LACORS Fire Safety Standards

HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY
Guidance on fire safety provisions

for certain types of existing housing
Foreword by Communities and Local Government ministers
Fire safety within the home is an extremely important issue, especially

in mixed use premises and where unrelated occupiers, who live
independently from one another, share common areas of the same
building. This area of law is covered by both the Housing Act 2004
and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
We welcome this guidance which helps to manage the relationship

between the Housing Act 2004 and the Fire Safety Order by offering
advice and assistance to enforcers, landlords, managing agents and
tenants, amongst others, on ways to make residential buildings safe
from fire, regardless of which piece of legislation is relevant. When it
comes to fire safety, everyone involved has an interest.
So we would encourage all those with an interest in these types

of premises to read this guidance, ensure they are aware of their
responsibilities to carry out a fire risk assessment, and make sure their
property has adequate and appropriate fire safety measures in place.
Iain Wright MP Parmjit Dhanda MP

Under Secretary of State Under Secretary of State with
with responsibility for housing responsibility for fire safety
housing – fire safety 1

Contents
Acknowledgements Part D: case studies of practical fire safety solutions in

various catagories of premises 36
Part A: introduction 4 33. Introduction 36
1. Purpose of guidance 4 34. Single household occupancy buildings 37
2. Scope of this guidance 5 35. Shared houses 39
3. Intended readership and layout of the 36. Bedsit-type HMOs (lets) 43
guidance 6 37. Buildings converted into self-contained
flats 46
Part B: fire risk assesment 7
38. Flats in multiple occupation 49
4. Introduction 7
39. Back-to-back houses 50
5. What is fire risk assessment? 7
6. Suggested method for carrying out fire Appendix 1: legislation and statutory guidance 52
risk assessment 7 A.7 The Housing Act 2004: part 1 – housing health
and safety rating system 52
Part C: general principals of fire risk reduction 10
A.31 The Housing Act 2004: part 2 – licensing of
7. Introduction 10 houses in multiple occupation 55
8. General fire safety principles 11 A.45 Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation
9. Escape routes 11 Regulations 2006 59
10. Habitable basements 14 A.51 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
11. Unoccupied basements/cellars 14 2005 59
12. Inner rooms 15 A.61 The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety)
13. Galleries 15 Regulations 1988 61
14. Escape windows 16 A.67 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
1998 61
15. Protected routes/stairs 16
A.73 Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations
16. Exit doors 18
1994 62
17. Secondary means of escape 18
18. External stairways 19
19. Fire separation/compartmentation 19 Appendix 2: Protocol between local housing
20. Floor/ceiling partitions 21 authorities and fire and rescue authorities to improve
21. Fire doors 21 fire safety 63
22. Automatic fire detection and warning systems
Appendix 3: Example form for recording significant
(AFD) 23
findings from the fire risk assessment 70
23. Lighting of escape routes 26
24. Emergency escape lighting 27 Glossary 71
25. Fire fighting equipment (portable) 28 Some useful fire safety terms
26. Automatic water suppression systems 29
Bibliography 74
27. Fire safety signage 30
28. Surface finishes 31
Further acknowledgements 76
29. Floor coverings 32
30. Special provisions relating to back-to-back
houses 32
31. Mixed commercial and residential use 33
32. Management and maintenance of fire
safety 33
2 housing – fire safety

Acknowledgements
LACORS extends particular thanks to Kevin Thompson,

author of this guidance and would also like to express its
sincere appreciation to the following who made significant
contributions:
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
with particular thanks to Andrew Griffiths
The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) with particular
thanks to Paul Dryden,
Communities and Local Government, with particular
thanks to Brian Martin and Rhian Blackman.
DASH (Decent and Safe Homes, East Midlands) with
particular thanks to Martin Brown of Derby City
Council,
The National HMO Network Steering Group, with

particular thanks to John Venables.
The National Landlords Association (NLA) with particular
thanks to Elizabeth Brogan
The Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authorities and Local
Authorities with particular thanks to Paul Rotherham
In preparing this guidance, LACORS wish to make it clear

that:
(i) Legislation may change over time and the advice
given is based on the information available at the
time the guidance was produced. It is not necessarily
comprehensive and is subject to revision in the light of
further information;
(ii) Only the Courts, the Residential Property Tribunal or

Lands Tribunal can interpret statutory legislation with
any authority; and
(iii) This advice is not intended to be a definitive

guide to, nor a substitute for, the relevant law and
independent legal advice should be sought where
appropriate.

Part A: introduction solutions which will comply with that framework. The
regulatory framework is summarised in paragraphs
1.6-1.8 and a more comprehensive explanation is
1. Purpose of this guidance
offered in Appendix 1.
1.1 This document contains guidance for landlords

1.5 The guidance will be kept under review and further
and fire safety enforcement officers in both local
guidance may be issued. Any comments or enquiries
housing authorities (LHAs) and in fire and rescue
should be addressed to LACORS at housing@lacors.
authorities (FRAs) on how to ensure adequate fire
gov.uk. Please note that LACORS will be unable to
safety in certain types of residential accommodation.
respond to queries from individual landlords and
It offers practical advice on fire risk assessment and
managing agents. Landlords with queries about fire
contains case studies with suggested fire safety
safety regulation should contact their local council or
solutions. Appendix 1 provides an overview of the
fire and rescue authority.
legal framework in relation to fire safety, but landlords
should be able to comply with fire safety requirements
without a detailed knowledge of the legal framework. 1.6 The Housing Act 2004 brought in a new system
Where necessary, advice on enforcement matters of regulation for fire safety in existing residential
can be sought from the LHA, FRA or appropriate premises by way of the housing health and safety
landlord associations. The content of this document rating system (HHSRS), licensing provisions for houses
is intended as guidance only. Definitive interpretation in multiple occupation (HMOs) and management
of the legislative requirements can only be made by regulations for HMOs. In practice the HHSRS is the
the relevant court or tribunal. The guidance applies principal tool used to assess and regulate fire safety
to England, but Welsh statutory requirements are standards, but HMO licensing conditions will reflect
very similar and so the general guidance on fire risk HHSRS assessments. The responsible person for the
assessment may also be relevant in Wales. purposes of fire safety provision and maintenance at
the residential accommodation is the person having
control – usually the landlord, or alternatively in HMOs
1.2 This guidance does not introduce new standards or
the manager. Previous fire safety guidance for HMOs
regulations but builds upon existing good practice
contained in the Department of Environment Circular
and guidance currently in place around the country.
12/92 has been withdrawn.
It aims to provide landlords and enforcing officers
with assistance in complying with the legislative
requirements in a consistent and reasonable manner. 1.7 Alongside the Housing Act 2004, the Regulatory
The guidance was subject to an extensive consultation Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) introduced
exercise and the final content has received input from duties in relation to fire safety in the common areas
a large number of LHAs, FRAs and landlords as well of HMOs note 1, flats, maisonettes and sheltered
as Communities and Local Government and the Chief accommodation in which personal care is not
Fire Officers Association. provided. The duty is placed on the responsible
person, who is required to carry out a fire risk
assessment and take specific action to minimise the
1.3 This document does not set prescriptive standards
risk of fire in the common parts. ‘Responsible person’
but provides recommendations and guidance for
means “the person who has control of the premises in
use when assessing the adequacy of fire precautions
connection with the carrying on of a trade, business or
in these types of premises. Alternative fire risk
other undertaking”. In practice this will usually be the
assessment methods may be equally valid in order
landlord, but in the case of absentee landlords where
to comply with fire safety law, and alternative
the “carrying on of the business” is undertaken by a
approaches to individual fire safety solutions may be
managing agent it may be the managing agent. These
acceptable.
provisions are enforced by fire and rescue authorities.
1.4 There is currently no national guidance available to

note 1: the order will not apply to some HMOs which
landlords to help them understand and comply with
are occupied as ‘shared houses’ – see paragraph 35
the regulatory framework. This document aims to
for further guidance.
provide that assistance. It also offers guidance to
enforcing officers on both the regulatory framework
itself and on recommendations for some fire safety

1.8 There is therefore a dual enforcement regime in • single household properties;
place in multi-occupancy premises. In order to avoid • shared houses;
duplication and the potential for conflict, the Fire
• bedsit HMOs;
Safety Protocol established a framework for joint
• purpose-built flats and buildings converted into self-
working arrangements between these two sets of
contained flats to a standard not in compliance with
authorities and is being adopted locally around the
the Building Regulations 1991;
country to good effect. The protocol is included in
this guidance at Appendix 2. In premises occupied by • sheltered accommodation in which personal care is
single households, only the HHSRS (housing health not provided; and
and safety rating system) will apply. • small hostels to which the HM Government Sleeping
Accommodation Guide is inappropriate (application
will be determined by the LHA and FRA jointly under
1.9 Guidance to fire and rescue authorities under the
the terms of the Fire Safety Protocol).
FSO has been issued in the HM Government Fire
Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation
Guide, published by Communities and Local 2.2 It should be noted that the guidance applies to the
Government (CLG) in May 2006. Guidance for local above types of premises regardless of tenure (i.e.
housing authorities under the Housing Act 2004 is whether owner-occupied, social housing or private
contained in the HHSRS Operating Guidance and rented sector).
HHSRS Enforcement Guidance, both issued by CLG
in February 2006. In order to underpin the fire safety
2.3 This guidance does not apply to properties
protocol and offer practical guidance to enforcing
constructed or converted to a standard in compliance
authorities and landlords, several local and regional
with the Building Regulations 1991 or later (and which
guides have also been developed around the country.
still comply). Buildings converted and maintained to
Some excellent work has been done in this respect,
a standard meeting those regulations will not require
but it has been widely recognised that a single set
additional fire safety measures unless occupied in
of national, risk-based guidance is needed to bring
a manner other than intended under the original
together and build upon this regional work and inform
construction or conversion scheme (for example
LHAs, FRAs and landlords in their application of fire
occupation of a single household flat as a flat in
safety solutions. Such guidance will help to simplify
multiple occupation or where some other additional
the dual enforcement approach and bring some
risk has been subsequently introduced). Where a
national consistency. However, it should be noted that
building did comply but has deteriorated significantly
housing design varies across the country and there
through lack of maintenance, damage or other
are certain types of houses specific to certain regions
alteration then it may require additional measures
which require a specialist solution. In such cases,
and this guidance should be applied. Where building
local guidance may be more comprehensive that that
regulation standards are subsequently raised it is
contained in this guide.
not currently envisaged that further works would be
necessary.
LACORS has produced this guidance in partnership
with the Chief Fire Officers Association and the
2.4 This guidance is also not intended to apply to:
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health in order
• guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation
to meet the above objectives. The guidance has
used by tourists/visitors. However, this type of
undergone extensive consultation and received input
accommodation is sometimes used to accommodate
from many LHAs, FRAs and landlord associations
single homeless persons as their sole home. In such
as well as individual landlords, housing and fire
cases this guidance may apply and the terms of the
professionals.
Fire Safety Protocol should be adhered to determine
enforcement responsibilities (see Appendix 2);
2. Scope of this guidance • hotels and motels;
• large hostels for which the HM Government Suite
2.1 This fire safety guide is intended for buildings which of Guidance is more appropriate (see note in 2.1
have been constructed or adapted for use as domestic above);
dwellings, and covers a range of existing residential • refuges such as family accommodation centres and
premises including: halfway houses;

• residential health and beauty spa centres; 3.2 The guidance is laid out as follows:
• residential conference, seminar and training centres; Part A: the introduction should be read by everyone
• student halls of residence (including those managed using the guide as it lays out the purpose, scope
by commercial providers) and areas of sleeping and application of the guidance and the intended
accommodation in other training institutions readership.
including military barrack-style quarters;
• areas of buildings in boarding schools that provide Part B: outlines the principles and methodology of fire
sleeping accommodation; risk assessment. This is particularly aimed at landlords
• seminaries and other religious colleges; and is intended to offer them guidance and assistance
in a simple format in order to de-mystify the fire risk
• sheltered accommodation where personal care is
assessment process. It may also be useful to new
provided;
enforcement officers or those returning to this area of
• residential care homes;
work.
• holiday chalets and complexes, camping and
caravan parks (except privately owned individual
Part C: outlines the general principles of fire safety
units); and
in residential accommodation. This part informs
• areas in workplaces where staff ‘sleeping-in’ is a
the reader how various fire safety precautions may
condition of employment or a business requirement,
be applied to reduce risk, and is a useful guide to
as in hotels; but not including tied accommodation
all readers as it explains why the various fire safety
such as separate flats, houses, apartments, HMOs
precautions are recommended.
and accommodation above pubs.
Part D: offers example case studies for various types

These types of accommodation fall under the
of premises. The studies are intended to bring the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and
principles in Part C to life. The studies given are
detailed fire safety guidance for them is contained
examples of fire safety solutions. Other solutions may
in the HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment
be equally valid. The studies must not be used as
Sleeping Accommodation Guide.
‘off-the-peg’ solutions and should always be read in
conjunction with Part C.
3. Intended readership and layout of the guidance The appendices are intended as a reference source for
all readers and include:
3.1 This guidance is aimed at those who manage, give • a detailed explanation of the regulatory framework
advice, enforce standards or live in existing residential for fire safety;
accommodation falling within the scope of this guide. • the Fire Safety Protocol which establishes the
principles and describes the joint working
Typically this will include: arrangements between LHAs and FRAs; and
• private sector housing providers (landlords); • an example form for recording the findings of
the fire risk assessment which landlords may find
• social housing providers;
particularly useful.
• managing agents or facility managers;
• enforcement officers in local housing authorities;
The glossary is intended as a plain English guide to
• enforcement officers in fire and rescue authorities;
some terms used in the guidance.
• advice agencies;
• residential leaseholders;
The bibliography offers sources of further reading for

• owner-occupiers (where appropriate);
those seeking greater detail or researching the source
• freeholders (where appropriate); and of some of the guidance.
• tenants in the accommodation types covered by the
guidance (where they have an enquiry or dispute
relating to fire safety standards in their home).

Part B: Fire risk assessment 5. What is a fire risk assessment?
4. Introduction 5.1 A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical

look at the premises, the activities carried on there and
the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to
4.1 Where it applies the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
those in and around the premises.
Order 2005 (FSO) places a duty on the responsible
person to take general fire precautions to ensure,
as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of 5.2 Most premises covered by this guide will be relatively
the people on the premises and in the immediate small and will have a straightforward and simple
vicinity. ‘Responsible person’ means “the person who layout, and little fire safety expertise is likely to be
has control of the premises in connection with the required to carry out the risk assessment. In larger
carrying on of a trade, business or other undertaking”. buildings or where the building contains different uses
In practice this will usually be the landlord, but in the (for example, residential accommodation alongside
case of absentee landlords where the “carrying on of or above a separate commercial use) then specialist
the business” is undertaken by a managing agent it advice may be required.
may be the managing agent.
5.3 The aims of the fire risk assessment are:
4.2 The responsible person must carry out a fire risk • to identify the fire hazards;
assessment for the purpose of identifying the general • to reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm to
fire precautions and other measures needed to as low as reasonably practicable; and
comply with the FSO. Although under the FSO this
• to decide what physical fire precautions and
requirement only applies to the common parts of
management arrangements are necessary to ensure
premises, in practice the responsible person will need
the safety of people in the premises if a fire does
to take into account the entire premises – including, to
start.
some extent, the units of accommodation themselves.
While the FSO has limited application to certain types
of property (see paragraph 35), the principles of fire 5.4 The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ should be understood in
safety risk assessment apply across the board, and the context of this guidance:
their application should ensure compliance with all the • hazard: anything that has the potential to cause
legislation. harm
• risk: the chance of that harm occurring.
4.3 Having identified the general fire precautions that
are necessary and having implemented them, the
responsible person must put in place a suitable system
6. Suggested method for carrying out a risk
of maintenance and appoint competent persons to
assessment
implement any procedures that have been adopted.
This could, for example, be a premises manager or
agent, who need not necessarily be permanently on 6.1 The guidance offered here follows the general
the premises but would ensure that the responsible methodology contained in HM Government Fire Safety
person’s duties were observed. Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide, but
alternative approaches may be equally acceptable.
4.4 Guidance on fire risk assessments follows in this

section. More detailed guidance can be found in HM 6.2 The assessment method suggested in this guide shares
Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping the same approach as that used in general health
Accommodation Guide, which is available on the CLG and safety legislation, and it can be carried out either
website at www.communities.gov.uk/firesafety. as part of a more general risk assessment or as a
separate exercise.
6.3 The fire risk assessment should be carried out in a

practical and systematic way and enough time must be
allocated to the exercise. In some larger premises and
those with mixed uses, it may be helpful to divide the

building into rooms or a series of assessment areas using Things that will burn reasonably easily and are in large
natural boundaries (for example kitchens, offices and enough quantity to provide fuel for a fire or cause it to
stores; and corridors, stairways and external routes). spread to another fuel source are potential hazards. In
premises covered by this guide they may include the
following, but this list is not exhaustive:
6.4 The process can be broken down into five steps:
1. Identify fire hazards (paragraph 6.5).
• furniture, furnishings, textiles, bedding, clothing and
2. Identify people at risk (paragraph 6.10).
curtains note 4;
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce risk and protect
• laundry;
against remaining risk note 2 (paragraph 6.14).
• accumulations of unwanted mail, waste paper,
4. Record, plan and inform or train (paragraph 6.20).
cardboard, newspapers and magazines (including
5. Review (paragraph 6.25).
that awaiting recycling collection);
• waste storage and refuse containers;
note 2: Part D of this guidance contains various
• flammable liquid-based products such as paint,
example case studies which may help inform on
varnish, thinners, adhesives, white spirit, methylated
appropriate precautions to remove, reduce and
spirit and cooking oils;
protect against risk.
• liquefied gas (LPG), paraffin, heating oils and petrol;
• paper products, packaging materials, stationery,
6.5 Step 1: identify the hazards within the premises
advertising material and books;
• decorations for seasonal and religious occasions;
6.6 For a fire to start, three things are needed: a source
• plastics and rubber such as videotapes, polyurethane
of ignition, fuel and oxygen. If any one of these is
foam-filled furniture and polystyrene-based display
absent, a fire cannot start. Taking measures to avoid
materials; and
the three coming together will therefore reduce the
• wall, floor and ceiling coverings and surface finishes.
chances of a fire occurring.
note 3: electrical and gas installations and appliances

6.7 Sources of ignition: identify potential sources of
are subject to regulations which impose installation
ignition, i.e. sources of heat which could get hot
and maintenance requirements (the Gas Safety
enough to ignite any materials around them. In
(Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the
premises covered by this guide they may include:
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994) (see
• smokers’ materials such as cigarettes, matches and
Appendix 1, paragraphs A.67 and A.73). Compliance
lighters (if people smoke within the premises);
with these regulations will reduce the risk presented
• naked flames, for example candles and night lights; by some of the items listed above.
• electric, gas or oil-fired heaters (fixed or portable);
• boilers; note 4: furniture and furnishings are subject to the
• cookers, toasters and other kitchen equipment Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
(especially when shared); (see Appendix 1, paragraph A.61). Compliance with
these regulations will reduce the risk these items present.
• faulty or misused electrical equipment;
• electric blankets, computers, TVs, washing machines
and dryers; Particular care should be taken when premises are
undergoing alteration, repair or redecoration. During
• lighting equipment (fixed and movable), for example
such times flammable materials that would not
halogen lamps and table lamps;
normally be present may be stored in the premises,
• the electrical installation itself note 3;
possibly in escape routes or in rooms which are
• the gas installation note 3; otherwise unused. Care should be taken as to where
• arson attack; and and how these products are stored. Premises which
• in larger or mixed use properties, any plant rooms, normally have good fire precautions and present a
lift motor rooms and so on. low fire risk may have their fire safety compromised by
temporary careless storage of these products or by the
disabling of fire precautions during the period of the
6.8 Sources of fuel: anything that burns is fuel for a fire.
works.

6.9 Sources of oxygen: in premises covered by this guide • ensure electrical sockets are adequate in number
the oxygen source will be the air in the building. and sited appropriately to avoid overloading and
Where only normal natural domestic ventilation is trailing leads;
provided the risk will generally be normal. • ensure electrical, mechanical and gas equipment
is installed, used, maintained and protected in
6.10 Step 2: identify people at risk accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;
• ensure all furniture complies with the Furniture and
Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988;
6.11 It is necessary to identify those who will be at risk if
there is a fire and where they are likely to be found. • ensure combustible items such as furniture, laundry
In premises covered by this guide these will generally and decorations are stored properly and are kept
be residents and their visitors and anybody working away from potential ignition sources such as
in the premises such as a caretaker or cleaner and cookers, heaters and boilers;
any visiting contractors. Only in buildings with mixed • ensure refuse is properly stored and disposed of; and
residential and commercial use are there likely to be • in crowded accommodation, provide adequate
other people to consider. shelving and cupboard space so that everyday items
are not in proximity to cookers, heaters and so on.
6.12 The risk assessment should consider people at risk,
who may include: 6.17 Having taken measures to remove or reduce fire
• people asleep (who will be disorientated and slow to hazards as far as is practicable, arrangements need to
respond); be put in place to protect people from the remaining
• people who are unfamiliar with the premises (guests fire risk as far as is reasonably possible by ensuring
and visitors); that adequate fire precautions are in place to warn
people in the event of a fire and to allow them to
• people with disabilities (including mobility
escape to a place of safety.
impairment and hearing or vision impairment);
• people who may have some other reason for not
being able to leave the premises quickly (such as 6.18 The general principles of fire risk reduction are
parents with young children); outlined in Part C, where guidance is also given on
what measures should be implemented and to what
• people who are sensorially impaired due to alcohol,
standards, based on overall fire risk assessment.
drugs or medication;
• unaccompanied children and young people;
6.19 Case studies of various types of premises and how
• anyone working in enclosed, isolated parts of the
these precautions could be employed to reduce fire
building; and
risk are given in Part D.
• anyone who has difficulty understanding English.
6.20 Step 4: record, plan, inform, instruct and train

6.13 In evaluating the risk to people with disabilities it may
be necessary to discuss their individual needs with
them or seek professional advice. 6.21 It is a good idea for everyone to keep a written record of
their fire safety risk assessment. If you have five or more
employees (including any who work part-time and not
6.14 Step 3: evaluate, remove or reduce risk and
necessarily at the particular premises being risk-assessed),
protect against remaining risk
and if the premises are licensed, or if an alterations
notice is in force (see Appendix 1, A.57) the law says
6.15 Hazards should be removed where it is practicable to you must make a written record of your risk assessment.
do so, and where they cannot be removed they should In these cases it is the “significant findings” of the risk
be reduced as far as possible. What is considered assessment that must be recorded. Significant findings
reasonable in a particular case will depend on an are the actions to be taken as a result of the assessment
evaluation of the potential to cause harm and the and details of anyone at particular risk. Significant
chance of that harm occurring. Some simple examples findings should include details of:
are given below: • the fire hazards that have been identified (but ignore
• replace portable heating appliances with fixed trivial things such as a tin of solvent-based glue);
convector heaters or a central heating system; • the actions taken, or which will be taken, to remove

or reduce the chance of a fire occurring (preventive Part C: General principles of fire risk
measures);
reduction
• persons who may be at risk, particularly those
especially at risk;
7. Introduction
• the actions taken, or which will be taken, to reduce
the risk to people from the spread of fire and smoke
(protective measures); 7.1 Existing residential accommodation comprises a wide
• the actions people need to take if a fire occurs. This range of property types, occupancy arrangements and
will include any special arrangements made with staff occupier type. Fire risks in rented accommodation, and
such as housekeepers or others (the emergency plan); in particular in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs),
can be complex. HMOs often provide accommodation
• any information, instruction and training identified
for people from a wide range of backgrounds and
as being needed, and how it will be given; and
may house vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. In
• any discussions that have taken place with residents
some HMOs there is a high occupancy turnover rate
(or, if appropriate, with staff).
with little social interaction or cohesion between
occupiers. The mix of often poor-quality, low-cost
It is recommended that a record of the significant housing and vulnerable occupants can lead to a higher
findings of the fire risk assessment is kept in all cases, than normal fire risk.
even where it is not a requirement to do so. An
example template is shown in Appendix 3 – however,
7.2 With these varying factors applying it is not credible
any alternative format will be acceptable provided it
to offer a single solution to fire safety which can be
contains the information above.
applied broadly. Fire safety solutions must instead be
based on the level of risk presented by an individual
6.22 An appropriate emergency plan should be put in place. property and its mode and level of occupation. Often
In most residential accommodation this is unlikely to alternative solutions are available which will provide an
extend beyond advising residents what to do in the equally acceptable level of fire safety for a particular
event of a fire or fire alarm and how to contact the fire property, and sometimes identical properties may need
and rescue service. In large or mixed use premises a different approaches due to differences in the types of
more sophisticated plan may be necessary. occupation or the needs of the occupants.
6.23 The responsible person must provide any employees 7.3 This risk-based approach is enshrined in current fire
with appropriate information and training on risks safety legislation, in particular the housing health and
identified in the risk assessment and information on safety rating system and the Regulatory Reform (Fire
fire safety measures and procedures for the premises. Safety) Order 2005 (see Appendix 1, paragraphs A.7
and A.51).
6.24 There is no requirement under the FSO to provide
training to residents, but providing them with basic 7.4 However, some basic fundamental principles apply to
information on fire precautions is a simple and fire safety generally, and these must be applied flexibly
effective way of reducing fire risk in the premises. to meet the needs of a particular property. These
principles are outlined in this chapter and are brought
to life in the case studies in Part D.
6.25 Step 5: review
7.5 A risk assessment carried out on premises constructed

