Hotels and boarding houses

All hotels fall within the scope of the fire safety order and as such you have a duty of care to ensure your guests are safe.

As such it is strongly recommended that you have a fire alarm system which incorporates smoke detection.

5 Step Risk Assessment - short checklist (pdf, 42Kb) - carry out the checks to ensure any employees and guests are safe from fire.

Hotel fire safety advice leaflet (pdf, 97Kb) - reinforces the actions to be taken by guests should a fire occur. This should be printed and handed to all guests as they book in.

Small B&B's or guesthouse accommodation

Do you have paying guests? Leaflet (pdf, 674Kb)

'Do you have paying guests?' seeks to address specific difficulties that the hospitality industry, specifically B&Bs, guest houses and self catering properties, have faced in understanding the new rules. It is designed to encourage compliance, by giving the owners of these businesses practical advice on reducing fire risks in their establishments.

It explains the risk assessment process, sets out sources of further advice and guidance and offers some practical information for owners on what may represent appropriate and proportionate fire safety measures in these types of premises. This document only gives simplified guidance. However, for small premises, if the premises are significantly larger than a family home or include long unusual or complicated routes to exits, you will probably need more detailed advice on the range of fire safety arrangements that you need to consider.