Fire Signage Survey in Airport Terminal Building

Active Fire Management’s consultancy services were utilised by Bristol Airport when the company was contracted to carry out a fire signage airport within the airport’s busy terminal building.  Similar works are planned for July 2011 when the team will audit the signage installed in Bristol Airport’s administration building.

Over 528,000 passengers passed through Bristol Airport during May 2011 with over 6,000 aircraft movements making Bristol the 9th busiest airport in the country.

Customer Promise Ensures the Return of Existing Customers

Essential to Active Fire Management’s ongoing success is the repeat business achieved from customers who have previously used the company’s services.  Consultancy services, fire risk assessments and training courses have been extended this month to existing housing association and school customers who are coming back to Active Fire Management from previous years.   Customer retention is something that Active Fire Management are proud and the company owes this to its own Customer Promise which is adhered to by all staff, fire consultants, risk assessors and training instructors alike:

Active Fire Management launches new website

Active Fire Management’s new website was launched this month which, as well as information on services, also incorporates a Resources section which includes a Knowledge Centre and News Area.  As part of the company’s ongoing marketing efforts, Social Media has featured very highly this month and sees the company launching new pages on Facebook and Twitter.  Full details can be found on the newly launched company website at www.activefiremanagement.co.uk

Meanwhile services have been provided this month within an Airport Administration Building, a number of housing association premises and several office premises throughout the South East.

Fire Risk Assessment Reviews for Bellway Group

Maintaining a steady base often involves repeat projects from existing customer and as such fire risk assessment reviews have featured very highly on the company’s workload this month.  Review of previous fire risk assessments have been carried out nationwide this month, including approximately 30 care homes located all around the country on behalf of the UK’s leading charity provider of services for disabled people as well as within the offices of one of the largest house builders in the country – the Bellway Group-  who have built more than 100,000 homes since it was formed in 1946 with operations spanning the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.  Fire risk assessment reviews are also scheduled to take place this month within approximately 15 blocks of flats on behalf of a property management company in Blackheath, London.

A former nightclub in Wales has been destroyed after fire tore through the building on Monday afternoon (28th November).

Fire crews were called to the Top Hat Club in Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, at around 2pm after smoke was seen billowing from the building. Firefighters were due to remain on the scene last night.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with South Wales Fire and Rescue and Gwent Police set to launch a joint investigation into the blaze.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales.

If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up (to) two years.

The club has a famous history, as legendary singer Tom Jones was first spotted there by manager Gordon Mills in the 1960s.

Scottish fire crews are continuing to dampen down a building in Glasgow which was destroyed by fire yesterday (November 28th).

Firefighters were called to the former Co-Operative Funeral Service building in Morrison Street at around 1:50pm on Monday.

At the height of the blaze, more than 100 firefighters attended the incident but the operation has since been scaled back to just one appliance.

No-one was injured in the fire, which shot 100ft flames into the air and caused smoke to blow across the nearby M8 and M74 motorways.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is due to get under way once the building has been deemed safe to enter.

A secondary school in Scotland has been damaged after a small fire broke out in the building yesterday (23rd November).

Firefighters were called to Leith Academy in Edinburgh at around 8.30am just as the school day was beginning, reports STV Edinburgh.

Officers found the blaze had been caused by an over-heated tumble dryer in the home economics department. The fire was dealt with by isolating the power supply to the machine, according to a spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.

One woman was treated for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an
unlimited fine.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is set to change its attendance procedure to unconfirmed automatic fire alarms (AFAs) in commercial properties.

Although well-maintained AFAs cause very few problems to the service, false alarms generated by the devices tie up critical resources that are then unavailable to attend real emergencies.

In order to reduce the number of unwanted fire alarms from automatic fire detection systems, WYFRS is set to trial a new attendance strategy to AFAs in commercial buildings.

From 1st December, the fire service will no longer attend any unconfirmed AFA in a commercial building between 8am and 7pm, while a single pump will be sent to the incident from 7pm until 8am.

However, WYFRS confirmed that it will continue to attend unconfirmed AFAs at commercial sleeping premises such as hospitals, educational premises, Control of major accident hazards sites and heritage sites.

This change in attendance does not affect domestic housing, with the service confirming it will respond to AFA calls made from private houses.

A warehouse in Merseyside has been severely damaged after fire tore through the building last weekend.

Fire crews were called to the unoccupied Northern Case Supplies building in Wallasey at around 10pm on Saturday (19th November).

Four pumps and an aerial appliance were used to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control by 1.30am.

A Merseyside Fire and Rescue spokeswoman revealed that the warehouse's roof was severely damaged by the blaze, along with a neighbouring timber office.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales.

If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up two years.

The fire service said an investigation into the cause of the blaze was already under way.

If you have any further questions about fire risk assessments or the fire regulatory fire safety order form please Contact us

A fire which broke out in an upmarket Scottish store has been brought under control by firefighters.

Crews were called to a blaze in the external waste disposal area at The House of Bruar in Perthshire at around 10pm on Saturday night (19th November), reports the Press Association.

Although the fire had spread to a nearby building, crews were able to extinguish the flames before they caused significant damage to the property.

A Tayside Police spokesman told the news provider: "The fire took hold in an external bin and spread so that it licked along the rafters, but the fire service were happy that it was external with no internal damage."

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

If you have any further questions about fire risk assessments or the fire regulatory fire safety order form please Contact us

A man had to be rescued by firefighters yesterday (17th November) after a blaze broke out in a Cumbria pub.

Barrow Fire and Rescue was called to the Black Dog Inn in Dalton-in-Furness at about 5am after a passer-by saw the building's roof was aflame.

Fire safety officers wearing breathing equipment found the worker asleep in his first-floor bedroom and led him to safety. He had no injuries and did not require treatment.

The fire was brought under control at 6.30am and Broughton Road, on which the pub is located, was re-opened at 8.30am after being temporarily closed.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a maximum prison sentence of two years.

If you have any further questions about fire risk assessments or the fire regulatory fire safety order form please Contact us

A fish and chip shop in Scarborough has been completely gutted by fire after a fryer caught alight.

Twenty firefighters were called to tackle the huge blaze at Swifts Fish and Chip shop in Dean Road at 2pm on Saturday (12th November), reports Scarborough Evening News.

Fire crews from across the region used three hose reels, breathing apparatus and three nine-litre extinguishers to extinguish the flames.

The restaurant was closed at the time of the blaze, which started in the frying range, and no-one was injured.

Residents were evacuated from adjoining flats after smoke had made its way into the building.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a maximum prison sentence of two years.

The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.

If you have any further questions about fire risk assessments or the fire regulatory fire safety order form please Contact us

Sony television owners have been warned that a number of models are a potential fire hazard. The electronics giant has revealed that a small amount of 40-inch Bravia LCD TV devices, which have been available in Europe since June 2007, could be faulty. The affected models contain a defective component which can potentially over-heat and catch alight to melt the upper casing of the television. Jackie Boyle, community fire safety officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, told the West Sussex County Times that anyone who owns a Sony Bravia TV should check to ensure it isn't on the list of potentially faulty models. She said: "If you do own one of the affected models and you notice any abnormality, for example an unusual noise, smell or smoking then turn it off immediately, unplug the power cable and stop using the TV. "We also urge everyone to make sure they have a smoke alarm on every floor of their home and test them weekly." The affected models are the: KDL-40D3400, KDL-40D3500, KDL-40D3550, KDL-40D3660, KDL-40V3000, KDL-40W3000, KDL-40X3000, KDL-40X3500 and the KDL-40Z3000.

If you have any further questions about fire risk assessments or the fire regulatory fire safety order form please Contact us

A family-owned business in Somerset is set to close next month as it is unable to conform with fire safety regulations.

Seeley and Co, which is located in Hill Road, Clevedon, will close for the final time on Christmas Eve as it is can not afford the renovations needed to bring it in line with fire laws, reports thisissomerset.co.uk.

Earlier this year, fire safety inspectors visited the premises and told owner Mike Seeley that the building would have to be fully fireproofed to protect the properties on the second floor.

He told the news provider: "The shop floor is about 2,500 sq ft so it would be a big job to fireproof the ceiling and cost in excess of £10,000 which is money that I do not have.

