The staycation continues to be a popular choice for holidaymakers, which is excellent news for the local hospitality sector. Warmer weather attracts more visitors but heat, coupled with popular campsite activities such as fires and barbecues, can increase the risk of fires occurring.
Fire safety advice for Responsible Persons
The following is recommended to be applied by the owners of campsites to reduce the chance of fires occurring:
- Provide a means to detect and give warning in case of fire, suitable for the size, layout, and number of occupants.
- Keep safe distances between motorhomes, caravans, tents and awnings. They should be pitched at least six metres apart to prevent the spread of fire.
- Ensure designated escape routes are kept clear of obstructions, are adequately illuminated, and can be used safely at all times. Tents, awnings and ropes should be kept clear of emergency exit routes.
- Provide guests with information on the fire safety measures in place and the procedures to follow in case of fire. It is important that people are aware of what is expected of them in the event of a fire.
- Install appropriate fire signage across your site.
- If permitted, fire pits and barbecues should be kept clear of any tented structures and hedgerows, and positioned on a non-combustible surface. Disposable barbecues and campfires are not recommended.
- Cut long grass and vegetation at frequent and regular intervals to prevent it becoming a fire hazard. Clippings should be removed and be disposed of safely.
- Keep waste material in suitable containers before it is removed from the site. Good housekeeping will lower the chance of a fire starting, so the accumulation of combustible materials should be monitored carefully.
- Provide and maintain good access for the fire & rescue service. It is important that firefighters can get to every part of the site.
- Provide suitable fire-fighting equipment which is appropriate to the risk and ensure that it is maintained and tested.
- All staff should receive suitable training, so they understand what you expect them to do in case of fire, including training those nominated to use firefighting equipment.
- Carry out regular visual checks for damage to installations, including hook-ups and equipment. Ensure that electrical testing is carried out, inspection reports are to up to date, and they are in compliance with site licence conditions.
- Identify and manage fire hazards, and comply with legislative requirements. The Responsible Person for the site must conduct and record a fire risk assessment to identify the types of fires that are most likely to occur on your site. It should be a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions needed.
Pop-up/temporary campsites
A ‘pop up’ campsite is a field or open space which can be used temporarily as a campsite – usually with minimal facilities.
The advice detailed below is intended to give guidance to anyone wanting to set up a temporary campsite. We would always advise that you contact your local council first and this guidance is not intended to replace or modify any conditions of any licence granted by an enforcing authority.
As the Responsible Person, you will be required to complete a written fire risk assessment for the campsite. For more information click here.
- Access for emergency vehicles. There should be access for all emergency vehicles to within 90 metres of any pitch. The minimum access width should be 3.7 metres wide with no gate or entrance less than 3.1 metres wide. The access should be capable of withstanding the weight of any emergency vehicles and no overhead cables should be laid across access roads.
- Electrical and LPG safety. Make sure all electrical installations accessible to campers are in a safe condition. Any new installations provided for the site must be installed by a competent electrician and must be appropriate to their use – external electrical equipment must be safe for all weather conditions. If the site has overhead electric cables or electric fences which cannot be turned off, display warning notices.
- Spacing of pitches. Stick to the separation distances you’ve planned in your layout. A minimum of six metres of clear space should be maintained between each pitch. Only one vehicle should be allowed within this space. Vehicles should not park directly in front of the entrance of the tent.
Fire protection
Pitches should not be more than 90 metres away from any fire point (minimum of two points per site). Provide appropriate firefighting equipment. Make sure firefighting equipment is obvious and accessible. Make sure there are instructions on what to do if there is a fire.
The fire point should have:
- 2 x extinguishers
- 2 x beaters
- 1 x manual alarm – a gong, air horn or klaxon to alert other campers
- Clear fire instruction notices, including how to call the fire service, with the postcode and What3Words reference of the camping ground clearly displayed.
This is a minimum requirement, additional water tanks/buckets should be provided if necessary.
Plan how the site could be evacuated, ensure there are facilities to enable vulnerable, disabled and elderly persons to evacuate the site safely.
If larger tents (glamping) or yurts are provided, consideration should made for the installation of smoke detectors to ensure early warning of a fire.
Fire safety
Seemingly extinguished bonfires and barbecues often pose a continued risk of causing wildfires. Residual heat and embers can cause hidden smouldering fires underground, sometimes for a number of days, before spreading to surface vegetation. These unseen fires can be particularly challenging for firefighters to detect and can easily spread unnoticed. It’s another reason that we ask people to #BringAPicnicNotABBQ.
Provide stones or non-combustible stands for barbecues and stoves to reduce the risk of vegetation catching fire.
Do not allow cooking in tents, which also presents a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Advice for landowners
Landowners and land managers are advised, where possible, to be prepared for fires and ensure that fire breaks are cut and well maintained, with any cut grasses and vegetation removed from the site.
If you must have an open fire:
- Never use petrol, it can ignite quickly and soon get out of control. Only use approved lighting fuels.
- Make sure it is downwind and at least 10 metres away from any buildings or structures.
- Clear dry vegetation, such as leaves, to form a circle of earth around the fire.
- Never leave fires unattended and make sure they are fully extinguished after use.
- If you have to burn vegetation or have a bonfire, please advise Fire Control by calling 0306 799 0019 first.
- During hot/dry weather, it is advised not to undertake controlled or prescribed burning unless you have the means to fully control it yourself. Ideally, do not conduct prescribed fire or swaling during any period of elevated wildfire risk.
For more information click here
For further guidance on your responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-safety-legislation-guidance-for-those-with-legal-duties