The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has partnered with Airbnb to share up-to-date guidance on how to prevent common fire hazards and reduce the impact of an accidental fire. Please click here for the NFCC Airbnb Safety Tips for Hosts.
Install fire alarms and test them regularly
Working smoke alarms are key to making your space safe and provide valuable time to escape a fire. Heat alarms should also be installed in kitchens, and in any other risk rooms (such as laundry or utility rooms) where false alarms are likely to happen due to cooking fumes, steam, dust, etc.
All smoke and heat alarms in the premises should be interlinked so that when any alarm device detects fire, all smoke and heat alarms give an audible sound simultaneously. Premises larger than an average family house of flat are likely to need a more sophisticated system - possibly with a control panel and manual call points.
Protect your space against carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide can be caused by poorly installed or maintained appliances, and this clear, odourless, and toxic gas can be hard to detect without an alarm.
Make sure you install carbon monoxide detectors in your space and ensure your gas appliances are serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
If you have a wood or coal burning stove, make sure the chimneys are swept twice a year.
Conduct a fire risk assessment
You are required under fire safety legislation to conduct a fire risk assessment of the premises.
The fire risk assessment involves an inspection of the common areas to identify potential fire hazards, to ensure that there are adequate fire safety measures to keep residents (and anyone else who is lawfully on the premises, such as visitors, contractors, etc.) safe from fire.
Testing and maintenance of equipment
The fire protection measures provided in your accommodation need to be maintained in good condition and efficient working order.
It is therefore necessary to have in place arrangements for routine inspection, testing and maintenance.
It is good practice to keep a record of all testing and maintenance.
Fire action notices and information to residents
Fire action notice, providing information on the action to take in the event of a fire, should be prominently sited.
People staying in your accommodation are unlikely to be familiar with the premises. A simple plan drawing indicating escape routes in your guest information pack may be useful for occupants, along with information on how to call the emergency services and location details, especially if the postcode might not identify the location accurately.
Means of escape
Emergency routes and exits must be kept clear, available at all times and lead as directly as possible to a place of safety.
An escape route includes any rooms, corridors, stairs and external areas that you must go through to escape from the building to a place of safety.
Any exits provided, such as the front and back doors, should be easily openable without the use of a key.