"I have decided, especially at my age and with no one to pass the business on to, that it is just not worth spending the money."

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a maximum prison sentence of two years.

If you have any further questions about fire risk assessments or the fire regulatory fire safety order form please Contact us

A Cambridge landlord has been fined £6,000 after his caravans were found to be in breach of fire safety regulations. Thomas Frankham was found to have let out nine caravans on the Grassy Corner site in Chesterton which had issues with electric and fire points, as well as plumbing leaks and inadequate heating, reports Cambridge News. Mr Frankham of Surrey pleaded guilty to six breaches of site licence conditions at Cambridge Magistrates' Court and was ordered to pay more than £1,000 in costs in addition to his fine. Councillr Sue Ellington, South Cambridgeshire District Council's environmental services chief, revealed that the authority had tried to work with Mr Frankham and legal action had been a last resort She said: "Despite all the help given to Mr Frankham he has ignored the warnings and continued to breach the caravan site licence, which is there to ensure the safety of residents," quotes the news provider. "We have a duty to take appropriate action and I hope this case sends a clear message to other people who are flaunting regulations that are in place for the good of our residents."

A Preston landlord and his property development firm have been fined around £28,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.

Lee Pemberton, a director of PemCo Investments Ltd, pleaded guilty to seven breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 relating to a property above a shop in Lune Street.

Officials from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service revealed that residents at the property would have been at risk of death or serious injury should a fire have broken out.

Among the offences were; failing to provide appropriate fire detectors and alarms and failure to carry out a suitable fire risk assessment.

Mr Pemberton was fined £1,000 for each offence and ordered to pay £500 costs, while PemCo was fined a total of £21,000 and required to pay £5,520 costs.

John Hampson, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service fire safety officer, said: "While we will always work with those willing to address fire safety issues, where unnecessary risks are being taken or management responsibilities flouted, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action."

Bright Ideas for Lights

•  Indoors or outside, always use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory that indicates conformance with safety standards.
•  Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
•  Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
•  Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
•  Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
•  Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
•  Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
•  Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

• When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
• Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume. Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, and heaters.
• It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long, fireplacestyle matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
• Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. (Have them practice, stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with hands, and rolling over and over to put the flames out.)
• Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
• If your children are going to Halloween parties at others’ homes, have them look for ways out of the home and plan how they would get out in an emergency.

Guy Fawkes Night on November 5th is an ancient tradition originally intended as a celebration of the failure of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators to blow up Parliament and King James I in particular. Although the history is largely forgotten, taking the opportunity to gather the family round a blazing fire and watch a fire work display is still popular. Fire Safety is paramount and many accidents can be avoided by good preparation and some common sense. Here are some tips to ensure an enjoyable and safe bonfire night.
• First of all consider attending an organised event rather than risking your safety by having a garden bonfire.
• If you do have a home bonfire warn your neighbour’s beforehand as a courtesy or better still invite them to the party, so they are less likely to complain.
• It’s a good idea to wear protective clothing if you are in charge of the fire. Flame retardant Overalls, sturdy boots and flame resistant leather rigger gloves are inexpensive safeguards and are useful the year round.
• Only burn dry material as damp fuel generates more smoke and never burn plastics or car tyres as they can produce highly toxic gases.
• Build your bonfire away from sheds, timber fences, trees and any overhanging cables or telephone wires
• Use firelighters to get the fire going. Petrol and paraffin may flare up and can get out of control quickly
• Use a fire bucket filled with sand to light your fireworks and launch rockets. At the end of the night the sand can be used to smother the fire.
• Have a water fire extinguisher handy or a connected garden hose with a spray attachment nearby in case of emergencies
• Set up a cordon to keep children well away from the bonfire
• Don’t throw any fireworks into the fire even if you believe they are spent
• Sparklers are fun but can be dangerous to small children. Always supervise them and provide a bucket of water to dunk the spent sparklers after use.

Laws governing fireworks
You should also be aware that there are Laws governing the use of fireworks. Breaking these laws can result in fines of up to a £5000 and 3 month imprisonment.
For Bonfire night fireworks can only be sold to adults over 18 years of age and only between the 15th October and the 10th November.
It is an offence to set off fireworks in the street or public places without a licence. If caught the police can give you an on-the-spot fine of £80
Even on Bonfire night and the nights surrounding this date fireworks must not be set off after midnight.
Finally don’t be tempted to buy cheap fireworks from “out of the back of a van” dealers and temporary unlicenced shops. Look for fireworks marked BS 7114 or a “CE” mark that shows the fireworks meet British or European safety standards.
Have a safe bonfire night. If you have any further tips or can recommend good organised events please let us know

A fire that has been burning at a waste recycling plant for more than four weeks could be extinguished within days, according to the fire service.

Northamptonshire firefighters have been working around the clock to tackle the blaze since it started at Blackbridge Farm, Burton Latimer, on 9 October.

Station manager Warren Ellison said the fire should be out by Saturday.

Think Environmental Ltd, which runs the site, will then be able to start the clean up process.

A special foam concentrate, paid for by Think Environmental Ltd, has helped firefighters gain control of the fire.

Mr Ellison said: "Because of the nature of fires like this we have to start from the outside and work our way in, we can't get to the middle of it and put it out.

"The foam concentrate that we have been using has made a big difference to the progress we have made.

"The company has worked hard with us and they are ready for us to handover to them for the clean up as soon as the fire is out."
'Nearing the end'

Mr Ellison added: "There is still smoke coming from the site but we are definitely nearing the end of it now.

"As far as what is left it is easier to talk in terms of days rather than amounts.

"We are about three to four days away from the fire being out completely."

At the height of the fire residents living more than 20 miles away could see smoke and ash, and those near the site were advised to keep their windows and doors closed for as long as the fire created smoke.

The fire started just two weeks after another fire at the site which lasted for seven days.

Investigations have now been launched into the cause of both fires and the Environment Agency has confirmed that it is monitoring the effects of the fire.

Two large fires in Staffordshire on Sunday night are being treated as suspicious, police have said.

Firefighters are still on the scene of one at the visitors centre at Park Hall Country Park, in Weston Coyney, outside Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffordshire police and fire service were called to the incident at 20:20 GMT on Sunday.

An earlier fire in a barn at Bolton Gate Saddlery, in Weston Coyney, was reported at 19:25 GMT.

Staffordshire fire service said no livestock were involved in the fire.

The fire service said three units, including a high-power pump from Rugeley were still damping down the fire at Park Hall Country Park in the visitors centre.

Police said the building had been "extensively damaged" and both incidents are thought to have been started deliberately.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Two people have been arrested in connection with two bomb hoaxes that caused a major alert in Canterbury.

Trains were halted and parts of the city cleared while police investigated the incidents, on 26 August.

A 41-year-old woman and a man, aged 52, were arrested on Friday following an appeal for information on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, Kent Police said.

Officers raided two properties after receiving a number of phone calls from members of the public.

Det Ch Insp Tom Richards said: "I want to thank the public for responding to our appeal and for the information that they have provided so far.
Smoke grenade

"Based on some significant information we received yesterday we have arrested two people this morning and they currently remain in custody.

"We would still like to hear from anyone who has any information which they think could assist the investigation."

Emergency services were first alerted to the hoaxes when a call was received by Kent Police main control room at 16:20 BST, informing them of a suspect package near the railway line off Old Dover Road.

About an hour later, they were called to a suspected fire in the baby changing area of Marks and Spencer in Whitefriars Shopping Centre, where a second suspect package was found.

The package at Old Dover Road was then confirmed as a hoax device.

A smoke grenade was found to have been activated in Marks and Spencer, which police said was a sophisticated device designed to cause maximum disruption.

A fire that gutted a Northamptonshire football team's clubhouse was started deliberately.

An inquiry by the fire service into the blaze at Whitworth Football Club's building on London Road, Wellingborough, on 18 October found the fire was arson.

Fire investigation officers also found that the club had been robbed of drinks before it was set alight.

Police are treating the case as arson and are appealing for information.

Whitworth Football Club's secretary Julian Souster said: "It makes you wonder about people. I don't know if the person or people who did it knew how many people would be affected.

"We have lost so much from the club, and it has had an impact on all of the people who use the club, including the disabled adults who attend the Sunflower Day Centre and the members of Wellingborough's dog club."

