1. People at Risk
   1. The Owners who undertake maintenance and up-keep. They will use flammable and combustible materials on rare occasions but these are not left on the premises whilst the cottage is occupied by guests.
   2. Paying guests, including children. Guests may have restricted mobility. Mobility limitations are discussed before reservation and opportunities for reasonable adjustment explored.
2. Fire Risk
   1. Combustibles / Flammables.
      1. The fabric of the building is limestone, negligible combustibility.
      2. The roof supports are timber.
      3. The stairway and balustrade are timber.
      4. Curtains in all rooms except bathroom and kitchen.
      5. The kitchen fittings are wood.
      6. The bedroom fittings are wood with some chip-board.
      7. Bedding is fire retardant.
      8. The bathroom fittings are ceramic (toilet and wash-basin), GRP (bath), plastic (shower screen)
      9. Carpeting in all areas except bathroom and kitchen is short-pile, believed to be fire retardant.
      10. First floor furniture is timber or chipboard.
      11. Upholstery is fire retardant.
      12. Standard size aerosols (presumed to contain low-boiling hydrocarbon propellant) as air-fresheners are located in the bathroom and on the stairway, away from direct sunlight.
      13. Similar aerosols are used when cleaning, for the duration of the cleaning only.
      14. Agents containing flammable solvents needed occasionally e.g. for maintenance.
   2. Ignition sources.
      1. Electrical installation. 
      2. Electric storage heaters.
      3. Portable electrical appliances in all rooms.
      4. Oven, hob, portable cooking appliances i.e. microwave oven, toaster, “George Foreman” grill.
      5. The living room fire is mains gas. 
3. Control Measures.
   1.  
      1. The electrical installation is understood to be to British Standard.
      2. Storage heaters are installed to manufacturers specification. The supply to each is protected for electrical overload.
      3. The cooker and related equipment are to a good standard and inspected/maintained at each change of occupancy.
      4. Portable electrical appliances are checked annually for earth continuity, earth leakage and visual inspection.
      5. The gas fire is checked annually by a Corgi Registered inspector.
      6. Agents containing flammable solvents, e.g. for maintenance, are removed from the cottage after use.
      7. There is a fire blanket and extinguisher in the kitchen.
      8. There is a smoke detector over the stairwell and at the base of the stair which are tested by the owner at each change of occupancy.
      9. A fire escape plan is written and left prominently visible for guests’ attention on arrival.
      10. This risk assessment is scheduled for annual review.
      11. An arrangement is in place with our neighbours whereby they will telephone the owners in the event of any concerning observations.
      12. There is a fire extinguisher at the base of the stairs.

1. Statement of residual risk.

It is the owners’ assessment that:

•  All combustible and flammable materials have been identified.
•  All ignitions sources have been identified.
•  Satisfactory control measures are implemented and maintained.
•  Whilst structural integrity would eventually be compromised in the event of a prolonged fire, control measures, escape routes and warnings are such that the risks to personal safety are minimal.
•  For these reasons and subject to up-keep of the control measures, the residual risk is deemed to be acceptable.

Assessed by: Malcolm Stubbs

Date:11 Jan 2013

Review due:11 Jan 2014

Appendix

Brackenber Lodge

Fire Escape Plan

There are two escape routes from the cottage:

The front door from the hall

The side door from the hall

Please make yourself familiar with each of these.

If you do close the bolt on the back door – make sure everyone has a little practice at opening it.

We test the smoke alarm just before the arrival of our guests, but you may want to do a test yourself so that you know what it sounds like.

After evacuating, please call 999 from your mobile or the nearest pay phone is about 3/4 mile away up the lane and turn left then about 1/4 mile on the left.

Please alert our neighbours who may be home and able to help.

Hope you don’t need this for real!!

Enjoy your stay

Nyree