New fire safety guidance for small bed and breakfast and self-catering businesses in Scotland has been unveiled by the Scottish government.

The new guide aims to help owners of certain types of B&B with up to eight paying guests and self-catering establishments providing accommodation for up to 10 people, to comply with their duties under Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

The guidance allows owners of such premises to apply an agreed level of fire safety cover, consistent with the size and risk profile of the property, and assumes they will be able to carry out a fire risk assessment themselves.

Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Small Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering Premises replaces previous guidance for small premises providing sleeping accommodation for these types of premises only, which also:

• have a means of escape from bedrooms via a traditional ‘hall’ with at least one exit directly to the outside, rather than by way of a living or kitchen area
• do not have letting or guest accommodation below a ground floor or above a first floor
• do not act as the principal residence for paying guests;
• do not have any storey area over 200 m2 internal floor space

The new guide does not cover houses in multiple occupation, small hotels, boarding houses or hostels.

The Scottish government claims that following the new guidance will save these businesses an average of 90% of the previous costs of complying with the legislation. Minister for community safety, Fergus Ewing, said:

"The Scottish Government moved quickly to address business owners' concerns around the cost and complexity of the previous fire safety guidance. The new measures reduce costs and red tape while helping businesses continue to provide a safe environment for their paying guests.”

Steven McKenzie, head of fire safety legislation of the Chief Fire Officers Association (Scotland), said: "We have worked closely with the Scottish government to develop straightforward guidance that enables owners to comply with fire safety legislation, while at the same time significantly reducing their costs."

Practical Fire Safety Guidance for Small Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering Premises