1. The Written Fire Risk Assessment
Since October 2023 it has been a legal requirement for all holiday lets that fall under the paying guest accommodation guidance to have a written Fire Risk Assessment. This should be kept available at the property, often in the welcome folder, and reviewed regularly or when anything significant changes.
- Identify ignition sources such as log burners, cooking, heaters and electrical items.
- Consider who may be at risk, including children and guests with limited mobility or hearing.
- Record the measures you have taken and your evacuation strategy, in simple language.
2. Interlinked Detection and Alarms
Many operating holiday lets in Devon already have hard wired or interlinked alarms in place. The current guidance expects an appropriate level of coverage and interlinking, usually with either mains powered alarms with battery backup or sealed long life battery units that are tamper resistant. The exact setup should follow your Fire Risk Assessment and any advice from your fire and rescue service.
Coverage
Smoke alarms are typically expected in bedrooms, living rooms and escape routes such as hallways and landings. Carbon monoxide alarms should be present where there are fuel burning appliances.
Interlinking and testing
Alarms should be interlinked, either by cable or radio, so that when one unit sounds all relevant alarms sound. They should be tested regularly and replaced when they reach the end of their service life rather than being left indefinitely.
3. Means of Escape and Fire Doors
Escape routes must allow guests to get out quickly without having to pass very close to a fire. In many Devon cottages and townhouses this relies on a protected stair and hallway route. The details matter here and your fire risk assessment should set out what is suitable for your building.
- Fire resisting doors: Doors that form part of the protected escape route often need to be fire resisting, for example FD30 doors that are part of a tested system. The performance depends on the whole assembly, including the frame, hinges, closers and intumescent and smoke seals, not just the thickness of the leaf.
- Competent installation: Fire doors should be installed and adjusted by someone competent in fire door work. Not every carpenter or joiner is trained or experienced in this, so ask for evidence of competence where your escape route relies on fire doors.
- Locks and exits: Final exit doors should normally be openable from the inside without a key, for example with a thumb turn lock, so guests can leave quickly in an emergency.
- Clear routes: Hallways, landings and stairs on the escape route should be kept clear of storage, laundry, bikes or furniture that could slow people down or catch fire.
4. Emergency Lighting and Finding The Way Out
Guests need to be able to see how to escape, even if normal lighting fails because a circuit has been affected by fire. What is reasonable depends on the layout and risk.
In some small, simple properties borrowed light from street lighting, combined with well placed plug in rechargeable torches, may be acceptable as part of a documented plan. Larger, taller or more complex layouts are more likely to need dedicated emergency lighting on escape routes in line with the findings of the Fire Risk Assessment.
Owner Warning
Candles and tea lights remain a common cause of domestic fires. Current guidance strongly suggests avoiding them in holiday lets and making this clear in your house rules and guest information.
How Acacia Property Care Supports Holiday Let Owners
Fire safety guidance has moved from being seen as best practice to being clearly enforceable, with a written assessment now expected as standard. For many owners the hardest part is joining everything up and turning paperwork into a clear plan of action.
I provide practical on site reviews that look at how your fire precautions, documentation and day to day use fit together, then help you plan upgrades in a sensible, phased way that matches your budget and the level of risk.
Free Owner's Fire Safety Checklist
This simple 5 step checklist helps you walk your property with a structured eye, record what you find and start a basic action plan in line with the current Home Office guidance for small paying guest accommodation.
If you would like someone independent to look at fire safety alongside CP12, EICR and general guest safety, my Holiday Let Compliance Audit service brings everything together into one clear, photo based report.
Not sure if your holiday let is actually covered?
If you're unsure what's current (CP12, EICR, alarms, basic fire info), start with a quick compliance check. You'll get a clear status summary and the next actions in priority order.
Download the Free Compliance ChecklistLocal Dartmoor & Devon properties only. No hard sell — just a clear view of where you stand.