New Fire Safety Order
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force on 1 October 2006 replacing previous legislation.
It affects all forms of sleeping accommodation including everything in the Guest Accommodation scheme not previously covered i.e. those sleeping one to six guests. In relation to self-catering properties - it does not affect single private dwellings, but applies to blocks of flats etc. A house converted into holiday flats or for holiday letting will need to comply - as would a private house with B&B accommodation included in it.
- The law states operators must take responsibility for fire safety themselves so all accommodation operators will have to carry out a fire safety risk assessment and preventative or protective measures needed as a result of the risk assessment need to be installed and/or maintained by a competent person.
- Whoever carries out the risk assessment will be liable for anything which is found to be incorrect if anything goes wrong.
- A series of guides have been produced to advise businesses on doing risk assessments including one for Sleeping Accommodation. Further information is available from Shropshire Fire and Rescue: 01743 260260 . http://www.shropshirefire.gov.uk/website/Safety/rro.htm
- It would be a good idea to let your insurance company have a copy of your risk assessment in case of a fire, to ensure that you are covered.
To Download the Risk Assessment document (PDF) click here
- Having read through all of the above documentation and you feel you still require a consultants visit, there are a number of consultants who will make advisory visits for a fee. You should ensure that they are associates of the Institute of Fire Engineers whose website, www.ife.org.uk, includes lists of their associates including:
- Florian Fire (Shrewsbury) 01743 248045
- Fire Safety International (Dorrington) 01743 718008
- Managefire (Shrewsbury) 01743 272022
Note: These contacts are provided for information only and not a recommendation.
Important Update
We have been advised by Lesley Davies - Tourism Business Advisor for Shropshire, that there is some confusion as to if this legislation covers certain self catering establishments.
After consultation with HM Inspector - Geoff Bowles, Lesley has discovered the following:
- It depends on the nature of the let. If the let is for holiday/leisure purposes, whether a short break, a week or a longer holiday, it would need to comply with the legislation.
- If a long term let as a place of residence (domestic residence) then it would not.
He went on to say that the purpose of the legislation is that if you are away from home and staying in any type of accommodation then the legislation will be applied to that accommodation. This would therefore cover business visitors, visiting friends & relations, and all type of visitor accommodation.
Shropshire Tourism's advice would therefore be that self catering units should be considered as being included in this legislation
