Its a question I often get asked and to be honest, it depends on the type of HMO you have.
The main guidelines I would give you are:
Under 2-storey and less than 5 people – a normal smoke detector in hall and landings on both floors plus a heat detector in the kitchen together with fire blankets and fire extinquishers.
Over 2-storeys and more than 5 people – a Grade A LD2 system that meets BS5839 Park 6 standard with fire blankets and fire extinquishers.
What is a Grade A LD2 system – well I’ve leave it to my friends over at Wire-Free Protection to give you the jist in a non-technical easy-to-read format.
http://www.w-fp.co.uk/blog/hmos-houses-in-multiple-occupation/
Suffice to say; always shop around for fire quotes and get at least 5 – you’ll be surprised at the difference in price. I generally pay less than £3,500 but have had quotes for up to £7,500. A little birdie has put me in contact with a new supplier who claims to be able to install for less than £1,500 so I’m investigating and will let you know once I know more.
Hello. We have just bought a 4 bed house and are going to let it as an HMO. The house is on 3 levels and we will have 4 tenants. No cooking facilities in any bedrooms, shared lounge, dining room and kitchen. Professional tenants, no DSS or children. Have read the LACORS document and think alarm coverage Grade D LD2 would suffice, but council want Grade A LD2 which is of course much more expensive. As we are not over 5 tenants, who is right? Thanks.
Helen, you’ll ideally need a mains interlinked detector but without a fire panel. Thus Grade D should suffice as you only have 4 tenants.