ANDERSON FIRE CONSULTANCY LTD
Fire Safety Information
Welcome to your 'One Stop Shop' for all information Fire Safety related.
Advice for Non-Domestic Premises
This section provides signposting to fire safety information for all non-domestic premises. These are:
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workplaces and commercial premises
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premises the public has access to
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houses in multiple occupation that require a licence
and may include properties such as factories, workshops, offices, garages, hotels, care homes, shops, shopping complexes, call centres, education premises, entertainment and assembly, houses in multiple occupation and the list goes on....
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The information below provides guidance on the Fire Risk Assessment process, guidance for specific premises types and other specialist guidance. Due to the introduction of Short-Term Lets licensing in Scotland, information has also been provided for this area.
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Dutyholders should be reminded that Fire Safety Risk Assessments are a legal requirement and they should only complete a Fire Safety Risk Assessment if they are confident in their own ability.
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First Step - Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment
You should always read 'Guidance on Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment' before progressing. This provides information to those people responsible for non-domestic premises and houses in multiple occupation. Only progress if you are confident in your own ability to complete the assessment.
You should be reminded that this assessment is legally required under The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and following any fire incident, may be scrutinised by the enforcing authority or in a court of law.
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Alternatively, Anderson Fire Consultancy can arrange for a suitably qualified and experienced person to complete your premises Fire Safety Risk Assessment on your behalf. Please contact us for further information.
Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Non-Domestic Premises
The Scottish Government have produced fire safety guidance for different types of existing non-domestic premises to help dutyholders understand their responsibilities under fire safety law, carry out a fire safety risk assessment and, identify and implement fire safety measures. (New buildings or change of use premises should not use these guides as a design guide. See 'New Buildings' section below).
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'Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Non-Residential Premises' provides advice for premises including commercial, industrial, transport, educational, day care and places of entertainment and assembly (does not apply to premises used for overnight sleeping accommodation or for child-minding).
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'Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Premises with Sleeping Accommodation' provides guidance for premises which provide sleeping accommodation, including hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, camping and caravan sites and all types of houses in multiple occupation. (see below for existing care homes).
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'Fire Safety Guidance for Care Homes' provides advice for those with responsibility for ensuring fire safety in existing care homes in Scotland.
Evacuation of Disabled People from Buildings
Under fire safety legislation it is the responsibility of those who have control of, or have safety obligations in respect of non-domestic premises, to ensure arrangements are in place for an evacuation if the situation requires.
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'Practical Guidance for Emergency Evacuation of Disabled People' provides information and guidance on fire evacuation of disabled persons from buildings and will ensure consideration is given to disabled persons in a positive way, to deal with their evacuation in a practical, equality based manner.
New Buildings
All new buildings in Scotland must be designed to mandatory standards set out in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. Fire Safety Guidance for Existing premises, as detailed above, should not be used as a design guide. This also applies to buildings which undergo extensions, structural alterations or change of use. These will be subject to warrant approval, where required.
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'Building Standards Technical Handbook 2022: Non-Domestic' is the current guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004. Section 2 specifically relates to fire.
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Anderson Fire Consultancy can assist members of the public, architects and developers navigate the intricacies associated with new buildings through the provision of advice and consultation for any project. For further information, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Short Term Lets - New Legislation
The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-Term Lets) Order 2022 came into force on 1st October 2022. All Local Authority Areas will have an established licensing scheme for Short-Term Lets.
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There are four types licenses for Short-Term Lets (STL). These are:
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Secondary Letting - STL involving the letting of property where you do not normally live
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Home Letting - using all or part of your home for STL's whilst you are absent
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Home Sharing - using all or part of your own home for STL's whilst you are there
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Home Letting and Home Sharing - hosts principal home
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In terms of Fire Safety provisions and risk assessment purposes, most premises will come under the scope of 'Annex 2: Small Bed and Breakfast and Self-catering Premises' section within the Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Premises with Sleeping Accommodation. For larger premises that do not fall within the scope of Annex 2, the main chapters of 'Fire Safety Guidance for Existing Premises with Sleeping Accommodation' should be used as guidance.
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NOTE: Although this guidance was published in February 2022, it was written prior to STL legislation coming into force. This guidance should be used until such times as Scottish guidance specifically for STL's has been created. We are aware that links to English guidance have appeared on some licensing forms. Care should be taken as English guidance may ask for fire safety provisions over and above what is required in Scotland i.e. fire extinguishers.
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For further information on STL licensing in Dumfries and Galloway Local Authority area, please visit the Short-Term Lets section on their website.
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A daunting prospect or require further advice - Anderson Fire Consultancy can provide this advice, or you can alternatively arrange for a suitably qualified and experienced person to complete your premises Fire Safety Risk Assessment on your behalf. Please contact us for further information.
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