Fire Risk Assessment Builder for B&Bs, Guest Houses and Small Hotels
Work through the five-step fire risk assessment for sleeping accommodation: fire hazards, people at risk, detection and alarms, escape routes and emergency lighting, fire doors and compartmentation, firefighting equipment, the emergency plan, training and records. Rate the overall risk from fire, assign each action a person and a target date, and download a written record as a PDF. Free, saves as you go, no sign-up.
Who needs a fire risk assessment
Every business that provides paying guest accommodation — B&Bs, guest houses, inns and pubs with rooms, hotels, hostels and holiday lets — must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment carried out by the responsible person, usually the owner or employer. In England and Wales, since 1 October 2023 the full assessment must be recorded in writing whatever the size of the business. The builder names the right legislation for England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland on the finished record.
The 32 checks in the builder
The checklist covers electrical installation reports and portable appliances, kitchen extraction cleaning, boiler and gas servicing, storage in escape routes, smoking, arson and open fires; sleeping guests, guests who need help to escape, staff accommodation and night-time cover; the fire alarm system, detector coverage and testing; clear escape routes, keyless final exits, travel distances, emergency lighting and signs; fire doors, protected stairways and fire-stopping; extinguishers and fire blankets; and the emergency plan, guest room notices, staff training, drills and the fire log book. Each check is answered Yes, Partly, No or N/A, and anything failing generates a suggested action.
Risk rating and action plan
The overall risk from fire combines the likelihood of a fire starting with the potential consequences, using the standard three-by-three matrix to give Trivial, Tolerable, Moderate, Substantial or Intolerable. The builder suggests a likelihood from your answers, but you make the final judgement. Actions are ordered by priority with space for who will do them and by when. For larger, multi-storey or complex premises, use a competent fire risk assessor. Running food as well? Prepare council evidence with the Food Business Compliance Document Builder.
Does a B&B or guest house need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. Any business that provides paying guest accommodation — including B&Bs, guest houses, inns, holiday lets and hostels — must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment carried out by the responsible person, who is usually the owner or employer.
Does the fire risk assessment have to be written down?
In England and Wales, since 1 October 2023 every responsible person must record their full fire risk assessment in writing, whatever the size of the business, and record the name of anyone who helped carry it out. Scotland and Northern Ireland also expect the significant findings to be recorded.
Can I do my own fire risk assessment?
You can if you are competent to do so, and many small B&Bs and guest houses do, using government guidance. For larger hotels, buildings with complex layouts, several storeys or a single staircase, or if you are unsure, you should use a competent fire risk assessor.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Regularly — most businesses review it at least once a year — and always after a fire or near miss, building work, a change of layout or use, or a significant change in the number or type of guests or staff.
What are the five steps of a fire risk assessment?
1. Identify the fire hazards (sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen). 2. Identify the people at risk. 3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks and protect people with detection, escape routes, fire doors and equipment. 4. Record the findings, plan and train. 5. Review and update the assessment.
What is the risk rating in the tool?
It combines your judgement of how likely a fire is with how serious the consequences would be, using the standard three-by-three matrix, to give Trivial, Tolerable, Moderate, Substantial or Intolerable. The tool suggests a likelihood from your answers, but you decide.
Is my information saved?
Your answers are saved only in this browser so you can come back and finish later. Nothing is sent to Stay4Hospitality or published. Use Clear all to remove it.
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