Fire Risk Assessment

Responsible person (e.g. employer) or person having control of the premises:
Lorraine Reay

Address of premises:
Heavenfield Cottage, St Oswald’s Farm, Wall, Hexham, NE46 4HB

Number of floors:
2 floors on split ground level

Number of rooms:
3

Construction:
Stone with slate roof

Date of fire risk assessment:
August 2023

Date of previous fire risk assessment:
April 2023

Suggested date for review:
August 2024

Fire hazards and controls

Are fixed electrical installations inspected and tested every 5 years?
Yes. Electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified electrician every 5 years. Last test date 12th May 2023. Next test due May 2028.

Are electrical appliances periodically inspected and tested?
Yes. Annual PAT testing carried out in February each year. Last test date 17th February 2023. Next test due February 2024. All electrical appliances are checked for wear and tear twice a month and check recorded.

Is the use of trailing leads and adaptors avoided where possible?
Yes. Only one trailing lead is used in the property. The lead is checked as part of the annual PAT testing and checked for wear and tear twice a month and the check is recorded.

Are gas appliances inspected and tested every 12 months?
N/a. There are no gas appliances in the property.

Is smoking permitted on the premises?
No. Our smoking policy doesn’t allow smoking in the property or in the area immediately outside the property. Our smoking policy is clearly stated on our website and in our paper and online guest book.

Are suitable arrangements in place for those who wish to smoke?
No. Our smoking policy doesn’t allow smoking in the property or in the area immediately outside the property. Our smoking policy is clearly stated on our website and in our paper and online guest book.

Are the premises adequately secured to prevent unauthorised access?
Yes. All doors and windows are secure and lockable. Keys are held by owners and guests only for the duration of their stay.

Are combustible materials, waste and refuse bins stored safely clear of the premises or in purpose-built compounds/rooms?
Yes. Outdoor waste bins are in a purpose built store away from the property. These are emptied at least once weekly. No waste is stored at the property.

Are fixed heating systems subject to periodic maintenance?
Yes. Annual servicing by registered engineer. Last service was 12th May 2023. Next service due May 2024.

Are portable heaters subject to periodic inspection and used safely?
N/a. There are no portable heaters.

Are there adequate fire precautions in the use of open fires and log burners? e.g. regular chimney sweeping
Yes. The stove flue is swept annually. Last swept 1st April 2023, next due April 2024 carried out by HETAS registered tradesperson. Safe use of log burning stove information is provided to guests. Metal ash box is provided outside the property.

Are adequate measures taken to prevent fires from cooking equipment? e.g. prohibiting deep fat fryers
Yes. No deep fat fryer is provided. Electric glass hob. Cooking appliances are kept clean and in good working order.

Are filters and ductwork subject to regular cleaning?
Yes. Extractor hood cleaned regularly and filter in bathroom extractor fan cleaned regularly.

Is the standard of housekeeping adequate to avoid the accumulation of combustible materials and waste e.g. from tumble dryers?
Yes. Extractor fan in bathroom cleaned regularly. Washer/drier filters cleaned regularly. Bins emptied and rubbish removed at every changeover. No waste is stored at the property.

Are combustible materials kept separate from ignition and heat sources?
Yes. No combustible materials are kept near oven and hob. Safe use of log burning stove instructions provided for guests both in digital guest book and a copy provided next to the stove. Fire guard provided. Supply of kindling, paper and logs stored near but separate from stove. Main log store is outside of the property.

Is it ensured that all contractors who undertake work on the premises are competent and qualified?
Yes. All contractors are competent and qualified.

Are suitable measures in place to address the fire hazards associated with the use and storage of dangerous substances?
N/a. No dangerous substances are stored on the premises.

Are there any other significant fire hazards in the premises?
No. All fire hazards have been addressed in this FRA. Fire protection measures

Are all escape routes kept clear of obstructions to enable people to escape safely?
Yes. Escape routes are clear and guests are advised not to store anything in fire exits/doorways.

Are all fire exits easily and immediately openable?
Yes. Both external doors are fitted with turn latches.

Are distances to final exits considered reasonable?
Yes. Guests would always be within 15 metres of a fire exit.

Do the walls and structures protecting the stairway and escape routes provide an adequate level of fire resistance?
N/a. Ground floor property.

Is the fire resistance of doors to stairways and escape routes considered adequate?
N/a Ground floor property.

Where necessary, are doors fitted with suitable self-closing devices that close the doors effectively?
N/a. Due to the size and layout of the property self-closing doors are not necessary.

Are there adequate levels of artificial lighting provided in the escape routes?
Yes. Rechargeable socket lights/torches are provided in the hallway and living room. These are located to provide light to each fire escape route or be used as a torch.

Where necessary, has a reasonable standard of emergency escape lighting been provided?
Yes. Rechargeable socket lights/torches are provided in the hallway and living room.

Where necessary, is a reasonable standard of fire exit and fire safety signs provided?
Yes. Fire Escape Route plan provided on back of bedroom door and in guest folder. Fire Action notices displayed.

Are smoke and/or heat alarms/detectors provided and is the extent and coverage considered adequate? Consider also CO alarms.
Yes. Smoke detectors/alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors/alarms are fitted in all rooms except bathroom. All detectors/alarms are hard-wired.

Is there a reasonable provision of firefighting equipment (fire extinguishers, fire blankets)?
Yes. Fire blanket is provided in living/kitchen area and non-powder fire extinguisher provided in hallway and these are checked at each changeover and serviced annually. Guests are instructed not to try to put a fire out but to leave the building as per our fire action notice.

Management of fire safety

Are procedures in the event of fire appropriate and documented?
Yes. Procedures are appropriate to the building and documented in this FSA and full records kept.

Is the information on fire safety and the action to take in the event of a fire given to guests?
Yes. Information on fire safety is available on our website and provided to guests in both our paper and digital guest books. Fire Action notices displayed in the property.

Are any staff members given regular instruction and training on the action to take in the event of a fire?
N/a. No staff are employed.

Are frequent checks carried out to ensure exit routes are kept clear and fire exits remain easily openable?
Yes. Checks are carried out at every changeover and guests advised to keep fire exits clear of belongings.

Are periodic checks carried out on fire doors to ensure they remain in good condition and close effectively?
N/a. Bedroom door is not required to be a fire door but is of a solid wood construction and it is checked twice monthly to ensure it remains in working order.

Are domestic smoke and heat alarms tested at least monthly? Include CO alarms in testing.
Yes. Regular tests are performed on the alarm system and documented.

Where fitted, are weekly testing and six-monthly servicing routines in place for the fire detection and alarm system?
Yes. Regular testing and servicing takes place and is documented.

In self-catering premises, are all smoke/heat alarms (or fire detection and alarm systems, where fitted) tested at every changeover?
Yes. Alarms are checked at each changeover. These are located in all rooms except the bathroom.

Where fitted, are monthly and annual testing routines in place for the emergency escape lighting?
Yes. Emergency socket lights/torches are checked each week.

Where provided, are fire extinguishers subject to annual maintenance?
Yes. Fire extinguisher is serviced annually. Next service due May 2024.

Are records of testing and maintenance maintained?
Yes. Testing and maintenance records are maintained.