All property owners are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their buildings, ensuring they are safe and fit to either live or work in. As a property owner they have a legal responsibility to ensure that their property is well maintained and does not present unnecessary risks of injury to tenants, visitors to the premises, or members of the public outside their building.
Safety Comes First
One of the most important things to consider for every property owner is the SAFETY of their families, tenants or workers. Having a professional, experienced, reputable company such as https://isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-risk-assessments carry out a thorough Fire Risk Assessment on a regular basis, for example, is just one way of a building owner taking responsibility for the property and the individuals inside it.
What a Fire Risk Assessment Does
A proper Fire Risk Assessment carried out by an experienced professional will identify what needs to be done as a property owner to prevent any fires breaking out and how they can keep people safe. Did you know that buildings, premises, structures and open spaces that the public (including employees) can access require a Fire Risk Assessment, carried out by a competent person? A detailed Fire Risk Assessment will take an organised and methodical look at any premises to pinpoint dangers and highlight the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.
Other Responsibilities
Other essential duties for responsible property owners (including landlords and homeowners) include preventative maintenance, repairs, safety and rent collection, to name just a few.
Related: Does My Business Need a Fire Marshal?
Fire safety duties when a building is empty
Responsibility does not end when a building falls empty. The owner remains responsible for fire safety until it is occupied again, and owes a duty of care to anyone who enters, invited or not. Arson, criminal damage and theft are all more common in vacant buildings.
Fire protection still needs maintaining and repairing while a property stands empty. A working fire alarm gives early warning, and third party monitoring adds a further layer of protection and a faster response. A fire leaves you paying to rebuild, with no chance of selling or letting for some time, so keeping up compliance protects your income.
Emergency lighting matters because a fire usually cuts the power, making escape harder and slowing the emergency services. Installing and maintaining it to British Standards improves the chance of saving the building and shows future tenants or buyers that you take your obligations seriously. Wet and dry risers may need draining and isolating if they cannot be maintained, but where they can be kept working, they should be.
Free home fire safety visits
Most house fires can be prevented with basic precautions and common sense, and help is available to spot the risks. Most fire services offer a free home visit, often called a Safe and Well visit or a Home Fire Risk Assessment. It may be carried out by operational firefighters or a dedicated safety team, at a time that suits you, and you may be eligible for free smoke alarms and fitting.
During the visit, each room is checked for hazards such as overloaded sockets or wiring problems, and advisers talk through issues like electrical safety and smoking. They will help you understand how to reduce the risks, check that you have working smoke alarms and agree an escape plan in case a fire does start. For elderly relatives, the visit can include wellbeing questions that show whether other support might help.
Visits are booked through your local fire service. Staff always carry identification, nothing is ever sold and there is no charge, so be wary of anyone offering this service for a fee.