildings . Given the rapid increase in holiday cottage lets , and the number with real fires , it ’ s possible that some of these rentals don ’ t meet fire safety standards .
At least one holiday let landlord has been fined for breach of fire safety regulations . The owner of a self-catering premises in Perranporth , Cornwall , was ordered to pay nearly £ 4,000 in fines and costs after his premises failed to meet fire safety regulations . But a fine is not the worst that could happen , summing up the case the magistrate said , “ Potentially people could have died . Luckily this did not occur .”
Whether you ’ re renting a holiday home , or renting one out , it ’ s important to know the safety requirements . From shepherd ’ s huts in Scotland , to cottages in Clovelly , here ’ s an overview of a landlord ’ s main fire safety duties :
Fire safety measures
Multi-purpose fire extinguishers , emergency lighting , a fire blanket and fire exit signage must be included within all holiday homes .
Fire detection and carbon monoxide detectors
At least one smoke alarm must be installed on every floor of a rented property . A carbon monoxide alarm must also be fitted to any room that contains a solid fuel burning appliance such as a coal fire or wood burning stove . Landlords must test alarms at the start of every tenancy .
As of February , all homes in Scotland must also have an interlinked fire alarm system . It ’ s the first of the UK nations to pass this legislation in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire , and it means that if one alarm goes off , all alarms go off .
Electrical fire and gas safety Landlords must also ensure that all electrical appliances , circuits , and fixed installations within the property are safe . Although not a legal requirement , landlords are also advised to obtain an Electrical Safety Certificate that provides proof that a qualified electrical engineer has inspected the premises . Insurance may be invalid if this inspection has not been carried out .
With regards to gas , properties that use gas supply for central heating or cooking appliances , must hold a valid Gas Safety Certificate . These appliances must be regularly maintained and serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer .
Furniture safety
To comply with the Furniture and Furnishings ( Fire Safety ) Regulations 1988 , landlords must ensure that all furniture is “ fire resistant ” by checking the manufacturers permanent label which signifies compliance .
Fire doors Fire doors are worth singling out for attention as they are often neglected , and many UK fire doors fail inspection . They play a vital role in helping to stop the spread of heat and smoke , protecting lives as well as buildings , and are an essential requirement for flats , or houses with loft conversions . They are also recommended for the kitchens of all rented properties .
What more can you do ?
Another way landlords can help to ensure maximum protection against a fire is to install fire rated locks with fire kits . FireKit by Codelocks fits to the lock of a door and adds additional protection by ensuring that smoke and fire cannot travel through lock installation gaps . Easy to install and compatible with new and existing Codelocks mechanical and electronic latch lock products , Codelocks ’ FireKit provides locks with 30- or 60-minutes fire protection allowing tenants more time to safely evacuate . In the event of a fire , intumescent strips and tubes expand to protect the latch , filling any apertures to stop smoke escaping and flames spreading . Alternatively , you can replace an existing lock with a coded lock from Codelocks ’ Fire Rated Lock range .
www . codelocks . co . uk
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NOV / DEC 2022
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