Case Study
Six-Bedroom HMO Fire Risk Assessment
Fire risk assessment for a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation with sleeping risk, shared facilities and landlord management duties.
Summary
Fire Check Scotland assessed a six-bedroom HMO used as rented residential accommodation.
The assessment focused on sleeping risk, protected escape routes, fire doors, detection, emergency lighting, shared kitchens and the landlord's management arrangements for tenants who may be unfamiliar with each other's routines.
The Premises
- Six-bedroom HMO arranged over multiple levels.
- Shared kitchen, circulation, bathroom and utility areas.
- Unrelated occupants sleeping in individual rooms.
- Landlord-managed fire precautions and inspection records.
- Domestic-style accommodation with higher-risk common areas.
Why This Project Was More Complex
The premises was not a large commercial building, but the sleeping risk was significant because residents could be asleep, cooking at different times and relying on shared escape routes. The assessment needed to check whether fire doors, detection, emergency lighting, housekeeping and landlord records were strong enough for HMO use.
Key Technical Themes
- Sleeping risk and tenant fire-safety information.
- Protected escape routes, stair enclosure and final exits.
- Fire doors, self-closers, smoke seals and tenant-room doors.
- Fire alarm/detection coverage, testing and certification.
- Emergency lighting, signage and routine landlord checks.
- Shared kitchen controls, housekeeping and electrical safety records.
Fire Check Scotland Approach
The assessment treated the property as a lived-in HMO rather than a simple domestic house.
The report considered how tenants actually use bedrooms, kitchens and shared routes, and converted any weaknesses into clear landlord action-plan items.
Outcome
The client received a proportionate HMO action plan covering escape protection, door condition, alarm and emergency-lighting evidence, tenant information, shared-area controls and routine inspection records.
Relevance to Similar Clients
Relevant to HMO landlords, letting agents, property managers and rented residential portfolios where sleeping accommodation depends on shared escape routes.