Since 2006 there has been a lot of controversy in the UK over the new regulations introduced in the Fire Safety Act. Many in the industry see the changes as overblown and part of the ‘nanny state’. In this article, we’ll briefly look at what the law requires and consider the benefits of taking precautions, even when the law doesn’t explicitly require it.
For many years, the UK government has increasingly focused on all forms of fire hazards, with the aim of reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by fires. In the post-war years there was a steady rise in these numbers and the government took notice. The number of smoke inhalation deaths was of particular concern, as it increased sharply beginning in the 1950s.
The reasons for this trend are controversial, but the fact that modern fabrics and padding generated highly toxic smoke when burned eventually led the government to regulate the supply of fabrics and furniture, because the more toxic the smoke from a fire, the the faster a person becomes incapacitated. .
It may be obvious that manufacturers and suppliers must comply with government regulations on flame retardant fabrics, but in 2006 new regulations changed the requirements for all commercial installations. The Fire Safety Act was implemented by the ‘Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005’. Now, companies are no longer required to have fire certificates, but must carry out a risk assessment to prevent fires by reducing risk. The law states that it is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their facilities.
There are specific guidelines for “sleeping accommodations” that apply directly to the drapery material. Hotels must comply with the requirements of BS5867 Part 2 Type B when furnishing a room with curtains. This is a test where a flame is applied to the fabric for 15 seconds. In short, this requires that if the fabric were to come into direct contact with a flame, it would have a fire-retardant quality for a short time by not burning to the edges or falling apart while burning.
There are basically two types of flame retardant fabrics (FR):
1) those that have been treated after manufacture; Y
2) those in which the FR quality is ‘built-in’. These are called ‘inherent FR fabrics’.
When a fabric has been treated, it must also be able to maintain its FR quality after repeated washing.
Purchasing fire retardant fabrics from a reputable company with products that exceed the requirements ensures fire safety and compliance with the law. Look for products labeled ‘FR’ and ask if they meet safety standards for hotel use.
Unlike the requirements for curtains, for bedding the new single standards state that certain safety standards for ‘bedrooms’ must be considered as a matter of fire prevention. However, the law applies to all components of the actual bed (including headboards, mattresses, sofa beds, futons, and other convertibles). Perhaps less obvious is that it also applies to pillows and even cushions.
However, it is still worth considering fire retardant bedding as a fire prevention issue, because even when it is prohibited, people can still smoke in a hotel room, especially if they are leaving the next morning. When you can’t control how a host behaves, prevention is the only sure cure.
Protecting your investment is an important factor, but security is even more vital and protecting the lives of guests and staff should be important. If as an owner you sleep in your B&B, your own safety is also at risk. FR fabrics are widely available for bedding and cost a little more than a standard cotton product. They could end up saving more than pounds and pence.