Mandy Brough, a partner at the Sunflower centre for disabled people, which was based at the clubhouse, said she was saddened by the fact that the fire was started deliberately.

Mrs Brough said: "I am shocked. We had a big sign outside saying that we are a day centre so whoever started the fire must have known it was a day centre.

"To find out that someone did that, lit a fire, deliberately - I am lost for words."

Northamptonshire Police are appealing for witnesses and any information.

A Birmingham man who died with his wife in a bus fire while on the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia was a prominent Islamic author, it has emerged.

Dawud Burbank and his wife Khalida Begum Dost were on their way from Jeddah to the Muslim holy city of Mecca when the bus they were in caught fire.

The 49-year-old was described by the director of his mosque as "one of the best, if not the best" Western translator of Arabic texts.

Abu Khadeeja, of the Salafi Mosque in Small Heath, Birmingham, said Mr Burbank had translated hundreds of religious manuscripts from Arabic into English.

"He was a very respected man, a very well-liked man, a very learned man," he added.

Other worshippers from the mosque were also on the bus at the time of the fire, but are believed to have escaped without serious injury.
'Very humble'

Abid Hussain, from the Association of British Muslims, said Mr Burbank had converted to Islam from Christianity 20 years ago.

"He's put a lot of hard work and effort into studying Islam, learning the Arabic language," he said.

He said Mr Burbank was also well respected as a teacher and had spoken at mosques and conferences across the world.

Matthew Cooper, head teacher of the Salafi Independent Primary School in Small Heath, said he was a good friend of Mr Burbank.

He described him as a committed family man and a devoted worshipper.

The couple had several children and Mr Cooper said Mr Burbank had spoken of his excitement at his plans to take two of his sons on the Hajj.

"He was a very kind and very gentle person, very humble," he said.

"The effect he had... you wanted to be with him and he will be greatly missed."

Two elderly people have been injured in a fire in Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised at about 21:20 on Tuesday at Old Farm Court on Colinton Road after the blaze broke out in the living room of one of the sheltered housing flats.

Two women in their 70s were given medical treatment at the scene, but did not need to go to hospital.

Lothian and Borders Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.

Fifty people have been moved from their homes after a large fire broke out in central Blackpool.

Firefighters were alerted shortly after 04:00 GMT and found the ground floor of the Blackpool Trades Club on Chadwick Street well alight.

The two-storey building suffered extensive damage as the fire spread to the roof.

Eight fire crews are at the scene. The building is thought to have been empty at the time the fire broke out.

Cordons are in place as the building is unsafe, firefighters who are tackling the fire from outside the club said.

Lancashire Fire Service incident commander Simon Bone said: "It is going to be some time before we actually gain access."

Club member Larry McGoldrick, said he was "devastated" by what had happened to the building.

"I'm very sad, it was part of the community in Central Drive," he added.

"For years and years it was the trades club, the TUC club and everything and it was a great club to go and have a drink in with a good bunch of people."

Detectives are treating a fire which started in an property above a Kent shop as arson. Kent Police said the blaze at the address in Wrotham Road, Gravesend, at about 21.20 BST on Wednesday caused "considerable damage". They think it was started deliberately and have appealed for witnesses. Det Con Kerry Thompson said: "The road was particularly busy that night and someone may have seen something suspicious."

A man is in a stable condition in hospital after he was involved in an explosion at a workshop in Berkshire, police have said.

Thames Valley's counter terrorism officers were called to Woodley after the blast at Wednesday lunchtime.

A 56-year-old man was airlifted to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with injuries to his hands and face.

Inactive ammunition was found while crews were putting out the fire which was not said to be terrorist related.

Nearby houses were evacuated in the incident.

Wokingham Local Police Area Commander, Ch Insp Christian Bunt, said the incident was "in no way terrorist related".

Thames Valley Police is now launching a criminal investigation into the incident.

Det Sgt Carl Bradford said the ammunition had been taken away from the address and disposed of in a "controlled manner".

He said the cause of the explosion was "yet to be determined".

Two people have been moved out of their Nottinghamshire home after it was by hit by lightning.

Fire crews were called to the property in Welfitt Grove, Nether Langwith, near Mansfield, just before 18:30 BST on Tuesday.

Neither of the residents were hurt, but were left shaken. Gas and electricity supplies were made safe.

The property is now being assessed for structural damage and is in the hands of Bassetlaw District Council.

The mansion home of a Shropshire businessman who murdered his wife and daughter before killing himself is being demolished.

Christopher Foster had £4m debts when he murdered his wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie on 26 August 2008.

The 50-year-old then set fire to their £1.2m estate and killed himself.

Property developers GVA said Osbaston House, near Maesbrook, was structurally unsafe and was being knocked down before the land was sold.

A GVA spokesman said: "Demolition of the existing unsafe, fire-damaged building and ground levelling has now commenced, and will conclude shortly.

"Landscaping work will be carried out following the demolition.

"There is no date set for the commencement of marketing regarding the subsequent sale of the site."

Rifle in hands

Mr Foster had been suffering from depression and had mentioned suicidal thoughts to his GP, an inquest into the deaths heard.

CCTV footage, from a camera at the property, showed Mr Foster with a rifle in his hands.

He was also seen driving a large horsebox down the driveway, blocking the main gates to the premises' before getting out of the vehicle and shooting out two of the tyres.

Four dogs and three horses were found shot dead in the house and outbuildings on the 16-acre estate.

Police are investigating the final hours of a man whose burned body was found at the side of an Ayrshire Road.

Stuart Walker, 28, from Cumnock, was found dead with "horrible injuries" near Caponacre Industrial Estate, Cumnock, just before 05:00 on Saturday.



It is thought he had been tied to a lamppost, beaten and burned.

Following reports Mr Walker may have been targeted due to his sexuality, Strathclyde Police said they were looking into all aspects of his life.

Family and friends described him as a "true friend and gentleman".

Hundreds of tributes have also been posted on Facebook pages set up to honour Mr Walker.

The former Royal Hotel worker had been out with friends in the Cumnock area earlier during the night.

He was last seen alive by a family friend near the fire station in Glaisnock Street at about 02:30 - nearly two-and-a-half hours before he was found.

Detectives said they were checking CCTV and making door-to-door inquiries in a bid to trace Mr Walker's movements between 02:30 and 04:50 hours.

Police also want to know whether any house parties being held in the nearby Netherthird housing estate are linked to their investigations.

One tribute on a Facebook page called RIP Stuart Walker described him as a "genuine guy who always had a smile, a wave or a big cheery hello for everyone".

Another read: "A very special person... the world lost a wonderful person yesterday."

A 26-year-old man who broke into a woman's home and threatened to cut her to pieces has been jailed for four years. Londonderry Magistrates Court was told the victim woke to find Joseph Patrick McDermott, from Rosskeen Park in the city, standing in her bedroom armed with a knife. He asked for an individual by name, and threatened to attack her. He then set fire to some clothes, and threatened two neighbours. Judge Piers Grant said it was a most serious offence, and there was clearly an element of pre-meditation. He said the victim was particularly vulnerable, and McDermott had acted as he had because he could intimidate her. He said McDermott had an "appalling" record of 52 offences in the last ten years, and displayed a tendency towards serious violence, and he was satisfied he was a danger to the public. McDermott was sentenced to four years in jail, and was told he must serve a minimum of two years before being eligible for licence. He will also face an extended licence period of a further two years.

Brothers 'started fatal den fire' in Eastbourne

Verdicts of misadventure have been returned at an inquest into the deaths of two brothers in a fire which swept through a makeshift den at their home. Lewis Jenkins, seven, and his brother Taylor, five, are believed to have started the fire in a camp under the stairs in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne. Coroner Alan Craze said the inquest had heard ample evidence of poor parenting but this did not amount to neglect.

It came nowhere near "unlawful killing", he told the court. The three-day inquest heard the boys' mother, Denise Goldsmith, had spilt from their father, Stewart Jenkins, who was in prison.  The fire started at 15:00 BST on 4 October 2008, and Ms Goldsmith was found to be one and half times the drink-drive limit an hour and half later.  She had been drunk hours earlier and admitted to the inquest she was not in a fit state to look after the boys.  The inquest heard that 14 disposable lighters were found at the house, along with matches and tea light candles.  An aerosol can was also found at the hideout, made with duvets, sheets and a clothes airer.