6.26 The risk assessment and the general fire precautions
or converted to a standard which would meet the
in the premises should be reviewed regularly. There is
requirements of the Building Regulations 1991,
no specific timescale for this other than where there is
approved document B is unlikely to conclude
a reason to suspect that it is no longer valid or where
that additional fire safety measures are required.
there has been a significant change in the premises.
Premises constructed/converted to that standard
and subsequently maintained as such are likely to
6.27 In practice the fire precautions should be kept under have adequate fire safety measures. The exception is
constant review. Where problems are identified they where the premises are occupied in a manner other
should be dealt with as soon as possible. than that intended under the original construction

or conversion scheme (for example, occupation of a 9. Escape routes
single household flat as a flat in multiple occupation,
or where some other additional risk has been
9.1 This section provides guidance on the general
subsequently introduced). Where a building did
principles relating to escape routes along with
comply but has deteriorated significantly through lack
examples of typical escape route solutions for different
of maintenance, damage or other alteration it may
building layouts. Most residential premises covered
require additional measures and this guidance should
by this guide will be considered as ‘normal’ risk.
be applied.
This is based on the general assumption that the
occupants are able-bodied and will be capable of
7.6 In view of the type of properties falling within using the means of escape unaided to reach a place of
the scope of this guide, the fire safety approach ultimate safety, and that there are no unusually high
adopted is to provide early warning of any fire to all risk elements. If this is not the case or there are other
occupiers and to ensure that they can safely evacuate factors which present a higher than normal risk then
the building to a place of permanent safety (total additional measures may be required.
evacuation). Blocks of flats which were constructed or
converted in compliance with the Building Regulations
9.2 Layout of accommodation units themselves
1991, approved document B or equivalent may adopt
must be considered. Poor layout within a unit of
a different approach such as ‘stay-put’ as the level of
accommodation can present a fire risk to the occupant
compartmentation means there will be a low risk of
before he or she is able to reach the escape route.
fire spreading beyond its unit of origin.
Ideally, sleeping areas or rooms should be closer to
the exit door to the accommodation than living areas
8. General fire safety principles or kitchen facilities (see also paragraphs 12 and 13
regarding inner rooms and galleries).
Figure C1 (below) illustrates some general principles
which underpin fire safety in a residential context. 9.3 Wherever possible, fire risks such as the storage of
significant quantities of flammable materials and ready

sources of ignition should be removed or reduced. If 9.6 When considering the safety of the existing escape
it is not possible to do so, the risk should be regarded route, in addition to the occupant profile it is
as ‘higher’ and the property may need a higher level necessary to consider:
of fire safety protection than normal. Other examples • the layout and complexity of the route;
of higher risk might include very large premises,
• the travel distance to a place of safety;
premises where there are integral commercial uses,
• the type of construction and state of repair; and
and those with unusually poor levels of construction
or with complicated layouts. Similarly, the occupancy • the presence of other fire safety measures such
of the building may present a higher than normal as automatic fire detection and warning systems,
risk, thereby warranting a higher level of protection – emergency lighting or fire suppression systems.
for example where significant numbers of occupiers
have limited mobility or are unable to move without Figure C2 (below): Some risk factors to consider
assistance, or premises catering for people subject to
alcohol or substance misuse.
9.7 In all buildings a fully protected escape route
(staircase) offering 30 minutes fire resistance is the
9.4 Conversely, some premises present a risk which can ideal solution and it will usually be appropriate for
be regarded as ‘low’. Examples may include premises all bedsit-type accommodation. However, in lower
with all of the following characteristics: risk buildings (i.e. single household occupancy of up
• a low occupancy level and all the occupants are to four storeys and low risk shared houses), due to
able-bodied and capable of using the means of the lower risk and shorter travel distance to the final
escape without assistance; exit, this need not be insisted upon as long as all the
• very little chance of a fire occurring and few, if any, following conditions are met:
highly combustible or flammable materials or other • the stairs should lead directly to a final exit without
fuel for a fire; passing through a risk room;
• where fire cannot spread quickly throughout the • the staircase enclosure should be of sound,
property and will be quickly detected so people can conventional construction throughout the route;
make their escape; and • all risk rooms should be fitted with sound,
• where there is more than one acceptable escape route. close-fitting doors of conventional construction
(lightweight doors and doors with very thin panels
should be avoided); and
9.5 The guidance on acceptable standards for escape
routes in this document is based upon ‘normal’ risk. • an appropriate system of automatic fire detection
and warning is in place (see table C4).

9.8 An alternative solution is possible in low risk two- previous standards have suggested maximum safe
storey shared houses. Where the first floor is no more distances. For example, nine metres was considered
than 4.5 metres above ground level, rooms used for the maximum acceptable distance from a room exit
sleeping could be provided with access to a suitable door to a place of relative safety. This is a useful
escape window from the first floor leading to a place reference but need not be applied as a rigid standard,
of ultimate safety. In this situation consideration of the and may be increased or decreased depending upon
internal escape route is not essential. The option of the level of risk once the appropriate fire prevention
escape windows will only be acceptable if they meet measures have been put in place. When assessing
the requirements of paragraph 14, and, where they do travel distances, the distance should be considered
not, the provisions of paragraph 9.7 should be usually from all parts of the premises to the nearest place of
applied. If it is necessary to pass through the common relative safety, which is:
escape route to reach the escape window, consideration • a protected stairway enclosure (storey exit);
should be had to the travel distance involved. Where the
• a separate fire compartment from which there is a
common escape route is not a protected route, unusually
final exit to a place of ultimate safety; or
long travel distances may be unacceptable and other fire
• the nearest available final exit.
precautions may be necessary (this will not usually be the
case in conventional houses).
9.12 If there is a suitable second staircase or exit or if there
are additional fire safety measures (an enhanced
9.9 In the worst-case scenario, it may be that the
system of fire detection and warning, for example,
requirements of paragraphs 9.7 and 9.8 cannot be
or a water suppression system), the premises may
provided and the only exit internally is through a risk
be considered lower risk and the travel distances
room. Whilst this should always be avoided where
and levels of protection may be adjusted accordingly
possible, in some cases it may be impracticable to
where this lower risk can be demonstrated.
do so. Where this is the case it may exceptionally be
possible to accept exit via a risk room provided the exit
from the bottom of the staircase at ground floor level 9.13 In single room units or other accommodation which
is possible in more than one direction (i.e. via either has an exit door leading directly to a protected
the front or the rear rooms). 30-minute fire resisting stairway enclosure or a separate fire compartment
construction and FD30S fire doors between each from which there is a final exit to a place of ultimate
of the ground floor rooms and the staircase will be safety, it will only be necessary to consider the
required alongside an enhanced system of automatic travel distance from the furthest point within the
fire detection. Where escape from the bottom of the unit to that exit door. It is unlikely that in the types
staircase is only possible in one direction, a further accommodation covered by this guide the distance
alternative might be the installation of a water will be so large as to have any impact on safety, but
suppression system. These arrangements will generally if such cases do arise then additional safety measures
be unsuitable for bedsit-type occupation. may be appropriate. In any event, cooking facilities
within these rooms should, wherever possible, be sited
away from the exit door so as not to prejudice it in the
9.10 When a fire starts, if there are no fire safety measures
event of fire.
in place then the time that people have to escape
before they become affected or trapped is extremely
limited. The presence of fire safety measures extends 9.14 In units with more than one room leading off an
this time. In practice this means the installation of internal lobby or hallway (flats), the travel distance
some form of fire warning and detection system and within that lobby/hallway will need to be considered.
an escape route which will remain unaffected by the If it is unusually large or there are a large number
fire for sufficient time to allow people to reach a place of rooms leading off it (for example a large flat
of safety. By necessity, the travel distance along the in multiple occupation), the travel distances may
escape route must be limited. necessitate making the internal lobby/hallway a fire
protected route; or it may necessitate the provision of
an alternative exit or additional fire safety measures
9.11 Limiting the travel distance from rooms to a place
such as an enhanced fire detection and warning
of safety reduces the risk of people being trapped
system or an automatic water suppression system.
by a fire on their escape route. This guidance does
Doors to sleeping rooms within the unit should,
not set a maximum travel distance, as this should be
wherever possible, be closer to the exit door than
considered in the context of overall risk. However,

doors to higher-risk rooms such as kitchens and staircase) to ensure that escaping occupiers do not
communal living rooms. have to escape up through a trapped layer of smoke
and heat.
9.15 In more complex buildings, such as those with more
than one escape route or with complex layouts, 10.5 The standard of fire resistance of individual room
greater attention to travel distances will be required. partitions and of doors to rooms should be the same
Such situations will not usually be encountered in the as for the remainder of the house.
type of premises covered by this guide, but if so then
the guidance contained in HM Government Fire Safety
10.6 Ideally, a separate exit to an ultimate place of safety
Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide
should be provided from the basement level. If this is
should be followed.
not possible then escape windows should be provided
to all habitable rooms. To be acceptable, escape
10. Habitable basements windows should comply with paragraph 14, and
where they do not (security measures may preclude it
or there may be no escape from the basement well)
10.1 Consideration needs to be given to the fire risk
then a 30-minute protected route should be provided
presented to occupiers of any storey below the main
within the basement up to the ground floor. However,
entry/exit level of the house and the risk that storey
for single household occupancy and in low-risk
poses to the remainder of the house. Such storeys
shared houses of no more than two other storeys (not
may be true basements or lower ground floors where
counting the basement), it should be possible to relax
the main house entry level is raised above ground and
the 30-minute standard as in paragraph 10.3 above.
accessed via steps.
10.7 In all cases the same level of automatic fire detection

10.2 Ideally, the fire separation between the basement and
and warning system should be installed in the
the ground floor (including the staircase soffit and
basement as in the remainder of the house.
spandrel) should be 30 minutes fire resisting, and a
30-minute fire resisting door should be fitted at the
head of the basement stairs. 11. Unoccupied basements/cellars
10.3 For single household occupancy or low-risk shared 11.1 Unoccupied basements and cellars are often neglected
houses of no more than two other storeys (not or used for storage. They usually contain electrical
counting the basement), it should be possible to wiring and possibly electric or gas meters, and they
accept existing construction provided it is of sound, often receive little attention. The basement/cellar may
conventional construction (such as plasterboard or lath be one open void without partitioning. Alternatively
and plaster ceilings) and is in good condition. In this there may be rooms but they may not have substantial
situation it should also be possible to accept existing, doors, the doors may be left open or may be in
well fitted and constructed solid doors within the disrepair. In either case, any fire will quickly attack the
basement, providing they are in sound condition and basement/ground floor partition and door. Because
self closing. Solid timber doors and panelled doors of its location the fire will spread rapidly upwards and
of substantial construction may be adequate in these prejudice the escape route from the ground floor. For
lower risk situations, but flimsy constructions and these reasons, generally the fire separation between
hollow infill-type doors (commonly known as ‘egg the basement and the ground floor (including the
box’) would not be. This can be difficult to assess and staircase soffit and spandrel) should be 30 minutes fire
expert advice may be required. resisting, and a 30-minute fire resisting door should be
fitted at the head of the basement stairs. However, for
two-storey single household occupancies and two-
10.4 In larger shared houses and other multi-occupied
storey, low-risk shared houses, if the basement is well
premises, full 30 minutes fire separation between
maintained and managed it may be possible to apply
the basement and ground floors should be expected,
the same relaxation in fire separation as in paragraph
with a self-closing 30-minute fire resisting door with
10.3 above. In all cases the same level of automatic
intumescent strips and smoke seals fitted at the head
fire detection and warning system as in the remainder
of the stairs to the basement. In some very large
of the house should be installed in the basement.
occupied basements, it may be appropriate to have
two FD30S doors (top and bottom of the basement

12. Inner rooms outer room while making their escape; and
• ideally the outer room should not be an area of high
12.1 A room where the only escape route is through fire risk, but if this is impracticable and there is no
another room is termed an ‘inner room’ and poses other option it could be accepted in this situation as
a risk to its occupier if a fire starts unnoticed in the exit via an escape window provides an alternative.
outer room (sometimes termed an ‘access room’). This
arrangement should be avoided wherever possible. Figure C3 (below): Inner rooms
However, where unavoidable it may be accepted where
the inner room is a kitchen, laundry or utility room, a
13. Galleries
dressing room, bathroom, WC or shower room.
13.1 Gallery accommodation has become popular in

12.2 Where the inner room is any other type of habitable
open plan studios and elsewhere where space is at a
room (for example a living room, sleeping room,
premium. To be acceptable a gallery should:
workroom or study) it should only be accepted if:
• ideally be provided with an alternative exit leading
• the inner room has access to a suitable door
to a place of safety; or
opening onto an alternative safe route of escape,
or it is situated on a floor which is not more than • where the gallery platform is not more than 4.5m
4.5m above ground level and has an escape window above external ground level it should have an
leading directly to a place of ultimate safety; escape window leading to a place of safety. Escape
windows will only be acceptable if they meet the
• an adequate automatic fire detection and warning
requirements of paragraph 14.
system is in place (see paragraphs 22-25); and
• a fire-resisting door of an appropriate standard is
fitted between the inner and outer rooms (typically 13.2 Where an alternative exit or suitable escape window is
FD30S standard for non-high-risk outer rooms). not possible, the gallery should comply with all of the
following:
• at least 50% of the floor area of the room should be
12.3 Escape windows are only acceptable if they meet the
unobscured by the gallery;
requirements of paragraph 14.
• the distance from the foot of the egress stair
from the gallery to the room exit should not be
12.4 In addition to the precautions outlined in paragraphs
excessive (approximately three metres is a suggested
12.1-12.3 above, in all cases the following additional
reasonable maximum); and
requirements must apply for the arrangement to be
• any cooking facilities within the room should be
acceptable:
enclosed within fire-resisting construction or be sited
• outer rooms should be under the control of the
remote from the room exit and gallery egress stair.
same person as the inner room;
• nobody should have to pass through more than one

13.3 In all cases a suitable automatic fire detection and the common escape route is not a protected route,
warning system should be in place (see paragraphs unusually long travel distances may be unacceptable
22-25). and other fire precautions may be necessary (this
will not usually be the case in conventional houses);
Figure C4 (below): Gallery where escape window is • occupiers are able-bodied individuals with no
not possible specific high-risk characteristics and who can
reasonably be expected to exit via the window
unaided;
14. Requirements for escape windows
• there is no basement well or other encumbrance
beneath the window such as railings or a
14.1 Any window provided for emergency escape purposes conservatory;
should have an unobstructed openable area that is
• the escape window is openable from the inside
at least 0.33m² and have a minimum 450mm height
without the use of a removable key; and the ground
and 450mm width. The bottom of the openable area
below is level and free of obstructions; and
should not be more than 1,100mm above the floor.
• the window or door should lead to a place of
ultimate safety, clear of the building. However, if
14.2 Escape windows can only be considered if satisfied there is no practical way of avoiding escape into a
that it would be safe to use them in an emergency. courtyard or back garden from where there is no
They should meet the following criteria: exit, it should be at least as deep as the building is
• they serve rooms whose floor level is no more than high.
4.5m from the ground;
• every room served by the escape window has access Figure C5 (see page 17): Minimum requirements for
to it without entering another habitable room escape windows
with a lockable door (unless of a type that can be
overridden from outside the room without the use
14.3 If any of the above requirements cannot be met, the
of a key, tool or numerical code) and any tenancy
use of the escape window should not be accepted and
agreement should ideally prohibit the fitting of
an alternative solution should be adopted.
alternative or additional locks. (This will usually be
achievable in single household occupancies and
most shared houses, but is unlikely in a bedsit-type 15. Protected routes/stairs
HMO);
• If it is necessary to pass through the common escape 15.1 A protected route is designed to remain free from
route to reach the escape window, consideration smoke and fire for a time adequate to allow occupiers
should be had to the travel distance involved. Where of the building to pass safely along it to a place of

safety. The level of fire separation required between • basement areas or cellars without automatic fire
the protected route and rooms presenting a fire risk is detection.
determined by risk assessment.
Further guidance on protected routes is given in the
15.2 Ideally the recommended standard of fire resistance remainder of this section, and case study examples of
enclosing a protected route is 30 minutes for normal suitable fire safety solutions are given in Part D.
risk premises. However, subject to risk assessment,
in lower risk properties (average single household
15.3 The protected route should be maintained free of any
occupancy or low risk shared houses) with automatic
obstructions and/or fire risks. In particular, the stairway
fire detection this may be relaxed (see paragraph 9.7).
should not contain:
In such cases it may be sufficient to accept sound,
• any portable electric, gas or oil heaters;
conventional construction throughout the route.
Larger properties, however, will require 30 minutes • any fixed heaters using a portable heating source
protection including fire doors. Areas of high fire such as liquefied gas;
risk may require 60 minutes protection. Examples of • any cooking facilities; and
60-minute requirement include: • any furniture or storage.
• walls, ceilings and doors separating commercial uses
from residential parts;
15.4 Storage cupboards should not be located in protected
• walls, ceilings and doors separating areas of high routes unless they are fire resisting and kept locked
fire risk, for example commercial kitchens, large shut and smoke alarms/detectors are fitted within
boiler rooms or large stores; them (as appropriate). The exception is for all single-
• separating walls between buildings; and household accommodation and shared houses of not

more than two storeys, for which in most situations a five-storey bedsit-type HMO which does not have fire
cupboards can be adequately managed so as not to protecting lobbies to the risk rooms).
present an additional risk and can be accepted.
17.2 For the purposes of this guidance the term ‘secondary
15.5 Gas or electric meters and/or distribution boards means of escape’ refers to a second, alternative means
should ideally not be sited in escape routes. However, of escape from the building other than the usual escape
it should be possible to relax this providing any gas route usually used to enter or exit the premises.
meter is installed in accordance with the gas safety
regulations and any electric meter is installed and
17.3 Typically a secondary means of escape will comprise
sited in accordance with current IEE regulations. It is
an external staircase down the rear or side of
considered best practice to enclose such equipment in
the building. In some situations this may prove
fire-resisting construction.
impracticable, and as an alternative a secondary
means of escape could be achieved by creating a
15.6 There is usually no requirement to provide protection door through a separating wall or across a roof
to bathrooms and shower rooms which open onto walkway into the common parts of another building
protected routes. Properly installed and maintained which itself has a protected route leading to a place
central heating boilers, electric showers or water of safety. Such arrangements are undesirable and
heaters and room-sealed gas water heaters pose little should be ‘designed out’ wherever possible. If no
additional risk. However, if the room contains open other arrangement is possible then this is usually
flame or electric bar space heaters, storage cupboards only acceptable when the two adjoining buildings
or other risk items then either the storage cupboards are under the same ownership/management or
or the room itself, as appropriate, should be protected where the arrangement is reciprocal and a strictly
to the appropriate standard in the same way as the enforced, legally binding agreement is in place. In
remainder of the route. an ideal situation, access to the secondary escape
would be possible from every floor. However, this is
usually impracticable, and access solely from the top
16. Exit doors
floor will be acceptable provided the other fire safety
precautions recommended in this guide are in place.
16.1 Ideally, final exit doors from all premises should be In five- and six-storey buildings, to protect the upward
fitted with locks/catches which are openable by escape route at fourth and fifth floor levels from any
the occupiers from the inside without the use of a fire on the floors below, there should be 30 minutes
removable key. This should always be the case in fire separation across the staircase between the fourth
HMOs, including shared houses. Where security locks and fifth floors.
are fitted they should be of the type with a suitable
internal thumb-turn to facilitate this. To safeguard
17.4 To be acceptable a secondary means of escape should
security any glazed panels within the door or adjacent
meet the following requirements:
to it should replaced with protected glazing of some
kind or protected in another way from intruders. • have access from the common parts of the building,
not solely from rooms, bathrooms or WCs (where
this is impracticable, special arrangements may be
16.2 It is strongly recommended that the exit door from
made with the agreement of the LHA);
each unit of accommodation (bedsit or flat) is also
• terminate at ground floor level at a place of ultimate
openable from the inside without the use of a
safety;
removable key.
• the entire length of the secondary means of escape
to be passable without the use of a key or other tool;
16.3 Electrically operated locks must fail to safety (open) or
• access preferably by a standard door, but where
have a manual over-ride in the event of power failure.
impracticable via an opening of at least 800mm x
540mm;
17. Secondary means of escape
• fixed walkways will be required across any roofs and the
roof area beneath should be 60 minutes fire resisting;
17.1 In certain larger buildings and those with certain higher • walkways and staircases should have conventional
risk characteristics, a secondary means of escape will be and emergency lighting throughout the route to the
required (for example in a six-storey bedsit-type HMO or standards outlined in paragraphs 23 and 24.

17.5 Stairs comprising secondary means of escape should If that is not possible then a regular maintenance
comply with the following: schedule should be in place and non-slip tread
• clear width (minimum 600mm, preferred 800mm); surfaces fitted. A cyclical re-painting schedule to
prevent weather decay should be in place. Stairways
• pitch 30-42 degrees from horizontal (optimum 35
should have conventional and emergency lighting
degrees);
throughout their route to the standards outlined in
• going (depth of tread from front to back) 225
paragraphs 23 and 24.
300mm (optimum 250mm);
• rise (vertical distance between treads) 100mm
Figure C6 (see page 20): Protected zone around an
220mm (optimum 175mm);
external secondary means of escape
• treads to be flat and non-slip;
• handrails required on both sides (840-1000mm
19. Fire separation and compartmentation
height);
• minimum headroom clearance 1.5m (2m
perpendicular height preferable). 19.1 In addition to providing a protected escape route, it
is necessary to restrict the spread of fire and smoke
Further details are contained in BS 5395, parts 1 and 3.
from one unit of accommodation to another. This is
termed compartmentation. Fire-resisting construction
17.6 Fixed or removable vertical ladders, pull-down ladders enclosing each unit of accommodation creates a
and unconventional devices such as lowering lines and compartment that will contain fire and smoke within
cradles are not suitable as secondary means of escape. it for a period of time, leaving adjacent units free from
the effects of fire during that time.
18. External stairways (other requirements)
19.2 The recommended standard of fire separation in
18.1 To be an acceptable secondary means of escape, any the types of premises of normal risk covered by
external stairway should ideally be protected from the this guide is generally 30 minutes. However, in
effects of fire along its full length. Except for those lower risk premises (for example average single
serving non-risk rooms, doors or windows adjacent household occupancy or shared houses of no more
to the route and vertically below it should, where than two storeys) this requirement can be relaxed
possible, be protected. Doors should be fire resisting (see paragraph 19.6). Where the fire risk assessment
and self closing. Windows should be of fire-resisting identifies specific higher risks then a higher standard
construction and, if possible, fixed shut. However, in of fire resistance may be required (usually 60 minutes)
reality this will be impracticable if the windows serve or additional fire safety measures should be installed.
habitable rooms. In such cases the risk will need to be Examples of 60-minute requirement will include:
assessed. If a fire in the room could prejudice both the • walls, ceilings and doors separating commercial uses
internal escape route and the secondary escape route from residential parts;
at the same time, the risk will be unacceptable and • walls, ceilings and doors separating areas of high
alternative measures will be required if the room is to fire risk such as commercial kitchens, large boiler
remain in habitable use. Alternatives might include rooms or large stores; and
additional fire-resisting lobby protection internally,
• separating walls between buildings.
re-siting of the risk windows, mechanical ventilation
to the room or the provision of a water suppression
system. If acceptable alternatives cannot be provided Attention should be paid to any ductwork that passes
then the room may need to be converted to low-risk through the separation. This will require protecting to
use (e.g. bathroom/WC). Research on the effects the same standard of fire resistance as the partition
of fire from openings on external escape routes itself.
suggests that the sensitive area is approximately 1.8m
horizontally (as shown in figure C6 below). These 19.3 Types of construction which meet the 30 minutes
dimensions should be treated with some flexibility fire resistance standard are those tested to the
according to the risk presented. relevant part of BS 476 or BS EN 13501. This will
usually mean solid walls or timber stud partitions of a
18.2 The external stairway should be protected from the particular construction (with adequately fixed 12.5mm
weather so that the treads do not become slippery. plasterboard and skim coat). However, many other

proprietary constructions and products are available D of this guidance are in place). It will be difficult
which have been tested to these standards and have to determine the exact construction of an existing
a valid test certificate demonstrating 30 or 60 minutes partition without invasive inspection. A practical
of fire resistance. solution to this could be to accept partitions where
both sides of the partition are constructed of sound
plasterboard or lath and plaster in good repair.
19.4 In general (but subject to paragraph 9.7 for lower risk
Where there is any doubt as to the sound properties
properties):
or integrity of the partition it may be appropriate to
• walls and ceilings separating individual units of
replace it. If these constructions are to be considered
accommodation should be constructed to provide a
in premises of higher risk than those described in this
minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance; and
paragraph, it should only be within the context of the
• protected routes should be fully enclosed at all overall fire risk assessment. This is likely to conclude
points by construction providing a minimum fire that compensatory fire safety measures (such as an
resistance of 30 minutes. enhanced system of automatic fire detection and
warning, a domestic water suppression system or a
19.5 Existing partitions of standard construction with secondary means of escape) are necessary.
adequately fixed 12.5mm plasterboard with skim coat,
on correctly sized and spaced timbers and in good 19.7 Particular care must be taken with walls and partitions
condition, can be expected to achieve a nominal fire enclosing protected routes to ensure that they will
resistance of 30 minutes and should be acceptable. restrict the passage of smoke and fire. Any openings
around pipes, services or ducts that pass through
19.6 In many existing buildings, constructions will be fire-resisting construction should be fire stopped
encountered which are of a lesser standard (for with materials of at least the same level of fire
example 9mm plasterboard partitions or original lath resistance as the structure itself. Many proprietary fire
and plaster construction). It is likely to be impracticable stopping products are available, but only those which
and uneconomic to replace such partitions as a matter provide the appropriate fire resistance when tested
of routine whenever encountered. Where they are to the relevant part of BS 476 or BS EN 13501 are
in sound condition and good repair they may be acceptable. Any services (such as cables) constructed
acceptable in lower risk premises (shared houses of combustible materials or materials likely to melt or
of no more than two storeys with no particularly be affected by fire should be enclosed within fire-
vulnerable high-risk occupants, provided the other resisting construction and be fire stopped to restrict
fire safety measures as recommended in Parts C and the passage of smoke and fire.

