Stuart Lombard from our Health and Safety team explains why it is a legal requirement for any farm business offering guest accommodation to carry out a fire risk assessment.
As more farming businesses diversify into holiday accommodation to generate additional income, it is important not to overlook your responsibilities under fire safety law. As the property owner, you are legally required to conduct a fire risk assessment to identify potential hazards and implement necessary measures to keep your guests safe.
Fire Safety Law
Fire safety law applies if anyone pays to stay in your property or a room within it – unless they live there permanently. Small paying guest accommodation includes single-premises properties on the ground floor, or ground and first floor, and accommodates up to 10 guests. This covers:
- Houses, cottages and flats
- Holiday caravans, camping and glamping pods
- Bothies, lodges and shepherds’ huts
- Tents, treehouses and yurts
If you rent out any of these on a short-term or holiday basis, the Fire Safety Order applies. That means you are responsible for taking steps to protect all guests from fire risks.
Your Responsibilities
Complying with fire safety law is a legal requirement. Failing to do so can result in enforcement action, fines, prosecution—or even imprisonment.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and act on its findings. This helps you identify fire risks and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.
- Review your risk assessment regularly, especially if anything changes – such as adding another guest bedroom or altering the layout of the property. As a best practice, we recommend reviewing it at least once a year.
CXCS Fire Risk Assessment Service
CXCS offers a comprehensive fire risk assessment service to ensure your business meets legal fire safety requirements. One of our experienced fire risk assessors will visit your workplace to conduct a detailed evaluation of your current fire safety measures.
After the assessment, you’ll receive a clear and concise report highlighting potential risks and outlining the necessary steps to improve fire safety. Our recommendations ensure full compliance with Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, helping you create a safer environment for everyone.
With prices starting from £350, our Fire Risk Assessment service provides expert support to help you meet legal requirements and ensure the safety of your guests. For further help or to book your assessment, please contact our Health and Safety team on 01981 590514.