Ms Goldsmith said that Taylor in particular had an interest in fires and recalled him setting paper alight in his bedroom at the family's home. But on Thursday, John Greenwood, the head teacher at their school, said teachers had seen no evidence the boys had a "predilection for fire". The school, Shinewater Primary, referred the boys to social services in January 2008 following concerns surrounding their mother Denise Goldsmith's drinking. A social worker was allocated to them in July but three months later the boys died in the fire. A post-mortem examination found they both died from smoke inhalation. Ms Goldsmith was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and neglect of the children but it was later decided she would not face prosecution.

A blaze at a funfair and indoor children's play centre in Wirral has been put out. Six engines attended the fire at the New Palace and Adventureland on Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Merseyside. Fire crews were called to the scene at about 02:40 BST. A fire service spokesman said the fire started in a ground-floor storeroom and damaged three other rooms and a club on the second floor. No-one was in the two-storey building at the time.

A section of the A6 is expected to be closed for several hours while firefighters deal with a fire at a disused building in Bedford. The fire began at the site behind Sainsbury's in Clapham Road just after 09:00 BST. The A6 bypass heading north was closed, with diversions in place. Traffic heading south into Bedford was very slow, with the dual carriageway reduced to one lane. Drivers were being asked to avoid the area if possible. A nearby petrol station was closed as a precaution.

About 24,000 homes are without power in parts of Derbyshire after a fire at an electrical substation. A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Fire Service said it was thought that there had been an explosion at the substation on the B5056 at Winster. Firefighters are tackling the fire and working with electricity workers to make the scene safe. Homes in the Ashbourne and Matlock areas have been affected. There are no reports of any injuries. Part of the B5056 has been closed and Derbyshire police are also at the scene.

As we don’t carry out any installation or upgrade works, we have nothing to gain from completing any fire risk assessment, consultancy service or training course other than helping you comply with good practice. We frequently see premises that are over specified with equipment resulting in unnecessary expenditure in terms of installation, maintenance and training. We provide a truly unbiased and completely independent assessment of your premises and we only advise you on what to do to make sure you comply with the law.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a house fire near Cannock. A 41-year-old man was trapped in the building during the fire in Brownhills Road, Norton Canes, on Sunday morning. He was rescued by firefighters and treated in hospital for smoke inhalation. A 41-year-old man was arrested later the same day.

Retained firefighters are urgently needed in Devon or crews could be delayed in reaching some incidents, the fire service said. There are 75 vacancies in the county, with south Devon needing the most, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue. If volunteers were not found, towns like Kingsbridge would be  covered by crews from other areas at certain times, the service said. Modury is looking for six volunteers and two are needed in Kingsbridge. A spokesman from the fire service said they could move staff to nearby stations to fill gaps. But there could be "potential delays" if crews had to cover for other stations and travel a greater distance. "The service would do everything it could to minimise this [the delays]," he added.

If you provide accommodation for paying guests in England and Wales this information is designed to help you

It gives people who own small bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), guest houses, self-catering accommodation and inns with rooms simple information on how to comply with the law. It also offers you some practical advice on what fire precautions may be necessary to ensure your premises are safe.

It will:
tell you how to comply with the law by carrying out a fire risk assessment;

answer your questions;

give you practical advice on what fire safety measures may be appropriate to provide an adequate level of fire safety in premises which are similar in size to a family home.

Does the fire safety law apply to me?

Yes, fire safety law applies to you if anyone pays to stay in your property, other than to live there as a permanent home. For example, if you provide:

guest accommodation in small premises, such as B&Bs, guest houses, farmhouses, inns and restaurants with rooms;

self-catering accommodation, such as houses, cottages, chalets, flats and holiday caravans; or

hostels or small bunkhouses.

This is not a full list and there is no absolute definition of what is a ‘small’ or ‘large’ premises. As a rule, if your premises are significantly larger than a family home, or if they include long, unusual or complicated routes to an exit, you will probably need more detailed advice on the range of fire safety arrangements that you need to consider.

Your responsibilities under the law

What must i do?

The law introduced in October 2006 – known as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – makes you responsible for taking steps to protect the people using your premises from the risk of fire.

You must:

carry out a fire risk assessment

if necessary, improve your fire safety measures

keep the risks, and your fire safety measures, under review

A fire risk assessment is something you may be able to do yourself. In many cases, particularly in smaller premises which are also in use as a family home, it may be common sense. But, you do need to set aside the time to assess thoroughly the risks on your premises and then to put in place measures to minimise them.

Where can i get help?

Start by reading this guide. It explains the risk assessment process and gives you some advice on what arrangements may be suitable to protect your premises. In many cases, you are the best person to think about what risks there are likely to be on your premises, and how you can control them. You can choose someone to help you carry out the risk assessment. This may be someone who you feel may have the necessary knowledge or expertise to carry out this task, if you require assistance with carrying out your fire risk assessments contact us today.

If, after reading the guidance and perhaps getting help from someone else, you still feel you need more information about appropriate measures to take, you can contact your local Fire Service. The Fire Service cannot carry out the risk assessment for you. But, they may be able to give you information and advice on appropriate measures to protect your premises from fire.

What is a fire safety risk assessment?

It is a thorough look at your premises and the people who are likely to use them, including the elderly, very young children and disabled people. It considers the risk of fire breaking out and what measures you need to put in place to prevent it and keep people safe.

Keep a record

It is a good idea for you to keep a written record of what you find in your risk assessment. If you have five or more employees (including any who work part time), the law says you must make a written record of the significant findings. Significant findings are those which set out the measures you have - or plan to put in place to manage the risk, along with details of anyone likely to be especially vulnerable. Keeping a record will save you time and effort when you come to review and update it. It will also show that you have carried out a risk assessment if the Fire Service visit your premises.

Your questions answered

Do i have to carry out a fire risk assessment?

Yes. If you provide any guest accommodation the law says you have to do this.

What if it’s my own home?

If you have any paying guests, even in your own home, you must comply with the law on fire safety and carry out a risk assessment. A fire in small premises is just as dangerous as one in a larger property. Nearly all the people who die in fires in this country are trapped in domestic premises.

I only take in a few guests at a time.Do I need to comply?

Yes. If your premises are similar to a family home, the fire safety precautions you will need to take are likely to be simpler than those needed for larger premises with more complicated layouts and staff. However, there is no absolute definition of ‘small’ premises, so you must use your common sense. So, if your premises are larger than a family home, or include long (probably more than12 metres), unusual or complicated routes to the exit, you will probably need to consider more sophisticated fire safety arrangements than are covered here.

Is my self-catering property covered by the law?

Yes. Any flat, house, cottage or caravan you rent out to others on a short-term arrangement or for a holiday is covered. It is your responsibility to carry out a risk assessment and put in place measures to protect anyone staying there.

Why do I have to carry out a risk assessment?

The law changed in 2006 because the Government believes that those who own or run businesses are the best people to understand and manage fire safety on their premises. Risks change over time and, as the people who run the business, you will be in the best position to find these and to take action. We believe this is a better, more flexible way of making sure we have a high standard of fire safety than the old system of issuing fire certificates. Under the previous legislation, it was all too easy for a business owner to forget about fire safety once a fire certificate had been issued.

I have a fire certificate – do I need to do anything?

Yes. You will need to carry out a fire risk assessment. Fire certificates have been abolished and any that were issued previously are no longer valid.

What happens if I don’t do an assessment?

You are breaking the law, and you could be putting people’s lives at risk. The point of a risk assessment is to reduce the risks and plan how to keep people safe if there is a fire. If you fail to do this, you are putting your guests, your property and your business at risk. You may be inspected by the Fire Service, as part of its responsibility to enforce the law or, someone staying with you or working for you may report you to them if they feel at risk.

If you are inspected by the Fire Service, they will want to know that you have carried out a risk assessment. Keeping a written record of your risk assessment is an easy way to show that you have taken fire safety seriously. If the Fire Service don’t consider the measures you have taken or plan to take good enough to adequately protect people, you will have a chance to put things right. If you fail to do this, the Fire Service may serve a notice on you that means you must put in place better fire safety measures. Ultimately, they could take legal action against you and your business may be closed down.