20. Floor/ceiling partitions • providing additional protection within the floor
space above the ceiling.
20.1 In most premises covered by this guide, floor/
ceiling partitions between units of accommodation 20.5 There are a number of acceptable methods and
should provide a standard of fire resistance of 30 products available for upgrading ceilings/floors. Only
minutes. The exception is those above areas of high products accompanied by a valid test report should
fire risk which should provide 60 minutes. Floor/ be accepted. The report will specify the fire resistance
ceiling partitions between any basement or cellar which will be achieved by the upgrading method. This
and the ground floor escape route should provide 60 is essential for all upgrading methods, but particularly
minutes resistance, but this may be reduced to 30 so where proprietary products are being considered.
minutes where the basement/cellar has an automatic Where in doubt, careful scrutiny of the fire test report
fire detection and warning system to the standard is essential before acceptance. Particular attention
recommended in paragraphs 27-30. should be paid to any suspended ceilings. Several
products are available which provide adequate fire
resistance and which are accompanied by acceptable
20.2 Inspection of the floors/ceilings as part of the fire
test reports, but not all suspended ceilings are
risk assessment will determine the suitability of
designed to provide 30 minutes fire resistance. Often
existing construction. Generally, ceilings constructed
they are installed for aesthetic reasons and may
with 12.5mm plasterboard with skim coat and in
conceal a ceiling beneath which has collapsed or
sound condition will be adequate. Other proprietary
is damaged. In such cases the overall construction
constructions will be encountered and it will be
may provide little fire resistance. Where suspended
necessary to consult the manufacturer’s fire test
ceilings already exist, ideally a test report should be
report to determine the standard of fire resistance and
required from the installer/manufacturer. Where this
suitability.
is not forthcoming a judgment will need to be made
following detailed inspection, and specialist advice
20.3 Ceilings such as those constructed from 9mm may be required.
plasterboard or lath and plaster (in sound condition)
can be expected to provide a lower standard of fire
20.6 Suspended ceilings which do meet an acceptable
resistance. However, this should be acceptable as
standard should be inspected regularly and well
part of an overall fire risk assessment in lower risk
maintained as they can be easily damaged.
premises such as single household occupancy and
shared houses of no more than three storeys with
no specific higher risk factors present. Acceptability 21. Fire doors
is conditional upon other fire safety measures being
in place as recommended in this guidance (Parts C
21.1 Where fire-resisting partitions are required, any
and D). If these constructions are to be considered
doorways within them must be fitted with fire-
in premises of higher risk than those described in
resisting door assemblies providing fire resistance at
this paragraph, it must only be within the context of
least to the same standard as the requirement for the
the overall fire risk assessment, which includes the
partition itself – so 30-minute partitions will require a
provision of compensatory fire safety measures such as
30-minute fire-resisting door, 60-minute partitions a
an enhanced standard of automatic fire detection and
60-minute door:
warning system, a domestic water suppression system
• 30-minute doorsets are specified as FD30 (or E 30)
or a secondary means of escape.
• 60-minute doorsets are specified as FD60 (or E 60)
20.4 Ceilings which are not in sound condition, particularly

lath and plaster type, should be replaced or upgraded to The 30 or 60 figures denote the integrity performance
provide 30 minutes resistance. This can be achieved by: time of the doorset in minutes. A letter ‘S’ after the
figure (e.g. FD30S) or ‘Sa’ (e.g. E30 Sa) denotes a
• removal and replacement of the existing ceiling
requirement for smoke seals to be fitted so as to
with standard 12.5mm plasterboard and skim
restrict the passage of smoke, including cold smoke
construction or alternative product/construction
(see paragraph 21.3).
providing 30 minutes resistance and subject to a
satisfactory fire test report;
• providing additional protection below the ceiling; or 21.2 Most timber fire doors will need intumescent seals

fitted. The type and location of the seals varies with doorset, which will be available from the manufacturer
the door design and the manufacturer’s instructions or supplier. Variations in any detail from the test
should be followed. specification may adversely affect the performance
of the door. When new fire doors are to be provided,
ideally an entire doorset construction should be fitted
21.3 In most situations fire-resisting doors should be fitted
– thereby overcoming potential problems with fitting
with smoke seals, as these restrict the passage of
doors to frames of a different specification to that in
smoke into the escape route from the room where
the test construction. However, it is recognised that
the fire is situated. The exception to this is where fire
in some existing buildings of substantial construction
doors are fitted to rooms in premises where the fire
this requirement may cause practical difficulties. If this
detection system is restricted to the escape route (see
is the case it may be possible to fit new fire doors to
paragraph 22.11/table C3). This will often be the case
existing frames. This will, however, only be acceptable
in three-storey shared houses. In these cases smoke
if the frames are of sound construction, in good
seals should not be fitted, as their benefit will be
condition, and of material and dimensions not less
outweighed by the fact that the smoke detectors in
than those of the frame detailed in the test report.
the escape route will only activate when the fire is at
an advanced stage and beginning to breach the fire
door. The resulting alarm may be so late sounding 21.8 The upgrading of non-fire-resisting door assemblies
that the fire and smoke is already affecting the escape should be avoided wherever possible. The practice is
route. Where smoke detection is sited within rooms generally impractical and uneconomic and is reliant
(LD2 coverage – see paragraph 22.11/table C3) the upon strict adherence to an approved specification and
alarm will sound very early in the development of the upon a high standard of workmanship. Replacement
fire and the smoke seals will be of benefit in keeping with suitable, purpose designed and tested doorset
smoke out of the escape route, enabling occupiers to constructions is always preferable. However, it is
evacuate safely. accepted that for aesthetic reasons it may be necessary
to undertake upgrading rather than replacement. This
will apply in buildings of special architectural interest
21.4 Fire doors should be installed and maintained in
and certainly in listed buildings where it is important
accordance with BS 8214:1990.
to maintain the appearance or original features of the
door. In non-listed buildings where there is no legal
21.5 In most multi-occupancy situations, fire-resisting doors requirement to maintain the features of the door,
should be fitted with approved self-closing devices. property owners may still want to do so for aesthetic
This may be relaxed for doors within houses or flats reasons. Whilst undesirable from a practical and fire
occupied by a single household and doors within low- safety viewpoint, upgrading may be acceptable subject
risk, shared houses. Doors to rooms within larger flats to strict conditions. Not all doors are suitable for
in multiple occupation and larger shared houses may upgrading, so before undertaking upgrading the door
require self-closers within the context of an overall must be assessed for suitability by a qualified person.
fire risk assessment. Entrance doors to flats and bedsit Where the door is of a common construction and to
rooms will always require them. a specification that has previously been subjected to a
fire test and been considered suitable for upgrading,
21.6 In lower risk premises where a full 30-minute a standard method of upgrading may be specified. If
protected route is not required (see paragraph 9.7 and the door type is unconventional it will need a specific
case studies in Part D), it should be possible to accept assessment by a suitably qualified person who will issue
existing, well fitted and constructed solid doors, an assessment report. The assessment report will specify
providing they are in sound condition. Solid timber the upgrading measures required.
doors and panelled doors of substantial construction
may be adequate in these lower risk situations. Non 21.9 There are several acceptable methods of upgrading
fire-resisting glazed doors, doors of flimsy construction available. They are restricted to those which have
or hollow infill-type doors (commonly known as ‘egg been successfully subjected to fire tests. Details of
box’) should not be accepted. This can be difficult to these are available from trade organisations such as
assess and expert advice may be required. TRADA† and from English Heritage† and in other
practical and technical guides. Whatever method of
21.7 The specification for the doorset on site should be upgrading is being considered, it must be one which
identical to that specified in the test report for the is accompanied by a valid and complete test report

or an assessment report from a suitably qualified 22.2 The type of system to be provided in a particular
person. The report will specify the fire resistance which premises is dependent upon risk. A small single family
will be achieved by the upgrading method. This is house will only require a relatively simple provision of
essential for all upgrading methods but particularly smoke alarms. Larger properties will require greater
so where proprietary products are being considered, coverage, and large HMOs with a number of detectors
and careful scrutiny of the report is essential before will require a more sophisticated system including an
acceptance. When considering a report it is imperative integrated control panel and alarm sounders. Virtually
that the door being considered for upgrading is of a all residential premises where people are sleeping will
design and specification corresponding to the door require some form of automatic fire detection and
in the report. When the upgrading is carried out, the warning system.
specification on site must correspond in all respects
to that specified in the test or assessment report –
22.3 The type of system installed should be in accordance
including the specifications for intumescent strips,
with the recommendations of BS 5839: part 6. This
smoke seals, self-closers and ironmongery. Variations
details different grades of system and extent of
may adversely affect the performance of the door.
coverage and recommends an appropriate system
based on the risk the premises presents. Relatively
† TRADA : Stocking Lane, Hughenden Valley, High simple systems will be satisfactory for smaller, low-risk
Wycombe, HP14 4ND premises, but larger houses and HMOs will require a
Website ww.trada.co.uk more sophisticated automatic system. In bedsit HMOs
E-mail: information@trada.co.uk with cooking facilities within the bedsits and in blocks
Phone: 01494 569600 of self-contained flats then a mixed system is usually
recommended, where the escape routes and common
† English Heritage, Customer Services Department, parts are protected by an interlinked system of alarms
PO Box 569, Swindon, SN2 2YP or detectors and the individual units have a separate
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk stand-alone system to alert a sleeping occupant of
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk fire in their own unit of accommodation. This has the
Phone: 0870 333 1181 benefit of reducing nuisance/false alarms throughout
the whole property caused by activities such as
cooking within any one unit.
21.10 Where existing upgraded doors are encountered
and no test reports or records are available, it may be
impossible to determine the likely performance of the 22.4 BS 5839: part 6, The design, installation and servicing
door. In these cases, if, following detailed inspection, of fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings,
a sound comparison cannot be made with a tested is not a prescriptive standard but is based on the
and approved upgrading method (tested on a door of principles of fire risk assessment. It should be treated
similar construction and dimensions), then it may be with flexibility. The standards recommended in part 6
necessary to replace the door. table 1 are to be regarded as base guidelines. Those
recommendations will be appropriate for premises of
normal risk, but where the risk is assessed to be lower
22. Automatic fire detection and alarm systems
or higher than normal then a lower or higher provision
of detection and warning may be appropriate.
22.1 The presence of a suitable, properly installed and
maintained automatic fire detection and warning
22.5.BS 5839: part 6 risk assessment criteria
system will alert occupiers to the presence of a fire
in its early stages and enable them to evacuate to a
place of total safety before the escape routes become 22.6 General principles:
blocked by smoke or directly affected by fire. The • system design must be appropriate to the risk;
system should wake people who are sleeping (who
• in assessing risk, consider each room in the dwelling
may otherwise be asphyxiated by smoke before being
separately;
able to escape). It should also alert the presence of
• consider statistical data on fire incidence in each
a developing fire in any hidden areas such as boiler
type of dwelling/room; and
rooms, storerooms, cellars and other potentially
unoccupied risk areas before that fire affects the • occupant characteristics are relevant (for example
escape route. tenants with impaired hearing).

22.7 There is no risk low enough to negate the need for Grade D: a system of one or more mains-powered
some form of detection and warning system in the smoke (or heat) alarms each with integral battery
house. standby supply. These are designed to operate in
the event of mains failure and therefore could be
connected to the local lighting circuit rather than an
22.8 Design considerations/grades of system
independent circuit at the dwelling’s main distribution
board. There is no control panel.
22.9 BS 5839: part 6 grades fire detection and alarm
systems for residential premises according to the
Grade E: a system of one or more mains-powered
complexity of the system. For the purpose of
smoke (or heat) alarms with no standby power supply.
specifying fire detection and alarm systems and the
This grade of system will not function if mains power
associated engineering design parameters, there are
is disconnected or interrupted. It must therefore be
six grades. In this guidance grade A and grade D are
wired to a dedicated circuit at the dwelling’s main
most relevant, but all six grades are described in table
distribution board.
C2 for completeness.
Grade F: a system of one or more battery-powered

Table C2: Grades of automatic fire detection and
smoke alarms. These are not recommended in HMOs.
warning systems as specified in BS 5839: part 6
(2004)
note: in grades D, E, and F, where more than one
alarm is installed they must be interlinked.
Grade A: a fire detection and alarm system that
is designed and installed in accordance with the
recommendations of BS 5839: part 1 (2002), except 22.10 Mixed grade systems
clauses relating to alarm audibility, alarm warnings for the Installations where more than one alarm system
hearing-impaired, standby supplies, manual call points and is installed to serve the whole building are termed
radio-linked systems, which are replaced by part 6. ‘mixed systems’. These systems are installed to meet
This comprises a system of electrically operated smoke differing life safety objectives and may be to differing
and/or heat detectors which are linked to a control grades, having regard for the need to avoid false
panel. The control panel must conform to current BS alarms from one dwelling unit affecting all occupiers.
5839: part 4 (or equivalent). In general the system
must incorporate manual call points which should be
Table 1 of BS 5839: part 6 recommends a mixed
located next to final exits, and, in larger multi-storey
system for HMOs of three storeys and above (grade
properties, on each landing. The alarm signal must
A for communal areas and grade D within individual
achieve sound levels of not less than 65dB (A) in all
dwelling units). However, for shared house HMOs
accessible parts of the building and not less than 75dB
of normal risk on the basis of risk assessment, this
(A) at all bed-heads when all doors are shut, to arouse
guidance does not recommend a mixed system
sleeping persons.
as detection is not normally recommended within
bedrooms in this type of accommodation.
Grade B: a fire detection and alarm system including
detectors (other than smoke or heat alarms), alarm
22.11 Level of protection: types of system
sounders and control and indicating equipment which
BS 5839: part 6 (2004) recommends various levels of
either conforms to BS EN 54-2 (power supply to BS EN
coverage for detection within premises, based on risk.
54-4) or to a simpler type laid out in annexe C of BS
These are outlined below in table C3.
5839: part 6.
Table C3: Levels of coverage of automatic fire

Grade C: a system of fire detectors and sounders
detection and warning systems as specified in BS
(which may be combined in the form of smoke or heat
5839: part 6 (2004)
alarms) connected to a common power supply with
both mains and a standby supply, with an element of
central control – for example a small dedicated fire LD1 coverage: a system installed throughout the
control panel. dwelling incorporating detectors in all circulation

spaces that form part of the escape routes from the Single household occupancy five or six storeys
dwelling, and in all rooms and areas in which fire Grade A: LD3 coverage
might start i.e. risk rooms.
Shared house HMO of up to two storeys (shared
cooking facilities)
LD2 coverage: a system incorporating detectors in
Grade D: LD3 coverage + additional detection to
all circulation spaces that form part of the escape
the kitchen, lounge and any cellar containing a risk
routes from the dwelling and in all rooms or areas that
(interlinked)
present a high fire risk to occupants i.e. risk rooms.
Shared house HMO of three or four storeys

LD3 coverage: a system incorporating detectors in (shared cooking facilities)
circulation spaces that form part of the escape routes Grade D: LD3 coverage + additional detection to
from the dwelling only. the kitchen, lounge and any cellar containing a risk
(interlinked)
22.12 Guidance on grade and coverage of fire detection
and warning systems within various types of existing Shared house HMO of five or six storeys (shared
residential premises cooking facilities)
Grade A: LD2 coverage (detection in all risk rooms i.e.
bedrooms, kitchen and lounge) (interlinked)
22.13 As outlined above, when specifying a system
it is necessary to follow the principles of fire risk
Bedsit HMO of one or two storeys with individual
assessment. The design and complexity of the system
cooking facilities within bedsits
should reflect the risk presented by the subject
A mixed system:
property and the type of occupier.
• Grade D: LD2 coverage in the common areas and
heat detectors in bedsits (interlinked)
22.14 The recommendations for system design outlined in • Grade D smoke alarm in each bedsit to protect the
table C4 below are based on a broad risk assessment sleeping occupants (non-interlinked)
using data sourced from BS 5839: part 6 (2004).
The recommendations constitute an acceptable Bedsit HMO of three to six storeys with individual
benchmark and will, in the majority of cases, provide cooking facilities within bedsits
a reasonable level of protection. However, individual A mixed system:
characteristics of the subject property must always • Grade A: LD2 coverage in the common areas and
be considered before specifying a particular system. heat detectors in bedsits (interlinked)
The recommendations below are based on properties • Grade D smoke alarm in each bedsit to protect the
considered to present a normal risk for their type. sleeping occupants (non-interlinked)
They will have a suitable level of protection to the
escape route and adequate other fire precautions as Two-storey house converted to self-contained
recommended in this guidance. Their occupiers will flats (prior to Building Regulations 1991,
not be from high-risk groups. If this is not the case approved document B standard)
in the property under consideration then the risk A mixed system:
can be considered as higher, and it may therefore • Grade D: LD2 coverage in the common areas and a
be considered appropriate to recommend a higher heat detector in each flat in the room/lobby opening
standard of fire detection and warning or provide onto the escape route (interlinked)
additional fire safety measures as appropriate to the • Grade D: LD3 coverage in each flat (non-interlinked
case. For clarification of use of the term ‘storey’, see smoke alarm in the room/lobby opening onto the
the glossary. escape route) to protect the sleeping occupants
Three- to six-storey house converted to self-

Table C4: Recommended grade and coverage of
contained flats (prior to Building Regulations
automatic fire detection and warning system
1991, approved document B standard)
for various categories of existing residential
• Grade A: LD2 coverage in the common areas and a
premises (normal risk)
heat detector in each flat in the room/lobby opening
onto the escape route (interlinked)
Single household occupancy up to four storeys
• Grade D: LD3 coverage in each flat (non-interlinked
Grade D: LD3 coverage (interlinked)

smoke alarm in the room/lobby opening onto the of three or four storeys, it may be appropriate to
escape route) to protect the sleeping occupants provide emergency escape lighting throughout the
escape route if the route is long or complex or where
Building converted partly into self-contained flats there is no effective borrowed light. For all HMOs of
and partly into bedsits or non-self-contained lets five or six storeys then emergency escape lighting is
A mixed system: recommended, as the escape route will be long and
• Apply the appropriate recommendation for each may be complex.
unit of accommodation from this table and the
appropriate whole-house system based on the
23.5 The recommendations for lighting of escape routes

storey height
outlined in table C5 below are based on a broad risk

assessment. The recommendations constitute an
Flat in multiple occupation (FMO) (any storey
acceptable benchmark and will, in the majority of
height and regardless of date of construction/
cases, provide a reasonable level of safety. However, the
conversion)
recommendations are based on buildings considered
Grade D: LD3 coverage + additional heat detector in
to present a normal risk for their type. They will have
the kitchen (and shared living room depending on risk)
a suitable level of protection to the escape route and
adequate other fire precautions as recommended in this
guidance. Some buildings (such as the examples quoted
23. Lighting of escape routes in paragraph 23.2) will require a higher specification of
lighting in the escape route. Again, for clarification of
use of the term ‘storey’, see the glossary.
23.1When a fire occurs, people will be escaping in haste
and in a probable state of distress or even panic. At
night, when they have been awoken abruptly, they Table C5: Recommendations for lighting of
may be disorientated. With this is mind, the staircase escape routes for various categories of existing
and escape route must be adequately lit. residential premises (normal risk)
23.2 In common escape routes including stairways, Single household occupancy up to two storeys
conventional artificial lighting with a suitable system Conventional lighting
of control should be provided so that people are able Single household occupancy three to six storeys
to move within the escape route from a building Conventional lighting. Emergency escape lighting
during the hours of darkness (and during the day in maybe appropriate if route is complex and there is
areas that do not have the benefit of daylight). Some no effective borrowed light
buildings will, in addition, require emergency escape
lighting in the escape route. These will include: Shared house HMO of up to two storeys (shared
• large buildings with long escape routes; cooking facilities)
Conventional lighting
• buildings with a complex layout;
• buildings with no natural or borrowed lighting along
Shared house HMO of three or four storeys
the escape route; and
(shared cooking facilities)
• buildings with vulnerable occupiers or those posing Conventional lighting. Emergency escape lighting
a specific risk. maybe appropriate if route is complex and there is
no effective borrowed light
23.3 In most single household properties conventional
lighting arrangements should be adequate, subject Shared house HMO of five or six storeys (shared
to the above conditions. However, in larger single cooking facilities)
household properties, emergency escape lighting may Conventional lighting and emergency escape
be required if the escape route is complex and/or there lighting
is no effective borrowed light.
Bedsit HMO of one to four storeys with individual
cooking facilities within bedsits
23.4 In buildings of up to two storeys conventional lighting
Conventional lighting (and emergency escape
arrangements will usually be adequate, subject to the
lighting if risk requires or there is no effective
above conditions. In HMOs (including shared houses)
borrowed light)

lighting circuit should be installed so that the use of
Bedsit HMO of five or six storeys with individual any one switch/control anywhere along the route
cooking facilities within bedsits will illuminate the entire escape route. However, in
Conventional lighting and emergency escape large properties where the escape route is divided
lighting into distinct, separated sections, each section may
have its own control provided it is obvious and
Two, three or four storey house converted to visible under all conditions. In such cases (and where
self-contained flats (prior to Building Regulations there is no borrowed light to the route) the switches
1991, approved document B standard) themselves should be illuminated. The rule is that it
Conventional lighting (and emergency escape should never be necessary to search for switches.
lighting if risk requires)
23.7 If push-button, slow release lighting switches are to
Five or six storey house converted to self-
be used, careful consideration must be given to their
contained flats (prior to Building Regulations
duration setting. This should be assessed according
1991, approved document B standard)
to risk (i.e. the distance of travel to a safe place or
Conventional lighting and emergency escape
final exit, the height of building, the complexity of the
lighting
escape route and mobility of the occupiers). Where
occupiers have limited mobility, time release switches
Two, three or four storey building converted
should be avoided. In all other cases the duration
partly into self-contained flats and partly into
must be adequate to allow a normal, orderly escape
bedsits or non-self-contained lets
from the building and incorporate some degree of
redundancy. The rule here is that people should never
lighting if risk requires)
be plunged into darkness while using the route.
Five or six storey building converted partly into

self-contained flats and partly into bedsits or 23.8 Theft of light bulbs from common areas is a problem
non-self-contained lets experienced in some properties. If this is likely to be
Conventional lighting and emergency escape a problem, bulb holders with a different fitting to
lighting those within the accommodation units should be used
(screw holders, for example). This is good practice
Flat in multiple occupation (FMO) occupying and should be standard in bedsit-type HMOs. The use
a single storey of a building (at any storey of long-life, low-energy light bulbs throughout the
height and regardless of date of construction/ property also reduces the frequency of replacement,
conversion) thereby helping to reduce this problem.
lighting if risk requires – may also be required in the 24. Emergency escape route lighting
common escape route)
24.1 Where considered necessary, emergency escape

