FireNet Community
FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Steve D on January 23, 2006, 07:27:04 PM
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Anybody please supply fire safety legislation information on residential home parks (caravan sites)
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Site licences are issued by the Local Authority under the "Caravan Sites and Control of Development 1960 Act. The conditions attached to the licence are based on the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions "1989 Model Standards" The Caravan Sites Act 1968 and the Mobile Homes Act 1983 set out the rights and obligations of site owners and park residents.
http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-199
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And ODPM are in the process of revising and updating both the regs and the guidance.
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And ODPM are in the process of revising and updating both the regs and the guidance.
so don't hold your breath.
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Remember that the "Caravan Sites and Control of Development 1960 Act.is one of the many acts that will amendedd when the RR (fire Safety) Order comes into force
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When the RR(FS)O comes into force ! but what guidance do you use?
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I have been asked about undertaking a risk assessment on a mobile home park that has some issues with spacing. I have been able to have a look at the consultation on the new model standards for park homes which memtions risk assessments but not specificly fire risk assessments. Is anyone aware of how the RRO will amend the caravan sites act, I assume that the homes will still be classed as domestic premises but what about site roads etc that are under the control of the owner?
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The amendment states that if the RRO applies to the land then no fire safety conditions can be applied to the site licence. If caravans are deemed to be domestic dwellings (which includes garden, yard, garage, outhouse etc) then I suppose it could be argued that the remaining parts of the site fall within the RRO - probably the toilets and showers, and the site shop - if there is one.
With such limited (and arguable) application it would seem sensible to me that fire matters on these sites should generally be left to the Licensing Authority.
Caravan spacing is covered in the current model standards - and they've stood the test of time.
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If the caravan is let commercially, (holiday lets etc) then it is not a domestic dwelling and the RRO applies to the caravan as well!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record...no condition can be attached to ANY license, etc if that matter is dealt with under the RRO. This will apply to caravan licenses. Anyone for the traveller camp reference? Welcome back Mark Coram.
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It would appear that some Fire Autorities think that the new RRO will give them greater powers over residential home parks than the licencing authority and that they will be able to use powers under the RRO to force site owners to carry out work and even take them to court under the RRO. The particular site I am involved with has had problems for many years over the spacing between caravans, in may cases the van owner has extended into the 6m zone between vans and reduced space in some cases to less than 2m.
At the last licence renewal the local council imposed conditions and time scales for the site owners and residents to bring the site up to the model standards. The old owner has sold the site and now the new owners are carrying the can for the changes. The local FSO seems to think that they have new powers under the RRO but looking at the guidance for sleeping accomodation it applies to caravan holiday homes and not residential caravan park. There are areas on the site to which the RRO applies but I have my doubts about how much power the fire authority has .
The residents arent happy as some stand to loose part of thier homes despit the fact that there have been fires on site and even a death.
Your views and advice would be very welcome
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I guess we need to establish if they are "domestic premises or not".
The problem you mention is nothing unusual. Many Local Authorities have failed to keep an eye on lots of these sites so many have these unauthorised extensions.
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As I understand it the caravans on mobile home parks are classed as domestic premises along with thier sheds, extensions etc
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That's what I would have thought.
I suppose the F&RA could deal with the shared parts of a caravan site but really, this is a job for the housing authority.
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But if like many, they are used as holiday lets, through agencies or privately, does other legislation apply too?