Martyn’s Law is the commonly used name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It is designed to improve public protection and preparedness at certain publicly accessible premises and events across the UK, but venue operators also need to think carefully about how new security measures could affect fire safety, escape routes and emergency Read more »
BS 9991:2024 is an important fire safety standard for residential buildings in the UK. It gives recommendations and guidance for the design, management and use of residential buildings, including blocks of flats, residential accommodation blocks, specialised housing and care homes. For landlords, managing agents, freeholders, housing providers, care operators and responsible persons, BS 9991:2024 can Read more »
Lithium-ion batteries are now common in e-bikes, e-scooters, cordless tools, cleaning equipment, mobility devices, laptops, power banks and battery storage products. In many buildings they are being used, charged and stored without much thought about how they affect fire risk, escape routes, smoke spread, management procedures or emergency planning. For responsible persons, landlords, managing agents Read more »
HMO fire safety is one of the most important responsibilities for landlords, licence holders and managing agents. Houses in multiple occupation usually carry a higher fire risk than standard single-family rented homes because unrelated occupants share kitchens, escape routes, facilities and common areas. This guide explains the main HMO fire safety requirements for landlords and Read more »
In fire safety, travel distance is one of the key measurements recorded on a fire risk assessment — and it’s often misunderstood or misapplied. This guide explains what travel distance is, typical UK guidance figures, how to measure it correctly, and how it fits into wider fire safety thinking. Whether you’re a fire safety professional, Read more »
Smoke control systems are a critical life-safety provision in UK buildings. They help maintain tenable escape routes, reduce smoke spread during a fire and support safe evacuation and fire-fighting operations. In many buildings, including blocks of flats and high-rise commercial premises, smoke control is a legal requirement under the Building Regulations and related standards. This Read more »
Fire sprinkler systems are one of the most effective forms of active fire protection used in buildings across the UK. They are designed to control or extinguish fires automatically at an early stage, helping to protect life, limit structural damage and reduce business interruption. In the UK, the requirement for fire sprinkler systems is determined Read more »
Completing a fire risk assessment action is only part of compliance. Properly closing out that action — with appropriate evidence and documentation — is what demonstrates that the risk has genuinely been addressed. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must implement appropriate fire safety measures and maintain adequate arrangements. In Read more »
A fire risk assessment is only as effective as the action plan that follows it. While the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment, enforcement action most commonly arises not because an assessment is missing — but because its findings have not been properly implemented. This guide explains Read more »
A Fire Strategy Report is a formal fire safety design document prepared during the planning or construction stage of a building. It explains how the building complies with UK fire safety legislation and Building Regulations, including means of escape, compartmentation, fire detection systems and firefighting provisions. Unlike a Fire Risk Assessment, which focuses on day-to-day Read more »
