South West
North Somerset HMO fire safety requirements
North Somerset publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "The North Somerset Council standards for licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004" (April 2020).
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?
The North Somerset Council standards for licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004
Published April 2020.
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 Somerset 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 D1, LD2
- Fire doors on bedrooms
- Not required
- Fire door on the kitchen
- Required
- Protected escape route
- Not required
- Heat detector in the kitchen
- Required
- Emergency lighting
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Recommended
3-storey shared house, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade D1, 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
- Recommended
3-storey bedsits with cooking in rooms, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade A, LD1, 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
- Not required
- Fire blanket in the kitchen
- Required
- Fire extinguishers
- Recommended
| 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 D1, LD2 | Grade D1, LD2 | Grade A, LD1, plus a linked heat detector and a standalone smoke alarm in each letting |
| Fire doors on bedrooms | Not required | Required | Required |
| Fire door on the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Protected escape route | Not required | Required | Required |
| Heat detector in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Emergency lighting | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Fire blanket in the kitchen | Required | Required | Required |
| Fire extinguishers | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
- Grade D1 (mains alarms with a sealed backup battery)
- Grade A (a panel system with call points)
- LD2 (escape route plus rooms where fires are likely to start)
- LD1 (alarms in all rooms and on the escape route)
In the council's own words
The wording these requirements come from, quoted from the published documents.
Fire alarms
Council's own standard
“A Grade D¹ Category LD2 fire detection system conforming to BS5839: Part 6: ... For 5 and 6 storey properties a Grade A Category LD1 system will be required ... A Grade D¹ Category LD1 fire detection system conforming to BS5839: Part 6: ... (as amended 2019) (a Grade A system will be required for properties with 3 or ... heat detection in kitchens and bedsits with cooking ... facilities, smoke detection in bedsits without cooking facilities, and any cellar. ... An additional Grade D¹ non-interlinked smoke detector will be required in bedsits ... ¹ (Tamper proof battery)”
Fire doors
LACORS national guide
“30-minute protected route note 8, is required, including 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30 doors to all risk rooms (without smoke seals ... 30-minute fire-resisting construction and FD30S doors to all risk rooms. Travel distance must not be excessive”
Escape route
LACORS national guide
“No requirement for full 30-minute protected route note 7, but the escape route should have sound, traditional construction and should not pass through risk rooms ... 30-minute protected route note 8, is required, including 30-minute fire-resisting construction”
Kitchen heat detector
LACORS national guide
“additional interlinked heat alarm with integral battery back-up located in the kitchen”
Emergency lighting
Shared regional standard
“An emergency lighting system to BS5266. Only required if: the building has 5 or more storeys, or the escape route is long / complex or, other risk factors are present.”
Fire extinguishers
LACORS national guide
“a simple multi-purpose extinguisher is recommended on each floor in the common parts of HMOs and buildings containing flats.”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Not in North Somerset?
Councils using the same standard as North Somerset
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a North Somerset HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in North Somerset?
Which fire safety standard does North Somerset use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in North Somerset?
Check your North Somerset HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on North Somerset's rules. £45, no subscription.