Fire regulations for holiday lets are stricter compared to those for rented properties or personal residences. Changes are expected with the new post-Grenfell legislation for holiday lets scheduled to take effect in October 2023. The Home Office has released a guide titled “Making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire,” also known as ‘Article 50 guidance,’ to help businesses and individuals fulfill their obligations under the FSO. While many requirements in the guide are relatively straightforward, they can be costly to meet. A crucial requirement for the holiday let sector is that every door leading to a fire escape route must now be a certified fire door or at least a ‘nominal’ fire door, creating challenges for heritage properties and properties with original features. To address this, the Envirograf range offers various passive fire protection solutions, such as intumescent paints, fire and smoke seals, and door protection upgrades. The Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK (PASC) has issued a paper providing insights on interpreting the new guidance for holiday lets, especially for listed or open-plan properties.
The paper by the Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK (PASC) sheds light on how to navigate the new fire regulations for holiday lets, particularly for properties with heritage or unique features. It emphasises the importance of ensuring that every door leading to a fire escape route meets the required standards, even if modifications are needed. The guide released by the Home Office, also known as ‘Article 50 guidance,’ serves as a valuable resource to help businesses and individuals understand and comply with the Fire Safety Order (FSO).
In response to the challenges posed by the new regulations, the Envirograf range offers innovative passive fire protection solutions such as intumescent paints, fire and smoke seals, and door protection upgrades. These products can help holiday let owners enhance the safety of their properties while maintaining their aesthetic appeal.
As the deadline passed in October 2023, it is crucial for holiday let owners to proactively assess their properties and make necessary upgrades to ensure the safety of their guests. By staying informed and utilising the available resources and solutions, holiday let owners can navigate the evolving fire safety landscape while providing a secure and enjoyable experience for their guests.