Danger! Is your property at risk from fire?
September 14, 2022“Remember, remember the 5th of November” – it’s not all gunpowder plots because your home or business could catch fire, too. So, as Guy Fawkes night approaches, how well prepared are you for a fire breaking out in your own home or workplace? Does your property insurance offer any reassurance? And what about playing your part in containing or minimising any risks?
Property insurance
Whether it is the standard home insurance you arranged as an owner-occupier, the landlord insurance you bought for your let property, or the commercial property insurance that protects your business premises, cover against fire is typically one of the major risks covered.
That cover generally extends to circumstances in which any fire started accidentally or was the result of arson – but check with your buildings insurance provider for clarification if you are unsure.
Homes
Smoke detectors in your home provide an invaluable first line of defence by providing an early warning signal for any danger of fire. If you have one or more smoke detectors fitted, ensure the batteries remain charged and test the alarms regularly.
Smoke detectors are not compulsory in privately owned homes in the UK. The notable exception is Scotland, where every home must now be fitted with interlinked smoke alarms. The relevant legislation came into force on the 1st of February, 2022.
The Scottish legislation simply brought private and rented accommodation in line with each other. In England and Wales, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations of 2015 and 2022 require that at least one smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of any let accommodation. And that a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is installed in any room with a gas boiler, fire, or other solid fuel-burning apparatus.
If you’re a landlord, you are legally bound to comply with the requirements for both smoke detectors and CO detectors – on face fines of up to £5,000.
Whether the home is one in which you or tenants live, however, your insurer will also take a keen interest in any fire safety measures you have taken. Even when these are not prescribed by law, you might earn valuable discounts on your insurance premiums for installing measures against fire risk.
Businesses
UK fire safety legislation requires every business to carry out a fire risk assessment and to have an individual designated “responsible person” with the job of preventing the fire risk and minimising any injury or death occurring because of that fire.
The legislation also insists that every business must install “appropriate fire-fighting equipment”. Typically – and for small businesses in particular – this requirement will be met by providing portable, handheld fire extinguishers. On the other hand, larger premises or those at greater risk might need sprinkler systems or hose reels.
In any event, whatever the fire-fighting equipment on which you depend, the law requires that it must be checked and tested regularly.
Once again, however, and in addition to any legislative requirements, your insurance providers may impose particular fire safety conditions that are appropriate to the type of business you are running.
One little-known consideration, for example, is that if you are running a food takeaway business, your insurance policy might insist that air conditioning fans and extractors are thoroughly cleaned every so often. The interval might be anything from 7 days to once a month – but it is crucial that you know and understand any such requirement.
Please note that the information contained within this blog is for informational purposes only and is based on our current understanding of legislation as September 2022. As legislation may vary depending on where you live in the UK and may also change, we recommend you check with the relevant authority if you are in any doubt as to your fire safety obligations.