HMO Fire Safety

If you are a landlord or a “responsible person” of a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), there are several essential fire safety provisions that you must implement to ensure the safety of your tenants.

1. Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment

Conducting a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 . This involves a thorough inspection of the building to identify potential fire risks. Once identified, you must either eliminate, manage, or reduce these risks. An action plan should be developed to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place. Failure to comply can lead to severe consequences, including prosecution or imprisonment. Numerous cases have highlighted the importance of maintaining HMO fire safety standards.

2. Fit a Fire Alarm

Based on the findings of your fire risk assessment, a fire alarm system should be installed to provide residents with adequate warning to facilitate a safe evacuation. The type of fire alarm required will depend on the specific characteristics of your HMO and the recommendations from your assessment. The system should be tested weekly by a fire marshal and serviced every six months by a qualified engineer, in compliance with BS 5839 . This will help maintain the integrity of your HMO fire safety measures.

3. What About Emergency Lighting?

Emergency lighting must be installed in accordance with BS 5266 to ensure safe evacuation in the event of a fire. The system should include battery backup to provide sufficient time for evacuation and for the fire service to respond. This system should also be serviced every six months by a competent engineer and tested monthly by a fire marshal to ensure operational readiness.

4. Install Fire Safety Signs

Once emergency lighting is in place, appropriate fire escape signs must be installed to clearly indicate escape routes. During a fire, heat and smoke can create confusion, leading to panic. Fire escape signs should be designed to facilitate quick evacuation and should clearly indicate how to operate door mechanisms. Additionally, all fire doors must display 'Fire Door Keep Shut' signs, including those on electrical cupboards and rooms.

5. Consider Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers should be readily available to combat small fires. It is crucial to provide appropriate fire training for residents on how to use these extinguishers effectively. An all-purpose fire extinguisher, such as a Water Mist extinguisher, is recommended as it can tackle most types of fires. This contributes significantly to maintaining high HMO fire safety standards.

All management processes, servicing records, and visits from the local fire service should be documented in a fire logbook.

Learn More About Fire Risk Assessment

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