In short: A protected escape route is the stair, landing and hall that lets everyone get out if there is a fire. Across Devon, the work is planned around England’s HMO rules and the standards the local council publishes.
- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- South West
- Postcode areas
- EX, TQ, PL, DT
- Main towns
- Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton, Torquay, Newton Abbot
What do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Devon involve?
- Fire-resisting plasterboard to walls and ceilings
- Upgrading or boxing in under-stair cupboards
- Final exit door with thumb-turn
- Removing fire risks from the route
- Emergency lighting to the route
- Photo record of hidden fire stopping
Which rules apply in Devon?
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- Licences last up to 5 years and carry conditions on gas and electrical safety, alarms, room sizes and waste.
Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping cost in Devon?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £2,100 – £6,250 | house |
| Emergency light fitting, installed (our estimate) | £150 – £350 | £160 – £360 | fitting |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £310 – £620 | door |
Typical time on site: 3–8 working days. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping by town in Devon
Questions about escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Devon
What is fire stopping?
Sealing gaps where pipes, cables and ducts pass through fire-resisting walls and floors, so smoke and fire cannot get through.
Can a lounge open onto the stair?
It depends on the layout and the risk assessment. Often the door needs to be a fire door, or the layout needs changing.
Do you carry out escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping across Devon?
Yes, across the whole of Devon, including Plymouth, Exeter, Paignton.
Who licenses HMOs in Devon?
HMOs in Devon are licensed by the local council for the address. Where an area has several councils, each runs its own licensing and planning policies.
Other HMO services in Devon
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Devon
- Fire doors in Devon
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Devon
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Devon
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Devon
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Devon
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in Devon
- Shared bathroom and shower room refits in Devon