RRO and Caravan Sites

[inspectionofficer]

I am intrigued as to how the RRO CAN BE APPLIED TO CARAVAN PARKS(LICENSED OR NOT).Does the RRO HAVE PRECEDENCE OVER CARAVAN SITES AND  CONTROL DEVELOPMENT ACT 1960?Any opinions would be appreciated

[Pip]

not sure,if they are single private dwellings the no-but possibly in maintaining escape routes away from premises-if it is not a public road

[inspectionofficer]

Cheers Pip.

I would say residential sites may not come under the RRO,but touring sites and holiday sites may as they are a collective premises similar to many units or buildings on a factory site.
I am presuming the RRO asserts supremacy over the existing caravan licensing legislation.
Obviously I am only theorising at present but someone must be ahead of the game out there and have a heads up on this?

[kurnal]

The first  question is as to whether the site comprises "premises"

""2) Subject to the preceding paragraph of this article,( ie the exceptions domestic, woods and fields etc ) this Order applies in relation to any premises.""

I am not sure of the legal  definition of premises so to tie it up further - is the site a workplace?  If it is- if someone is employed to maintain clean or service the site - then it clearly  comes under the FSO2005.

The relevant persons are any persons who has legal right to be there and the risk assessment needs to be recorded because a licence is in force.

The FSO 2005 modified the Caravan sites Act to the effect that if ithe site is a workplace the fire safety requirements will be imposed under the FSO and Not the Caravan sites Act.

But I guess the safety  standards applied will  be the same re spacing of units, provision of fire points etc irrespective of which legislation has effect.

[jokar]

The definition of premises in the legislation is "any place" and then some other bits with a few exemptions and the exception of the single private dwelling.  It is immaterial whether it is a workplace as this is just one of the factors under "any place".  The decision that has to be made by the RP is whether the site fits that description and if it does what parts do and then have the FRA undertaken on that basis.

[inspectionofficer]

Thanks Jokar and Kurnal,
more food for thought.I will do some more digging.But my instincts tell me a R.A. is a  prerequisite with regard to holiday sites(criteria workplace/contractors etc) but residential sites may not have to?Perhaps just existing fire precautions under caravan licensing legislation.Unless someone knows different.

[Ken Taylor]

I would suspect that any common places in residential sites that are managed or controlled by an employer would come under the RRO.

[The Colonel]

I am currently carrying out a fire risk assessment on a mobile home park for the managing agents and the only parts not inspected were the homes and associated sheds etc as they fall within domestic premises. Using the model standards for caravan sites as a basis along with common sense fire safety measures for the assessment. However with regards to the RRO it would appear that a local  fire authority want to take the lead in bringing the site up to standard using the RRO, somthing that the local council has failed to do over many years and the next few months could be interresting if the authority test the waters.

I have only a second hand view of what the fire authority think and am trying to speak to them to get a first hand account. I also get te impression that there are other sites around the country that are in the same situation and may soon be in the courts via one authority or other.

[Ken Taylor]

Sounds like a welcome move to me.