Student accommodation providers are responsible for complying with fire safety legislation and giving advice to their tenants on the fire safety arrangements and procedures. In residential sleeping accommodation premises covered by the Fire Safety Order, “the responsible person” should have considered the materials used for external cladding, insulation and wall systems to ensure that these features would not assist fire spread.
Fire Safety Risk Assessment for Student Accommodation
Legislation requires that landlords carry out Fire Safety Risk Assessments in all areas of the properties. As a landlord, you will have a significant level of responsibility to carry out Fire Safety Risk Assessments, identifying potential fire hazards and ensuring complete fire safety. A Fire Safety Risk Assessment will identify any fire hazards and who is at risk and decide if anything needs to be done to remove or reduce that risk.
Any properties that do not comply with fire safety legislation can be inspected by fire inspection officers and there can be legal action taken in respect of prohibition or enforcement notices.
Fire Safety Equipment for Student Accommodation
The most common items of fire safety equipment used in student accommodation are interlinking fire alarms, networked fire alarm systems, carbon monoxide detectors, fire doors, fire extinguishers and fire blankets. Stove guards can also be used in high-risk environments as they can detect high temperatures and cut off electricity to the cooker in order to prevent a potential fire outbreak.
Smoke control plays an essential part in protecting means of escape in residential buildings. Fire Safety Risk Assessments ought to assess the suitability of the smoke control system and that there is sufficient evidence that the systems are maintained.
“Responsible Persons” should ensure that their Fire Safety Risk Assessments evaluate the performance of any fire doors within their premises and provide, where possible, that test evidence/certification is available to confirm performance.
Ensure Fire Safety in Your Student Accommodation
Fire safety measures that you need to have in place:
- Smoke or heat detectors should be installed in every bedroom and kitchen and in some properties, depending on the building design, may also include sprinklers, wet risers and automatic smoke ventilation
- Fire detection systems in all of the buildings
- Fire alarms should be connected to a central monitoring service in the vast majority of the buildings
- All fire safety systems are subject to routine servicing and maintenance in accordance with British Standards
Consulting a compliance expert will ensure that you comply with all regulations.
Got a question about fire and safety regulations for student accommodation? Need help with a Fire Safety Risk Assessment or installing a Fire Alarm System? Get in touch today!
For over 40 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999
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For over forty years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.
Freephone 08000 891999.
