New fire safety guidance comes into force on 1 October 2023

New fire safety guidance comes into force on 1 October 2023 for all small paying guest accommodation including Airbnb, glamping pods, B&B, self-catering accommodation etc.

The Guidance is intended for use in small premises that have simple layouts, limited fire risks and a small number of bedrooms designated as guest sleeping accommodation for short-term lets, such as small bed and breakfast, guest houses and self-catering accommodation.

The guidance is limited to: 

• single premises of ground floor, or ground and first floor, providing sleeping accommodation for a maximum of 10 persons, with no more than four bedrooms on the first floor, such as houses, cottages, and chalets 
  
  
• individual flats (whether within a purpose-built block of flats or a house that has been converted into flats), other than unusually large flats (e.g. as often found in mansion blocks in London

The fire safety principles and recommendations in the Guide can also be applied to smaller types of outdoor accommodation which fall under the same duties such as holiday caravans, camping and glamping pods, bothies, lodges, shepherds’ huts, tents, tree houses and yurts.  Although the fire risks associated with this type of accommodation are generally low, some units may have dedicated electricity supplies, log burners and cooking facilities that will increase the risk.  New accommodation units may be manufactured in accordance with a bespoke design and may require a different fire safety approach according to the unique layout and construction of the accommodation. Additional fire safety measures may be required to address issues such as the use of flammable materials in construction, the hazard of open fires and cooking.

You can view the full guidance to making your small paying-guest-accommodation safe from fire online.