In March 2023, the home office unveiled three new fire safety guidance documents specifically designed for small premises. These essential resources are important for small business owners, property managers, and facility operators in ensuring the safety of their occupants and properties. The three new guides are as follows.
A guide to making your small block of flats safe from fire
This guide is intended to cover small, general needs blocks of flats that:
- were constructed as a purpose-built blocks of flats;
- or were converted into a block of flats in accordance with the 1991 or later, versions of the Building Regulations;
- and were, in either case, designed on the basis of a ‘stay put’ strategy, whereby, in the event of a fire in one flat, occupants of other flats are normally safe to remain within their own flats.
The scope of this Guide is further limited to three-storey blocks, comprising not more than a ground, first and second floor and containing no more than six flats, typically arranged such that there are two flats per floor.
A guide to making your small non-domestic premises safe from fire
This guide is intended for use in small non-domestic premises with simple layouts, low fire risk, limited fire hazards, and a small number of employees, customers, and visitors.
This guidance is limited to premises consisting of not more than a basement, ground and first floor, in which:
- you have sole control of the premises
- the area on any floor does not exceed 280m2
- the maximum distance that anyone will need to walk from any point in the building to an exit to open air is not more than 25m
- on each floor, there is a relatively clear vision across the floor area
- there are no hazardous processes, particularly those involving cutting, welding and similar processes, and no storage or use of dangerous substances, such as highly flammable liquids, other than in quantities of no more than 50 litres
- cooking processes are remote from exits, such that there would be no potential for them to prevent escape in the event of a fire
- no one sleeps on the premises
A guide to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire
The guidance is limited to:
- single premises of ground floor, or ground and first floor, providing sleeping accommodation for a maximum of 10 persons, with no more than four bedrooms on the first floor, such as houses, cottages, and chalets
- individual flats (whether within a purpose-built block of flats or a house that has been converted into flats), other than unusually large flats (e.g. as often found in mansion blocks in London)
The fire safety principles and recommendations in this Guide can also be applied to smaller types of outdoor accommodation which fall under the same duties, such as holiday caravans, camping and glamping pods, bothies, lodges, shepherds’ huts, tents, tree houses and yurts.
Although the fire risks associated with this type of accommodation are generally low, some units may have dedicated electricity supplies, log burners and cooking facilities that will increase the risk.
New accommodation units may be manufactured in accordance with a bespoke design. They may require a different fire safety approach according to the unique layout and construction of the accommodation.
In addition, there is the five-step risk assessment checklist.
Once again, the time to act is now! Failing to read, understand and implement these new guidelines and carry out an effective fire risk assessment can put your business, your property, and, most importantly, the lives of those who depend on you at risk.
Here’s what you can do today:
- Visit the home office website and download the three new fire safety guidance documents and the fire risk assessment guide
- Review and familiarise yourself with the updated fire safety measures
- Contact Ligtas to support you in conducting a comprehensive fire risk assessment for your small premises using the new guides to identify potential hazards, vulnerabilities, and areas for improvement
- Work with Ligtas to develop and implement a robust fire safety plan tailored to your needs, incorporating the latest guidance and best practices
- Regularly review and update your fire safety plan and risk assessment to ensure continuous compliance and protection.
Although taking on board every new document and procedure can be time-consuming, fire safety is a shared responsibility, and Ligtas are here to support you.
Also, encourage your employees, tenants, and fellow business owners to educate themselves on the latest fire safety guidance and commit to making your premises safer for everyone. Together, we can create a safer and more secure environment for all.
