Is the EU standard fire blanket suitable for my HMO?

A fire blanket and a question mark with a fire blazing in the background

by Readers Question

12:01 AM, 24th March 2025, 1 year ago 3

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Hi, I own a shared flat occupied by 3 people (twins plus friend) in Inner London that has now become an HMO. I applied for a licence, which has been granted.

The local authority says the fire blanket I provided with Standard BS EN 1869.2019 should be replaced with one BS 6575 (latest edition). This latest edition is not stated.

I do not want to go back and ask for clarification or argue the matter. Is the EU standard not good enough?

I have politely pointed out that they refer to the LACORS guide, even though the guide itself states it is not applicable to a shared house, which my property now is as a HMO.

Any comments or advice, please?

I know it is a question of a few pounds, but to constantly waste money on compliance and registrations: Local authroity to introduce landlord register and Ombudsman scheme, and not forgetting ICO.

Thanks,

Suresh

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Tags: fire blanket, Fire Safety, HMO, HMO licence, Local Authority

Comments

paul holden

Member Since February 2017 - Comments: 3

11:10 AM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago

In your case choose which battles to fight and just change the blanket and get the licence. Then after that add some Fire Safety Sticks to the property and instruct the tenants on how to use them. No mess, damage, use on any fire type, long usage time, simple to use and can used be at a distance. I have them and it can stop a small fire eg a phone charger or overloaded plug socket from becoming bigger and destroying the house. There are many companies selling them but I used https://www.glossfireaction.co.uk/ where I had a discount code LLDISCX/25

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Simon F

Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 199

11:19 AM, 24th March 2025, About 1 year ago

According to this site: https://www.fireprotectiononline.co.uk/info/different-fire-blanket-materials/
BS EN 1869 superceded BS 6575 and the latter has not been updated on fire blankets since 1985 (the standard has been updated on some other things), so the council is off-base. Prior to taking enforcement action on fire safety measures, councils are obliged to consult the Fire Service, so you can make the point also that when it comes to advice on a Fire Safety measure, you expect to be provided by the council with a copy of advice from the Fire Service.

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Landlord X

Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 12

9:09 AM, 29th March 2025, About 1 year ago

The council can’t dictate fire safety measures required which is stipulated in the licensing Act, they must consult fire service who enforce the fire safety Act.
The fire safety Act stipulates reasonable fire safety measures should be in place…. It is no longer prescriptive! You carry out a fire risk assessment which should be recorded as it’s a licenced premises. If you don’t have this you are in breach of the FSO, identity risks and hazards and implement reasonable fire safety measures. All documents from British Standards to LACORS are just guidance documents and don’t have to be met they are to assist you in providing reasonable measures.
The fire service shouldn’t stipulate requirements they should only inform and educate pointing out the guides to assist or take action identifying breaches in the Act.
Anyone stating a particular measure is a requirement doesn’t understand fire safety or the Act.
So after all that if the current fire blanket will work then it’s fine. But u may want to consider if the challenge is worth it.

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