Flat in multiple occupation (FMO) occupying
lighting must be designed to comply with BS 5266.
more than one storey of a building (any
level and regardless of date of construction/
conversion) 24.2 It will automatically illuminate upon the failure of the
Conventional lighting (and emergency escape power supply to the conventional artificial lighting,
lighting if risk requires – may also be required in the when it must:
common escape route) • illuminate the escape route to assist the occupants
to move easily to exits and a place of safety;
23.6 For conventional lighting most existing arrangements
• highlight any hazards such as stairs and changes in
will be adequate, with the following conditions:
floor level or direction; and
• light switches/controls should be obvious, simple
• enable easy identification of any fire alarm call
and visible under all conditions;
points and fire fighting equipment throughout the
• switches should be located on every landing in a escape route.
convenient and conventional position;
• in HMOs (except smaller shared houses) a dedicated
24.3 Emergency lighting must operate not only when there is

complete failure of the supply to the conventional artificial 24.9 It is essential that the emergency lighting system
lighting, but also when there is a localised power failure is routinely inspected and tested. Detailed
within the lighting circuit that could be hazardous. The recommendations are contained in BS 5266 and
source of the power supply to the emergency lighting discussed in paragraph 40.8.
should be from the same local fuse as the conventional
escape route lighting, so that in the event of that fuse
25. Fire fighting equipment (portable)
failing, causing the normal lighting to fail, the emergency
lighting will be brought into operation in the same locality.
25.1 The provision of fire blankets and simple fire
extinguishers can be useful in restricting the
24.4 In most cases self-contained, non-maintained luminaires
development and spread of small fires in their early
providing three-hour duration will be adequate.
stages. However, unless a fire is very small, the best
Non-maintained luminaires remain unlit when the
advice is to evacuate the building to a place of safety
conventional lighting power supply is healthy. When
and call the fire and rescue service. This is because for
it fails, the luminaire provides power to its own lamp
larger fires people need training to know what type
from its own battery and illuminates. Restoration of the
of fire an extinguisher can safely be used on, how
conventional lighting power supply switches off the
to tackle a fire safely, and when to give up and get
emergency luminaire and recharges its battery.
out. The installation of extinguishers can also lead to
problems if they are not properly maintained or where
24.5 Emergency lighting systems are categorised as equipment is discharged through malice or horseplay.
maintained or non-maintained followed by their For these reasons extinguishers are not recommended
duration of illumination. So a non-maintained system inside units of accommodation unless there are
with three-hour duration will be categorised as NM/3. resident staff who are trained in their use (a caretaker,
housekeeper, warden or similar).
24.6 The power supply to the luminaires should be
designed to prevent unauthorised disconnection, but In order to provide a facility for extinguishing small
it must incorporate a suitable means for simulating a fires in their early stages, a simple multi-purpose
mains failure (i.e. a test switch). extinguisher is recommended on each floor in the
common parts of HMOs and buildings containing
flats. It will not usually be practical to train tenants in
24.7 The mounting height of luminaires will be governed
the use of these, but basic advice should be offered at
by the physical characteristics of the building. They
the start of each new tenancy.
should be mounted close to two metres above
floor level (when measured to the underside of the
luminaire) but not lower than two metres. 25.2 Fire blankets are recommended as good practice in
kitchens of all premises covered by this guide, including
single household occupation and bedsit rooms.
24.8 Luminaires should be sited in the following positions:
• near any intersection of corridors;
25.3 Fire blankets should:
• above each final exit door;
• comply with BS 6575 or equivalent;
• near each change of direction (other than on a
stairway); • be of ‘light duty’ type which are capable of dealing
with small fires such as cooking fires or fires
• within each stairway so that each flight of stairs
involving clothing; and
receives direct light;
• be mounted on the wall approximately 1.5m high
• near any change of floor level;
and closer to the room exit than the cooking facility.
• outside any secondary escape exit if the street
lighting is poor;
25.4 Where provided, fire extinguishers should:
• near each fire alarm call point; and
• comply with BS EN 3-7;
• near fire fighting equipment.
• be maintained in accordance with BS 5306-3 (see
paragraph 32.7); and
‘Near’ is normally considered to be within two metres
• be appropriate to the risk.
when measured horizontally. The route should be
reasonably uniformly lit.

25.5 Extinguishers should be located as follows: suppression system supply pipes are permanently
• on a dedicated stand or hung on wall brackets with charged with water, fed from the domestic water
the handle approximately 1.5m from floor level; main or storage tanks. Fire suppression heads are
fitted to the system of supply pipes, and each is an
• in a position such that they do not obstruct the
independent unit and operates only if a fire causes it
escape route;
to do so.
• close to the exit position from each floor;
• not obstructed by opening doors and not in recesses
26.5 Suppression heads are fitted with small thermal
out of sight; and
elements that are activated solely by heat. The thermal
• away from heaters or areas where they may be
element is set to operate at a fixed temperature, not
subject to damage.
less than 30ºC above ambient temperature, which
makes it highly unlikely to operate other than in a fire
26. Automatic water suppression systems condition. The exception is malicious operation and
if the fire risk assessment indicates that this is likely,
a water suppression system may not be appropriate.
26.1 Interest in the use of water suppression systems for
In the majority of fires just one suppression head is
domestic premises is growing in the UK. The use of
operated, which is often sufficient to deal with the fire.
these systems in the United States and other parts of
the world has proved their value in saving lives and
reducing damage caused to property by fire. A water 26.6 Potential uses: there is potential for water suppression
suppression system will detect, give warning, control, systems to be fitted in all types of existing residential
contain and often extinguish a fire. accommodation. The decision to do so will be based on:
• a cost/benefit analysis of the overall benefit gained
26.2 The traditional concerns expressed regarding damage from their provision against the cost of installation
from accidental activation of water suppression and maintenance;
systems can largely be discounted. The quantity • the practicability of their installation;
of water discharged by a suppression head when • the extent of design freedoms available in terms of
activated in a fire is significantly less than that reduced compensatory provision of other fire safety
disgorged in fire fighting by the fire and rescue measures; and
service. In general, a water suppression system will
• their potential for fulfilling a need where traditional
use between 1/100th and 1/1000th of the water
fire safety measures cannot be provided to the
used by the fire and rescue service (source: Residential
full recommended standard, for example where
Sprinklers Association). Statistics show that accidental
extended travel distances cannot be reduced to the
operation occurs in one in 16 million cases (source:
recommended maximum or where fire protecting
West Midlands Fire Service guidance document for
lobbies cannot be installed.
design freedoms in houses in multiple occupation
incorporating residential sprinkler systems).
26.7 When considering a water suppression system, regard
must be paid to the adequacy of the water supply
26.3 It is recommended that serious consideration be
and mains water pressure. If interruptions to supplies
given to the role water suppression systems can play
are possible or the water pressure is low or fluctuates,
in existing residential accommodation. Historically,
then additional measures such as pumping and water
the main barrier to their installation has been cost.
storage may be required – or indeed the installation
Whilst cost effective in new-build property or when
may not be feasible.
installed during major refurbishment, the retro-fitting
of water suppression systems in existing, occupied
residential accommodation does need a considered 26.8 Potential design freedoms: water suppression systems
cost/benefit analysis. However, the wider benefits of are not a fire safety solution in themselves. In isolation
suppression and the cost savings resulting from any they cannot provide an acceptable level of fire safety in
design freedoms offered in respect of other fire safety residential accommodation to meet the requirements
measures may work in their favour. of current legislation (see Appendix 1). However, as
part of a comprehensive overall fire risk assessment
they can be a key component in the overall solution
26.4 General description: a water suppression system is
and can contribute to a safe building. In particular the
designed to cover a predetermined floor area. Fire
provision of a suitable water suppression system can,

in some circumstances, allow for relaxed provision of create an ‘institutional’ feel to a building, which is
certain other fire safety measures (but not all). Some undesirable in premises which are people’s homes.
examples of design freedoms which have been applied
include reduced fire separation/compartmentation,
27.2 When determining whether fire safety signage should
an alternative to a secondary means of escape where
be provided, consideration should be given to the
impracticable, extended travel distances and relaxed
following criteria when carrying out the fire risk
requirements for inner rooms. However, the provision
assessment:
of automatic fire detection and warning systems cannot
• are all occupiers likely to be familiar with the escape
be relaxed. These must still be provided as adequate
route?
early warning of a fire is always essential.
• which route offers the shortest travel distance?
• are there any changes in direction in corridors,
26.9 These trade-offs or ‘design freedoms’ are not
stairways and open spaces which form part of the
prescribed in any statutory guidance and must be
escape route?
agreed with the relevant local housing authority,
building control authority and fire and rescue authority • will people ever need to exit the building by a
for each individual case. Each case will have different different route from which they entered?
factors and must be considered on its own merits. A • is there a choice of escape routes?
blanket approach to the allowance of design freedoms • are there any areas where confusion may occur
should not be applied. when exiting the building?
• is there an external secondary means of escape to a
26.10 Standards for water suppression systems: where a place of safety?
water suppression system is agreed upon, its design, • are there any facilities or equipment provided for fire
installation and maintenance should be in accordance safety that may need appropriate signage?
with BS 9251:2005 or another equivalent standard
approved by the enforcing authority. Approval of the
27.3 These considerations will determine whether fire
type of system and its design should be sought from
safety signage is necessary. In general this will mean
the enforcing authority prior to installation.
that signage will not be necessary in single family
houses of any type or in smaller shared houses and
26.11 Installation should be carried out only by experienced HMOs with single, simple escape routes. However,
sprinkler contractors who are suitably qualified and if confusion is likely for any reason, the final exit(s)
registered with an appropriate sprinkler association should be provided with a sign. In larger HMOs (of
or third party accreditation scheme such as LPS more than three storeys), those with complex or
1048 scheme requirements for certificated sprinkler unusual layouts and those with multiple exits, signage
installers, supervising bodies and supervised installers. will be required. In particular the following situations
The installer must provide information to the landlord will require directional signage:
as detailed in clause 6.3.2 of BS 9251:2005.
• the final exit;
• where there is more than one exit;
More detailed guidance on water suppression
• where there is a secondary means of escape (for
systems can be found in A guide to automatic water
example an external staircase or roof-level exit);
suppression systems (AWSS) and their practical
• where there is a change of direction and the onward
application (Chief Fire Officers Association).
escape route it is not visible; and
• where there is any potential for confusion.
27. Fire safety signs
27.4 Any fire fighting equipment which is obscured from

27.1 In most residential premises of average size and
view should be indicated with a sign.
normal risk, fire safety signs and notices will not be
required. However, in larger premises or those with
complicated layouts or with alternative exits, the 27.5 Generally in a domestic setting the placing of fire door
fire risk assessment is likely to indicate some need signage on room doors is unpopular and unnecessary.
for signage. The need for clear information should However, fire-resisting doors across escape routes and
be balanced with the desire to maintain a homely doors to communal kitchens and other communal
environment. The excessive provision of signage can rooms in HMOs should be marked ‘Fire door keep

shut’ (see figure C9). Doors to cupboards, stores and • signs should be fixed above the door in the direction
boiler rooms opening onto the escape route should be of escape and not be fixed to doors, as they will not
marked ‘Fire door keep locked shut’. These provisions be visible if the door is open;
can be relaxed in normal-risk shared houses. • signs mounted above doors should be at a height of
between 2m and 2.5m above the floor;
27.6 Where fire safety signs are provided they should be in • signs on walls should be mounted between 1.7m
accordance with BS 5499 and the Health and Safety and 2m above the floor;
(Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. • mounting heights greater than 2.5m may be used
for hanging signs (for example in large open spaces
27.7 To comply, directional signs must be pictographic or for operational reasons) but care should be taken
(see examples C7 and C8 below). The pictogram to ensure that such signs are both conspicuous and
can be supplemented by text to make the sign legible. In such cases larger signs may be necessary;
easily understood, but it cannot contain only text. • signs within the same premises should follow a
‘Pictogram only’ and ‘pictogram with text’ sign types consistent design pattern or scheme throughout; and
should not be mixed in the same premises. Whilst • signs should be sited at the same height throughout
either type of sign is acceptable, the pictogram with the escape route, as far as is reasonably practicable.
text style (figure C7) is thought to be more readily
understood.
28. Surface finishes
Figure C7: Directional escape sign (pictogram with text)

28.1 In the early stages of a fire, the safety of a building’s
occupants can be affected by the properties of surface
linings and the finishes of walls, ceilings and soffits.
Rapid spread of flame across surfaces allows the fire
to spread more quickly through the building, thereby
reducing the time for escape. This is of particular
Figure C8: Directional escape sign (pictogram only)
concern in escape routes, especially in single staircase
buildings. Arson is a particular problem in this respect:
fires started deliberately can be particularly dangerous
because they generally develop much faster. In multi-
occupancy buildings they are often started in escape
routes, as access is more easily gained to these areas.
Figure C9: Notice for fire resisting doors

28.2 In single household occupancy and some shared
houses where the occupiers have exclusive control
of the escape route, the risk may be low. No specific
measures will therefore be required in respect of
surface finishes. However, good practice would be
to reduce the risk further by avoiding combustible
surface finishes within the escape route.
27.8 Where the risk is such that directional signs indicating

the escape route are considered necessary, they should 28.3 In multiple-occupancy buildings the risk is usually
meet the following criteria: higher. Combustible surface finishes should not be
permitted within the escape route and should, as far
• they should provide clear, unambiguous information
as is practicable, also be avoided in other locations.
to enable people to safely leave a building in an
However, in some HMOs the risk may be lowered by
emergency;
other fire precautions, such as in:
• every escape route sign should, where necessary,
• two-storey buildings with suitable escape windows
either incorporate or be accompanied by a directional
from all risk rooms (see paragraph 14);
arrow (arrows should not be used on their own);
• buildings where there is a second staircase or
• in long or complex escape routes, signs should be
secondary means of escape which meets certain
positioned so that a person escaping will always
standards (see paragraphs 17-18); and
have the next escape route sign in sight;

• buildings with additional fire safety measures such locations for materials and products commonly
as a water suppression system. encountered.
In such cases the premises may be considered lower 28.7 Multiple layers of gloss paint: surfaces may be found
risk and the precautions outlined below in respect of where multiple layers of gloss paint have been applied.
surface finishes and floor coverings could be varied These surfaces may present a risk of fire spread.
accordingly. Therefore it is recommended that the paint is removed
from locations requiring a class 1 (or C s3, d2) or class
0 (C s3, d2) classification. Proprietary products may be
28.4 Materials are classified for combustibility and surface
available which can cover the paint, thereby providing
spread of flame by BS 476: parts 6 and 7 or under the
an acceptable classification for the surface. These
European system by BS EN 13501-1.
should only be used subject to a satisfactory fire test
report but may not be suitable for areas subject to
28.5 Fire spread across surface finishes is classified as set heavy wear and tear.
out in table C6 below, with class 0 being the most
resistant and class 3 the least. Classes 0-3 (or A-D) are
29. Floor coverings
suitable in multi-occupied residential accommodation,
but should be restricted in some locations. Table C6
outlines their suitability for different locations within a 29.1 Floor coverings throughout the protected route
multi-occupied property. (i.e. stairways, hallways, landings and lobbies) of all
categories of HMO should conform to low radius of
fire spread (up to 35mm) when tested in accordance
Table C6: Suitable classes of surface finish in
with BS 4790 or the European equivalent. It is good
certain locations in multi-occupied residential
practice to adhere to this in all categories of HMO,
buildings
although in lower risk shared houses this requirement
may be relaxed.
Class 0, B s3, d2
These are non-combustible materials and materials
of limited combustibility such as brickwork, concrete,

29.2 BS 5287 Specification for assessment and labelling of
plasterboard and plastered finishes.
textile floor coverings tested to BS 4790 specifies how
Acceptable in all locations including protected
these tested floor coverings should be labelled.
routes, circulation routes, escape routes and
stairways.
29.3 It is, of course, difficult to assess existing floor
coverings in HMOs unless the supplier/manufacturer
Class 1, C s3, d2 can be traced. As a general guide for existing carpets,
These include timber, particleboard, hardboard and those comprising a mix of 80% wool and 20%
surfaces covered with heavy flock wallpaper, provided synthetic fibre (commonly referred to as 80/20 carpets)
they have been treated with flame retardant materials. will comply. Many vinyl, linoleum and laminate floor
Acceptable in rooms. coverings may not be suitable and will need replacing.
Class 3, D s3, d2
29.4 When considering the suitability of new floor
These include those specified in class 1 with the
coverings for protected routes it is sufficient to
addition of thermosetting plastics and surfaces
ensure they are labelled to BS 5287 or the European
covered with polystyrene wall and ceiling tiles.
equivalent as low radius of fire spread (up to 35mm).
Not acceptable on escape routes and stairways.
Suppliers/manufacturers will be able to verify this (or
Acceptable in small rooms and parts of other rooms
otherwise).
if the total area does not exceed more than one half
of the floor area up to a maximum of 20m².
30. Special provisions relating to ‘back-to-back’
Not acceptable on escape routes and stairways. houses
28.6 It is very difficult to identify the classification of 30.1 In certain areas of the country there remain a
existing coverings on-site unless the trade name of the significant number of ‘back-to-back’ houses. These
product can be traced. Table C6 illustrates acceptable typically back directly onto one another at the party

wall and have other houses either side. This means be adopted and may include the construction of a
there is only one exit from the house and the escape 30-minute protected escape route inside the house,
route inevitably passes through a risk room. This 60-minute separation between the ground and first
arrangement should be avoided wherever possible, floors, the installation of a water suppression system
but it is recognised that significant numbers of (see paragraph 26) and the setting of conditions
these houses do still exist and they make a valuable relating to facilities for calling the fire and rescue
contribution to affordable housing supply. Any risk service in an emergency (for example linking the fire
assessment carried out on a back-to-back house will alarm system to a monitoring centre or the FRA).
identify higher than normal risk and will recommend
special fire precautions accordingly. Back-to-back
A sample case study is given in Part D at paragraph 39
houses are restricted to certain areas of the country
(D15).
and LHAs and FRAs have developed local fire safety
solutions for the types of houses in their areas, taking
account of local building design and local need. 30.4 This type of housing presents a particular risk, and
Because of their specialist nature it is not appropriate some LHAs and FRAs may require alternative solutions
to offer complete solutions to apply nationally in this including higher standards where appropriate.
guidance, as layouts and situations vary and the risk
assessment must take account of this and recommend 31. Mixed commercial and residential use
solutions as appropriate. While some basic solutions
are outlined here for the sake of completeness, local
31.1 Residential accommodation is often situated above
guidance may be more comprehensive.
or within commercial premises. Any fire in the
commercial premises will affect the residential parts,
30.2 Solutions for back-to-back houses will inevitably rely and at night may not be noticed until well developed.
heavily on the following main principles: The risk assessment will assess how high the risk from
the commercial premises is, but it may be significantly
• the provision of a suitable escape window at first higher than the risk from the residential parts (for
floor level accessible to all occupiers of the upper example where the accommodation is above a pub,
floors (see paragraph 14). Because of the design of restaurant or dry cleaners).
this type of house it may not be possible to provide
more than one escape window from the first floor. 31.2 Generally there should be 60-minute imperforate
Where this is the case and the escape window is separation between the two uses. In lower risk
from a habitable room, the door to that room must commercial premises it may be possible to reduce
not be fitted with locks and any tenancy agreement this to 30 minutes where there is an automatic
should ideally prohibit the fitting of locks (unless of fire detection system in the commercial parts
a type that can be overridden from outside the room which is linked to the residential system. In higher
without the need for a key, tool or code); risk premises, even where 60-minute separation
• a suitable automatic fire detection and warning is achieved it may still be appropriate to provide
system. The grade and coverage of the system an automatic fire detection system linked to the
will depend on the risk the house presents (see residential system.
paragraph 22.12 and table C4);
• an appropriate degree of fire separation between 31.3 In some cases imperforate separation proves
the ground floor and the upper floors. Full impracticable to achieve, for example with some
30-minute separation will usually be appropriate accommodation above pubs. In these cases
with a FD30S fire door at the foot of the stairs compensatory measures should be considered such
leading from the ground floor to the first floor; and as fire protecting lobbies between the two uses, a
• where a basement or cellar exists then the guidance secondary means of escape, or in high-risk situations a
in paragraphs 10 and 11 should be applied, with water suppression system in the commercial premises.
higher standards of separation as appropriate in the
higher risk back-to-back properties.
32. Management and maintenance of fire safety
30.3 Where the conditions for escape windows cannot be

32.1 Whatever physical fire safety measures are provided
met (see paragraph 14), other solutions will need to
in residential accommodation, their effectiveness

will only be as good as their management and • all doors should be close fitting as designed. Fire
maintenance. While single household dwellings will doors should never be propped or wedged open.
generally be self-managing, HMO accommodation Any damage to fire doors should be noted and
will require ongoing attention to ensure fire safety repaired. Any damaged or missing smoke seals must
measures remain effective. This section outlines be replaced like-for-like.
management and maintenance measures applicable
to HMOs. The responsible person (the licensee,
32.5 Automatic fire detection (AFD) and warning systems:
landlord or managing agent) has a duty to ensure
BS 5839: part 1, section 6 contains recommendations
that the day-to-day management of fire safety in the
for regular, routine testing of AFD systems as follows:
premises is properly undertaken and that essential
routine maintenance and emergency repairs are
properly carried out. This is not only common sense Grade A systems
and good practice, but also an obligation in law for • Routine testing – at least one detector or call point
those premises to which The Management of Houses in each zone should be tested weekly to ensure
in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006 and the FSO correct operation of the system. Any defect should
apply (see Appendix 1, paragraphs A.45 and A.51). be recorded in the log book and action taken to
correct it.
32.2 The level of management attention required will • Routine maintenance – a six-monthly service should
be determined as part of the fire risk assessment. be carried out by a competent person, usually a
Detailed recommendations are to be found in the specialist alarm engineer, under a maintenance
HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping contract. It entails a full test to ensure compliance
Accommodation Guide. These recommendations may as specified in with BS 5839: part 1, section 6. It
be appropriate in very large and complex buildings, should be recorded in the log book and a periodic
but not all will apply fully for the average residential inspection and test certificate issued.
accommodation of normal risk covered by this guide.
Grade D and E systems
32.3 Guidance on best practice in fire safety management • Routine testing – these systems should be tested
can be found in BS 5588, part 12: 2004 Fire every month by use of the test button on the smoke
precautions in the design, construction and use alarm.
of buildings – managing fire safety, but the points • Routine maintenance – all alarms should be cleaned
outlined below should be expected in any acceptable periodically in accordance with the manufacturer’s
fire risk assessment as a minimum. recommendations.
32.4 Escape routes: All systems

• must be free from obstruction at all times, and • It is recommended that all detectors should be
regular checks should be made to guarantee this; tested at least once a year to ensure that they
• there should be no free storage on the escape respond to smoke. Tests should not involve the use
routes; of open flame or any form of smoke or non-specific
• there should be no trip hazards such as trailing aerosol that could contaminate the detection
electrical leads or worn carpets; chamber or the electronics of the detector. Suitable
specific test aerosols are available. The test is usually
• in most cases fire-resisting doors should be
carried out by a specialist alarm engineer under a
effectively self-closing to engage their latches with
maintenance contract and should be recorded in
no obstructions or hindrances such as catching
the log book, with a periodic inspection and test
carpets. This will always be the case in bedsit-type
certificate issued.
HMOs. However, the requirement for self-closers is
considered unnecessary in some situations, such as
individual room doors within flats (the flat entrance 32.6 It is recognised that the above arrangements represent
door will still require one), within single household the ideal. While they may be possible in buildings
occupancies, and in smaller low-risk shared houses. with a resident landlord or a dedicated caretaker
The use of self-closers in these situations has proved or housekeeper, in most situations for premises
impracticable and has often rendered the doors covered by this guide such arrangements may be
ineffective; impracticable. Where this proves to be the case

tenants should be given clear instructions on how maintain the system in accordance with clause 7
to test grade D or E alarms within their dwelling (maintenance) of BS 9251;
using the test button, along with clear recording and • the responsible person must ensure that the system
reporting instructions for any faults or false alarms on is fully functional at all times and that any defects
the system. Grade A systems are more specialist and are rectified as soon as possible;
resident testing will be inappropriate unless there is a
• the responsible person should check the pressure
trained individual in the property. Clear fault and false
gauge readings monthly and record these readings
alarm reporting arrangements should be put in place,
in the systems log book. Any significant fluctuations
and the responsible person or his/her agent should
or pressure readings below the agreed system
respond to reports at the earliest opportunity.
design must be rectified immediately; and
• the system log book must be used to record all
32.7 Fire blankets and extinguishers: actuations, testing, maintenance, system faults and
• where provided, these should be checked any remedial action.
periodically to make sure they are in place and
available for use. Extinguishers must be tested and
32.10 Gas installations (see Appendix 1, paragraph A.67):
maintained on an annual basis in accordance with
• The Gas Safety (Installation and use) Regulations
BS 5306-3 and with the manufacturer’s instructions.
1998 require that gas installations and appliances
are maintained in safe condition and good working
32.8 Artificial lighting: order and receive a gas safety check annually.
• conventional staircase lighting must be working The gas safety check and any other work to the
properly at all times. Any blown bulbs should be installation may only be carried out by a competent
replaced and all switches should be working. If timer and registered engineer. The findings must be
switches are fitted then the duration should be recorded and the records kept for at least two years.
checked and adjusted if necessary; and
• any emergency escape lighting should be serviced 32.11 Electrical installations (see Appendix 1, paragraph
and maintained in accordance with BS 5266-8: 2004 A.73):
(BS EN 50172: 2004) Emergency escape lighting
• the electrical installation should be installed
systems. This contains detailed recommendations
and maintained by a competent person and
which include inspections and tests to be carried
should be inspected periodically by a competent
out, down to a daily basis. For large, complex
electrical engineer. An inspection every five years
HMOs (such as those with five or six storeys) or
is recommended for all types of premises and is a
premises with a specific high-risk factor (persistent
legal requirement in HMOs under the Management
vandalism problems, for example, or complex escape
of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England)
routes and no effective borrowed light), the full
Regulations 2006 (see Appendix 1, paragraph A.45).
recommendations may be appropriate. However, in
most average sized premises with normal risk, the
following regime with a procedure for responding to 32.12 Electrical appliances:
reports of defects should be adequate: • letting agents and landlords should check all
• an annual discharge test in accordance with the electrical appliances at the start of each new
requirements of BS 5266: part 8. This must be tenancy for defects (for example frayed wiring or
carried out by a competent person, usually a lighting badly fitted plugs) and remove any unsafe items;
engineer under a maintenance contract. It entails a • it is good practice to have the equipment checked
full test to ensure compliance with the standard and at regular intervals thereafter, but there is no legal
should be recorded in the log book, with a periodic requirement to do so unless appliances are used by
inspection and test certificate issued. employees;
• records should be kept of the checks carried out;
32.9 Water suppression systems: • instruction booklets should be available at the
• where provided, the responsible person must property for all appliances and any necessary safety
ensure that any water suppression system is warnings should be given to tenants; and
fully maintained and ready for use at all times. • second-hand electrical appliances should not
The landlord should enter into a maintenance be supplied, but if they are then they should be
contract with a competent person or company to checked by a competent electrical engineer.