Will I be inspected by my local Fire Service?

Possibly. the Fire Service usually carry out inspections of premises in their area according to the risk they pose. Any building that has people sleeping in it is likely to be considered a high risk. The Fire Service will want to know that you have done a risk assessment and that the fire safety arrangements you have put in place are good enough.

What if the Fire Service think I haven’t done enough?

There are a range of measures the Fire Service can take.

If they think you need to improve your fire safety, they can give you advice on what measures may be appropriate for you to take, and agree a time period for you to make the improvements. They can take formal enforcement action if they find a serious fire risk that you are not managing. This will mean you will have to carry out specific fire safety improvements. In all their dealings with you, you can expect the Fire Service to offer advice on measures that are reasonable according to the risk in your particular premises. They should always explain why such measures are needed.

Will it be expensive to improve my fire safety measures?

It all depends on your business and your premises. You may have to improve your fire safety measures and there may be a cost attached to this investment. In many cases, you should be able to buy fire safety products for use in small premises from us. These are likely to be less expensive than fire safety products which have been designed for larger and more complicated premises. You should get all safety equipment tested regularly. You may find it useful to keep a written record of your tests and the results.

How can I take account of the needs of guests with disabilities?

You will need to think about this and make a plan. It is not enough to rely on the intervention of the Fire Service. We have produced information to help you consider the needs of disabled people. This includes advice on developing plans to evacuate the building. You can download Guidance on the Means of Escape for Disabled People’ for free from www.communities.gov.uk/firesafety or phone 0300 123 1124 to get a copy (for £5).

Will I need to fit a new fire alarm system, fire escapes, fire doors, sprinklers and so on?

What you need will depend on your business and your premises. The law does not require any particular measures to be in place. What it does say is that you must adequately manage the overall risk.

There is likely to be a range of prevention and protection measures possible in individual premises. As the person responsible for fire safety in your premises, you will need to use your judgement to decide what is most appropriate.

You need to consider the hazards you have found, the risks to, and the needs of, those staying or working there, and the character of the building. For example, what may be appropriate in a modern self catering bungalow is unlikely to be the same as for a 300-year old coaching house. You can decide what fire safety measures may do this best from the range of available options providing they are adequate to address the risk you have identified.

Do I need an automatic fire detection and alarm system?

Premises similar to a family home (i.e. two or three storeys) are likely to need an automatic fire detection system that runs from the mains electricity (with battery back-up) and consists of interconnected detectors. Detectors will be needed in the staircase, corridors and bedrooms. This (technically known as a Grade D LD2 system) has been designed for domestic premises. In the very smallest accommodation (no more than two storeys) which only has two or three guest bedrooms and short travel distances to a safe place outside, a connected system of detectors with a 10-year battery, or radio interlinked detectors may be good enough. (Technically, this is known as a Grade F LD2 system). You may be able to fit a Grade F system yourself.

A heat detector in the kitchen should be linked to the rest of the Grade D or Grade F system. Whatever system you fit will need to be tested regularly to check it works and is loud enough to wake anyone sleeping. Similar systems, based on vibration units and flashing lights, are available to protect people with hearing difficulties.


Should I provide fire fighting equipment?

One extinguisher on each floor near the stairs and a fire blanket in the kitchen should be enough in most small premises. Please contact us for assistance. You will need to make sure that the instructions on how to use them are clear and that there is a warning to people not to tackle anything other than a very small fire. Evacuating the premises is the safest thing to do. You should check the gauge regularly to make sure the ‘stored pressure’ has not leaked.

What should an evacuation plan and instructions cover?

If your fire alarm goes off during the night when people are asleep they will evacuate more quickly if you have told them what they need to do at the beginning of their stay A simple plan may be useful for guests. This could include instructions on the back of their bedroom door and information in a welcome pack. You should tell everyone to leave the building immediately by the identified route when they hear the alarm. You should plan to phone the Fire Service from outside the premises.

How can I make sure everyone can get out of the premises?

Apart from providing information on what to do when the alarm goes off, you need to make sure that any escape routes can be used safely. An escape route includes any rooms, corridors and stairs which you have to go through to escape from a building. You should keep all doors which open on to escape routes closed, especially at night. This is very important in the kitchen. If you leave doors open, it is less likely you will escape safely, even if the room has a fire detector.

Although self-closing devices are a good way to make sure doors are closed, they can impact on the appearance and affect how you use the premises. If you decide these would be unsuitable, ‘in-frame closers’ or rising-butt hinges may be acceptable alternatives. Doors need to be strong enough to hold back smoke and fire long enough to give you time to escape. For small premises, a reasonably solid timber door that fits well into its frame is likely to be good enough. Any internal hollow ‘egg-box’-type door would not offer adequate protection and should be replaced. Exit doors, such as the front or back door, should always be easy to unlock and must not need a key to unlock from the inside. A simple Yale-type latch or thumb turn is usually good enough.

Do I need to provide emergency lighting?

Normal light switches should be easy to find. If a fire knocks out the normal inside lighting, you should think about whether any ‘borrowed lighting’, for example from nearby street lamps, would be enough to allow people on the premises to find their way out. If not, it may be acceptable, in small premises, to rely on rechargeable torches which come on automatically if the main supply fails. You should have one in each room with a sign that says what they are for. Larger premises will need more sophisticated emergency lighting systems.

Do I need to provide fire escape signs?

Signs are only required where they are needed. In small premises the escape route and the front door are likely to be obvious, so there may not be a need for emergency exit signs. You should include details of the escape route in the information pack you give to guests. You should have emergency exit directional signs showing any less obvious or more complicated escape routes.

Who can help me carry out a fire risk assessment?

You are likely to be best placed to understand and manage fire safety in your premises. So, you should be able to carry out the risk assessment yourself following the five key You can also consult someone to carry out your risk assessment. You may consider this person to have greater knowledge, experience or expertise than you. Please contact us for assistance.

What is the role of the Fire Service? Can they help me?

The Fire Service has a legal responsibility to make sure you are complying with fire safety law and you are managing the fire risks adequately. The Fire Service also has a legal duty to promote fire safety and can provide information and advice on fire prevention. They cannot carry out the fire risk assessment for you.

Some Fire Services take different approaches – why?

Each Fire Service is required by law to identify the risks in its area. It will have a plan for reducing and managing these based on its local risk profile. Each Fire Service must use its professional expertise to decide whether the fire safety measures that are in place in any particular premises are appropriate and would protect people adequately in a fire. Because of variations in, for example, the age, size, construction, layout, use of the building and those likely to be in it, there can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to fire safety. All premises are different, as are the people who own, manage or stay in them. What may be considered good enough protection in one premises, may not be considered good enough in another.

What happens if I disagree with the result of an inspection by the Fire Service?

Fire Services will, where appropriate, give you support and advice on how to improve your fire safety. They must consider measures that are proportionate and reasonable to address the particular risks they find at your premises. If the risk is not immediate or high, they can agree with you an appropriate time period to make the necessary improvements. If you do not make the recommended improvements within the agreed time, or if the Fire Service finds a serious fire risk that you are not managing, they have a legal responsibility to make sure you comply with the law. If necessary, they can take you to court.

The first step is for the Fire Service to serve you with an enforcement notice, which means you have to make specific improvements in a specific time. If during an inspection, an inspecting officer finds that the Fire Service is likely to give you a formal enforcement notice, in some cases, you may be able to arrange for an informal review by a more senior manager in the fire safety department. You are able to challenge an enforcement notice in a magistrates’ court and it is quite simple to do. You will have 21 days, from the day on which it is served, in which to lodge an appeal with the court. If you think an appeal may be appropriate, you may want to get legal advice from a solicitor.

In some cases you may agree with the Fire Service that you need to improve your fire precautions, but you cannot agree on what action you need to take. In these circumstances, you and the Fire Service may agree to approach the Secretary of State, who will decide what fire precautions need to be put in place. This process is called a ‘determination’. Both the Fire Service and the person responsible for fire safety on the premises have to agree to approach the Secretary of State. If the Fire Service think a determination might cause a delay which would put people’s safety at an unacceptable risk, they can decide not to seek one. In this case, you would have to appeal in the courts.

What happens once I have done the fire risk assessment?

