East of England
West Suffolk HMO fire safety requirements
West Suffolk publishes its own HMO fire safety standard, "Houses in Multiple Occupation: Suffolk Landlords' Handbook" (2024 (West Suffolk copy, 2025)). It is based on the Suffolk standard, which 3 other councils use too.
Is a fire risk assessment needed for the licence?
Yes, as a licence condition
You need a written fire risk assessment as a condition of the licence, and the council can ask to see it at any time.
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?
Houses in Multiple Occupation: Suffolk Landlords' Handbook
Published 2024 (West Suffolk copy, 2025).
Read the council's document →When did we last check?
29 September 2026
We re-check every council's documents each month and update this page when they change.
What West Suffolk 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
- Not required
- Protected escape route
- Not 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 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
- Required
3-storey bedsits with cooking in rooms, 6 tenants
- Fire alarm system
- Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector 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
- 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 D1, LD2 | Grade D1, LD2 | Grade A, LD2, plus a linked heat detector in each letting* |
| Fire doors on bedrooms | Not required | Required | Required |
| Fire door on the kitchen | Not 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 | Required | Required | Required |
- 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)
- * The council's own standard asks for less here, so we show the LACORS minimum. We never go below LACORS.
In the council's own words
The wording these requirements come from, quoted from the published documents.
Fire alarms
Shared regional standard
“Shared house scenario - no more than 2 storeys ... Grade D1, Category LD2 automatic fire detection and alarm system. ... Shared house scenario - 4 storeys ... Grade D1, Category LD1 automatic fire detection and alarm system. ... Grade A, Category LD1 automatic fire detection and alarm system (new or materially altered ... Grade D, Category LD1 automatic fire detection and alarm system (existing premises) ... Individual dwelling units or bedsits comprising a single room including cooking facilities: ... Individual dwelling units, within the HMO, comprising two or more rooms: ... Communal areas of the HMO: ... Grade A, Category LD2 automatic fire detection and alarm system.”
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
“Emergency lighting to common parts (BS 5266-1) where the escape route is long, dark or complex.”
Fire extinguishers
Shared regional standard
“Provision of a fire blanket and dry powder fire extinguisher in the kitchen.”
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it.
Not in West Suffolk?
Councils using the same standard as West Suffolk
Common questions
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a West Suffolk HMO licence?
Can I do my own HMO fire risk assessment in West Suffolk?
Which fire safety standard does West Suffolk use for HMOs?
What fire alarm does a 3-storey shared house need in West Suffolk?
Check your West Suffolk HMO against the council's standard
Answer plain-English questions about your house and get a fire risk assessment report built on West Suffolk's rules. £45, no subscription.