LACORS Guide

[jakespop]

Am I correct in deducing that  in shared housing, 3 floors, that fire doors on risk rooms means kitchens, lounges etc and not bedrooms? Also is a "Fire Risk Assessment" now still reqd??

[jokar]

FRA required under the RR(FS)O for common areas.  Risk rooms are those with hazards in them.  I note that in the FSE mag people are up in arms as the guidance may not be being followed as some institution won't accept the lower standards.  What is the point?

[val]

Jokar,

The Residential Landlord's Association, who wrote the article in FSE have been waging a battle for years to persuade the government to change either the Housing Act 2004 or the FSO 2005. (Or both, who knows). Whilst this may be a laudable aim, (heaven knows its taken enough effort to unpick the contradictions), the government has consistently told them to b*****r off. Rather than accept this and try to assist the very people they purport to represent, they continue with this futile charade.

If local authorities continue to gold plate standards they will be challenged at RPT or in magistrates court. The sign-up by so many stakeholders, including CLG, was deliberate. Whilst the guide is risk based, the courts and RPT will look to it for guidance.

I know you have some concerns about the guide but it was never an ambition to lower standards, just make the reality on the ground easier to manage. e.g. no lobbies up to four floors because everyone knows they don't work. Taken all together I think the guide makes it easier to lift standards in the highest risk premises.

[jokar]

Val,
I agree but it is becoming quite a different scenario out there as FRS and Local Authority's select their own methods of working and force it on others.

There are a couple of things really, when is guidance just guidance and when does it become prescriptive?

[johnny99]

FRA required under the RR(FS)O for common areas.  Risk rooms are those with hazards in them.  I note that in the FSE mag people are up in arms as the guidance may not be being followed as some institution won't accept the lower standards.  What is the point?

With regard to a Fire Risk Assessment for a shared house, as the whole premises is a 'domestic premises', I was under the impression that there were no 'comon areas' and the RR(FS)O did not apply and therefore, a risk assessment was not required.  I think this is reflected in the housing protocol and within the LACORS/CIEH/CFOA fire safety guidance.