Student fire safety: A guide for landlords

Young people across the UK will soon be settling into student accommodation and shared properties in preparation for their studies at university. Landlords must be aware of their responsibilities with regards to the fire safety of their property and have everything in place to protect lives as much as is possible.

Here, we discuss the fire hazards that can be present in student and shared accommodation, steps that can be taken to prevent them, as well as the regulations and subsequent responsibilities for landlords.

What are the fire hazards of student accommodations?

Many students are moving away from home for the first time and may not be aware of fire safety hazards in the home. While fire safety might not be at the forefront of students’ minds, it needs to be a priority for landlords and building owners as they are obliged to put measures in place to minimise and reduce risks. Below, are the main fire risks for student accommodations.

Kitchen

According to Government statistics, between April 2019 to March 2020, cooking appliances were the source of ignition for almost half (49%) of all UK dwellings fires. This highlights the risks of shared kitchens, especially when being used by young people who may be learning to cook for the first time. Landlords must ensure kitchen appliances are tested and certified to minimise the risk of faulty appliances causing fire, as well as install smoke alarms on each floor of the building. New laws came into place in 2015 making it compulsory for landlords to install both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes and flats, with potential penalties for failing to comply. A small portable fire extinguisher capable of tackling Class F fires (cooking oils and fats) can also be provided in the kitchen, such as the multi-class MultiCHEM from CommanderEDGE.

Candles and cigarettes

Student accommodation and private lettings should have strict rules in place regarding smoking, with appropriate signage being clearly displayed in communal areas to stipulate smoking is not allowed in shared areas of the building. However, scented candles are a common gift for students, and many do not see the dangers in using them. Students should be encouraged to keep candles away from flammable surfaces and textiles and should never leave them unattended.

Electrical equipment

Electrical equipment is likely to be used frequently in student accommodation and it’s vital that the equipment provided by the landlord is maintained. While there are individual appliances that the students themselves will bring with them to the accomodation, like bed-side lamps and chargers, fixtures and other appliances provided by the landlord should be tested annually to ensure they’re in working order. In addition, students should be informed about the dangers of using multiple extension leads in their rooms, which can overload circuits and pose a fire risk.

Who is responsible for fire safety in student accommodation?

According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), the landlord or building manager is responsible for fire safety and acts as the ‘responsible person’. The responsible person is required by law to ensure adequate and appropriate fire safety precautions are in place. As a result, one of the principal duties of the responsible person is to carry out a fire risk assessment.

The fire risk assessment is used to identify fire hazards, make recommendations to minimise and reduce risk, and record the actioning of those recommendations. It is a way of highlighting fire risks and taking steps to minimise their likelihood and potential impact. This is not limited to potential sources of ignition – it extends to everything concerning fire safety, including the suitability and accessibility of escape routes, fire doors and fire safety equipment, as well as the effectiveness of compartmentation (when a building or part of a building is constructed to prevent the spread of fire to and from other areas of the building or adjoining properties).

Since the tragedy of Grenfell Tower in 2017, fire safety legislation in multi-occupancy residential properties has been under review and scrutiny, culminating in the Fire Safety Act 2021, which clarifies fire safety responsibility and processes in the structure of such properties. Another update that followed Grenfell Tower was the PAS 79:2020 – further and more specific guidance on fire risk assessments for landlords and building managers. 

Landlords should be clear on their responsibilities with regards to fire safety and take every step to protect lives. To learn more, read our detailed guide to fire safety for landlords.