32.13 Furniture and furnishings regulations (see Appendix 32.15 Record keeping:
1, paragraph A.61): • it is recommended that a property log book is kept
• all furniture within lettings commencing after and all routine maintenance and servicing activity
1 January 1997 must meet fire resistance (as recommended in this guide) is recorded in it,
requirements. However, the regulations do not apply along with all reported defects and remedial action
to furniture made before 1950 and re-upholstered taken – including false alarms. Model log books may
furniture made before that date; be available from landlords associations or through
• all new furniture (except mattresses and bed bases) landlord accreditation schemes.
must carry a permanent label stating that it complies
with the fire resistance standards. However, absence
of such a label does not mean that the furniture does
Part D: some risk-based case studies of fire
not comply, as the label may have been removed
after the furniture was supplied. Some furniture
safety solutions in certain catagories of
manufactured before the regulations were applied residential accomodation
may comply with the requirements anyway; and
• landlords and managing agents must ensure that 33. Introduction
the furniture supplied meets the fire resistance
requirements, and the only practical way of doing
so is to ensure that the furniture is labelled by 33.1 This chapter considers some commonly encountered
the manufacturer in this way. If this cannot be types of residential premises and provides suggested
ascertained then the furniture should be replaced. fire safety solutions which could be applied to achieve
a reasonable and acceptable standard of fire safety in
each. In each case the solutions are based on a fire risk
32.14 Information and training: assessment. If the fire safety measures recommended
• each occupier should be given specific advice on are applied to buildings of similar risk, those buildings
fire prevention and fire safety in the home. This should meet the requirements of the legislation
should be provided at the start of each new tenancy applying to them as outlined in Appendix 1. If the
and reviewed periodically. Suitable advice can be recommendations and risk methodology of this guide
found in annexe one of BS 5588: part 12, Advice are applied, no additional works should be necessary
to occupiers of domestic residential buildings, and to meet any of the requirements.
advice is also available from local fire and rescue
authorities. Information should include:
The recommendations in this chapter must be read in
• an explanation of the escape routes, particularly conjunction with Part C, which gives more details on
where secondary means of escape is provided; individual provisions and applies some conditions to
• how the fire detection and alarm system operates these recommendations.
and what to do if it activates;
• how and when to re-set the fire alarm system; 33.2 The solutions recommended here are considered
• if extinguishers or fire blankets are provided, to be the most conventional and practical for most
training in their application and safe use; situations. There is no obligation to adopt these
• avoidance of false alarms; exact solutions, and it is possible that the relevant
• how and when to call the fire brigade; requirement can be met in some other way. However,
any alternative arrangement will need to achieve
• how to report defects;
at least an equivalent level of fire safety, and the
• the importance of maintaining clear escape responsible person will need to demonstrate that this
routes, free of storage; is the case. The interaction between the individual
• the importance of keeping fire doors closed, not fire safety measures is key. Where a higher standard
propped or wedged open; of protection is provided than is recommended here,
• smoking and cooking safety; it may be possible to provide a compensating lower
standard in some other respect (and vice versa). For
• gas safety advice;
example, in lower risk premises a reduced level of fire
• safe storage and disposal of refuse; and
separation may be acceptable if a higher standard of
• the safe use of escape windows where fire detection and warning system is provided. Equally,
appropriate. the installation of a fixed water suppression system

(sprinkler system) may allow a reduced standard of fire but the escape route should have sound, conventional
separation. Variations on such themes will need to be construction and should not pass through risk rooms
considered on their merits, and agreement will need
to be sought from the relevant enforcing authority. No requirement for fire doors note 5, but sound, well
constructed and close-fitting conventional doors are
required
33.3 The examples in this section assume a normal level of
risk. They assume that:
Alternatively, provide suitable escape windows from
• occupiers are able-bodied and capable of evacuating
bedrooms and living rooms (see paragraph 14)
the building unaided;
• occupiers are not from any particular vulnerable Fire separation (see paragraph 19)
group (for example people with impaired sight or No requirement for additional fire resistance, but
hearing, the elderly or frail, or people with alcohol walls and floors should be of sound, conventional
or drug dependency); and construction
• there are no particular high-risk factors present in
the building such as commercial uses, large storage If a basement/cellar is present, 30-minute separation
areas or the use of open fires. between the cellar and the ground floor escape route
is the ideal (but see paragraph 19.6 regarding existing
construction)
Where this is not the case and higher risk factors are
present, higher levels of fire safety precautions may be
Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22)
required.
Grade D, LD3 system
• interlinked mains wired smoke alarms with integral
33.4 The descriptions of the various categories of residential battery back-up located in the escape route at
premises covered in this chapter will not necessarily ground and first floor levels; and
match every situation, and professional judgment will be • additional interlinked smoke alarms with integral
needed where variations occur. For clarification of use of battery back-up located in any cellar
the term ‘storey’, see the glossary. This chapter contains
case studies for the following categories of premises: Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24)
• single occupancy accommodation; No requirement for emergency escape lighting, but
• shared houses; conventional artificial lighting is required
• bedsit-type HMOs;
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25)
• buildings converted to self-contained flats; and
It is recommended good practice to provide a fire
• flats in multiple occupation. blanket in the kitchen
34. Single household occupancy Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27)
No requirement
Houses, flats and maisonettes occupied by persons
living as a single household. The term ‘household’
Surface finishes & floor coverings (paragraphs 28-29)
means either a single person or members of the same
No requirement
family who are living together. This includes people
who are married or living together as married (including
Management and maintenance of fire safety
those in same-sex relationships). ‘Family’ means specific
It is recommended that all doors are kept closed at
relatives: parents, grandparents, children and step
night (see paragraph 32)
children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts,
nephews, nieces or cousins. Foster children are also
note 5: where construction standards are poor,
treated as part of their parents’ household.
travel distances are long or other higher risk factors
are present, a 30-minute protected route may be
Case study D1: Single household occupancy of no required.
more than two storeys (see figure D1)
Escape routes (see paragraph 9)

No requirement for full 30-minute protected route note 5,

Case study D2: Single household occupancy of Fire safety signs (paragraph 27)
three or four storeys (see figure D2) No requirement
Surface finishes & floor coverings (paragraphs

28-29)
No requirement for full 30-minute protected route note 6,
No requirement
but the escape route should have sound conventional
construction and the travel distance should not be
excessive
No requirement for fire doors note 6, but sound, well
constructed and close-fitting conventional doors are
note 6: where construction standards are poor, travel
required
distances are long or other higher risk factors are
present, a 30-minute protected route may be required.
Fire separation (see paragraph 19)
No requirement for additional fire resistance, but
walls and floors should be of sound, conventional Case study D3: Single household occupancy of
construction five or six storeys (see figure D3)
If a basement/cellar is present, 30-minute separation

between the cellar and the ground floor escape route
30-minute protected route is required, including
is required
30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30 doors to
all risk rooms (without smoke seals – see paragraph 21.3).
Secondary means of escape is required from top floor
Grade D, LD3 system
battery back-up located in the escape route at all
No requirement for additional fire resistance generally,
floor levels; and
but walls and floors should be of sound, traditional
• additional interlinked smoke alarms with integral
construction. Lateral fire-resisting separation of the top
battery back-up located in any cellar
two floors from the remainder of the house is required.
If a cellar is present, provide 30-minute separation
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24)
between the cellar and the ground floor escape route
No requirement for emergency escape lighting, but
conventional artificial lighting is required
Grade A, LD3 system
• detection throughout common parts, in the kitchen
It is recommended good practice to provide a fire
(heat detection) and any cellar
blanket in the kitchen

Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24) has been rented out by an identifiable group of
No requirement for emergency escape lighting, but sharers such as students, work colleagues or friends
conventional artificial lighting is required as joint tenants. Each occupant normally has their
own bedroom but they share the kitchen, dining
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) facilities, bathroom, WC, living room and all other
It is recommended good practice to provide a fire parts of the house. All the tenants will have exclusive
blanket in the kitchen legal possession and control of all parts of the house,
including all the bedrooms. There is normally a
Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27) significant degree of social interaction between the
Directional fire exit signs indicating way to secondary occupants and they will, in the main, have rented out
means of escape the house as one group. There is a single joint tenancy
agreement. In summary, the group will possess many
Surface finishes & floor coverings (paragraphs 28- 29) of the characteristics of a single family household,
No requirement although the property is still technically an HMO as
the occupants are not all related.
(see paragraph 32)
35.3 The exact arrangements will vary from house to house
and this may result in ‘grey areas’ in determining
whether a house is a true shared house which
35. Shared houses therefore presents a lower fire safety risk due to
the mode of occupation. Each case will need to be
considered on its merits.
35.1 There is no legal definition of a ‘shared house’ and so
this term can sometimes cause confusion. Whilst shared
houses fall within the legal definition of an HMO (see 35.4 Even if a property is occupied as a shared house, the
Appendix 1, paragraph A.32) and will be licensable fire risk may still increase if the property is of a non
where licensing criteria are met, it is recognised that standard layout or if the occupants present a higher
they can often present a lower fire risk than traditional risk due to factors such as limited mobility or drug/
bedsit-type HMOs due to their characteristics. alcohol dependency (see paragraph 9.3).
35.2 For the purposes of this guidance, shared houses

are described as HMOs where the whole property

35.5 Whilst all HMOs are still subject to the Housing Act the first floor). In September he lets the first floor
2004, the FSO does not apply to shared houses that to tenants C and D, with a right to use the kitchen
meet the criteria set out above. This is because the and living room (but not full possession of the whole
occupants have exclusive use of the whole house. house). Then the ground floor will be treated as being
used as a private dwelling because it includes the
kitchen and living room but the first floor will not,
35.6 However, the following two examples are intended to
because, although C and D have the right to use
expand on this description and assist in making that
the kitchen and living room, it is not comprised in
judgment:
their tenancy agreement. They do not have exclusive
possession of a dwelling and therefore the FSO will
example 1 apply.
A two-storey house with kitchen and living room on
the ground floor and bathroom on the first floor. The
The following examples set out an approach to fire
whole house is let to four tenants, A, B, C and D, who
safety that may be appropriate in shared houses that
have exclusive possession of the whole house. The
present no additional risk factors (as explained above).
house will therefore be used as a private dwelling by
Where additional risk factors are present then a higher
A, B, C and D jointly, as domestic premises and the
standard of fire precautions may be necessary, having
FSO will not apply.
regard to the fire risk assessment.
The position will be different if there is not exclusive

possession of the whole house, as follows:
example 2
In July, the landlord lets the ground floor of the house
(including the kitchen and living room) to tenants
A and B, giving them a right to use a bathroom on

Case study D4: Shared house of no more than Lighting of escape routes(paragraphs 23-24)
two storeys No requirement for emergency escape lighting, but
conventional artificial lighting is required
Escape routes(see paragraph 9)
Fire fighting equipment(see paragraph 25)
No requirement for full 30-minute protected route note
Fire blanket to be provided in the kitchen
7
, but the escape route should have sound, traditional
Simple multi-purpose fire extinguisher in the hallway
construction and should not pass through risk rooms.
recommended
No requirement for fire doors note 7, but sound, well
constructed and close-fitting conventional doors
Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27)
are required. Alternatively, provide suitable escape
No requirement
windows from bedrooms and living rooms (see
paragraph 14)
Surface finishes & floor coverings(paragraphs 28-29)
No requirement
Fire separation(see paragraph 19)
No requirement for additional fire resistance, but
walls and floors should be of sound, traditional
construction. If a basement/cellar is present,
30-minute separation between the cellar and the
ground floor escape route is the ideal, but see
note 7: where construction standards are poor,
paragraph 19.6 regarding existing construction
travel distances are long or other higher risk factors
are present, a 30-minute protected route may be
Fire detection and alarm system(see paragraph 22)
required.
Grade D, LD3 system:
battery back-up located in the escape route at all Case study D5: Shared house of three or four
floor levels; storeys (see figure D5)
• additional interlinked heat alarm with integral
battery back-up located in the kitchen;
• additional interlinked smoke alarm with integral
30-minute protected route note 8, is required, including
battery back-up located in the lounge; and
30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30 doors
• additional interlinked smoke alarms with integral
to all risk rooms (without smoke seals – see paragraph
battery back-up located in any cellar.
21.3). Travel distance must not be excessive

Fire separation (see paragraph 19) Surface finishes & floor coverings (paragraphs 28-29)
No requirement for additional fire resistance, but walls No requirement
and floors should be of sound, traditional construction.
If a cellar is present, 30-minute separation is required Management and maintenance of fire safety
between the cellar and the ground floor escape route (see paragraph 32)
Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22) note 8: three-storey properties only: the ideal
Grade D, LD3 system: situation is for the escape route to be enclosed in
• interlinked mains wired smoke alarms with integral 30-minutes fire resisting construction and FD30
battery back-up located in the escape route at each fire doors. However, in existing three-storey shared
floor level; houses of low risk it may be possible to accept existing
• additional interlinked heat alarm with integral walls and partitions if 20-minutes fire resistance
battery back-up located in the kitchen; can be achieved. This is likely to be met if walls and
• additional interlinked smoke alarm with integral partitions are of sound, conventional construction.
battery back-up located in the lounge; and Sound lath and plaster construction should meet this
• additional interlinked smoke alarms with integral requirement. Doors onto the escape route may be
battery back-up located in any cellar. acceptable if they are of sound, solid construction, are
close fitting and self-closing.
Emergency escape lighting required only if the route
Case study D6: Shared house of five or six
is long or complex or where there is no effective
storeys (see figure D6)
borrowed light
Conventional artificial lighting required
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) 30-minute protected route is required, including
Fire blanket to be provided in the kitchen 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors
Simple multi-purpose fire extinguisher on each landing to all risk rooms (with smoke seals). Travel distance
recommended must not be excessive
Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27) Five storeys

Signage only required if the escape route is complex Lobby protection to all floors except the top floor or
secondary means of escape from top floor

Six storeys
Lobby protection to all floors except the top floor and Surface finishes & floor coverings (paragraphs 28-29)
secondary means of escape from top two floors No requirement
Fire separation (see paragraph 19) Management and maintenance of fire safety
No requirement for additional fire resistance generally, (see paragraph 32)
but walls and floors should be of sound, traditional
construction. Lateral fire-resisting separation of the
top floor (in five storey) or top two floors (in six storey)
36. Bedsit-type HMOs
from the remainder of the house is required. If a cellar
These are HMOs which have been converted into a
is present, provide 30-minute separation between the
number of separate non-self-contained bedsit lettings
cellar and the ground floor escape route.
or floor-by-floor lets. Typically there will be individual
cooking facilities within each bedsit, but alternatively
there may be shared cooking facilities or a mixture
Grade A, LD2 system
of the two. Toilets and bathing/washing facilities will
• detection throughout escape route and all risk
mostly be shared. There is unlikely to be a communal
rooms including living rooms, kitchen (heat
living or dining room. Each bedsit or letting will be let
detection) and any cellar
to separate individuals who will live independently,
with little or no communal living between tenants.
Each letting will have its own individual tenancy
Emergency escape lighting required
agreement and there will usually be a lock on each
Conventional artificial lighting required
individual letting door.
Fire blanket to be provided in the kitchen Case study D7: Bedsit-type HMO of no more than
Simple multi-purpose fire extinguisher on each landing two storeys (see figure D7)
recommended

30-minute protected route note 9 is required, including
Signage only required if the escape route is complex
30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors
or where there is a secondary means of escape
to all risk rooms. Travel distance must not be excessive

Fire separation (see paragraph 19) Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27)
No requirement for additional fire-resisting separation Signage along escape route if the escape route is
between units, but walls and floors should be of complex
sound, traditional construction
Surface finishes & floor coverings
Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22) (see paragraphs 28-29)
Mixed system
Grade D, LD2 system Management and maintenance of fire safety
• interlinked mains wired smoke alarms with integral (see paragraph 32)
battery back-up located throughout the escape route
note 9: a full 30-minute protected route is the
Where cooking facilities are sited within the bedsits: preferred (ideal) option. However, in two-storey,
• interlinked heat alarms with integral battery back-up normal risk HMOs the provision of suitable escape
located in each bedsit; and windows from all bedsit rooms may be acceptable in
• additional non-interlinked smoke alarm with integral lieu of a fully protected route.
battery back-up located in each bedsit.
Case study D8: Bedsit-type HMO of three or four
Where cooking facilities are sited in shared kitchen,
storeys (see figure D8)
not within bedsits:
• interlinked smoke alarms with integral battery back-
up located in each bedsit; Escape routes (see paragraph 9)
• interlinked heat alarms with integral battery back-up 30-minute protected route is required, including
located in each communal kitchen; and 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors
• additional interlinked smoke alarms with integral to all risk rooms. Travel distance must not be excessive
battery back-up located in any cellar.
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24) No requirement for additional fire-resisting separation
Emergency escape lighting required only if the route between units, but walls and floors should be of
is long or complex or where there is no effective sound, traditional construction
borrowed light
Conventional artificial lighting required Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22)
Mixed system
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) Grade A, LD2 system
Fire blanket to be provided in each bedsit with • smoke detectors located throughout the escape route
cooking facilities and in shared kitchens. Simple multi
purpose extinguisher on each floor in the common
parts recommended

Where cooking facilities are sited within the bedsits: Case study D9: Bedsit-type HMO of five or six
• interlinked heat detectors located in each bedsit; and storeys (see figure D9)
• additional Grade D, non-interlinked smoke alarm
with integral battery back-up located in each bedsit.
Where cooking facilities are sited in shared kitchen,
30-minute fire-resisting construction, and FD30S doors
not within bedsits:
to all risk rooms. Travel distance must not be excessive
• interlinked smoke detectors located in each bedsit;
• heat detectors located in each kitchen; and
Five storeys
• additional interlinked smoke detectors located in
Lobby protection to all floors except the top floor or
any cellar.
secondary means of escape from top floor

Six storeys
Conventional lighting is required.
Lobby protection to all floors except the top floor and
Emergency escape lighting maybe appropriate if route
secondary means of escape from top two floors
complex or there is no effective borrowed light
30-minute fire separation between units of
Fire blanket to be provided in each bedsit with
accommodation throughout
cooking facilities and in shared kitchens
30-minute fire separation across the stairway between
Simple multi-purpose extinguisher on each floor in the
second and third floors and between fourth and fifth
common parts recommended
floors

Final exit sign and signage along the escape route if
Mixed system
the escape route is complex
Grade A, LD2 system
• smoke detectors located throughout the escape
route
(see paragraphs 28-29)
Where cooking facilities are sited within the bedsits:
• heat detectors located in each bedsit;
(see paragraph 32)
• additional Grade D, non-interlinked smoke alarm;

with integral battery back-up located in each bedsit. 37. Houses/buildings converted to self-contained flats
Houses or buildings converted into self-contained flats
Where cooking facilities are sited in shared kitchen, where the conversion did not (and does not) meet
not within bedsits: the building standards under the Building Regulations
• smoke detectors located in each bedsit; 1991. Buildings that were converted to a standard
• heat detectors located in each kitchen; and meeting those regulations and which still meet them
• additional interlinked smoke detectors located in are not included here, as they will not require additional
any cellar. fire safety measures unless occupied in a manner other
than intended under the original conversion scheme –
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24) for example, occupation of a flat as a flat in multiple
Emergency escape lighting required occupation (see section E) – or where an additional risk
Conventional artificial lighting required has been introduced post-conversion.
Fire fighting equipmeny (see paragraph 25)

Case study D10: Two-storey building converted
Fire blanket to be provided in each bedsit with
into self-contained flats (see figure 10)
cooking facilities and in shared kitchens
common parts recommended Escape routes (see paragraph 9)
Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27) 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors
Final exit sign and directional signage along escape to rooms opening onto escape route. No requirement
route for fire doors within flats, but sound, well constructed
and close-fitting conventional doors are required.
Surface finishes & floor coverings Travel distance must not be excessive
It may be possible to accept an existing lower standard
Management and maintenance of fire safety of protection in the protected route if there are
(see paragraph 32) suitable escape windows from bedrooms and living
rooms (see paragraph 14)

30 minutes fire resistance between flats throughout

is the ideal, but on risk assessment there may be no note 10: where the fire risk assessment identifies
requirement for additional fire-resisting separation higher than normal risk, the BS 5839: part 6, LD2
between units providing walls and floors are of sound, interpretation of “rooms or areas that present a high
traditional construction and additional compensatory fire risk to occupants” may include living rooms,
detection is fitted. bedrooms and kitchens within the flats, thereby
providing automatic detection in these rooms in
Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22) addition to the common parts and internal entrance
A mixed system note 10 hall/lobby within flats. Where this is the case, this
• Grade D: LD2 coverage in the common areas and a additional detection would be an additional grade D
heat detector in each flat in the room/lobby opening system within the flat (i.e. a mixed system overall) so
onto the escape route (interlinked); and as to avoid whole-house false alarms.
• Grade D: LD3 coverage in each flat (non-interlinked
smoke alarm in the room/lobby opening onto the
Case study D11: Three- or four-storey building
escape route) to protect the sleeping occupants of
converted into self-contained flats (see figure D11)
the flat
Subject to fire separation (above)
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24) 30-minute protected route is required, including
Conventional artificial lighting is required 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors
Emergency escape lighting required if the route is long to rooms opening onto escape route. No requirement
or complex or where there is no effective borrowed for fire doors within flats, but sound, well constructed
light and close-fitting conventional doors are required.
Travel distance must not be excessive
Fire blanket to be provided in each kitchen Fire separation (see paragraph 19)
(recommended good practice) 30 minutes fire resistance between flats throughout
Simple multi-purpose extinguisher on each floor in the is the ideal, but on risk assessment there may be no
common parts (ground floor hallway only if no first requirement for additional fire-resisting separation
floor common parts) recommended between units providing walls and floors are of sound,
traditional construction and additional compensatory
Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27) detection is fitted
No requirement
Surface finishes & floor coverings A mixed system note 11
(see paragraphs 28-29) • Grade A: LD2 coverage in the common areas and a
heat alarm in each flat in the room/lobby opening
Management and maintenance of fire safety onto the escape route (interlinked); and
(see paragraph 32)

