In short: A protected escape route is the stair, landing and hall that lets everyone get out if there is a fire. We carry this out across East Lothian, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- EH, TD
- Main towns
- Musselburgh
What do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in East Lothian involve?
- Final exit door with thumb-turn
- Glazing upgrades in doors and fanlights
- Upgrading or boxing in under-stair cupboards
- Emergency lighting to the route
- Photo record of hidden fire stopping
- Removing fire risks from the route
Which rules apply in East Lothian?
- Councils set HMO fire standards through licence conditions, often including emergency lighting in larger HMOs.
- A building warrant may be needed for a change of use or for installing a fire alarm system; check with the council’s building standards service.
- Landlords must also be on the Scottish landlord register, renewed every 3 years.
Scottish councils set their own HMO licence standards and planning policies. Every HMO needs a licence, so check the council’s standards before you design the layout.
How much do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping cost in East Lothian?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected route upgrades: fire-resisting linings, fire stopping, lighting (three-storey house, our estimate) | £2,000 – £6,000 | £1,900 – £5,700 | house |
| Emergency light fitting, installed (our estimate) | £150 – £350 | £140 – £330 | fitting |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £280 – £570 | 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 East Lothian
Questions about escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in East Lothian
Does every HMO need emergency lighting?
Not every one. Guidance tends to expect it where the escape route is long, complex or has no borrowed light, which is more common in larger houses.
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 East Lothian?
Yes, across the whole of East Lothian, including Musselburgh.
Who licenses HMOs in East Lothian?
East Lothian council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in East Lothian
- HMO fire safety upgrades in East Lothian
- Fire doors in East Lothian
- Fire alarm and detection systems in East Lothian
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in East Lothian
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in East Lothian
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in East Lothian
- Loft conversions for extra rooms in East Lothian
- EPC and energy upgrades in East Lothian