Houses in Multiple Occupation fire safety guidance

Protected escape routes

The ideal is for the protected escape route to be enclosed in 30-minute fire resisting construction with FD30 fire doors and frames. In existing 3 storey shared houses of low risk it may be possible to accept existing walls and partitions if 20 minutes fire resistance can be achieved. This is likely to be met if walls and partitions are of sound, conventional construction. Sound lath and plaster construction should meet this requirement. Doors onto the protected escape route may be acceptable if they are of sound, solid construction, and are close fitting and self-closing.

Where a 30 minute protected escape route is required:

• Walls, ceilings and floors within the staircase enclosure or hallways that form part of the protected route to be 30 minute fire resistant.
• 30 minute fire resistant doors and frames required (FD30s) to all rooms leading onto the staircase enclosure or hallways that form part of the protected route (with the exception of bathrooms and W/C's). Doors to be provided with surface mounted self-closing devices, intumescent strips and smoke seals.
• 30 minute fire resistant doors and frames required (FD30s) to all risk rooms in which detection is provided, i.e. lounge and kitchen. Doors to be provided with surface mounted self-closing devices, intumescent strips and smoke seals.
• Where locks or latches are fitted to doors including the final exit doors they must be openable by the occupiers from the inside without the use of a removable key (i.e. thumbturn).
• Ceilings to rooms where cooking facilities are provided to be 30 minute fire resistant.
• Stairs to be underdrawn to provide 30 minute fire resistance.
• Under-stairs cupboards and cupboards located on the escape route to have 30 minute fire resistant walls, ceilings and lining, 30 minute fire resistant doors and frames (FD30) including intumescent strips. The doors to be fitted with an effective lock and kept locked shut when not in use. Provide and fix to the outside face of the door a suitable notice at eye level stating "THIS DOOR TO BE KEPT LOCKED SHUT WHEN NOT IN USE". (In accordance with the requirements of BS 5499: Part 1).
• If detection is provided within the under-stairs cupboard or to cupboards located upon the escape route then a 30 minute fire resistant door and frame (FD30s) including intumescent strips and smoke seals will be required. Alternatively the cupboard can be permanently sealed shut and taken out of use.
• Where walls and ceilings are required to achieve 30 minutes fire resistance, the presence of holes or gaps around any service pipes or wires that pass through will mean the wall or ceiling fails to meet this requirement.

Fire detection and alarm system 

Grade D, LCD system (see appendix B)

• interlinked mains wired smoke alarms with integral battery back-up located in the protected escape route at each floor level;
• additional interlinked mains wired heat alarm with integral battery back-up located in all kitchens;
• additional interlinked mains wired smoke alarm with integral battery back-up located in all lounges; and
• additional interlinked mains wired smoke alarm with integral battery back-up located in any cellar.

Lighting of protected escape routes

Conventional artificial lighting is required. Emergency escape lighting required only if the route is long or complex, or where there is no effective borrowed light. An example of effective borrowed light would be street lighting that illuminates the staircase.

Fire-fighting equipment

• Fire blanket to be provided in all kitchens
• Simple multi-purpose fire extinguisher in the hallways where fire risk assessment shows a requirement. (Where extinguishers are provided they must be regularly checked and training given to all residents for their use).

Fire safety signs

Signage only required if the protected escape route is long or complex

Surface finishes and floor coverings

In lower risk shared houses this requirement may be relaxed.

Management and maintenance of fire safety systems

Read about management and maintenance of fire safety systems