Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is inviting the owners or managers of short term holidays lets in Bath to attend sessions that outline their responsibilities in relation to fire safety.
Houses and flats available for short term or holiday lets fall under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
This requires the ‘responsible person’ for that property to take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of anyone using the premises.
With the growth of holiday accommodation in Bath, Technical Fire Safety Officers from AF&RS are working with landlords to provide guidance on how they can comply with legislation.
Two sessions will be held at Bath Fire Station in September and October when information will be provided on areas including fire safety risk assessments, alarm and detection systems, emergency escape routes and enforcement.
Station Manager Steve Quinton, Technical Fire Safety Manager, said: “As Bath continues to be a popular tourist destination there is a strong demand for holiday accommodation in the city.
We will have information on the majority of that accommodation, but there may be others that we are not aware of.
“The owners or managers of these short term lets may not realise their obligations around fire safety which is why we want to provide the opportunity to engage directly with us to get advice.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service already carries out a risk-based inspection programme in which officers visit businesses such as care homes, hotels and guest houses.
Where officers find areas of concern they work with the owners to help them comply with legislation, but where that is unsuccessful there is an enforcement route available.
Station Manager Quinton added: “When we are made aware of properties that operate as short term lets we have written to them to provide guidance and then included them in our inspection programme.
“The two sessions at Bath Fire Station are an extension of that work. They will be an opportunity for the owner or responsible person at short term lets to engage with us in a positive way to access all the information they need to ensure they comply with the law and, most importantly, keep their guests safe.
Two identical sessions will take place at Bath Fire Station, Cleveland Bridge, at 11am on Monday 25th September and Thursday 5th October.
Space will be limited so anyone interested in attending either session should contact [email protected].
Further guidance on the requirements of the Fire Safety Order and how it applies to businesses can be found at: http://www.avonfire.gov.uk/business-safety/fire-risk-assessments.