You should make a note of what you have found, and the measures you have put in place. By law, you must have a written plan if you have five or more staff, but it is a good idea for everyone to keep a record.

Keep a copy somewhere safe and off-site (for example with a family member or your solicitor).

Have it available in case you are inspected by the Fire Service.

Revise it regularly – at least once a year – and when you make any changes to your premises, such as if you add another guest bedroom, or change the layout of the property.

If you are planning to make changes to your premises, you may need to comply with planning and building control law, especially if your premises has listed buildings status.

Will it affect my star rating?

As part of the quality or star-rating scheme, VisitBritain and the AA require businesses to comply with all the legal responsibilities they have. If you do not carry out a risk assessment, this will affect your rating. Neither VisitBritain nor the AA will take a view on the adequacy of the fire safety arrangements you have put in place - they are not fire safety experts.

Keeping up-to-date records of your fire risk assessment can help you effectively manage the fire strategy for your premises and demonstrate how you are complying with fire safety law.

Even if you do not have to record the fire risk assessment, it can be helpful to keep a record of any co-operation and exchange of information made between employers and other responsible people for future reference.

In larger and more complex premises, it is best to keep a dedicated record of all maintenance of fire-protection equipment and training. There is no one "correct" format specified for this. Suitable record books are available by contacting us.

In all cases the quality of records may also be regarded as a good indicator of the overall quality of the safety management structure.

Your records should be kept in a specified place on the premises (for example, in the management's office), and should include;

• Details of any significant findings from the fire risk assessment and any action taken.
• Testing and checking of escape routes, including final exit locking mechanisms, such as panic devices and any electromagnetic devices.
• Testing of fire-warning systems, including weekly alarm tests and periodic maintenance by a competent person.
• Recording of false alarms.
• Testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems.
• Testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers, hose reels and fire blankets etc.
• If appropriate, testing and maintenance of other fire safety equipment such as fire-suppression systems and smoke control systems.
• Recording and training of relevant people on fire fighting appliances and fire evacuation drills.
• Planning, organising, policy and implementation, monitoring, audit and review.
• Maintenance and audit of any systems that are provided to help the fire and rescue service.
• The arrangements in a large multi-occupied building for a co-ordinated emergency plan or overall control of the actions you or your staff should take if there is a fire.
• All alterations, tests, repairs and maintenance of fire safety systems, including passive fire systems such as fire doors.

You should ensure that no other management decisions or policies compromise safety. Your documentation should be available for inspection by representatives of the enforcing authority.

In premises with 'engineered fire safety strategies', a fire policy manual should be provided in addition to any other records. Enforcing authorities would expect a fire engineering policy manual to conform to the structure set out in BS 7974-0 section 5: Reporting and presentation.

Reducing the spread of fire, heat and smoke

You should ensure that any holes in fire-resisting floors or walls, e.g. pipe work openings, are filled in with fire-resisting materials in order to prevent the spread of fire, heat and smoke. You should make sure that any large area of combustible wall or ceiling linings is either removed, treated or suitably covered to reduce the possibility of the linings contributing to the rapid spread of fire. Such linings must not be used in escape routes. (Information on the suitability of wall and ceiling linings can be found in the Home Office publication Guide to the fire precautions in existing places of work that require a fire certificate. Factories, offices, shops and railway premises .

Exhibitions and displays

Any exhibition or display with large amounts of flammable materials, such as paper, textiles and cotton wool, can allow fire to spread rapidly. You should therefore avoid using such materials wherever possible. Any permanent or semi-permanent displays, including wall displays, should ideally be placed behind glass. Notice boards should be kept as small as possible and should be fixed securely in position. They should not be continuous along the length of a wall, sited above heaters etc or contain an excessive amount of paper (e.g. overlapping or multi-sheet notices).

Defining the escape route

The contents of any room in which people are working or any open floor area to which the public are admitted should be arranged to ensure that there is a clear passageway to all escape routes. This may mean that you will need to clearly define the routes, for example by marking the floor or by providing a contrasting floor covering.

Items prohibited on an escape route

You should make sure that items which pose a potential fire hazard or those which could cause an obstruction are not located in corridors or stairways intended for use as a means of escape. In particular, the following items should not be located in protected routes, or in a corridor and stairwell which serves as the sole means of escape from the workplace, or part of it:


•portable heaters of any type;
•heaters which have unprotected naked flames or radiant bars;
•fixed heaters using a gas supply cylinder, where the cylinder is within the escape route;
•oil-fuelled heaters or boilers;
•cooking appliances;
•upholstered furniture;
•coat racks;
•temporarily stored items including items in transit, e.g. furniture, beds, laundry, waste bins etc;
•lighting using naked flames;
•gas boilers, pipes, meters or other fittings (except those permitted in the standards supporting the building regulations and installed in accordance with the 'Gas Safety Regulations');
•gaming and/or vending machines; and
•electrical equipment (other than normal lighting, emergency escape lighting, fire alarm systems, or equipment associated with a security system), e.g. photocopiers.

Escape doors

Doors people have to pass through in order to escape from the workplace should open in the direction of travel where:

•more than 50 people may have to use the door;
•the door is at or near the foot of a stairway;
•the door serves a high-fire-risk area (see 'Fire risk categories for assessing the means of escape' earlier in this section); or
•the door is on an exit route from a building used for public assembly, such as a place of public entertainment, a conference centre or exhibition hall.

You should make sure that people escaping can open any door on an escape route easily and immediately, without the use of a key. All outward opening doors used for means of escape, which have to be kept fastened while people are in the building, should be fitted with a single form of release device such as a panic latch, a panic bolt, or a push pad. Where a door needs to be fastened by a security device, it should be the only fastening on the door and you will have to make sure that all your staff know how it works. Such devices are not normally suitable for use by members of the public. You should display a notice explaining the method of operation and, if necessary, provide a suitable tool so that the device can be operated safely.

Fire doors

Where fire doors are provided they should be fitted with effective self-closing devices and labelled 'Fire Door - Keep Shut'. Fire doors to cupboards and service ducts need not be self-closing, provided they are kept locked and labelled 'Fire Door - Keep Locked Shut'. (Signs should meet the requirements of British Standard 5499.

Self-closing fire doors may be held open by automatic door release mechanisms which are either:

•connected into a manually operated electrical fire alarm system incorporating automatic smoke detectors in the vicinity of the door; or
•actuated by independent smoke detectors (not domestic smoke alarms) on each side of the door.
•Where such mechanisms are provided, it should be possible to release them manually. The doors should be automatically closed by:
•the actuation of a smoke-sensitive device on either side of the door;
•a power failure to the door release mechanism or smoke-sensitive devices; or
•the actuation of a fire warning system linked to the door release mechanisms or a fault in that system.

Such fire doors should be labelled with the words 'Automatic Fire Door - Keep Clear'. Where possible, automatic fire doors should be closed at night and have an additional sign to this effect. (Automatic release mechanisms should comply with British Standard 5839: Part 3.) Other automatic devices are available which operate on different principles - you should consult your local fire authority before installing them.

Fire Safety Hotels, B&B, Inns & Guest Houses

The information below gives people who own small bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), guest houses, self-catering accommodation and inns with rooms simple information on how to comply with the law. It also offers you some practical advice on what fire precautions may be necessary to ensure your premises are safe.

It will:

•tell you how to comply with the law by carrying out a fire risk assessment;
•answer your questions;
•give you practical advice on what fire safety measures may be appropriate to provide an adequate level of fire safety in premises which are similar in size to a family home.

Does the fire safety law apply to me?

Yes, fire safety law applies to you if anyone pays to stay in your property, other than to live there as a permanent home. For example, if you provide:

•guest accommodation in small premises, such as B&Bs, guest houses, farmhouses, inns and restaurants with rooms;
•self-catering accommodation, such as houses, cottages, chalets, flats and holiday caravans; or
•hostels or small bunkhouses.

This is not a full list and there is no absolute definition of what is a ‘small’ or ‘large’ premises. As a rule, if your premises are significantly larger than a family home, or if they include long, unusual or complicated routes to an exit, you will probably need more detailed advice on the range of fire safety arrangements that you need to consider.

Your responsibilities under the law

What must i do?

The law introduced in October 2006 – known as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – makes you responsible for taking steps to protect the people using your premises from the risk of fire.

