Fire Risk Assessments in Airbnb holiday lets.

[Terence105]

There has been a lot of confusion around the changes to the fire safety legislative requirements that were enhanced in October 2023.

There is a new requirement for holiday lets within certain criteria to have a fire risk assessment completed that identifies the ignition sources, the combustible materials and takes account of the occupancy. This is a simplified version.

Fire risk within occupied buildings needs to focus on life safety. Insurers would advise enhancing your precautions to reduce the fire risk to property as they would rather not pay out any more than they have to.

Fire safety can be summarised in three sections.

Protection - This is the active (fire alarms and firefighting equipment) and passive (walls and doors providing a separation between rooms.

Prevention - This is how you maintain the property and manage things like rubbish and checking electrical appliances are not likely to start a fire.

Response - This is what to do in the event of a fire. This will include where to go to the nearest exit and who to call (fire service). So, if there is a need to show occupants which way to go to escape, you may need to put directional signs above doors. You could also include emergency procedures in your pre stay information and place a fire action notice at the front and back doors.

This is a very simple explanation. Having served for 30 years in the Fire and Rescue Service and currently running a fire safety business, I am able to interpret the FSO. 

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**[E-mail address removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]

[Paula]

Hello @Terence105, thank you for sharing such valuable information.

This will help many Hosts in our community.

Thanks again 😊

[Frances3408]

@Terence105. Terence, thats sensible advice, irrespective of where you host in the world.

[Emma4253]

Hi Terence, I am looking for a fire assessor in Northamptonshire as I am thinking of Air B and Bing our house. But it is old, grade 2 listed and on three storeys. I’ve tried searching for your business having seen your helpful comments but can’t find it. Any clues? Are you allowed to share a name? Many thanks! Emma 

[Helen3]

Hi @Emma4253 

Terence's contacts were removed by Airbnb from this community as they don't allow people to join just to advertise their services.

have you tried contacting your local fire service I know they do the assessments in some areas or maybe they can recommend people you can get in touch with.

many hosts do the assessments themselves using the template the government provides in the fire regulations content on their website 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Helen3 @Emma4253 sadly the Government guidelines only exist for simple 2 storey homes with limited numbers of bedrooms and no open plan spaces. Some hosts I know have taken this to mean they don't have to bother yet with their 3 storey houses which will be an interesting defence when they are caught!

If the local fire service is willing to help then it would be a great way to comply even if you end up writing the assessment yourself.