Click on the link at the end of this story for a PDF of the booklet.

21 November 2008

An easy-to-use booklet to help bed and breakfast providers, guest houses and self catering properties comply with fire safety rules has been launched this week.

Do you have paying guests? gives the hospitality industry practical, targeted advice for reducing fire risks in small establishments.

Fire safety regulations introduced in 2006 required people responsible for small hospitality businesses to carry out a fire risk assessment for the first time.

The booklet, developed by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, the government, tourist boards, the B&B Association, VisitBritain and Farmstay, addresses the specific difficulties they have faced understanding the new rules.

Damian Smith, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “We believe the guide provides a range of cost-effective ways to deliver an adequate level of protection. We are confident that it will help very small accommodation providers gain a better understanding of how to make their premises and guests safe from fire.”

The booklet includes a five-step action plan to help carry out a risk assessment:

• Think about how a fire could start on your premises and how quickly
  it could spread.
  
  
• Think about who is at risk.
  
  
• Make a plan to keep people safe by removing fire hazards wherever possible and then putting in place measures to detect a fire and ensure, if one does start, that everyone can escape safely.
  
  
• Make a note of your plan and train for the worst.
  
  
• Keep your plan updated to reflect any changing circumstances or
  risks.

Click here for a PDF of Do you have paying guests?