You must:

•carry out a fire risk assessment
•if necessary, improve your fire safety measures
•keep the risks, and your fire safety measures, under review

A fire risk assessment is something you may be able to do yourself. In many cases, particularly in smaller premises which are also in use as a family home, it may be common sense. But, you do need to set aside the time to assess thoroughly the risks on your premises and then to put in place measures to minimise them.

Where can I get help?

Start by reading this guide. It explains the risk assessment process and gives you some advice on what arrangements may be suitable to protect your premises. In many cases, you are the best person to think about what risks there are likely to be on your premises, and how you can control them. You can choose someone to help you carry out the risk assessment. This may be someone who you feel may have the necessary knowledge or expertise to carry out this task, if you require assistance with carrying out your fire risk assessments contact us today.

If, after reading the guidance and perhaps getting help from someone else, you still feel you need more information about appropriate measures to take, you can contact your local Fire Service. The Fire Service cannot carry out the risk assessment for you. But, they may be able to give you information and advice on appropriate measures to protect your premises from fire.

What is a fire safety risk assessment?

It is a thorough look at your premises and the people who are likely to use them, including the elderly, very young children and disabled people. It considers the risk of fire breaking out and what measures you need to put in place to prevent it and keep people safe.

The law will apply to you when you let out a room in your own home as guest accommodation, even if you only do it occasionally.

Keep a record

It is a good idea for you to keep a written record of what you find in your risk assessment. If you have five or more employees (including any who work part time), the law says you must make a written record of the significant findings. Significant findings are those which set out the measures you have - or plan to put in place to manage the risk, along with details of anyone likely to be especially vulnerable. Keeping a record will save you time and effort when you come to review and update it. It will also show that you have carried out a risk assessment if the Fire Service visit your premises. Follow this link for the 5 steps involved in carrying out a fire risk assessment.

Your questions answered

Do I have to carry out a fire risk assessment?

Yes. If you provide any guest accommodation the law says you have to do this.

What if it’s my own home?

If you have any paying guests, even in your own home, you must comply with the law on fire safety and carry out a risk assessment. A fire in small premises is just as dangerous as one in a larger property. Nearly all the people who die in fires in this country are trapped in domestic premises.

I only take in a few guests at a time.Do I need to comply?

Yes. If your premises are similar to a family home, the fire safety precautions you will need to take are likely to be simpler than those needed for larger premises with more complicated layouts and staff. However, there is no absolute definition of ‘small’ premises, so you must use your common sense. So, if your premises are larger than a family home, or include long (probably more than12 metres), unusual or complicated routes to the exit, you will probably need to consider more sophisticated fire safety arrangements than are covered here.

Is my self-catering property covered by the law?

Yes. Any flat, house, cottage or caravan you rent out to others on a short-term arrangement or for a holiday is covered. It is your responsibility to carry out a risk assessment and put in place measures to protect anyone staying there.

Why do I have to carry out a risk assessment?

The law changed in 2006 because the Government believes that those who own or run businesses are the best people to understand and manage fire safety on their premises. Risks change over time and, as the people who run the business, you will be in the best position to find these and to take action. We believe this is a better, more flexible way of making sure we have a high standard of fire safety than the old system of issuing fire certificates. Under the previous legislation, it was all too easy for a business owner to forget about fire safety once a fire certificate had been issued.

I have a fire certificate – do I need to do anything?

Yes. You will need to carry out a fire risk assessment. Fire certificates have been abolished and any that were issued previously are no longer valid.

What happens if I don’t do an assessment?

You are breaking the law, and you could be putting people’s lives at risk. The point of a risk assessment is to reduce the risks and plan how to keep people safe if there is a fire. If you fail to do this, you are putting your guests, your property and your business at risk. You may be inspected by the Fire Service, as part of its responsibility to enforce the law or, someone staying with you or working for you may report you to them if they feel at risk.

If you are inspected by the Fire Service, they will want to know that you have carried out a risk assessment. Keeping a written record of your risk assessment is an easy way to show that you have taken fire safety seriously. If the Fire Service don’t consider the measures you have taken or plan to take good enough to adequately protect people, you will have a chance to put things right. If you fail to do this, the Fire Service may serve a notice on you that means you must put in place better fire safety measures. Ultimately, they could take legal action against you and your business may be closed down.

Will I be inspected by my local Fire Service?

Possibly. the Fire Service usually carry out inspections of premises in their area according to the risk they pose. Any building that has people sleeping in it is likely to be considered a high risk. The Fire Service will want to know that you have done a risk assessment and that the fire safety arrangements you have put in place are good enough.

What if the Fire Service think I haven’t done enough?

There are a range of measures the Fire Service can take.

If they think you need to improve your fire safety, they can give you advice on what measures may be appropriate for you to take, and agree a time period for you to make the improvements. They can take formal enforcement action if they find a serious fire risk that you are not managing. This will mean you will have to carry out specific fire safety improvements. In all their dealings with you, you can expect the Fire Service to offer advice on measures that are reasonable according to the risk in your particular premises. They should always explain why such measures are needed.

Will it be expensive to improve my fire safety measures?

It all depends on your business and your premises. You may have to improve your fire safety measures and there may be a cost attached to this investment. In many cases, you should be able to buy fire safety products for use in small premises from us. These are likely to be less expensive than fire safety products which have been designed for larger and more complicated premises. You should get all safety equipment tested regularly. You may find it useful to keep a written record of your tests and the results.

How can I take account of the needs of guests with disabilities?

You will need to think about this and make a plan. It is not enough to rely on the intervention of the Fire Service. We have produced information to help you consider the needs of disabled people. This includes advice on developing plans to evacuate the building. You can download Guidance on the Means of Escape for Disabled People’ for free from www.communities.gov.uk/firesafety or phone 0300 123 1124 to get a copy (for £5).

Will I need to fit a new fire alarm system, fire escapes, fire doors, sprinklers and so on?

What you need will depend on your business and your premises. The law does not require any particular measures to be in place. What it does say is that you must adequately manage the overall risk.

There is likely to be a range of prevention and protection measures possible in individual premises. As the person responsible for fire safety in your premises, you will need to use your judgement to decide what is most appropriate.

You need to consider the hazards you have found, the risks to, and the needs of, those staying or working there, and the character of the building. For example, what may be appropriate in a modern self catering bungalow is unlikely to be the same as for a 300-year old coaching house. You can decide what fire safety measures may do this best from the range of available options providing they are adequate to address the risk you have identified.

Do I need an automatic fire detection and alarm system?

Premises similar to a family home (i.e. two or three storeys) are likely to need an automatic fire detection system that runs from the mains electricity (with battery back-up) and consists of interconnected detectors. Detectors will be needed in the staircase, corridors and bedrooms. This (technically known as a Grade D LD2 system) has been designed for domestic premises. In the very smallest accommodation (no more than two storeys) which only has two or three guest bedrooms and short travel distances to a safe place outside, a connected system of detectors with a 10-year battery, or radio interlinked detectors may be good enough. (Technically, this is known as a Grade F LD2 system). You may be able to fit a Grade F system yourself.

A heat detector in the kitchen should be linked to the rest of the Grade D or Grade F system. Whatever system you fit will need to be tested regularly to check it works and is loud enough to wake anyone sleeping. Similar systems, based on vibration units and flashing lights, are available to protect people with hearing difficulties.

Please note: A properly conducted risk assessment may show a variation to these standards is needed. Larger premises are likely to need a more sophisticated system with a control panel and manual call points.

Should I provide fire fighting equipment?

One extinguisher on each floor near the stairs and a fire blanket in the kitchen should be enough in most small premises. Please contact us for assistance. You will need to make sure that the instructions on how to use them are clear and that there is a warning to people not to tackle anything other than a very small fire. Evacuating the premises is the safest thing to do. You should check the gauge regularly to make sure the ‘stored pressure’ has not leaked.

What should an evacuation plan and instructions cover?

If your fire alarm goes off during the night when people are asleep they will evacuate more quickly if you have told them what they need to do at the beginning of their stay A simple plan may be useful for guests. This could include instructions on the back of their bedroom door and information in a welcome pack. You should tell everyone to leave the building immediately by the identified route when they hear the alarm. You should plan to phone the Fire Service from outside the premises.

How can I make sure everyone can get out of the premises?

