Landlords and responsible people delegated have a legal and moral responsibility to conduct regular fire risk assessments of flats and residential properties to protect residents and their belongings. Whether you’re the designated person responsible of multiple dwellings or commercially-managed properties, Melwood Facilities’ approved contractors provide thorough fire risk assessments for all types of residential properties.
HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) refers to any residential structures with stories above ground level which contain more than one domestic dwellings or rooms for residential reasons. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 clarifies all the aspects from a legal perspective required for fire safety in HMOs, maisonettes and flat blocks.
For more information on HMO Fire Regulations and fire risk assessments, find out everything landlords need to know at our blog.
Types 1-4 of Residential Fire Risk Assessments
For those in charge of fire safety in an older structure or residential property with limited evidence of fire safety strategies and analysis, a residential fire risk assessment is a quick and effective way to identify any potential fire hazards and improve fire safety. Like all of our fire risk assessment services, our HMO & residential fire risk assessments requires a Melwood Facilities approved contractor to conduct a full inspection of the property to assess fire safety and identify any aspects that could post a threat to public safety.
A HMO fire risk assessment from Melwood Facilities will:
- Highlight existing fire hazards and sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen.
- Identify those at risk, including those inside and outside properties, and particularly those most at risk in a fire scenario.
- Protect people and evaluate the level or risks, including analysing and implementing fire detection and warnings, fire extinguishing, evacuation routes and more.
- Record fire risk assessment findings and instructing those responsible.
- Conduct a thorough fire risk assessment review and make any necessary revisions/amendments.
Type 1
Type 1 of a fire risk assessment is a minimum when it comes to fulfilling obligatory requirements of the Fire Safety Order in commercial dwellings and residential properties. A non-destructive inspection of common areas of a building, such as hallways, stairwells, entrances and exits, a Type 1 Residential Fire Risk Assessment aims to identify potential fire hazards and the level of risk posed to occupants.
Type 2
Type 2 fire risk assessments are similar to Type 1 assessments, but does involve some destructive testing, like the removal of plaster or flooring to inspect fire compartmentation. However, the destructive inspection is carried out on a sampling basis and should be limited to communal areas of HMOs and residential properties.
The inspection of fire compartmentation is to ensure that the cavity barriers designed to conceal fires are existing and in an acceptable condition. Usually, our approved contractors will focus their attention on the fire compartmentation between flats and enclosing escape routes.
Type 3
Type 3 fire risk assessments are similar to Type 1 and 2 but are more comprehensive. Covering common areas and individual flats in a residential property, a Type 3 fire risk assessment is more scrupulous examination than Type 1 and 2 and is usually a requirement for buildings with more than 18 flats or if there are vulnerable people occupying the property.
Whilst a non-intrusive assessment, Type 3 fire risk assessments investigate the fire precautions of the outer building and the means of escape. It will also check the condition of fire alarms, compartmentation between flats and other facets of fire detection. The suitability and resistance of fire doors will also be inspected.
Type 4
A Type 4 fire risk assessment is the most thorough assessment of purpose-build HMOs, conversions and residential properties, and can be highly complicated and challenging. For a Type 4 to be completed, access to individual dwellings and destructive sampling is required.
For a Type 4 fire risk assessment to take place, it is likely that either an occupant or landlord believes there may be serious fire safety issues in the building. Type 4s are carried out on all communal areas to check fire compartmentation and conduct fire door surveys.
Areas We Cover
For a complete fire risk assessment in Wigan, from a team of fully-accredited, certified fire safety assessors, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Here at Melwood, we’re proud to offer industry-leading, local services to properties across the North-West. Some of our most popular areas of service include:
- Greater Manchester (Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Eccles, Wigan, Bolton)
- Lancashire (Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn)
- Merseyside (Liverpool, Warrington, St. Helens)
- Stoke-On-Trent
- Crewe
If you’re looking for a team you can trust, in your local area, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Melwood Facilities today.
