By Liam PlumbMaking sure your Airbnb is compliant with new fire safety regulations is one that not only keeps your guests safe, but also your liability as the property’s Responsible Person. From 1 October 2023, changes to fire safety legislation came into force in England and Wales following amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These changes apply to anyone classed as a Responsible Person under the legislation, which can include owners and operators of holiday lets and short-term accommodation, depending on how the property is used.
As the person responsible for a holiday let, it is important that you are aware of these new regulations to understand what, if any apply to you so that you can make sure that your property is compliant.
What Are the New Fire Safety Rules?
Here we have listed some of the new rules and changes to ensure your Airbnb is compliant with fire safety regulations:
Fire Risk Assessments
From 1 October 2023, Responsible Persons must now record their fire risk assessment in full, in writing. The assessment should be comprehensive and cover all relevant fire risks within the property, as well as the measures in place to mitigate them.
There is no legal requirement for the full fire risk assessment to be displayed to guests, but it must be kept up to date and available if requested by enforcing authorities. Fire safety information for guests (such as evacuation instructions) is often provided in a welcome folder or displayed within the property.
While it may be acceptable in some cases for owners to complete their own fire risk assessment, it is strongly recommended that a competent or professional fire risk assessor is used, particularly for larger or more complex properties.
Lighting
In the event of a fire, a loss of mains power can make evacuation difficult. Fire safety guidance recognises that ‘borrowed light’ or plug-in / rechargeable torches may be sufficient in smaller holiday lets, if escape routes can be clearly navigated.
If borrowed light or torches are not adequate, additional emergency escape lighting may be required, particularly in larger or more complex properties. The need for emergency lighting should always be determined through the fire risk assessment, rather than assumed as a blanket requirement.
Fire Doors
Fire door and escape route requirements will vary significantly depending on the size, layout and risk profile of the property.
In many small holiday lets and cottages, there should be a 30-minute escape route for occupants, where doors opening onto the route offer a reasonable level of fire resistance.
It is not automatically required that all escape routes are fitted with certified FD30 fire doors, nor that doors are self-closing in every holiday let. Self-closing devices and specific inspections are more commonly associated with multi-occupied residential buildings and may not apply to typical single-dwelling holiday lets.
The suitability, specification and inspection frequency of any fire doors should be identified through the fire risk assessment, rather than applied as a universal rule.
Smoke Detectors
Fire detection systems should be appropriate to the level of risk identified in the fire risk assessment.
Government guidance for small paying guest accommodation commonly recommends mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms (with battery back-up) in key areas such as:
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Escape routes including hallways, staircases and corridors
Fire Safety Equipment
Holiday let owners may choose to provide fire safety equipment such as fire blankets or fire extinguishers, particularly in kitchens or higher-risk areas.
Such equipment is not always a legal requirement in smaller holiday lets, but where provided it must be:
- Suitable for the environment
- Properly maintained
- Inspected periodically by a competent person
Routine visual checks can help ensure equipment has not been damaged, removed, or tampered with, though specific inspection frequencies should be proportionate to the risk and usage.
What Regulations Apply to My Airbnb?
Not all fire safety measures apply to every holiday let, and not all guidance represents a strict legal requirement. Fire safety duties are largely risk-based, meaning what is required for one property may not be necessary for another.
The most reliable way to determine compliance is through a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, ideally carried out or reviewed by a competent fire safety professional. This ensures your Airbnb is not only compliant with current legislation, but also safe for guests and staff.