New Guidance on Fire Safety in Small Premises

The Home Office recently published 3 new guides to responsible persons and building owners comply with their fire safety duties in small no-domestic premises and blocks of flats.

As well content specific to the type of premises each of the guides contain general guidance on your responsibilities, fire risk assessment, fire hazards, fire protection measures (considering the layout of the premises, fire measures etc.) and fire assessment checklists

The first of the three guides provides fire safety guidance for small blocks of flats. This guidance primarily explains how to ensure that the common parts of blocks of flats are safe. With the guidance focusing on domestic premises there is an additional chapter covering home fire safety advice and a sample fire action notice that could be implemented for a block of flats.

The second guide is for small non-domestic premises with basic fire hazards and a limited number of employees, customers, and visitors.

The final guide considers small guest accommodation including sleeping accommodation. This guidance is for paying guest accommodation including small scale short-term sleeping accommodations such as bed and breakfasts and guest houses.

The Home Office have stated that further guidance will be released to help Responsible Persons meet their responsibilities soon.

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.