Fire safety requirements in Victorian house divided into flats?

Leven

Hello everyone.

I am hoping that someone will have some knowledge of fire safety regulations as applicable to a large Victorian house that has been converted in the 1980's into four self contained flats, with a communal hallway and staircase access to the upper flats.

My question is basically what are the legal requirements concerning fire safety is such a set up? I have tried to google this, but haven't found anything regarding the relevant law (if there is one).

For example, to comply with regulations should the system be updated from the original that was installed at the time of the building's conversion? Should it be tested and certified every year by a qualified engineer?

I've added some more details below in case they are relevant.

Any help regarding fire safety or pointers to relevant legislation would be much appreciated.

***

The layout of the building is such that there is a 'garden' flat which has its own entrance from outside and is not accessible from the rest of the house. There are steps outside leading to the front door, behind which is the communal hallway and door to the hall floor flat. The original staircase rises to the 1st floor flat and then continues (behind a fire door) to the top floor flat.

The freehold to the building is owned by the Management Company. The four leaseholders are directors of the Managent Company and each have an equal share in it. The 4 flats are currently occupied by tenants.

There is a fire alarm control panel in the communal hallway which serves the entire building. There is a sensor and a claxon in each flat and in the communal hallway.

Thanks for any help.

xylophone

http://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/housing_act/firesafety.shtml

might help.

Mojisola

If you have concerns, you could always ask for a fire safety check -
http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/hfsc

PasturesNew

The answer will depend on your interest. Do you own it? Inherited it? Want to buy it? Are living in it?

Leven

Thanks for the links.

A family member is the leaseholder of 1 of the 4 flats and therefore a director of the Management Company which owns the Freehold. All 4 of the flats are currently let to tenants.

eddddy

Leven wrote: »

... a large Victorian house that has been converted in the 1980's into four self contained flats...

Leven wrote: »

...All 4 of the flats are currently let to tenants.

Hi Leven

That sounds to me like the building might be classed as a Section 257 HMO - google 'section 257 HMO' for more info.

Here's a definition:

Definition of a section 257 HMO undersection 257 of the Housing Act 2004 -

A building converted into and consisting entirely of self contained flats AND

• The standard of conversion does not meet at least that required by the Building Regulations 1991 and
• Less than two-third of the flats are owner occupied.

link: https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/13053/Landlords_Guide_to_the_Management_of_Section_257_HMOs.pdf

This means the freeholder\managing Agent will have to adhere to much stricter safety regulations etc.

red40

Leven wrote: »

..........has been converted in the 1980's into four self contained flats, with a communal hallway and staircase access to the upper flats.

What does your Fire Risk Assessment say? thats where you should start. Then look/google LACORS fire safety document and find the case study that meets or is similar to your building and that should give you a rough guide to what are the requirements of fire safety.

Leven

Thank you red40. I have found the document you suggest and downloaded it.

An up to date fire risk assessment will be the starting point for this and then we can prioritise and work through any recommendations or requirement.

Are there specific fire risk assessment professionals or would a fire alarm engineer be qualified to make such a report?

Thanks Edddy for the info re: status.

agrinnall

I don't know about where you live but you may find that the Fire Brigade (or whatever they are called) will do an inspection.