• Grade D: LD3 coverage in each flat (non-interlinked additional detection would be an additional grade D
smoke alarm in the room/lobby opening onto the system within the flat (i.e. a mixed system overall) so
escape route) to protect the sleeping occupants of as to avoid whole-house false alarms.
the flat
Subject to fire separation (above) Case study D12: Five- or six-storey building
converted into self-contained flats (see figure D12)
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23- 24)
Conventional artificial lighting required Escape routes (see paragraph 9)
Emergency escape lighting required if the route is long 30-minute protected route is required, including
or complex or where there is no effective borrowed 30-minute fire resisting construction, FD30S doors to
light rooms opening onto escape route, and FD30 doors
(self-closers not required) to risk rooms within flats.
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) Travel distance must not be excessive
common parts Fire separation (see paragraph 19)
Fire blanket to be provided in each kitchen 30-minute fire separation between units of
(recommended good practice) accommodation throughout
30-minute fire separation is required across the
Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27) stairway between second and third floors and
Final exit sign and signage along escape route if the between fourth and fifth floors
escape route is complex
Surface finishes & floor coverings A mixed system note 12:
(see paragraphs 28-29) • Grade A: LD2 coverage in the common areas and a
heat detector in each flat in the room/lobby opening
Management and maintenance of fire safety onto the escape route (interlinked); and
(see paragraph 32) • Grade D: LD3 coverage in each flat (non-interlinked
smoke alarm in the room/lobby opening onto the
note 11: where the fire risk assessment identifies escape route) to protect the sleeping occupants of
higher than normal risk, the BS 5839: part 6, LD2 the flat.
interpretation of “rooms or areas that present a high
fire risk to occupants” may include living rooms, Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24)
bedrooms and kitchens within the flats, thereby Emergency escape lighting required
providing automatic detection in these rooms in Conventional artificial lighting required
addition to the common parts and internal entrance
hall/lobby within flats. Where this is the case, this

Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) 38. Flats in multiple occupation
Simple multi-purpose extinguisher on each floor in the Any self-contained flat which is occupied by three or
common parts more persons who do not form a single household.
Fire blanket to be provided in each kitchen Fire safety standards will be enforceable under the
(recommended good practice) housing health and safety rating system and some
transitional and additional HMO licensing schemes.
Final exit sign
Case study D13: Flat in multiple occupation
Directional signage along escape route
occupying a single storey
(see paragraphs 28-29) Escape routes (see paragraph 9)
No requirement for full 30-minute protected route within
Management and maintenance of fire safety flat note 13, but the escape route should have sound,
(see paragraph 32) traditional construction and should not pass through risk
rooms. Travel distance must not be excessive
note 12: where the fire risk assessment identifies
higher than normal risk, the BS 5839: part 6, LD2 No requirement for fire doors within flat, but sound,
interpretation of “rooms or areas that present a high well constructed and close-fitting conventional doors are
fire risk to occupants” may include living rooms, required.
bedrooms and kitchens within the flats, thereby FD30S door to flat entrance door
providing automatic detection in these rooms in (note: in converted or purpose-built flats, 30-minute
addition to the common parts and internal entrance construction and fire doors are likely to be in place)
hall/lobby within flats. Where this is the case, this
additional detection would be an additional grade D Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22)
system within the flat (i.e. a mixed system overall) so Grade D, LD3 system:
as to avoid whole-house false alarms. • interlinked mains wired smoke alarms with integral
battery back-up located in the flat internal hallway;
and
battery back-up located in the kitchen

No requirement for emergency lightening, but Fire safety signs (see paragraph 27)
conventional artificial lighting is required No requirement
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) Surface finishes & floor coverings
Fire blanket to be provided in the shared kitchen (see paragraphs 28-29)
Fire safety signs (paragraph 27) Management and maintenance of fire safety
No requirement (see paragraph 32)
Surface finishes & floor coverings note 14: where construction standards are poor, travel
(see paragraphs 28-29) distances are long or other higher risk factors are
present, a 30-minute protected route may be required
Management and maintenance of fire safety and/or LD2 fire detection may be appropriate.
(see paragraph 32)
note 13: where construction standards are poor, travel

39. Back-to-back houses
distances are long or other higher risk factors are
present, a 30-minute protected route may be required These houses typically back directly onto one another
and/or LD2 fire detection may be appropriate. at the party wall and have other houses either side. This
means that there is only one exit from the house, and
the escape route inevitably passes through a risk room.
Case study D14: Flat in multiple occupation
occupying two storeys
Case study D15: Three-storey back-to-back
shared house with up to four occupiers (the
stairs exit via the living room and the kitchen is
No requirement for full 30-minute protected route
off the living room (see figure 15)
within flat note 14, but the escape route should have
sound, traditional construction and should not
pass through risk rooms. Travel distances must not Escape routes (see paragraph 9)
be excessive. No requirement for fire doors within 30-minute protected route at first and second floor
flat, but sound, well constructed and close-fitting level:
conventional doors are required. FD30S door to flat • 30-minute fire-resisting construction;
entrance door. (note: in converted or purpose-built • FD30 doors (without smoke seals – see paragraph
flats 30-minute construction and fire doors are likely 21.3), self-closers not required, to risk rooms on first
to be in place) and second floors and to kitchen note 15 ;
• escape window from first floor (see paragraph 14);
Fire detection and alarm system (see paragraph 22) and
Grade D, LD3 system: • travel distances must not be excessive.
battery back-up located in the escape route at each Fire separation (see paragraph 19)
floor level; 30-minute fire separation between ground and first
• additional interlinked heat alarm with integral floors
battery back-up located in the kitchen; and FD30S fire door across staircase between ground and
• additional interlinked smoke alarm with integral first floor
battery back-up located in any communal lounge.
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24) Grade D, LD3 system:
Conventional artificial lighting required • interlinked mains wired smoke alarms with integral
Emergency escape lighting may be required if there is battery back-up located in the escape route at all
no effective borrowed light floor levels;
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) battery back-up located in the kitchen;
Fire blanket to be provided in the shared kitchen • additional interlinked smoke alarm with integral

battery back-up located in the lounge; and Where the requirements for an escape window (see
• additional interlinked smoke alarms with integral paragraph 14) cannot be met, alternative precautions
battery back-up located in any cellar. may include construction of a 30-minute protected
route through the house to the final exit, 60 minutes
Lighting of escape routes (paragraphs 23-24) fire separation between ground and first floors, and
Conventional artificial lighting required conditions relating to arrangements for calling the fire
Emergency escape lighting may be required if there is and rescue service (such as a fire alarm linked to the
no effective borrowed light fire brigade or to a monitoring agency). The installation
of a domestic water suppression system may also be
Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) considered in such high-risk cases.
Fire blanket to be provided in the kitchen

No requirement
Surface finishes and floor coverings


(see paragraph 32)
note 15: where the house is occupied by a single

household or as a low-risk shared house by a small
number of occupiers, it may be possible to relax
the requirement for full 30-minute fire resisting
construction throughout the escape route and FD30
doors at first and second floor level. This is dependent
on sound, traditional construction and sound, well
constructed and close-fitting conventional doors.
Solid timber doors and panelled doors of substantial
construction may be acceptable but flimsy constructions
and hollow infill-type doors (commonly known as ‘egg
box’) would not be. This can be difficult to assess and
expert advice may be required. The door to the kitchen
and the door separating ground and first floors should
be at least FD30S in all cases.

APPENDIX 1: LEGISLATION AND A.5 So, in respect of houses in multiple occupation
STATUTORY GUIDANCE (see paragraph 35 regarding shared houses) and in
maisonettes and sheltered accommodation, the new
regulatory framework provides for dual enforcement
A.1 Introduction: This appendix provides a general between local housing authorities under the Housing
overview of fire safety legislation for existing residential Act 2004 and fire and rescue authorities under the
accommodation. It aims to provide a general working Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
knowledge for the reader and set the context for
this fire safety guidance. It does not provide an in-
A.6 In view of the dual enforcement regime, there is a
depth, detailed knowledge of the legislation or cover
clear need for consistent and coherent joint working
all details. References to further, detailed reading are
arrangements between local housing authorities
provided, and those seeking detailed legal guidance are
and fire and rescue authorities when applying the
recommended to refer to those signposted references
two sets of legislation. Uncoordinated regulation
and seek specialist legal advice.
places a burden on housing providers and leads to
confusion, duplication and unnecessary expense.
A.2 The repeal of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the With this in mind, in May 2007 the fire safety housing
Housing Act 1985 altered dramatically the way that working group published a Protocol between local
fire safety in existing residential accommodation is housing authorities and fire and rescue authorities to
regulated. These old acts have been replaced by new improve fire safety. This received Ministerial support
legislation which, for the purposes of this guidance, is from Baroness Andrews and Angela Smith MP and
the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire established a framework for joint working between
Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). the two sets of authorities. The protocol is being
adopted by authorities around the country and has
A.3 The Housing Act 2004 introduced the housing health improved working arrangements and brought about a
and safety rating system (HHSRS), along with licensing more coordinated approach. The protocol is included
provisions for certain larger houses in multiple in this guidance at Appendix 2.
occupation (HMOs) and management regulations for
all HMOs. The HHSRS is the principal tool for assessing A.7. The Housing Act 2004: part 1 – the housing
fire safety risk and regulating standards in all types health and safety rating system (HHSRS)
and tenures of residential accommodation. HMO
licensing conditions provide specific regulation of fire
A.8 Part 1 of the Act introduced the housing health and
safety standards for HMOs in the private rented sector.
safety rating system (HHSRS). This is the Government’s
Guidance under this legislation for housing providers
new approach to evaluation of the potential risks to
and local housing authorities is contained in both the
health and safety from any deficiencies identified in
Housing Health and Safety Rating System Operating
dwellings. Twenty-nine categories of potential hazard
Guidance and in secondary legislation.
are considered, one of which (hazard 24) is fire. The
HHSRS, although not in itself a standard, has been
A.4 The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places introduced as a replacement for the previous housing
duties on housing providers to risk-assess fire safety fitness standards which were contained in sections
in their properties, to take adequate precautions 604 and 352 of the Housing Act 1985 (both now
to reduce that risk and to manage that risk which repealed). Detailed guidance on the principles and
remains. The duties apply throughout a range of application of the HHSRS are contained in Housing
property types, but in HMOs, flats and maisonettes Health and Safety Rating System Operating Guidance
and sheltered accommodation in which personal care and Housing Health and Safety Rating System
is not provided they apply only within the common Enforcement Guidance from Communities and Local
areas (although housing providers need to consider Government.
the risk created within the private areas too). These
duties are enforced by fire and rescue authorities.
A.9 The underlying principle of the HHSRS is that any
Guidance for housing providers and fire and rescue
residential premises should provide a safe and healthy
authorities is contained in HM Government Fire Safety
environment for any potential occupier or visitor.
Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation Guide,
although the recommendations contained in this
guide should produce an equivalent level of safety. To satisfy this principle, a dwelling should be

designed, constructed and maintained with non can have a high level of confidence in the statistical
hazardous materials and should be free from both averages. This statistical evidence is summarised in the
unnecessary and avoidable hazards. This holds true fire hazard profile (24) section of the HHSRS Operating
for the hazard of fire. The HHSRS provides a means Guidance and is intended to inform professional
of assessing dwellings which reflects the risk from judgment.
any hazard and allows a judgment to be made as to
whether that risk, in those particular circumstances,
A.13 The recommendations in Parts C and D of this
is acceptable or not. For the purposes of the HHSRS
guidance have regard to the evidence and advice
the assessment is solely about the risks to health
contained in fire hazard profile (24) of the HHSRS
and safety. The feasibility, cost or extent of any
Operating Guidance.
remedial action is irrelevant to the assessment.
Some deficiencies may be quickly, easily and cheaply
remedied, but while such deficiencies are present the A.14 Assessing fire hazard under the housing health and
threat to health or safety can be considerable. safety rating system
A.10 The principle of the HHSRS is the assessment of risk The HHSRS Operating Guidance details how to make
presented by a dwelling, based on: an assessment of the fire hazard presented by a
particular dwelling. The guidance offers the following
• the likelihood of an occurrence that could cause
information:
harm (in this case uncontrolled fire and associated
smoke); and
• the probable severity of the outcomes of such an Potential for harm from fire: this sets out how the
occurrence. hazard of uncontrolled fire and associated smoke
can affect health, outlining typical illnesses or injuries
which may result from exposure to it. The prevalence
The system uses a formula to generate a numerical
of the hazard, and typical numbers of people affected
score, which allows comparison of different hazards –
nationally each year, are identified. The national
the higher the score, the greater the risk.
statistical averages for the likelihood and spread of
harms are given in a table, together with the average
A.11 Under the HHSRS, the fire hazard covers threats from hazard scores. The averages are given for eight
exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke in different ages and types of dwellings, and for all
a dwelling. It includes injuries from clothing catching dwellings.
alight on exposure to an uncontrolled fire, but does
not include injuries caused by clothing catching alight
Causes: this section discusses potential sources of
from a controlled fire or flame, which may be caused
hazard from fire based on statistical evidence. It
by reaching across a gas flame or an open fire used for
also discusses the contribution to a hazard which
space heating.
could be attributed to dwelling features and to
human behaviour. This helps to assess whether any
A.12 The HHSRS is evidence-based. It is supported by deficiencies identified in the dwelling could mean that
extensive reviews of available literature and by the likelihood or spread of harms deviates from the
detailed analyses of statistical data on the impact of average for the particular age and type of dwelling.
housing conditions on health. The data used to make
a fire hazard assessment is based on averages relating
Preventive measures and the ideal: this gives an
to persons aged 60 years or over who died or were
indication of measures and the optimum standard
injured in a house or flat fire in England and Wales
intended to avoid or minimise the hazard – that
in the years 1997, 1998 and 1999. The statistics are
is, the optimum current at the time of preparation
based on the number of such persons dying in fires
of the operating guidance (January 2004). This is
as reported by coroners; the number of casualties and
informed by relevant British Standards (BS 5588, 5839
persons rescued at all fires attended by the fire and
and 5446) and UK building regulations approved
rescue services; and the number of additional persons
document B.
injured from uncontrolled fire or flames reported
by the Home Accident Surveillance System. There
is a strong evidence base for the production of fire Relevant matters affecting likelihood and harm
accident statistics, and due to large sample sizes we outcome: to assist enforcement officers, a check-list of

dwelling features which may affect the likelihood and A.19 Using the two judgments, the HHSRS formula detailed
the severity of the outcome is provided. in the operating guidance is used to generate a
numerical hazard score for the fire hazard at the
subject premises. The numerical hazard score is a
A.15 For multi-occupied buildings the assessment is made
representation of the inspector’s judgment rather than
for each individual dwelling, including its associated
a precise statement of the risk. The scores potentially
shared rooms/areas and its access and escape route,
range from 0.2 to one million. In order to make this
not the building as a whole. This means that different
wide range manageable and to avoid too strong a
hazard ratings can be expected for dwellings within
focus on precise numerical scores, hazard bands have
the same building, depending, amongst other
been devised which group ranges of scores, which
things, on the location of the dwelling unit within
can then be used for comparison. There are 10 hazard
the building and any deficiencies to the individual
bands (A to J) with band J being the safest and band
dwelling. For example, a bedsit on the ground floor
A the most dangerous.
close to the final exit from the building would not be
assessed the same as a bedsit on the third floor where
the means of escape is the internal staircase (even if A.20 The band into which a dwelling falls in respect of the
both bedsitting rooms are identical apart from their fire hazard can then be used:
location). If a fire occurred, the harm caused to a • to inform a landlord’s decision as to whether action
victim in the third storey bedsit would be more severe should be taken to reduce the hazard and to
than the person in the ground floor bedsit because prioritise actions across a property portfolio; and
there would be a greater distance of travel to safety.
• to inform the enforcing authority’s decision as to
what, if any, enforcement action should be taken in
A.16 The HHSRS uses judgments made by the inspector, respect of the property.
based on an inspection of the dwelling, to generate a
numerical score.
A.21 Worked examples of HHSRS assessments of fire hazard
can be found on the LACORS website at www.lacors.
A.17 The procedure requires two judgments from the gov.uk
inspector. These are an assessment of:
• the likelihood, over the next 12 months, of an A.22 Action following hazard assessment
occurrence that could result in harm to a person
The enforcing authority for the Housing Act 2004 is
aged 60 years or over (the vulnerable group); and
the local housing authority (LHA) (the local council).
• the range of potential outcomes from such an The Act gives LHAs powers to intervene where they
occurrence. consider housing conditions to be unacceptable on
the basis of the impact of hazards on the health or
Note: ‘vulnerable group’ is defined in the HHSRS safety of the most vulnerable potential occupant.
operating guidance as “a range of people for whom Having carried out an assessment for the hazard of
the risk arising from a hazard is greater than for any fire under HHSRS and where a significant hazard
other group in the population”. It is restricted to exists, the LHA must decide what (if any) action is
age groups, no other vulnerability is considered. The appropriate.
assessment of likelihood of an occurrence resulting in
harm is based on a member of this group living in the A.23 Where a category one hazard is identified (i.e. a band
property. For the hazard of fire the vulnerable group A, B or C hazard – one that scores 1,000 or more
is persons over the age of 60. The vulnerable group under the HHSRS assessment outlined above), the
is only used to assess the hazard; when it comes to LHA must take action to reduce the risk – it is under a
enforcement decisions the actual person living there is statutory duty to do so under section 5 of the Act.
considered.
A.24 Where a category two hazard exists (i.e. a band D-J

A.18 The judgment of the likelihood made by the inspector hazard – one which scores less than 1,000 under the
involves taking account of the conditions (deficiencies) HHSRS assessment outlined above) then the LHA has
identified during the inspection, in particular whether a power to act but is not under a duty to do so (under
those conditions will increase or reduce the average section 7 of the Act).
likelihood of an occurrence.

A.25 In many cases, notification of the existence of a If the LHA considers that the action it has taken under
hazard to the landlord by the LHA will be all that is the above provisions has not proved satisfactory, it
required, as the landlord will take the appropriate may subsequently take the same action again or take
action to reduce the hazard to an acceptable level. an alternative action.
Guidance on how to do so can be found in Parts C
and D of this guide. However, where self-regulation
A.28 Statement of reasons
does not happen the LHA must consider what action
Whichever type of action the LHA considers
is appropriate.
appropriate, it must prepare a statement of reasons
explaining why it decided on that particular type of
A.26 For both categories of hazard the enforcement action rather than any other type.
options available are as follows (the first two can be
suspended if appropriate):
A.29 Right of appeal
Except for hazard awareness notices, the recipient of
Serve an improvement notice (section 11 or 12)
any of the above enforcement actions has a right of
this requires the responsible person (usually the
appeal to the residential property tribunal (RPT). The
landlord or HMO licence holder) to carry out works
LHA must include details of the right of appeal, how
which will at least remove the category one hazard.
to appeal and the timescale for doing so with the
notice when it is served. Further details on appeals can
Make a prohibition order (section 20 or 21) be found on the RPT website at www.rpts.gov.uk
this prohibits the use of part or all of the premises for
various specified purposes. A.30 Consultation with fire and rescue authorities
Before talking any of the actions outlined above in
Serve a hazard awareness notice (section 28 or 29) respect of a fire hazard in an HMO or in the common
this is purely advisory action where the LHA notifies parts of flats, the LHA must consult with the FRA. For
the person responsible of the need for improvements. emergency remedial action or emergency prohibition
this requirement applies only so far as it is practical
to do so before taking those measures (section 10,
Note: demolition orders and clearance areas are not
Housing Act 2004).
discussed here.
A.31. The Housing Act 2004: part 2 – licensing of

A.27 In addition to the above, the following discretionary
houses in multiple occupation
enforcement options are also available for category
one hazards only where they present an imminent risk
of serious harm to occupiers: A.32 Introduction: the definition of house in multiple
occupation (HMO) is contained in section 254 of the
Housing Act 2004. The definition is complex, and for
Emergency remedial action (section 40)
detailed understanding then the Act itself should be

LHAs can themselves take remedial action to remove a
studied. For general purposes the definition can be
hazard and recover reasonable expenses.
summarised as follows.
Emergency prohibition order (section 43)

A.33 A building or part of a building is an HMO if it meets
LHAs can prohibit the use of all or part of a property.
every condition specified in one or more of four tests,
or is subject to an HMO declaration:
In both cases the owner of the property will be able
to appeal, but any appeal will not prevent the action

The standard test
from being taken or the prohibition being put into
a) it consists of one or more units of living
effect. These provisions may only be used where
accommodation which are not self-contained flats;
there is a category one hazard, the hazard involves an
b) the living accommodation is occupied by persons

imminent risk of harm to any of the occupiers of these
who do not form a single household;

or other residential premises, and no management
c) the living accommodation is occupied by persons as

order is in force under part four of the Act.
their only or main residence;

d) their occupation of the living accommodation household does not constitute the only use of the
constitutes the only use of that accommodation; accommodation but does constitute a significant
e) rents are payable or other consideration is use of that accommodation, the local authority may
provided in respect of at least one of those person’s serve an HMO declaration notice. The LHA must
occupation; and serve the notice on the landlord or manager of the
property within seven days of the decision to make
f) two or more of the households who occupy the
the declaration. This action nullifies the requirement in
living accommodation share one or more basic
the section 254 HMO definition that the occupation
amenity or the living accommodation is lacking in
constitutes the only use of the accommodation. The
one or more basic amenity.
recipient of an HMO declaration notice has a right
of appeal to the residential property tribunal (RPT).
The self-contained flat test
Details on appeals are available at www.rpts.gov.uk
A self-contained flat which meets all of (b) to (f)
above.
A.34 In summary
A building is an HMO if it:
The converted building test
• is occupied by more than one household and

A converted building consisting of one or more units
where more than one household shares (or lacks)
which are not self-contained flats and:
an amenity such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking
facilities;
a) the living accommodation (the building) is occupied • is occupied by more than one household and is a
by persons who do not form a single household; converted building, but not entirely self-contained
b) the living accommodation is occupied by persons as flats (whether or not some amenities are shared or
their only or main residence; lacking);
c) their occupation of the living accommodation • is converted self-contained flats but does not meet
constitutes the only use of that accommodation; as a minimum standard the requirements of the
and 1991 Building Regulations, and more than one third
of the flats are privately rented; or
d) rents are payable or other consideration is
provided in respect of at least one of those person’s • an HMO declaration has been made by the LHA
occupation. under section 255 of the Housing Act 2004.
Converted blocks A.35 The term ‘household’ means either a single person
or members of the same family who are living
A converted block of self-contained flats converted
together. This includes people who are married or
to construction standards that did not comply with
living together as married (including those in same-
the requirements of the Building Regulations 1991 (SI
sex relationships). ‘Family’ means specific relatives:
1991/2768) and:
parents, grandparents, children and step-children,
grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts,
a) less than two thirds of the flats are owner-occupied; nephews, nieces or cousins. Foster children are also
b) the living accommodation is occupied by persons treated as part of their foster parents’ household.
who do not form a single household;
c) the living accommodation is occupied by persons as A.36 The term ‘occupied’ includes occupation by asylum
their only or main residence; seekers and migrant and seasonal workers, as a refuge
d) their occupation of the living accommodation by persons escaping domestic violence, or by students
constitutes the only use of that accommodation; and in higher or further education.
e) rents are payable or other consideration is
provided in respect of at least one of those person’s A.37 Schedule 14 of the Act exempts the following
occupation. categories from the HMO definition:
HMO declarations • buildings controlled or managed by public sector

Where the occupation of a building or part of bodies:
a building by persons who do not form a single • local housing authorities

