Absolute Health Fire Safety provides fire risk assessments for HMO’s in Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupation and often refers to flats or houses with several bedrooms that are rented by individuals. Ensuring the safety of occupants in these HMO’s is paramount and carrying out fire risk assessments are a critical part of this responsibility, and strategy.
They help landlords and property managers meet legal obligations while most importantly safeguarding lives of the residents and visitors. In this blog, we will explore the essentials about fire risk assessments for HMO’s, we will cover:
- What is a fire risk assessment?
- Why are fire risk assessments crucial for HMOs?
- Steps to conduct a fire risk assessment for an HMO
- Key considerations for HMO’s
- Best practices for landlords and property managers
Looking for an immediate fire risk assessment quote for your HMO?
Call 0113 418 2 911 or use the contact form and we’ll get back to you promptly.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a strategic evaluation of a property to identify fire hazards, assess the risk of fire, and determine measures to reduce or eliminate those risks. For HMOs, where tenants share living spaces, the risks can be higher due to the density of occupants and shared facilities.
In HMO’s there must be a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment conducted and regularly updated. This is enforced through the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales and we agree that it is totally necessary to keep people safe and sound. Many businesses choose to have them done by professional companies as you can gain knowledge and reassurance from a competent firm who specialise in this work.
Why Are Fire Risk Assessments Crucial for HMOs?
Legal Compliance: HMO’s fall under stricter regulations compared to single-family homes. Local councils may require proof of a valid fire risk assessment before issuing an HMO license. We support this and believe it’s important for any building but even more so, for more people in the same space.
Safety of Occupants: HMO’s house multiple tenants who may have varying levels of awareness about fire safety. A thorough assessment ensures that risks are minimised and occupants are protected. Having a fire risk assessment done by a professional gives peace of mind for everyone there.
Financial Protection: Non-compliance with fire safety regulations can lead to hefty fines or even imprisonment. Additionally, in the event of a fire, a robust fire risk assessment can demonstrate due diligence, potentially mitigating liability.
Reputation Management: Ensuring fire safety in your property reflects well on your professionalism and can attract responsible tenants. Being a landlord that cares about its tenants can only be perceived as positive.
Steps to Conduct a Fire Risk Assessment for an HMO
Absolute Health Fire Safety conduct fire risk assessments for HMO’s by following the below steps:
- Identify Fire Hazards
Firstly, we take the time to identify all potential fire hazards that could potentially cause harm to people. We check all electrical equipment, cooking appliances, heaters and products to make sure they’re switched off as they should be or are in states that will limit the chances of them catching fire.
- Determine Who is at Risk
Once we know what could cause trouble in your HMO, our team need to work out who may be most impacted. In a HMO it’s likely to be that a tenants’ bedroom is right next to a certain hazard. Understanding who specifically could be affected by what and where is so important in building a plan.
- Evaluate Risks and Implement Precautions
Next, Absolute Health Fire Safety evaluate the risks and implement precautionary measures. Installing smoke alarms in communal areas and bedrooms, keeping hallways and exits clear, ensuring quality fire doors and more is absolutely required. Getting all the right equipment like extinguishers, fire blankets and getting all your training or emergency plans in place is also crucial.
- Record Findings and Actions
Documenting the hazards identified, the measures taken to mitigate them, and any additional recommendations will be gathered by our team for your written report. This record is crucial for legal compliance and should be shared with tenants. If you hire us to support your HMO fire risk assessment, we will document the whole journey for you.
- Review and Update Regularly
Fire risk assessments aren’t a one-time task. Regular reviews are essential and definitely needed if structural changes are made to the property, new tenants have moved in or new risks are clear. Don’t take fire risk assessments for HMO’s for granted because they could save someone’s life. Get in touch to arrange annual reviews as best practice.
Key Considerations for HMOs
Shared Spaces: HMO’s normally have communal areas, such as kitchens, living rooms, and hallways. These spaces must be given particular attention during fire risk assessments as they are high-risk zones.
Tenants: Tenants may not always adhere to fire safety practices. For example, blocking escape routes or tampering with fire alarms. This is difficult to deal with immediately but as the landlord, regular communication and quarterly visits will suffice in terms of managing it.
Licensing Requirements: Local councils often have specific fire safety conditions for granting HMO licenses. These may include requirements for fire alarms, escape routes, and extinguishers. Make sure you are up to scratch so you get your necessary accreditations.
Getting Familiar: In a HMO, tenants may not know each other well, which can hinder coordinated evacuation efforts. Clear signage and regular fire drills can mitigate confusion.
Best Practices for Landlords and Property Managers
Hire a Competent Fire Risk Assessor: Choosing a company that is dully qualified and accredited seems simple but there are lots of ‘preteners’ so looking at their credentials is paramount. We have nothing but success and knowledge to share so why not check out Absolute Health Fire Safety today?
Engage Tenants: Educate tenants about fire safety and their role in maintaining it. Provide written guidance and hold regular safety briefings.
Conduct Regular Inspections: Inspect fire safety measures regularly to ensure they’re operational. Pay attention to alarm systems, extinguishers, escape routes, fire doors and more. Keep on top of any new updates on regulations and incorporate them into your visits and there may need to be changes.
Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of all fire risk assessments, maintenance, and tenant communications. This documentation is invaluable in demonstrating compliance and may be needed as evidence at some point.
Contact Absolute Health Fire Safety Today
Fire risk assessments are so important for HMO’s and any other commercial building for that matter. We hope we’ve shed some light on why in this blog and if you need further information or would like a FREE quote on a fire risk assessment then we’d be delighted to help you here at Absolute Health Fire Safety.
Call 0113 418 2 911 or use the contact form to request your without-charge quotation.