student property

[tombennetts]

hi guys
i have a friend with a 3 storey victorian townhouse which is to be let out to students. It also has an annex at the back, attached to the house but rented out seperately. I am trying to find out what she legally has to have installed to meet requirements. I am putting interlinked smoke/heat detectors throughout but am not sure about emergency lighting etc. A letting agent said it is classed as an HMO but the council say its not. any ideas?!

 

[DurhamSparky]

put smokes and em lights to cover your ---!

 

[telectrix]

and a good electric fence to keep the students out!

 

[UNG]

I would treat it as an HMO and work to the local councils requirements for HMO's. ISTR some councils require a BS 5839 part 1 fire alarm on houses with 3 or more storeys

 

[tombennetts]

thanks for the replies, whats a 5839 part 1 alarm?

 

[electromonkey]

Outside of electrical, it would also need fire doors, fire extinguishers, fire blankets and an emergency exit for the third floor.

Your best bet would be to speak to the dept in the uni dealing with accommodation. They're normally pretty clued up and you can get a letter from them indicating that the property meets all the health and safety requirements.

 

[tombennetts]

maybe ill give the mates rate job a miss then and she can get someone else in to do the job!

 

[pushrod]

HMOs certainly have a lot of rules and regs attached to them - fairly certain they need a licence as well from the council. Not the sort of thing you can just do on a whim - they need a lot of thought.

 

[UNG]

thanks for the replies, whats a 5839 part 1 alarm?

This type of alarm has a control panel as opposed to the domestic type interlinked smoke and heat detectors which come under BS 5839 part 6

 

[Electro-tech]

Em Lighting and Fire detection is a must, also the escape routes and doors will need to be fire rated with smoke seals and intumescent strip in door frames.Heavy Fine I think if not complied with.

 

[UNG]

Em Lighting and Fire detection is a must, also the escape routes and doors will need to be fire rated with smoke seals and intumescent strip in door frames.Heavy Fine I think if not complied with.

Intumescent smoke seal can be fitted to the doors which is easier than fitting to existing frames also the doors will need fire rated hinges, locks and closers. When you look at the HMO requirements it can be quite daunting but having done one recently It's just two weeks hard graft to do the lot

 

[SirKit Breaker]

thanks for the replies, whats a 5839 part 1 alarm?

BS 5839, google it and it will tell you all you need to know about fire alarm grades, requirements, the lot. The last time i did a HMO i rang the HMO dept of the local council, spoke to the local Fire Brigade and acted on the advice given by those bodies. This is one part of Electrickery you cant afford to get wrong, cos if you do, then guess where all the brown stuff is gonna land, it may also earn you an all inclusive stay at one of her majesties hotels for a period of time.

Cheers.............Howard