• registered social landlords district under part 3 of the Act. The parts of the
• police authorities local authority district covered will be determined
by the particular scheme, and it will be necessary
• fire and rescue authorities
to contact the relevant local authority to ascertain
• health service bodies;
these details.
• buildings occupied principally by students in full-
time education and which are managed by the
Note: certain converted blocks of flats fall within the
relevant educational establishment in conformity
HMO definition. These are described in section 257
with any code approved under section 233 of the
and are essentially those converted to a standard
Act;
that does not comply with the building standards
• buildings occupied by religious communities which
of the Building Regulations 1991 (and still do not
are occupied principally for the purposes of a
comply) and of which less than two-thirds of the flats
religious community whose principal occupation
are owner-occupied. These flats fall within the HMO
is prayer, contemplation, education or the relief of
definition but are not subject to mandatory licensing.
suffering (this category excludes converted block of
However, they may fall within an additional licensing
flats to which section 257 applies);
scheme if the local authority has one. If in doubt, the
• owner-occupied buildings; local authority should be contacted for advice.
• buildings occupied by only two persons; and
• buildings regulated by other legislation as specified A.39 Suitability for licensing in respect of fire safety
in schedule 1 to The Licensing and Management of
The LHA cannot approve an application for an HMO
Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses
licence until it is satisfied that the HMO is reasonably
(Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations
suitable for occupation or can be made so by the
2006 (SI 2006/373).
imposition of licensing conditions (section 64). It
cannot be satisfied of this unless the HMO meets
A.38 Licensable HMOs (or can meet) prescribed standards under section
If the above definition determines that a property 65. The prescribed standards are contained in
is a HMO it is then necessary to consider whether it Statutory Instrument 2006 no. 373: The Licensing and
requires licensing. There are three ways in which part Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and
2 or 3 licensing may apply to an HMO: Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England)
Regulations 2006. The standards require that
1) HMOs that fall within a mandatory licensing
“appropriate fire precaution facilities and equipment
scheme. These are schemes which LHAs must
must be provided of such type, number and location
operate under the duty contained in section 55 of
as is considered necessary”. No further guidance is
the Act. The categories of HMO which fall within
given. If an HMO meets the relevant standards in this
mandatory licensing are prescribed in The Licensing
guidance, the LHA should be satisfied that appropriate
of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed
fire precaution facilities and equipment are provided
Descriptions) (England) Order 2006. These are
and the HMO is reasonably suitable for occupation in
all HMOs comprising three storeys or more and
terms of fire safety, and that there is no impediment
occupied by five or more persons living in two or
to granting the licence in fire safety terms.
more separate households, unless the HMO has
been temporarily exempted by the LHA or is being
managed by it under a management order. A.40 Licence conditions relating to fire safety
2) HMOs in areas that are designated by the Mandatory licence conditions
LHA as subject to additional licensing schemes When granting a licence the LHA must attach
(under section 56 of the Act). In these cases the certain mandatory conditions. These are laid down in
categories of HMO covered and the parts of the LHA schedule four to the Act as follows:
district covered will be determined by the particular
scheme. It will be necessary to contact the relevant
“A licence under part 2 or 3 must include the
LHA to ascertain whether there is an additional
following conditions … conditions requiring the
licensing scheme in place.
licence holder –
(a) to ensure that smoke alarms are installed in the
3) Finally, some local authorities may operate
house and to keep them in proper working order;
‘selective licensing’ schemes within parts of their

(b) to supply the authority on demand, with a (b) this does not, however, prevent the authority
declaration by him as to the condition and from imposing licence conditions relating to the
positioning of such alarms.” installation or maintenance of facilities or equipment
within subsection (2)(c) (section 65 prescribed
standards for appropriate fire precaution facilities
This is the only fire safety related mandatory condition.
and equipment), even if the same result could be
It must be applied to all licences alongside any
achieved by the exercise of part 1 functions.”
relevant discretionary conditions, as explained in the
next section.
A.42 In practice, as a rule, where a LHA encounters a
significant fire hazard (category one or two) in a
Discretionary licence conditions
licensable HMO it should seek to remove or reduce
Section 67 of the Act gives LHAs the discretion to
it using part 1 of the act (HHSRS). However, when
attach such other conditions to an HMO licence as
granting a licence for an HMO it must satisfy itself
it considers appropriate in relation to a number of
that there are appropriate fire precaution facilities
specified matters. These include:
and equipment in the house. Where that is not the
“conditions requiring facilities and equipment to case, it may attach a condition to the licence requiring
be made available in the house for the purpose of that works to ensure the facilities and equipment
meeting standards prescribed under section 65” (see are installed within a specified time period. This
paragraph A.39); and practice will benefit landlords as well as the authority,
“conditions requiring, in the case of any works because relying solely on the mandatory licence
needed in order for any such facilities or equipment condition described in paragraph A.41 above may
to be made available or to meet any such standards, not provide adequate fire safety to meet the section
that the works are carried out within such period or 65 requirement. Such an approach may also leave
periods as may be specified in, or determined under, a category one hazard in place, which will require
the licence.” further remedial works in the near future when the
So LHAs may grant a licence with a condition attached LHA discharges its duty to remove it under the Act.
that certain fire safety works are carried out within Achieving a comprehensive and reasonable standard
a specified period of time to satisfy them that the of fire safety via the licensing condition will avoid
HMO is reasonably suitable for occupation in terms works being carried out which will subsequently have
of fire safety under section 64 (“ensuring appropriate to be upgraded or reversed.
fire precaution facilities and equipment are provided
of such type, number and location as is considered A.43 A note of caution must be exercised in relation to
necessary”). licence conditions requiring works within the common
parts of premises. Article 43 of the Regulatory
A.41 Two other considerations are important in terms of Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 has the effect that
HMO fire safety licence conditions. any licence condition applied in the common parts
of premises to which the order applies shall have no
Where a category one or two hazard is identified in a
effect. Therefore, any licence condition may have no
licensable HMO, the Act is clear that the appropriate
effect where a properly conducted risk assessment
enforcement route to remove it is via part 1 (HHSRS).
has indicated that a higher level of provision is
However, this rule does not preclude LHAs from
necessary. In view of this, the terms of the Protocol
attaching fire safety conditions (as described above) to
between local housing authorities and fire and rescue
the licence, even if this brings about the same result.
authorities to improve fire safety should be followed in
This is dealt with in section 67:
all cases when establishing licence conditions requiring
“67 (4) As regards the relationship between the
works within the common parts of premises to which
authority’s power to impose conditions under this
the order applies.
section and functions exercisable by them under or for
the purposes of part 1 (‘part 1 functions’) —
A.44 For properties falling within the HMO definition but
(a) the authority must proceed on the basis that,
outside the scope of licensing, enforcement of fire
in general, they should seek to identify, remove or
safety standards will fall under part 1 of the Housing
reduce category one or category two hazards in the
Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
house by the exercise of part 1 functions and not by
Order 2005, and again the terms of the protocol
means of licence conditions;
should be followed.

A.45 HMO management regulations A.49 Regulation 6 places specific duties on managers of
HMOs in respect of gas and electrical safety. These
closely affect fire safety. The manager must:
A.46 The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation
(England) Regulations 2006 apply to all HMOs, • supply to the LHA, within seven days of receiving
whether licensable or not. Identical regulations apply a request in writing from them, the latest gas
in Wales. The exception is converted blocks of flats, appliance test certificate in relation to the testing
to which section 257 of the Housing Act 2004 applies of any gas appliances in the HMO by a recognised
(i.e. houses or buildings converted into self-contained engineer;
flats where the conversion did not (and still does not) • ensure that every fixed electrical installation is
comply with the building standards under the Building inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding
Regulations 1991 and less than two-thirds of the flats five years by a person qualified to undertake such
are owner-occupied). The purpose of the management inspection and testing;
regulations is not to require additional fire safety • obtain a certificate from the person conducting that
precautions but to ensure that existing precautions are test, specifying the results of the test; and
properly maintained.
• within seven days of receiving a request in writing
for it from that authority.
A.47 Regulation 4 places specific duties on managers of
HMOs in respect of fire safety. The manager must
A.50 There is no provision for service of notice requiring
ensure that:
works to remedy management failings under
• all means of escape from fire in the HMO are kept these regulations, but failure to comply with the
free from obstruction and maintained in good order regulations is a criminal offence under section 234(3)
and repair; of the Housing Act 2004. Offences carry a level 5
• any fire fighting equipment and fire alarms are fine on conviction (maximum £5,000 per offence).
maintained in good working order; and Both landlords and tenants may be prosecuted for
• all notices indicating the location of means of contravening the regulations.
escape from fire are displayed in positions within
the HMO that enable them to be clearly visible to A.51. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
the occupiers (unless the HMO has four or fewer
occupiers).
A.52 Article 6 of the FSO specifically states that it does not
apply to domestic premises except where the sharing
A.48 Regulation 10 places specific duties on occupiers of of living accommodation e.g. a kitchen, means that
HMOs in respect of fire safety. Every occupier of the the residential unit cannot properly be described as a
HMO must: dwelling. The exception is the prohibition order power,
• conduct themselves in a way that will not hinder or which is available for domestic premises except for
frustrate the manager in the performance of their those occupied as a single private dwelling. Domestic
duties; premises are defined in the order as premises occupied
• allow the manager, for any purpose connected as a private dwelling.
with the carrying out of any duty imposed on them
by these regulations and at all reasonable times, So the FSO does apply to:
to enter any living accommodation or other place
• the common parts of HMOs (but not ‘shared
occupied by that person;
houses’) (see paragraph 35);
• provide the manager, at their request, with any such
• the common parts of buildings containing flats and
information as they may reasonably require for the
maisonettes; and
purpose of carrying out their duties;
• the common parts of sheltered accommodation.
• take reasonable care to avoid causing damage to
anything that the manager is under a duty to supply,
maintain or repair under these regulations; and However, it does not apply to the individual flats,
maisonettes, bedsits or residential units themselves.
• comply with the reasonable instructions of the
The FSO is enforced by the local fire and rescue
manager in respect of any means of escape from
authority (FRA) but it must consult the LHA before
fire, the prevention of fire and the use of fire
taking enforcement action.
equipment.

A.53 The FSO places a duty on the responsible person to give all tenants and other relevant persons information
take such general fire precautions as will ensure, as far on risks identified in the risk assessment and
as is reasonably practicable, the safety of all relevant information on fire safety measures and procedures
persons. Relevant persons include anyone lawfully on for the premises. All fire safety measures at the
the premises and those in the vicinity of the premises premises must then be subject to a proper system of
who would be affected by any fire at the premises. maintenance by a competent person so as to be kept
All persons within an HMO are likely to be considered in efficient working order and in good repair. The risk
relevant persons. The responsible person is the person assessment must be regularly reviewed to ensure that
having control of the premises, so will usually be it is kept up to date.
the landlord or manager of the premises. Any other
person who has a degree of control over the premises
A.56 “In practice, it is very unlikely that a properly
will share the responsible person’s duties to the extent
conducted fire risk assessment, which takes into
of that control. This includes a contractor maintaining
account all the matters relevant for the safety of
or repairing the premises, in relation to the works he
persons in case of fire, will conclude that no fire
or she is obliged to carry out.
precautions (including maintenance) are necessary”
source: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order,
A.54 General fire precautions include, where necessary: guidance note no. 1: enforcement (Communities and
• measures to reduce the risk of fire occurring; Local Government).
• measures to reduce the spread of any fire through
the premises; A.57 The relevant enforcement agencies are defined in
• measures in relation to the means of escape; article 25 of the FSO, but in the types of premises
covered by this guide this will usually be the fire
• measures to ensure the means of escape can be
and rescue authority (FRA). Inspectors enforce the
safely used at all times;
provisions of the FSO and have certain powers
• fire fighting measures;
to require information and to enter premises.
• means of fire detection and warning; Enforcement actions which may be taken under the
• action to be taken in the event of fire; and order are as follows:
• mitigating the effects of fire.
Serve an alterations notice (article 29)
A.55 In order to comply with the duties imposed by the this is used where the FRA consider premises to be
FSO, the responsible person must carry out a fire risk high risk or to have the potential of becoming high
assessment to identify what fire hazards exist at the risk should alterations be made or change of use
premises and what measures have been taken (or will occur. It requires the responsible person to notify the
be taken) to minimise the risk. The risk assessment LHA before making any such changes.
must pay particular attention to those at special risk,
such as disabled persons, elderly persons, children,
Serve an enforcement notice (article 30)
or those with special needs. Any other specific
where the FRA is of the opinion that the responsible
risks should be noted, for example the presence of
person has failed to comply with any provision of the
dangerous substances at the premises. These details
FSO or is dissatisfied with the risk assessment or action
should be recorded and are known as ‘significant
taken under it, it may serve an enforcement notice on
findings’. They must be recorded if the premises are
that person, specifying the steps required to remedy
a licensed HMO or if there are five or more people
the failure.
employed by the business as a whole (not necessarily
at the premises being assessed). A fire risk assessment
must be carried out irrespective of the requirement Serve a prohibition notice (article 31)
to record the significant findings. The responsible where the FRA is of the opinion that the use of a
person must ensure that a competent person(s) premises involves or will involve a risk to relevant
carries out any necessary fire prevention or protection persons so serious that use of the premises ought to be
works identified by the risk assessment (someone prohibited or restricted, it may serve a prohibition notice.
with enough training and experience, knowledge and
other qualities to be able to implement the measures
Note: the article 31 prohibition notice power is
properly). This could, in many cases, be the responsible
unique in that it can be applied to any or all parts
person themselves. The responsible person must also

of the premises covered by this guide, including the label does not mean that the furniture does not comply,
individual units of accommodation, whereas all other as the label may have been removed after the furniture
powers under the FSO apply only to the common was supplied; some furniture manufactured before
parts. 1988 may comply with the requirements anyway.
A.58 Failure to comply with any duty imposed by the FSO or A.65 Landlords and managing agents must ensure that
the requirements of an alterations notice, enforcement the furniture supplied meets the fire resistance
notice or prohibition notice is a criminal offence under requirements, and the only practical way of doing
article 32 of the FSO and carries a level 3-5 fine on so is to ensure that the furniture is labelled by the
conviction (£1,000 and £5,000 maximum respectively). manufacturer in this way. If this cannot be ascertained,
There is a right of appeal to a magistrates’ court the furniture should be replaced.
against any notice.
A.66 The regulations are enforced by local authority trading
A.59 Parts C and D of this guide give guidance on how to standards departments, which can give further
comply with the general fire safety duties required advice to landlords/managing agents regarding these
under the FSO as well as meeting other regulatory requirements.
requirements.
A.67 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
A.60 More detailed guidance on compliance with the 1998
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 can be
found in HM Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment
A.68 The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Sleeping Accommodation Guide. Download it
deal with the installation, maintenance and use of gas
from www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/
appliances, fittings and flues in domestic and certain
firesafetyrisk4
commercial premises. They place duties on certain
landlords to ensure that gas appliances, fittings and
A.61 The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) flues provided for tenants’ use are safe. Essentially any
Regulations 1988 lease under seven years is covered.
A.62 The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) A.69 Landlords must ensure that gas fittings and flues are
Regulations 1988 (as amended) set levels of fire maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances should
resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s
furnishings and other products containing upholstery. instructions. If these are not available, then it is
The regulations cover most items of furniture found recommended that they are serviced annually.
in rented accommodation including beds, mattresses,
pillows and cushions. They do not apply to carpets,
A.70 Only a competent and registered engineer may carry
curtains or duvets. The regulations apply to all persons
out servicing or gas safety checks. This term means
who supply furniture and furnishings in connection
an engineer recognised by the Council of Registered
with accommodation in the course of a business. In
Gas Installers as being competent to undertake such
general, this includes landlords, letting agents and
testing. This means British Gas engineers or (until 1
managing agents.
April 2009) engineers registered with CORGI. After
that date, CORGI registrations will be replaced by
A.63 All furniture within lettings commencing after 1 January CAPITA registrations.
1997 must meet the fire resistance requirements of
the regulations. However, the regulations do not apply
A.71 Landlords must ensure that a gas safety check is
to furniture made before 1950 or to re-upholstered
carried out annually on each gas appliance/flue.
furniture made before that date.
Before any new tenancy starts they must make sure
that such a check has been carried out within one year
A.64 Since 1988 all new furniture (except mattresses and before the start of the tenancy (unless the appliances
bed bases) have had to carry a permanent label stating in the property have been installed for less than one
that it complies with the fire resistance standards year, in which case they should be checked within one
specified in the regulations. However, absence of such a year of their installation date). A record of each gas

safety check must be kept for at least two years and a
copy must be given to existing tenants within 28 days
of the check being completed, or to any new tenant
before they move in (in certain cases there is an option
to display the record in the property instead).
A.72 These requirements do not apply to any appliances

owned by the tenant. The regulations are enforced by
the Health and Safety Executive. Further advice can
be obtained free from their gas safety advice line on
0800 300 363 or at www.hse.gov.uk
A.73 Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
A.74 The regulations require that all electrical equipment

supplied by landlords is safe. In measuring safety,
the landlord or managing/letting agent needs to
ensure that the equipment complies with current
UK requirements for safety of domestic electrical
products. There is no mandatory requirement for
the equipment to undergo any safety testing, but
regulations require that any equipment supplied after
9 January 1995 shall be marked with the appropriate
CE symbol. Where the safe use of the equipment
relies upon the user being aware of any particular
characteristic, suitable information or instruction
booklets should be provided.
A.75 The regulations are enforced by local authority trading

standards departments, which can provide further
advice to landlords/managing agents regarding these
requirements.

Appendix 2:
Protocol between local housing authorities and fire and
rescue authorities to improve fire safety
Foreword by Communities and Local Government Ministers

It is always a priority to ensure safety from the risk of fire in the home, especially in mixed use premises, or where the
occupiers share vital parts of the building with persons who are not members of the same family.
I welcome this protocol which clearly sets out the interrelationship between the two most important pieces of legislation
relating to fire safety in homes, the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The collaborative
working arrangements it promotes between Local Housing Authorities and Fire and Rescue Authorities will ensure proper
partnerships at the local level. This will be of great benefit to the community, in ensuring that risk of fire in homes is reduced
and helps protect against injury or loss.
When it comes to fire safety both the Local Housing Authority and the Fire and Rescue Authority have a range of
responsibilities and it is important these are exercised with a common purpose and in a consistent way. There are a range
of activities that statutory authorities can take to achieve this goal, from promoting awareness and good practice to
enforcement action.
I would encourage you to adopt the principles set out in this protocol and ensure clear local arrangements are agreed and
operational.
Baroness Andrews OBE, Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Housing
Angela Smith MP, Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Fire Safety
Introduction by Local Housing Authorities under the Housing Act 2004

This protocol establishes the principles and describes will, in other than exceptional cases, achieve a similar level
the joint working arrangements between Local Housing of fire safety for relevant persons as required under the Fire
Authorities and Fire and Rescue Authorities to deliver the Safety Order.
objective of improved fire safety. It is a framework which
provides the basis for detailed local arrangements whilst Conversely, Local Housing Authorities are responsible
encouraging collaboration at a regional level. for implementing the various licensing requirements of
the Housing Act 2004 and utilising the Housing Health
The introduction of the Housing Act 2004 and the and Safety Rating System to identify and if necessary act
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety upon, significant hazards found within all housing. They
Order) has imposed an analogous duty on two statutory acknowledge that Fire and Rescue Authorities will monitor
authorities to enforce certain fire safety provisions within and enforce fire safety standards, in areas where they have
such housing.1 legislative control, to a similar standard, in premises identified
in Section 3 of this protocol. Fire and Rescue Authorities
To promote the efficient use of resources, this protocol undertake to inform Local Housing Authorities of any serious
will identify discrete areas of inspection and enforcement, non-fire matters that they encounter and identify.
appropriate review and monitoring arrangements and
provide for urgent or complex requests for assistance Both authorities utilise a risk based enforcement approach
from either party. It seeks to provide all parties, as far as is and it is recognised that some housing providers, such
reasonable practicable, with a measure of confidence that as owners, landlords or managing agents, may not have
they are discharging their respective duties under legislation. sufficient competencies to undertake such risk assessments.
In general, Local Housing Authorities undertake a risk
Fire and Rescue Authorities have a legal duty to enforce assessment utilising the Housing Health and Safety
the Fire Safety Order in the common areas of all residential Rating System whilst Fire and Rescue Authorities expect
accommodation not forming a single private dwelling.2 the responsible person, usually the housing provider, to
They acknowledge that the fire safety standards required undertake a risk assessment.
1 A summary of the respective legislation is available as Appendix A

2 The Fire Safety Order applies to all parts of an HMO when prohibition action under Article 31 is taken
These collaborative working arrangements, which support 3 All self contained flats, whether purpose built or
the Government’s broader agenda for partnership converted LHA
working, will enable both Authorities to promote fire and
certain other safety provisions within a broader range of
4 Premises with mixed commercial and associated
premises than would have been possible if they had acted
residential accommodation and sheltered housing
independently or undertaken joint inspections.
FRA
Nothing in this agreement shall be considered as creating
a contractual relationship, a contract of employment or a 5 Hostels3/B&B/Hotels FRA
relationship of principal and agent between the parties and
shall not add to in any way the existing statutory duties
6 All multiple-occupied accommodation that is
of the parties. No party to this agreement shall hold itself
out as being authorised to enter any contract on behalf owned or managed by the LHA FRA
of any other party or in any way bind any other party to
the performance, variation, release or discharge of any This table provides a general guide – it cannot cover
obligation otherwise than in circumstances expressly or every possible situation and certain premises will fall
implicitly permitted by this agreement. under more than one category. Negotiations to take
account of local residential stock may be necessary.
The signatories to this protocol are shown in Appendix B.
Enforcing authorities may wish to consider the

1. The underlying principles of this protocol are as opportunities afforded by The Local Government Act
follows: 1972 Section 101 in appropriate cases.
• To ensure appropriate standards of fire and other
safety provisions are provided and maintained in
Nevertheless, Fire and Rescue Authorities are under an
residential premises
obligation to reduce fire deaths in line with their risk based
• To develop data sharing arrangements, through enforcement polices and will undertake planned proactive
established paths and in accordance with Section 8 inspections in any identified type of premises or in a
of this protocol particular locality as they deem necessary. Prior to starting
• To assist landlords and other providers to understand any such series of inspection programmes, consultation
the legal framework which they operate under should take place to ensure that duplication of inspection
• To encourage opportunities for offering joint and enforcement does not occur. Any such programmes
training and awareness sessions may, subject to local agreement take place individually,
collaboratively or jointly and should complement the
• To recognise the needs and limitations of Fire and
inspection programme of the Local Housing Authority.
Rescue Authorities and Local Housing Authorities
and to acknowledge that both authorities will
always seek to act in good faith Where necessary emergency action will be taken by
either authority to reduce any immediate risk but further
remedial enforcement will only be undertaken following
2. Which authority should take the lead enforcing
consultation with the designated lead authority. Nothing
role for fire safety?
in this protocol will prevent either authority undertaking
The table below lists the Authority that will normally
specific individual monitoring or enforcement action if
take the lead in inspection and enforcement action in
appropriate.
different types of property.
The legislative position and the provision and

1 Single dwellings, including shared housing, (Fire
management of supported housing is complex and
risk assessment not required) LHA outside the scope of this protocol.
2 All House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) whether 3. What will Local Housing Authorities do?
or not subject to mandatory, selective or additional
Local Housing Authorities will undertake, in line with
licensing LHA their statutory requirements, monitoring and inspection
of premises identified in Section 2 of this protocol.
3 Hostels generally have a requirement for the residents to have a particular need or dependency and do not provide permanent accomodation

They will enforce fire safety standards in accordance with 4. What will Fire and Rescue Authorities do?
the provisions of the Housing Act 2004, having regard Fire and Rescue Authorities will undertake, in line with
to relevant documents published by the Government their risk-based policies, monitoring and inspection of
including the statutory operating and enforcement premises identified in Section 2 of this protocol which
guidance on the Housing Health and Safety Rating fall under the scope of the Fire Safety Order.
System and in accordance with any guidance jointly
agreed with the Fire and Rescue Authority. They will enforce fire safety standards in accordance
with the Fire Safety Order, having regard to relevant
Local Housing Authorities will, when taking documents published by the Government including, Fire
enforcement action under the Housing Act 2004, have Safety Risk Assessment: Sleeping Accommodation (ISBN
regard to the principles and requirements of the Fire 1851128174) and in accordance with any guidance
Safety Order. jointly agreed with the Local Housing Authority.
Although Local Housing Authorities may offer They will undertake consultation with Local Housing
a suitable means of complying with fire safety Authorities in line with the criteria detailed in Section
requirements, they will also; 5 of this protocol.
• Ensure that guidance for landlords of relevant multi They will provide Local Housing Authorities with
occupied properties on undertaking their own risk relevant, timely and comprehensive data to enable
assessments in accordance with the Fire Safety Order those authorities to maintain adequate property and
accompanies all statutory notices risk-based data sets.
• Ensure that the owner/landlord is afforded in writing
the opportunity to bring forward alternative means They will provide Local Housing Authorities with
of complying with the fire safety requirements in information, within their scope of competency, of
accordance with their own fire risk assessment. In serious matters that may need to be addressed by
most cases it is expected that this will be discussed those authorities. (This may include such information
with the owner/landlord prior to the service of any as apparent overcrowding, poor management or
statutory notice unsafe practises by tenants).
• Where such alternatives are brought forward by the
owner/landlord, the Local Housing Authority will
Fire and Rescue Authorities will undertake to inform
consult with the Fire and Rescue Authority
Local Housing Authorities of any significant fire incident
within premises covered by this protocol.
Fire and Rescue Authorities are emergency
They will undertake consultation with Fire and Rescue
organisations which provide twenty-four hour cover.
Authorities in line with the criteria detailed in Section
Information about dangerous fire safety conditions
5 of this protocol.
may come via complaints or post incident and may
occur outside normal working hours. Fire and Rescue
They will provide Fire and Rescue Authorities with
Authorities are under an obligation to take action in
relevant, timely and comprehensive data in an agreed
such situations. Where possible, and especially outside
format to enable those authorities to maintain
of normal office hours, efforts will be made to mitigate
adequate property and risk based data sets.
the dangerous conditions and Local Housing Authorities
will be informed as soon as practicably possible.
Local Housing Authorities will consider the use of
the full range of powers under the Housing Act
Fire and Rescue Services would, in principle, be willing
2004, including Emergency Prohibition Orders, where
to support Local Housing Authorities at Residential
appropriate.
Property Tribunal hearings by offering professional
Local Housing Authorities will provide Fire and Rescue
opinion on fire safety matters.
Authorities with suitable out of hours contact details
for their homelessness unit so that where appropriate
5. Consultation
consideration is given to ensure vulnerable persons
Formal consultation between authorities should take
are not left homeless as a result of emergency
place in accordance with the requirements of the
enforcement action.
Housing Act 2004 Section 10 and the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Article 46.

