Fire Service introduce Firemark to help protect tenants, landlords and investments
Given the nature of risk, and vulnerability of many tenants in private rented accommodation, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have developed a programme called ‘Firemark’. This is a simple but effective method of providing landlords with a basic knowledge of how to complete a fire risk assessment, assisting them in providing fire safe accommodation for their tenants, as well as protecting their investment properties.
‘Firemark’ was created following a tragic fire in 2009 within a rented property where no smoke alarms had been installed. The Right Honourable Adrian Sanders, MP presented a Private Members Bill, The Fire Safety (Protection of Tenants) Bill, but the bill was not passed.
At present, a fire risk assessment for any rented dwelling supports fitting of smoke alarms but there is no legislation to require this. Evidence shows that fires in private rented accommodation are increasing compared to social rented properties where fires have decreased.
Within Devon and Somerset residents of private rented/shared accommodation are statistically around seven times more likely to have a fire than the resident of an owner occupied property.
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service decided that in the absence of legislation there was a need to explore pro-active opportunities to halt and reduce this increasing risk and the idea of the ‘Firemark’ scheme evolved.
Interactive ‘virtual’ house
‘Firemark’ is a complete short programme designed for local delivery with minimal training required by those delivering any session. It gives landlords an understanding of the risks and their responsibilities with regard to fire safety.
A key element is an interactive walk through of a virtual house where participants can complete a basic risk assessment by identifying hazards and risks, identifying and witnessing the consequences and implementing remedial action. Attendees are guided through this process with clear use of a range of realistic examples.
‘Firemark’ also includes a Landlord/Tenant fire safety guide and assessment document which meets the needs of both parties in one clear concise document.
Beyond and in support of ‘Firemark’ events there is access to further advice for landlords and tenants with a version of the walk through and risk assessment available as a web based programme to enable attendees to revisit the process of risk assessment to reinforce learning. Tenants can complete the walk through and hazard identification themselves and anyone wishing to learn how to make their home safer could use this package.
Councillor Mark Healey, Chairman of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority and the Government is the appointed Advocate for their Fire Kills campaign in the private rented sector. Mark is a landlord himself and has been instrumental in the development of the Firemark programme.
Mark said: “Being a landlord brings a responsibility to ensure my tenants are safe. Firemark provides landlords with the skills and knowledge to take basic steps to achieve this for all their properties. Through my role with the Fire & Rescue Authority and Fire Kills campaign, I am all too aware of the devastation a fire can cause. I am proud to be associated with ‘Firemark’, it really does have the potential to protect lives and livelihoods.”
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service have made the decision to gift a copy of the completed ‘Firemark’ pack to all UK Fire and Rescue Services and look forward to hearing their feedback.
