FIRE SAFETY POLICY
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Purpose |
- Policy statement
Cornwall Coastal Holidays is committed to providing accommodation that is managed with appropriate regard to fire prevention, early warning and safe evacuation. We will take reasonably practicable steps to reduce the risk of fire, protect people from harm and maintain fire-safety measures in a suitable working condition.
Fire safety is a shared responsibility. The business will provide and maintain appropriate arrangements and information; guests, cleaners and contractors must follow the relevant instructions, avoid creating fire hazards and report defects or concerns promptly.
- Scope
This policy applies to the holiday accommodation operated by Cornwall Coastal Holidays, including Porthtowan apartments Whispering Waves, Surf ’n’ Sands and Sunsets in Porthtowan, together with any relevant shared areas, access routes and facilities under the business’s control.
The precise legal duties and measures required depend on the building, layout, ownership, management arrangements and whether areas are shared. This policy does not replace a property-specific fire risk assessment or any duties held by a landlord, freeholder, managing agent or other responsible person.
- Legal and guidance framework
The business will have regard, as applicable, to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, relevant building and housing requirements, and current government or fire and rescue service guidance. Applicable requirements will be checked when legislation or guidance changes.
- Roles and responsibilities
Business owner / person responsible for management
Ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is completed for each relevant premises, recorded where required, reviewed when necessary and acted upon.
Arrange for suitable fire detection and warning arrangements, emergency lighting, fire doors, signage, firefighting equipment and escape routes where identified as necessary by the risk assessment or applicable requirements.
Keep records of checks, servicing, defects, repairs, staff/contractor instructions and incidents.
Ensure cleaners and contractors understand the fire-safety tasks relevant to their work and know how to report concerns.
Provide guests with clear, property-specific fire action information, including how to raise the alarm, how to leave safely and where to assemble if a safe assembly point is designated.
Coordinate with landlords, managing agents or other responsible persons where responsibilities overlap, including shared areas and building-wide systems.
Cleaners and contractors
Complete the checks assigned to them and record the outcome accurately, including their name and date.
Report missing, damaged or apparently faulty alarms, emergency lights, fire doors, signs or firefighting equipment immediately; do not assume a defect has been resolved.
Keep escape routes and exits clear, and do not wedge fire doors open or disable safety equipment.
Follow safe working practices and any permit or isolation arrangements required for hot works or work that could affect fire protection.
Guests
Read and follow the fire action information provided in the accommodation.
Keep exits and escape routes clear and do not tamper with smoke/heat alarms, detectors, fire doors or other safety equipment.
Use cooking appliances and electrical equipment safely; never leave cooking unattended and do not use candles, open flames or portable fuel-burning appliances unless expressly permitted and covered by the property’s safety arrangements.
Tell the host or emergency contact promptly about damage, faults, burning smells or other fire-safety concerns.
- Fire risk assessments
A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment will be maintained for each property and for relevant common parts within the business’s responsibility. It will identify fire hazards, people at risk, existing precautions, required improvements and an action plan with responsibilities and target dates.
Assessments will be reviewed at appropriate intervals and whenever there is reason to suspect they are no longer valid, including after significant alterations, changes in use or occupancy, a fire or near miss, a material change to fire-safety equipment, or discovery of a significant defect. Any action identified will be prioritised according to risk and tracked through to completion.
- Prevention and maintenance
Electrical installations and supplied appliances will be maintained and inspected at appropriate intervals by competent persons, with faults taken out of use where necessary until made safe.
Smoking and vaping rules will be clearly communicated and enforced in line with the property’s terms and risk assessment. Cigarettes must be fully extinguished and disposed of safely.
Combustible materials, rubbish and laundry will be kept away from heat sources, electrical equipment and escape routes.
Cooking areas will be kept clean and used safely. Guests will be advised not to leave cooking unattended.
Escape routes, corridors, stairs, final exits and access to fire-safety equipment will be kept clear at all times.
Fire doors, where provided, will not be propped open or altered; damaged seals, closers, glazing or door hardware will be reported promptly.
Fire safety equipment will be inspected, tested and serviced at the intervals required by the risk assessment, manufacturer instructions and applicable guidance.
- Alarm checks, testing and records
Fire detection and alarm arrangements will be checked and maintained in accordance with the property’s system, manufacturer instructions, relevant standards and the fire risk assessment. Where a weekly test or other routine test is required, the responsible person will ensure it is completed and recorded.
At each changeover, the cleaner or other designated person should complete the property’s changeover fire-safety check, including a visual check that alarms and other visible safety equipment appear present and undamaged, escape routes are clear, and fire action information is in place. A changeover check is not a substitute for formal testing, servicing or a competent inspection.
Records should identify the property, date, person completing the check, check performed, outcome, defect reported, action taken and completion date. Any alarm that appears faulty or any missing or damaged safety equipment must be reported immediately and escalated to the responsible person.
- Emergency arrangements and evacuation
Each property will have clear, property-specific fire action instructions in a visible and accessible location.
If a fire is discovered, people should raise the alarm, leave by the nearest safe exit, close doors behind them if safe to do so, and move away from the building to the designated assembly point where one is specified.
Call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service. Do not re-enter the property until the Fire and Rescue Service says it is safe.
Guests must not stop to collect belongings or attempt to fight a fire unless they are trained, it is safe to do so, and the fire is very small with a clear escape route. Evacuation takes priority.
Lifts must not be used during a fire unless specifically designed and authorised for evacuation and the building’s instructions say to use them.
Any person who may need assistance to evacuate should be considered in the risk assessment and booking information, without making assumptions about individual needs.
- Defects, incidents and corrective action
Any fire, false alarm, near miss, suspected arson, electrical overheating, gas-related concern or significant fire-safety defect must be reported to the business owner as soon as possible. Where there is immediate danger, call 999 first.
The responsible person will assess the risk, arrange competent repair or investigation, record the issue and action taken, and consider whether the risk assessment or guest instructions need updating. If a property cannot be occupied safely, bookings will be suspended until appropriate safeguards are restored.
- Information, instruction and review
Relevant people will be given the information and instruction necessary for their role. Guest information will be concise, property-specific and consistent with the current risk assessment and actual escape arrangements. This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if there is a significant change, incident, legal update or finding from an inspection.
- Supporting documents and records
Current fire risk assessment and action plan for each property.
Fire alarm and other fire-safety equipment test / service records.
Changeover fire-safety check log, including the name of the cleaner or person completing it.
Electrical inspection and appliance maintenance records, where applicable.
Fire action notices and guest information for each property.
Defect, incident, repair and corrective-action records.