Everything landlords need to know about HMO Fire Risk Assessments

Fire safety within the home is an extremely important issue; even more so in homes of multiple occupation (HMOs). Tragedies like the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower have highlighted the need for people carrying out HMO fire risk assessments to be properly accredited and experienced for the job. Here’s what landlords and management agencies need to know about their responsibilities.

HMO fire risk assessment law

HMOs include flats, maisonettes and sheltered accommodation in which personal care is not provided. The occupiers live independently from one another but share common areas in the same building. It’s these areas that are covered by the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

These laws do not set out prescriptive standards but provide recommendations and guidance for assessing the adequacy of fire precautions in HMOs. This is enforced by fire and rescue authorities who can and do carry out on the spot inspections.

It’s the duty of the landlord, or management company responsible for the premises, to carry out a fire risk assessment and take specific action to minimise the risk of fire in the common areas of HMOs.

Who should carry out a HMO fire risk assessment?

 

When it comes to carrying out HMO fire risk assessments the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out criteria for determining an individual’s ability to carry out this task. Choosing someone who does not have the required experience or trying to complete the risk assessment using an online template risks damage to property and loss of life.

The law says the individual carrying out your HMO fire risk assessment should:

  1. Be qualified to fulfil the task successfully – this means gaining qualifications through a recognised accredited fire risk assessor training establishment.
  2. Be experienced – taking a training course is not enough to make informed decisions. Experience is obtained over years working in the fire safety industry.
  3. Take part in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) – the person you appoint should be able to demonstrate they have completed at least 20 hours of CPD per year to ensure they are up to speed with new legislation and standards.
  4. Have suitable accreditations – many companies advertise that they carry out fire risk assessments. But not all are qualified for HMOs. The knowledge and accreditations to undertake a risk assessment for a HMO are different to other types of premises.

Benfield Fire Safety is a Hampshire-based company with the qualifications, accreditations and experience to carry out HMO fire risk assessments for landlords and property management agencies.

Our credentials include: BAFE SP205 Fire Risk Registered; SSAIB Registered as FRAKS; Institute Fire Safety Managers (National Accredited Fire Risk Assessors Register); Tier 3 complex buildings; Institute Fire Engineering (Member);  and Fire Prevention Association (Member).

To arrange a HMO fire risk assessment contact us by emailing Customerservice@benfieldfs.co.uk or calling 0300 303 3277.

If you are a care home manager, find out more about the importance of careful fire safety planning, assessments and evacuation procedures in care homes.

Have a look at the official Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005 for more information on general Fire Safety Duties.

Fire Risk Assessments for Residential Premises

Benfield Fire Safety offer Type 1 & Type 3 assessments (ie non-destructive assessments) for residential buildings - see notes below on What are the types of Fire Risk Assessments for Residential Buildings. Every business premises is different - we therefore provide a bespoke costing for each premises

Enquiry Form - Fire Risk Assessment, Residential Premises:

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Company address:
Address of premises to be fire risk assessed:
I require quotation for:
When do you need your Fire Risk Assessment to be undertaken?

Fire Risk Assessments for Business Premises

Every business premises is different - we therefore provide a bespoke costing for each premises

Enquiry Form - Fire Risk Assessment for a business premises:

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Company address:
Address of premises to be fire risk assessed:

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The real thing … practice with our real live flame simulator

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Our digital simulator with smoke goggle enhancement requires your staff to practice the correct choice of extinguisher and the correct extinguishing technique to extinguish the flame successfully. Feedback from our instructor will help your staff to make decisions and dynamically assess the situation. It is a chance for your staff to practice the full sequence of door checks before entering a room, keeping themselves safe by protecting their eyes and closing doors behind them.

A great way to empower your staff to know what to do in their own workplace, and suitable for training whatever the weather!

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