Starting from 1st October 2023, individuals who own holiday accommodations must adhere to recently implemented regulations regarding fire safety. These regulations, applicable to holiday lets in England and Wales, cover guidelines on fire doors, smoke alarms, and lighting.
Explore further to understand the applicability of these rules and the necessary actions for compliance for holiday lets in Falmouth.
What are the updated fire safety regulations for holiday accommodations?
The newly introduced regulations aim to ensure that all holiday property owners, including those renting out single rooms for short durations, take measures to guarantee the fire safety of their premises.
Here is a summary of the key changes:
Fire Risk Assessment
Owners of small holiday let businesses (with fewer than five employees) are now obligated to formally document their fire risk assessments, which should be prominently displayed within the property or included in the welcome pack.
While individuals can personally conduct a fire risk assessment for the smallest and simplest properties, a professional should handle assessments for larger or more complex holiday accommodations.
Additional information on fire risk assessments can be found on the government website.
Lighting
Holiday property owners must ensure that in the event of a fire disrupting internal lighting, there is sufficient 'borrowed lighting' from sources such as streetlights to enable guests to navigate.
If borrowed lighting is insufficient, owners can supply rechargeable torches in case of a mains supply failure.
Larger properties necessitate more intricate automatic emergency lighting systems (refer to relevant guidance for details).
Fire Doors
Escape routes from holiday homes must be equipped with fire doors that withstand burning for over 30 minutes.
Front doors of one and two-bedroom apartments should be self-closing fire doors.
Fire doors in smaller holiday homes should be inspected every six months to ensure their continued effectiveness.
Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms
Owners are now required to install linked, hard-wired smoke detectors in all bedrooms and living areas, along with heat detectors in kitchens.
Complex alarm and fire detection systems should undergo biannual checks, with property managers advised to test alarms between guest stays.
Fire Safety Equipment
Holiday let owners must provide fire safety equipment like extinguishers and blankets.
An annual check by a competent person is required for this equipment, and weekly inspections are recommended to confirm proper functioning.
Is there anything else holiday let landlords should be be aware of?
In addition to the above, there are specific rules regarding woodburners, locks, candles, heating systems, electrical safety, and furniture compliance.
Here are the revised guidelines:
Woodburners – Property owners are advised to arrange an annual cleaning of the chimney flues.
Locks – Exit door locks should be designed so that they can be opened from the inside without the need for a key.
Candles – Holiday home owners should refrain from providing guests with candles.
Heating – The property's heating system should undergo an annual inspection.
Electrical Safety – A comprehensive electrical safety check is mandatory every five years.
Furniture – All furniture must adhere to compliance with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations of 1988.
The application of these regulations depends on the size of the holiday property, with distinct guidelines for smaller and larger properties. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the suspension of property rentals, fines, or even imprisonment.
For more detailed information on making small holiday homes fire-safe, refer to Fireengland.uk or VisitBritain. If you have any unresolved queries about the new fire safety rules for holiday accommodations, feel free to share them in the comments below.