East of England
North Norfolk HMO fire safety requirements
North Norfolk publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "Fire Precautions in Dwellings (SAH/01/03/2009), North Norfolk District Council" (2009).
Is a fire risk assessment needed for the licence?
Expected, but not sent in
The council's guidance talks about fire risk assessments, but it does not ask you to send one with your application. Fire safety law still says you need one.
Who can carry it out?
No rule on who writes it
The council does not say who must carry out the fire risk assessment, so a landlord can do it themselves, as long as it is done properly.
Which standard applies?
Fire Precautions in Dwellings (SAH/01/03/2009), North Norfolk District Council
Published 2009.
Read the council's document →When did we last check?
15 October 2026
We re-check every council's documents each month and update this page when they change.
What North Norfolk expects in 3 typical HMOs
Worked out from the council's own fire safety rules for three common kinds of HMO. Your house may need more or less depending on its layout, which is what a fire risk assessment is for.
2-storey shared house, 5 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D2, LD2
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Required
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D2, LD2
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Recommended
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Required
3-storey bedsits with cooking in rooms, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector and a standalone smoke alarm in each letting
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Recommended
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Required
| Requirement | 2-storey shared house, 5 tenants | 3-storey shared house, 6 tenants | 3-storey bedsits with cooking in rooms, 6 tenants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire alarm system | Grade D2, LD2 | Grade D2, LD2 | Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector and a standalone smoke alarm in each letting |
| Fire doors on bedrooms | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire door on the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Protected escape route | Required | Required | Required |
| Heat detector in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Emergency lighting | Not required | Recommended | Recommended |
| Fire blanket in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire extinguishers | Required | Required | Required |
- Grade D2 (mains alarms with a replaceable backup battery)
- Grade A (a panel system with call points)
- LD2 (escape route plus rooms where fires are likely to start)
In the council's own words
The wording these requirements come from, quoted from the published documents.
Fire alarms
Council's own standard
“If emergency egress windows are fitted to the first floor a Grade D LD3 system ... If the first floor windows are not suitable for emergency egress a Grade D LD2 system is required. ... In most cases a Grade D LD2 system is required”
Fire doors
Council's own standard
“The HMO must be provided with a minimum 30 minute fire protected route of escape which must be kept clear of any obstruction. Every bedroom and kitchen must be provided with a 30 minute fire resistant door and frame.”
Escape route
Council's own standard
“The HMO must be provided with a minimum 30 minute fire protected route of escape which must be kept clear of any obstruction. Every bedroom and kitchen must be provided with a 30 minute fire resistant door and frame.”
Kitchen heat detector
LACORS national guide
“additional interlinked heat alarm with integral battery back-up located in the kitchen”
Emergency lighting
Council's own standard
“HMO of three storeys or more should be provided with an emergency lighting system along the protected route of escape.”
Fire extinguishers
Council's own standard
“A 2kg multi purpose dry powder extinguisher to BS EN 3:1996 is required in each room with cooking facilities.”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Not in North Norfolk?
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a North Norfolk HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in North Norfolk?
Which fire safety standard does North Norfolk use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in North Norfolk?
Check your North Norfolk HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on North Norfolk's rules. £45, no subscription.