Apart from providing information on what to do when the alarm goes off, you need to make sure that any escape routes can be used safely. An escape route includes any rooms, corridors and stairs which you have to go through to escape from a building. You should keep all doors which open on to escape routes closed, especially at night. This is very important in the kitchen. If you leave doors open, it is less likely you will escape safely, even if the room has a fire detector.

Although self-closing devices are a good way to make sure doors are closed, they can impact on the appearance and affect how you use the premises. If you decide these would be unsuitable, ‘in-frame closers’ or rising-butt hinges may be acceptable alternatives. Doors need to be strong enough to hold back smoke and fire long enough to give you time to escape. For small premises, a reasonably solid timber door that fits well into its frame is likely to be good enough. Any internal hollow ‘egg-box’-type door would not offer adequate protection and should be replaced. Exit doors, such as the front or back door, should always be easy to unlock and must not need a key to unlock from the inside. A simple Yale-type latch or thumb turn is usually good enough.

Do I need to provide emergency lighting?

Normal light switches should be easy to find. If a fire knocks out the normal inside lighting, you should think about whether any ‘borrowed lighting’, for example from nearby street lamps, would be enough to allow people on the premises to find their way out. If not, it may be acceptable, in small premises, to rely on rechargeable torches which come on automatically if the main supply fails. You should have one in each room with a sign that says what they are for. Larger premises will need more sophisticated emergency lighting systems.

Do I need to provide fire escape signs?

Signs are only required where they are needed. In small premises the escape route and the front door are likely to be obvious, so there may not be a need for emergency exit signs. You should include details of the escape route in the information pack you give to guests. You should have emergency exit directional signs showing any less obvious or more complicated escape routes.

What is the role of the Fire Service? Can they help me?

The Fire Service has a legal responsibility to make sure you are complying with fire safety law and you are managing the fire risks adequately. The Fire Service also has a legal duty to promote fire safety and can provide information and advice on fire prevention. They cannot carry out the fire risk assessment for you.

Remember, if you are responsible for the premises, you are legally responsible for making sure you comply with the law.

Some Fire Services take different approaches – why?

Each Fire Service is required by law to identify the risks in its area. It will have a plan for reducing and managing these based on its local risk profile. Each Fire Service must use its professional expertise to decide whether the fire safety measures that are in place in any particular premises are appropriate and would protect people adequately in a fire. Because of variations in, for example, the age, size, construction, layout, use of the building and those likely to be in it, there can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to fire safety. All premises are different, as are the people who own, manage or stay in them. What may be considered good enough protection in one premises, may not be considered good enough in another.

What happens if I disagree with the result of an inspection by the Fire Service?

Fire Services will, where appropriate, give you support and advice on how to improve your fire safety. They must consider measures that are proportionate and reasonable to address the particular risks they find at your premises. If the risk is not immediate or high, they can agree with you an appropriate time period to make the necessary improvements. If you do not make the recommended improvements within the agreed time, or if the Fire Service finds a serious fire risk that you are not managing, they have a legal responsibility to make sure you comply with the law. If necessary, they can take you to court.

The first step is for the Fire Service to serve you with an enforcement notice, which means you have to make specific improvements in a specific time. If during an inspection, an inspecting officer finds that the Fire Service is likely to give you a formal enforcement notice, in some cases, you may be able to arrange for an informal review by a more senior manager in the fire safety department. You are able to challenge an enforcement notice in a magistrates’ court and it is quite simple to do. You will have 21 days, from the day on which it is served, in which to lodge an appeal with the court. If you think an appeal may be appropriate, you may want to get legal advice from a solicitor.

In some cases you may agree with the Fire Service that you need to improve your fire precautions, but you cannot agree on what action you need to take. In these circumstances, you and the Fire Service may agree to approach the Secretary of State, who will decide what fire precautions need to be put in place. This process is called a ‘determination’. Both the Fire Service and the person responsible for fire safety on the premises have to agree to approach the Secretary of State. If the Fire Service think a determination might cause a delay which would put people’s safety at an unacceptable risk, they can decide not to seek one. In this case, you would have to appeal in the courts.

What happens once I have done the fire risk assessment?

You should make a note of what you have found, and the measures you have put in place. By law, you must have a written plan if you have five or more staff, but it is a good idea for everyone to keep a record.

•Keep a copy somewhere safe and off-site (for example with a family member or your solicitor).

•Have it available in case you are inspected by the Fire Service.
•Revise it regularly – at least once a year – and when you make any changes to your premises, such as if you add another guest bedroom, or change the layout of the property.

If you are planning to make changes to your premises, you may need to comply with planning and building control law, especially if your premises has listed buildings status.

Will it affect my star rating?

As part of the quality or star-rating scheme, VisitBritain and the AA require businesses to comply with all the legal responsibilities they have. If you do not carry out a risk assessment, this will affect your rating. Neither VisitBritain nor the AA will take a view on the adequacy of the fire safety arrangements you have put in place - they are not fire safety experts.

Existing layout and construction

In many shops, and increasingly in offices, the design is for open-plan areas allowing customers and employees to move freely throughout the floor. Traditionally, occupants are advised to shut doors when escaping from a fire but in open plan areas there are few doors to shut. In these areas the fire, and especially the smoke, may spread faster than expected.

To assess the risk in your premises you need to evaluate the construction and layout of your premises. This does not mean a structural survey, unless you suspect that the structure is damaged or any structural fire protection is missing or damaged, but rather an informed look around to see if there are any easy paths through which smoke and fire may spread and what you can do to stop it. In general, older buildings will have more void areas, possibly hidden from view, which will allow smoke and fire to spread away from its source.

Whatever your type of building, you may need to consider typical situations that may assist the spread of fire and smoke such as;

•Vertical shafts, e.g. lifts, open stairways, dumb waiters or holes for moving stock around.
•False ceilings, especially if they are not fire-stopped above walls.
•Voids behind wall paneling.
•Unsealed holes in walls and ceilings where pipe work, cables or other services have been installed.
•Doors, particularly to stairways, which are ill-fitting or routinely left open.
Particular hazards in corridors used as escape routes


Items that are a source of fuel, pose an ignition risk, or are combustible and likely to increase the fire loading or spread of fire, should not be located on any corridor or, stairway or circulation space that will be used as an escape route.

Such items include;

•Portable heaters, e.g. bottled gas (LPG) or electric radiant heaters and electric convectors or boilers.
•Gas cylinders for supplying heaters.
•Cooking appliances
•Unenclosed gas pipes, meters and other fittings.

However, where more than one escape route is available and depending on the findings of your risk assessment, items such as those below may be acceptable if the minimum exit widths are maintained and the item presents a relatively low fire risk;

•Non-combustible lockers.
•Vending machines
•Small items of electrical equipment (e.g. photocopiers)
•Small coat racks and/or small quantities of upholstered furniture and furnishings

A fire which damaged part of a disused school building near Nottingham, UK is thought to have been arson. Firefighters were called to the former Becket School on Wilford Lane, in West Bridgford, at about 19:00 BST on Sunday. No-one was injured during the incident.Fire crews said it was thought that arson was to play as it appears the fire had been started deliberately.

Smoke from a fire at a pallet yard in Hertfordshire disrupted train services on a nearby rail line. More than 40 firefighters dealt with the fire at the site in Rye Road, Hoddesdon, from about 02:45 BST. Smoke disrupted services on a nearby rail line and a bus service replaced trains between Hertford and Hoddesdon until mid-morning. Fire chiefs said about 25% of the pallets at the site were set on fire in the incident.

As we don’t carry out any installation or upgrade works, we have nothing to gain from completing any fire risk assessment, consultancy service or training course other than helping you comply with good practice. We frequently see premises that are over specified with equipment resulting in unnecessary expenditure in terms of installation, maintenance and training. We provide a truly unbiased and completely independent assessment of your premises and we only advise you on what to do to make sure you comply with the law.

As we don’t carry out any installation or upgrade works, we have nothing to gain from completing any fire risk assessment, consultancy service or training course other than helping you comply with good practice. We frequently see premises that are over specified with equipment resulting in unnecessary expenditure in terms of installation, maintenance and training. We provide a truly unbiased and completely independent assessment of your premises and we only advise you on what to do to make sure you comply with the law.