Fire Precautions in Dwellings

A single-family dwelling is defined as being a dwelling occupied by a person or persons that are living as a single household. This includes people that married or living together as a couple (including those persons in same-sex relationships).

"Family" means specific relatives: parents, grandparents, children, stepchildren, foster children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, or cousins. Single family dwellings typically present a lower fire risk than multi-occupied buildings.

However, it is the aim of the Council to improve fire safety standards in all residential dwellings for the benefit of the tenants and for the protection of the property.

General Fire Safety Policy

It should be noted that it is now the Borough Council's general policy to insist that all fire detection systems are mains wired and in properties with more than one floor, that these detection systems are interlinked. This general policy has been adopted in consultation with the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. The policy is designed to prevent smoke alarms failing at critical times (due to dead or removed batteries) and to provide the occupants with the earliest possible warning of a fire to best guarantee a safe escape.

Single Family Dwellings of Two Storeys

This type of dwelling is a 2-storey house and does not include flats or maisonettes that are above or below other types of accommodation or commercial premises.

Escape Route

• No requirement for a full 30-minute protected route, but the escape route should have sound, conventional construction and should not pass through risk rooms (kitchens and living rooms). Where the escape route passes through risk rooms suitable escape windows should be provided from first floor bedrooms and living rooms.
• There is no requirement for fire doors but sound, well-constructed and closefitting conventional doors are required. Please note that where construction standards are poor, travel distances to the final exit doors are long or other higher risk factors are present then a 30-minute protected route may be required.

Fire Separation

• There is no requirement for additional fire resistance, but floors, walls and ceilings should be of sound, conventional construction.
• If a basement or cellar is present, 30-minute separation between the cellar and the ground floor escape route is ideal.

Fire Detection and Alarm System

• Interlinked mains-wired smoke alarms with integral battery back-up to be in the escape route on the ground and first floors.
• Additional mains-wired interlinked smoke alarms with integral battery back-up located in any cellar or basement.

Lighting of Escape Routes

• There is no requirement for emergency escape lighting, but conventional artificial lighting is required.

Fire Fighting Equipment

• It is recommended good practice to provide a fire blanket in the kitchen and a 2-litre Wet Chemical fire extinguisher to be wall mounted adjacent to an exit door.

Fire Safety Signs

• There is no requirement for fire safety signage in this type of property.

Surface Finishes and Floor Coverings

• There is no requirement for additional surface finishes or floor coverings.

Management and Maintenance of Fire Safety

• It is recommended that all doors are kept closed at night.
• Fire blankets should be checked periodically to make sure they are in place and available for use.
• Where provided fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced annually in accordance with BS 5306-3 and with the manufacturer's instructions.

Single Family Dwellings of Three or Four Storeys

Escape Route

• No requirement for a full 30-minute protected route, but the escape route should have sound, conventional construction and should not pass through risk rooms (kitchens and living rooms). Where the escape route passes through risk rooms suitable escape windows should be provided from first floor bedrooms and living rooms.
• There is no requirement for fire doors but sound, well-constructed and close-fitting conventional doors are required.

Please note that where construction standards are poor, travel distances to the final exit doors are long or other higher risk factors are present then a 30-minute protected route may be required.

Fire Separation

• There is no requirement for additional fire resistance, but floors, walls and ceilings should be of sound, conventional construction.
• If a basement or cellar is present, 30-minute separation between the cellar and the ground floor escape route is ideal.

Fire Detection and Alarm System

In single family dwellings of 3 or 4 storeys a Grade D, LD2 system is required. This consists of:

• Interlinked mains-wired smoke alarms with integral battery back-up to be in the escape route on the ground and subsequent floors
• Interlinked mains-wired heat detector with integral battery back-up located in the kitchen and any separate utility room.

Fire Fighting Equipment

• It is recommended good practice to provide a fire blanket in the kitchen and a 2-litre Wet Chemical fire extinguisher to be wall mounted adjacent to an exit door.

Fire Safety Signs

• There is no requirement for fire safety signage in this type of property. However, all secondary means of escape where present should be clearly identified.

Surface Finishes and Floor Coverings

• There is no requirement for additional surface finishes or floor coverings.

Management and Maintenance of Fire Safety

• It is recommended that all doors are kept closed at night.
• Fire blankets should be checked periodically to make sure they are in place and available for use.
• Where provided fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced annually in accordance with BS 5306-3 and with the manufacturer's instructions.

Single Family Dwellings of Five and Six Storeys

This type of dwelling is a 5 or 6-storey house and does not include flats or maisonettes that are above or below other types of accommodation or commercial premises.

Escape Routes

• A 30-minute protected route is required including 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30 fire doors without smoke seals or door returns to all risk rooms (kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms).
• A secondary means of escape is required from the top-floor that leads directly to a point of safety.

Fire Separation

• There is no requirement for additional fire resistance generally, but walls, floors and ceilings should be of sound traditional construction. Lateral fire resisting separation of the top two floors from the remainder of the house is required.
• If a basement or cellar is present, 30-minute separation between the cellar and the ground floor escape route must be provided.

Fire Detection and Alarm System

A Grade A, LD2 system is required. This consists of:

• A system of interlinked electrically operated smoke and/ or heat detectors which are linked to a control panel. Smoke detectors are to be in all risk rooms and all circulation areas that form a part of the escape route. A heat sensing detector is to be in all kitchens.
• The fire control panel located adjacent to the front door of the property.
• Manual call points located next to the final exits.
• The alarm signal must achieve sound levels of not less than 65dB(A) in all accessible parts of the building and not less than 75dB(A) at all bedheads when all doors are closed as to alert sleeping persons.

Lighting of Escape Routes

• There is no requirement for emergency escape lighting, but conventional artificial lighting is required.

Fire Fighting Equipment

• It is recommended good practice to provide a fire blanket in the kitchen and a 2-litre Wet Chemical fire extinguisher to be wall mounted adjacent to an exit door.

Fire Safety Signs

• Directional fire exit signs indicating the way to the secondary means of escape are required.

Surface Finishes and Floor Coverings

• There is no requirement for additional surface finishes or floor coverings.

Management and Maintenance of Fire Safety

• It is recommended that all doors are kept closed at night.
• Fire blankets should be checked periodically to make sure they are in place and available for use.
• Where provided fire extinguishers must be inspected and serviced annually in accordance with BS 5306-3 and with the manufacturer's instructions.
• A clear fault and false alarm reporting arrangements should be in place and the responsible person or agent should respond to reports at the earliest opportunity (within 24-hours).
• The automatic fire detection and warning system should be tested annually by a suitably qualified specialist alarm engineer and a test certificate issued.