Arrangements should be put in place to facilitate the Authority will establish local communication channels
following: to exchange data.
Strategic level consultation Local Housing Authorities will provide data in an

agreed format to Fire and Rescue Authorities about
Formal meetings at strategic management level
residential premises. This will enable Fire and Rescue
to review procedural and policy issues. This group
Authorities to populate their premises databases.
should also monitor the outcomes of the protocol
Subsequently, Local Housing Authorities and Fire and
and should meet at least every 6 months.
Rescue Authorities will provide six monthly updates of
Tactical level consultation
this data.
Emergency situations – Consultation between
Local Housing Officer and Local Fire Officer. (Where Both authorities will ensure that the information is
possible this should be between an identified and marked as confidential and will not disclose it to
named link officer from each authority). other organisations without consent. Authorities will
Non-emergency (such as proposals for inspection not use or disclose information supplied pursuant
programs) – Discussions between named link to this protocol without consulting the originating
officers, and where appropriate referred to strategic authority. All information whether held on manual
meetings. files or computer/digital media will be disposed of as
Individual consultation confidential waste.
If a scheme of works for an individual property is

Suggestions as to the scope and detail of this data are
in compliance with legislative requirements and
given in Appendix C.
any jointly agreed guidance then consultation
can be deemed to have taken place. Depending
9. Approval
on circumstances and the complexity of the
requirements, written consultation may not always The protocol will be approved and endorsed at a
be necessary. Where alternatives to schemes are suitable strategic management level by both the Local
offered or problematic/non-standard premises are Housing Authority and the relevant Fire and Rescue
involved, full consultation should take place. Authority.
Where necessary, in complex premises, joint

Consultation should take place on a sub-regional basis
inspections may be undertaken to agree a suitable
with appropriate Private Sector Housing Groups.
standard prior to the taking of enforcement action
by the most appropriate authority.
6. Communication
Local communication channels will be established
between each Fire and Rescue Authority and the
respective Local Housing Authority.
Each authority undertakes, so far as they are able,

to provide the other with assistance and information
about their respective legislation to promote mutual
understanding and efficient working.
7. Monitoring and evaluation

Any changes to this protocol, other than minor
administrative changes, will be subject to approval at
strategic level and the signatories to the protocol.
An annual report will be produced jointly by parties to
the protocol.
8. Data Exchange
Each Local Housing Authority and Fire and Rescue

Appendix A
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 The rating and category of hazard are used to inform
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety decisions about what type of enforcement action a local
Order) requires responsible persons to undertake a fire risk authority may need to take in relation to the hazard. The
assessment to identify the general fire precautions they types of enforcement action which are available to local
need to take to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, authorities are outlined in the Act and include improvement
the safety of relevant persons from fire. notices, prohibition orders, hazard awareness notices,
emergency remedial action, emergency prohibition orders,
Having identified the general fire precautions necessary, demolition orders, and slum clearance declarations.
the responsible person must implement them. Where
five or more persons are employed or any form of licence ‘Fire’ is one of the categories of hazard which is assessed
or certification applies to the use of the premises, the under the system. It includes threats from exposure to
significant findings of the fire risk assessment must be uncontrolled fire and associated smoke at a dwelling.
recorded. Where a local authority has identified a prescribed fire
hazard in a House in Multiple Occupation or in any
The responsible person is identified as, the employer, the common parts of a building containing one or more flats
occupier or the owner as far as their control extends. and intend to take enforcement action, the Act requires
In premises covered by this protocol which are not the local authority to consult the Fire and Rescue Authority
workplaces, the landlord or managing agent is likely to be for the area in which the House in Multiple Occupation or
the responsible person. Tenants must cooperate with the building is situated.
responsible person.
In the event of the authority proposing to carry out

In most cases the local fire and rescue authority are charged
emergency measures the duty to consult the Fire and
with a duty to enforce the Fire Safety Order and have a
Rescue Authority is a duty so far as it is practicable before
range of enforcement options, from education and advice,
carrying out those emergency measures.
through agreed action plans to formal enforcement notices
and prohibition notices. Failure to comply with the Fire
Safety Order may constitute a criminal offence. Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 introduces a licensing
scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The
In general, the Fire Safety Order applies to all areas of Act introduces three types of licensing scheme which local
premises except those areas occupied as private domestic authorities can use. These are mandatory HMO licensing,
dwellings. Where there are areas used in common by the additional HMO licensing of properties not covered by
occupants of more than one such dwelling, the Fire Safety the mandatory scheme and, under certain circumstances,
Order applies. selective licensing of all private rented property within a
neighbourhood.
The Housing Act 2004 The Act outlines the conditions for the granting or refusal
The Housing Act 2004 includes the requirement for local of licences by a local authority and this includes the
authorities to review housing conditions within their area suitability of a property for multiple occupation.
with a view to identifying any action that may need to With regard to fire safety, this is further elaborated in
be taken about those conditions under the provisions the Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple
contained within the Act. Occupation and other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions)
(England) Regulations 2006, schedule 3 of which states
In relation to this, Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 replaces that ‘appropriate fire precaution facilities and equipment
the existing housing fitness standard with an evidence must be provided of such type number and location as is
based risk assessment procedure called the Housing Health considered necessary’.
and Safety Rating System.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System is used

to assess twenty nine categories of housing hazard and
to provide a rating for each hazard. A hazard rating is
indicated by a numerical score which is placed within one
of ten bands from A to J. A numerical score within bands A
to C are Category 1 hazards and scores in Bands D to J are
Category 2 hazards.

Appendix B
Signatories to protocol
Authority Name Signature and date

Appendix C
Data exchange details
Database details will vary considerably but
the following data fields are likely to be
necessary.
LA URN (unique identifier if available)
Eastings
Northings
Property number
Property name
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
Locality
Town
Postcode
Number of floors
Risk Level
Compliance level
Number of units
Licensed
Category/Type
Landlord/responsible person/Contact
Property number
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
Locality
Town
Postcode
Telephone number

Appendix 3: Example form for recording
significant findings from the fire
asessment (alternative formats are
acceptable)
Notes:
(1) this risk assessment record of significant findings
should refer to other plans, records or other
documents as necessary.
(2) the information in this record should assist you to
develop an emergency plan, coordinate measures with
any other ‘responsible persons’ in the building, train
any staff and inform residents.

GLOSSARY recognised by the Council of Registered Gas Installers as
being competent to undertake such testing, but this is
Some useful fire safety terms
changing (see Appendix 1, paragraph A.70).
AFD
FD30 / FD30S
Automatic fire detection and warning system. A system
Purpose designed and built fire-resisting door assemblies
of interlinked smoke and heat detectors with integral or
with a minimum fire resistance of 30 minutes. The 30 figure
linked alarm sounders. The AFD system is designed to
indicates the door’s performance time in minutes. A letter
provide a reliable and constant means of detecting smoke
‘S’ after the figure denotes a requirement for smoke seals
or fire at the earliest possible stage and to sound an audible
to be fitted so as to restrict the passage of smoke, including
warning to occupiers, enabling them to escape before the
cold smoke. Tested to either British or European standards.
fire develops to a dangerous stage. The sophistication and
coverage of the system varies depending on risk. Design,
installation and maintenance of AFD systems for premises Fire risk assessment
covered in this guide are laid down in BS 5839: part 6, An organised and methodical look at a premises, the
1995. activities carried on there and the likelihood that a fire could
start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.
Area of high fire risk A requirement in premises to which the Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) applies.
Room or other area which, because of its function, use
or contents, presents a greater risk of fire occurring and
developing than a standard risk room or elsewhere – for FRA
example large kitchens, boiler rooms and large storerooms. Fire and rescue authority.
Back-up supply FSO

See stand-by supply The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. See
Appendix 1, paragraph A.51.
Bedsit HMO
A building which has been divided into individual non Final exit
self-contained lettings, let to unconnected individuals. The termination of an escape route from a building
Each bedsit letting will usually comprise only one room giving direct access to a place of safety such as a street,
(sometimes more) which may contain cooking/food passageway, walkway or open space, and sited to ensure
preparation facilities, washing facilities and living/sleeping that persons can disperse safely from the vicinity of the
space. Usually bathrooms and WCs are shared between a effects of fire.
number of bedsits. The actual facilities contained within
each bedsit letting will vary from property to property.
Fire-resisting door
Complete construction of door, frame, all door hardware
Circulation spaces
(and assemblies intumescent products and smoke seals where
Passages, corridors, landings, hallways, lobbies and appropriate) which has been tested to prove its fire resistance
stairways. performance to a particular standard. See FD30 above.
Competent person Fire test report

A person suitably trained and experienced so as to be able The documentation received from a testing house detailing
to properly examine, test and undertake any remedial a test carried out on a particular product or construction
action and to present the information in a report. and the fire resistance performance achieved by the
product/construction in that test.
Competent and registered engineer
A term used in the HMO management regulations (see Flat in Multiple Occupation
Appendix 1, paragraph A.46) to describe a person who is A self-contained flat occupied by persons who do not form
competent to inspect gas installations and provide a gas a occupation (FMO) single household.
appliance test certificate. The term means an engineer

High fire risk through another person as agent or trustee, that other person.
See ‘area of high fire risk’ above.
Pictogram
HMO A diagram conveying a message without the use of words.
House in multiple occupation, as defined in section 254
of the Housing Act 2004 (see Appendix 1, paragraphs Place of ultimate safety
A.33-A.38).
A place outside of the building and away from it, where
people will be safe and unaffected by the fire or its effects.
Intumescent strip
A strip of special material fitted around the edges of a fire door Plasterboard
which swells to several times its original volume when subjected
A board of gypsum plaster enclosed between and bonded
to heat. During a fire it will expand to fill the gap between the
to two paper sheets.
door and the frame providing a fire, heat and smoke resistant
seal, thereby improving the door’s fire resistance.
Protected route
An escape route out of a building offering a degree of
LHA
protection from fire and smoke emanating from rooms
Local housing authority.
opening onto it. In premises covered by this guide it will
typically be the usual staircase, landings and hallway of
NICEIC the house leading to a final exit. A protected route will
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. provide varying degrees of protection from fire and smoke
in accordance with risk (a 30-minute protected route, for
example, will be enclosed with construction giving 30 minutes
Nuisance alarms
of fire resistance and containing 30-minute fire-resisting doors
Alarms sounding in a system not caused by a genuine fire – with smoke seals (FD30S)). Lower risk premises will have
may result from poor system design, occupier behaviour or protected routes offering a lower standard.
a fault in the system.
Relevant persons
Person having control
Relevant persons include anyone lawfully on the premises
The person who receives the rack rent of the premises and those in the vicinity of the premises who would be
(whether on his own account or as an agent or trustee of affected by any fire at the premises.
another person) or would so receive it if the premises were
let at a rack rent (Housing Act 2004, section 263).
Residential property tribunal (RPT)
The formal name given to a tribunal of two or three people
Person managing
set up by law under the provisions of the Rent Act 1977 and
The person who, being an owner or lessee of the premises: the Housing Act 2004. It is an independent decision-making
(a) receives (whether directly or through an agent or body which is completely unconnected to the parties or any
trustee) rents or other payments from— other public agency. The RPT is the tribunal which determines
(i) in the case of a house in multiple occupation, appeals against any enforcement actions taken under the
persons who are in occupation as tenants or Housing Act 2005. Weblink: www.rpts.gov.uk
licensees of parts of the premises; and
(ii) in the case of a house to which part 3 applies (see Responsible person
section 79(2)), persons who are in occupation as The responsible person for the purposes of fire safety
tenants or licensees of parts of the premises, or of provision and maintenance at residential accommodation
the whole of the premises; or is the person having control, i.e. the landlord or person
(b) would so receive those rents or other payments but for managing.
having entered into an arrangement (whether in pursuance
of a court order or otherwise) with another person who is
Risk analysis
not an owner or lessee of the premises by virtue of which
An exercise to determine the level of risk of suffering harm
that other person receives the rents or other payments; and
from an activity based upon a range of criteria – see Part B.
includes, where those rents or other payments are received

Risk room Storey
A room with a function, use or contents presenting a risk In this guidance, for the purposes of fire safety, when
of fire occurring and developing; typically kitchens, shared counting the number of storeys the reader should count
living rooms, bedsit rooms. On risk assessment may include all floors from the level of the final exit to the topmost
bedrooms in some cases. Excludes bathrooms and WCs floor (include mezzanines as storeys). Where the final exit
containing no fire risk. See also ‘area of high fire risk’. is located on the ground floor (or raised ground floor) any
lower ground floor/basement/cellar should not be counted.
Therefore, a house with a basement, ground and two
Room sealed appliance
upper floors with its entrance/final exit at ground floor level
A gas appliance whose combustion system is sealed from should be counted as a three-storey house. Note: this is a
the room in which the appliance is located and which different convention to that in the HMO licensing definition
obtains combustion air from outside the premises, and (which counts cellars/basements) as this guidance is
which also vents the products of combustion to open air considering the distance of travel to the final exit as a factor
outside the premises. Most modern gas boilers are room in determining fire risk.
sealed appliances.
Suitably qualified Person

Self-contained flats
See ‘competent person’.
The meaning within this guide relates to conversion flats in
single occupation with all amenities behind the front door.
Test report
See ‘fire test report’.
Shared house
See paragraph 35.
Voids
Unused empty spaces within a building.
Significant findings
The actions to be taken as a result of a fire risk assessment
and details of anyone especially at risk. Must be recorded in Vulnerable group
some cases (see paragraph 10.1). The HHSRS Operating Guidance defines a vulnerable
group as “a range of people for whom the risk arising
from a hazard is greater than for any other group in
Smoke seal/strip
the population.” It is restricted to age groups, no other
A rubber or synthetic strip fitted around the edge of a fire
vulnerability is considered. The assessment of likelihood
door to restrict the passage of smoke between the door
of an occurrence resulting in harm is assessed based on a
and the frame. Doors requiring a smoke seal have the
member of this group living in the property. For the hazard
letter ‘S’ after their performance time in minutes in their
of fire, the vulnerable group is persons over the age of 60.
designation (for example FD30S). The smoke resistance of
The vulnerable group is only used to assess the hazard –
the door when fitted with the strip will have been tested to
when it comes to enforcement decisions then the actual
standards in BS476: part 31.1, 1983.
person living there is considered.
Soffit
Where necessary
Underside of staircase, balcony, architrave or arch.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires
that fire precautions should be provided (and maintained)
Spandrel “where necessary”. This means those which are needed
A vertical partition enclosing a staircase (usually found on to reasonably protect relevant persons from risks in case
the ground floor enclosing a staircase to the basement, or of fire. This will be determined by the findings of the
in the basement enclosing a staircase to the ground floor). risk assessment, including the preventative measures
being taken. In practice, it is very unlikely that a properly
conducted fire risk assessment, which takes into account
Stand-by supply
all the matters relevant for the safety of persons in case
Battery power to fire alarm or lighting systems which cuts in
of fire, will conclude that no fire precautions (including
if mains power fails.
maintenance) are necessary.

Bibliography The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations
1988 : Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 1324
The following references are included as a source of further

detailed reading for specialists. It is not anticipated that Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations
landlords of property covered by this guide will need an 1996, Statutory Instrument I 1996/341. 1996. ISBN 0 11
in-depth knowledge of these publications and parts B, C 054093 X.
and Appendix 1 to this guide should provide an adequate

summary for most purposes. Safety Signs and Signals. The Health and Safety (Safety
Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments are available Guidance on regulations, L64. HSE Books, 1996. ISBN 0
from The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) and via 7176 0870 0.
their website at www.opsi.gov.uk
BS 5499-4: Safety signs, including fire safety signs. Code of
British Standards are available from the British Standards practice for escape route signing.
Institution (BSI) from their Order Helpdesk on 0845 367 British Standards Institution.
0242 and via their website at www.standardsuk.com
BS 5306-8: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment
Health and Safety Executive publications are available from on premises. Selection and installation of portable fire
HSE books via their website at www.hsebooks.com extinguishers. Code of practice. British Standards Institution.
ISBN 0 580 33203 9.
References BS 5306-3: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment
on premises. Code of practice for the inspection and
The Housing Act 2004. The Stationery Office. ISBN 0 10 maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. British Standards
543404 3. Institution.
ISBN 0 580 42865 6.
The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation

(England) Regulations 2006: Statutory Instrument 2006 No. BS EN 12845: Fixed firefighting systems. Automatic
372 sprinkler systems. Design, installation and maintenance.
British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 44770 7.
The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple

Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) BS 5839-6: 1995 Fire detection and alarm systems for
(England) Regulations 2006: Statutory Instrument 2006 no. buildings. Code of practice for the design and installation
373 of fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings. British
Standards Institution.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Statutory ISBN 0 580 25104 7.
Instrument 2005 No. 1541

ISBN 0 11 072945 5 Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offices and
other low-risk environments, INDG236.
The Building Regulations 2000: Approved Document B fire HSE Books, 1996. (ISBN 0 7176 1272 4 single copy free or
safety. ISBN 0 11 753911 2. priced packs of 10.)
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, BS 5395-2: Stairs, ladders and walkways. Code of practice
Statutory Instrument 1994/3260. for the design of industrial type stairs,
permanent ladders and walkways. British Standards
Institution. ISBN 0 580 14706 1.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998:

Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 2451

BS 5266-8: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for
Fire resisting doorsets by upgrading. Wood Information
Emergency Escape lighting systems.

Sheet 1-32. Timber Research and
British Standards Institution.

Development Association.
BS 5266-1: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the

BS 5266-6: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for non
emergency lighting of premises.
electrical low mounted way guidance

systems for emergency use. Photoluminescent systems.
BS 7974: Application of fire safety engineering principles to
the design of buildings. Code of practice.

LPS 1048-1 : Requirements for the approval of Sprinkler
British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 38447 0.

System Contractors in the UK and Eire. SD 1048-1 : BRE
Certification Limited, Bucknalls Lane, Garston, Watford,
WD25 9XX. Telephone: 01923 664100. Website: www.bre.
BS 476-7: Fire tests on building materials and structures.
co.uk
Method of test to determine the classification of the surface
spread of flame of products. British Standards Institution.
LPC rules for automatic sprinkler installations, incorporating
BS EN. The Fire Protection Association.
BS EN 13501-1: Fire classification of construction products
and building elements. Classification using test data from
reaction to fire tests. British Standards Institution.
BS EN 1634-1: Fire resistance tests for door and shutter
assemblies. Fire doors and shutters.
British Standards Institution. ISBN 0 580 32429 X.
BS 476-22: Fire tests on building materials and structures.
Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non

loadbearing elements of construction. British Standards
Institution.
ISBN 0 580 15872 1.
BS 5588-12: Fire precautions in the design, construction
and use of buildings. Part 12:
Managing fire safety. British Standards Institution.
BS 8220-1: Guide for security of buildings against crime.
Dwellings. British Standards Institution.
ISBN 0 580 33145 8.
BS 8214: Code of practice for fire door assemblies with
non-metallic leaves. British Standards
Institution. ISBN 0 580 18871 6.
A guide to best practice in the specification and use of fire-
resistant glazed systems. Glass and
Glazing Federation, 2005.
Increasing the Fire Resistance of Existing Timber Doors,
Information Paper 8/82. BRE

Further acknowledgements
Gratitude is also owed to the following people who made Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
up the project steering group and provided invaluable Greater Manchester Local Authorities
support for the project:
Harlow Council
Andrew Chadney, London Fire and Rescue Authority
Hart Borough Council
Andy Kippax, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Hastings Borough Council
Brian Martin, Communities and Local Government
Herefordshire Council
Elizabeth Brogan, National Landlords Association
Herts & Beds Housing Group
Neil Coles, London Borough of Newham
Homestamp
Paul Dryden, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Kent Local Authorities
Richard Drew, Westminster City Council
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authority
Richard Tacagni, LACORS
Lincoln City Council
Rhian Blackman, Communities and Local Government
London HMO Regulatory Group
Tony Agar, London Fire and Rescue Authority
Merseyside Local Authorities and Fire and Rescue Authority
Newcastle City Council
National Federation of Residential Landlords
Lastly, LACORS thanks the following who contributed
North Yorkshire Local Authorities
via the consultation process:
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority
Andrew Jones
Oxfordshire Local Authorities
Association Of Residential Managing Agents
Peter Freeman Properties, Sheffield
Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Peterborough City Council
Barrow Borough Council
PJ Properties, Sheffield
Bedford Borough Council
Plymouth City Council
Berkshire Housing Group
Residential Landlords Association
Brighton & Hove City Council
Rex Caplan, Landlord
Bristol City Council
Richard Clark
British Property Federation
Richard Jones of Bury & Walkers Solicitors
Broxtowe Borough Council
Rushmoor Borough Council
Camden Borough Council
Salisbury District Council
Carlisle City Council
Sheffield & District Landlord Association
Cornwall Housing Sub Group
Sheffield City Council
Cumbria Local Authorities
Sheffield Student Landlord Association
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority
South Yorkshire Local Authorities
Devon Chief Officers Housing Group
Southampton City Council
Dover District Council
Staffordshire Housing Technical Group
East London sub-regional Housing Group
Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Authority
East Staffordshire Borough Council
UNIPOL
Eastbourne Borough Council
University Of Essex
Electrical Contractors Association
Watford Borough Council
Elmbridge Borough Council
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority
Epping Forest Borough Council
West of England Local Authorities
Essex Fire and Rescue Authority
Westminster City Council
Fire and Security Association
Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority
Fire Industry Association Ltd

Published by:
Local Government House

Smith Square
London SW1P 3HZ
Website: www.lacors.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7665 3888
Fax: 020 7665 3887
Any comments or enquiries should

be addressed to LACORS at
housing@lacors.gov.uk
ISBN 978-1-84049-638-3
Printed by: Newman Thomson Ltd,

1 Jubille Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex,
RH15 9TL
Photographs: Third Avenue
Designed by: Liberata Design Studio
All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced in any form or by any
means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of
any nature, wothout the prior permission of the
copyright holder.
© LACORS July 2008
Price £20

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What are the main topics covered in the guidance?

What are the main topics covered in the guidance?

What are some general fire safety principles discussed?

What are some general fire safety principles discussed?

HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY

Guidance on fire safety provisions

Fire safety within the home is an extremely important issue, especially

We welcome this guidance which helps to manage the relationship

So we would encourage all those with an interest in these types

Iain Wright MP Parmjit Dhanda MP

housing – fire safety 1

Acknowledgements Part D: case studies of practical fire safety solutions in

2 housing – fire safety

LACORS extends particular thanks to Kevin Thompson,

particular thanks to Martin Brown of Derby City

The National HMO Network Steering Group, with

In preparing this guidance, LACORS wish to make it clear

(ii) Only the Courts, the Residential Property Tribunal or

(iii) This advice is not intended to be a definitive

housing – fire safety 3

1.1 This document contains guidance for landlords

1.4 There is currently no national guidance available to

4 housing – fire safety

housing – fire safety 5

Part D: offers example case studies for various types

The bibliography offers sources of further reading for

6 housing – fire safety

4. Introduction 5.1 A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical

4.4 Guidance on fire risk assessments follows in this

6.3 The fire risk assessment should be carried out in a

housing – fire safety 7

note 3: electrical and gas installations and appliances

8 housing – fire safety

6.20 Step 4: record, plan, inform, instruct and train

housing – fire safety 9

7.5 A risk assessment carried out on premises constructed

10 housing – fire safety

housing – fire safety 11

12 housing – fire safety

housing – fire safety 13

10.7 In all cases the same level of automatic fire detection

14 housing – fire safety

13.1 Gallery accommodation has become popular in

housing – fire safety 15

16 housing – fire safety

housing – fire safety 17

18 housing – fire safety

housing – fire safety 19

20 housing – fire safety

20.4 Ceilings which are not in sound condition, particularly

housing – fire safety 21

22 housing – fire safety

housing – fire safety 23

Grade F: a system of one or more battery-powered

Table C3: Levels of coverage of automatic fire

24 housing – fire safety

Shared house HMO of three or four storeys

Three- to six-storey house converted to self-

housing – fire safety 25

appropriate whole-house system based on the