- Nation
- England
- Pricing region
- East of England
- Postcode areas
- SG, AL, WD, HP
- Main towns
- Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City
What do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Hertfordshire involve?
- Upgrading or boxing in under-stair cupboards
- Photo record of hidden fire stopping
- Fire-resisting plasterboard to walls and ceilings
- Fire stopping around pipes, cables and voids
- Final exit door with thumb-turn
- Removing fire risks from the route
Which rules apply in Hertfordshire?
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
- 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.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
- 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 Hertfordshire?
| 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 – £6,350 | house |
| Emergency light fitting, installed (our estimate) | £150 – £350 | £160 – £370 | fitting |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £320 – £640 | 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 Hertfordshire
- Watford
- Hemel Hempstead
- Stevenage
- St Albans
- Welwyn Garden City
- Cheshunt
- Hatfield
- Borehamwood
- Hitchin
- Hoddesdon
- Letchworth Garden City
- North Watford
- Harpenden
- Bushey
- Hertford
- Rickmansworth
- Potters Bar
- Berkhamsted
Questions about escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Hertfordshire
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.
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.
Do you carry out escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping across Hertfordshire?
Yes, across the whole of Hertfordshire, including Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage.
Who licenses HMOs in Hertfordshire?
HMOs in Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Hertfordshire
- Fire doors in Hertfordshire
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Hertfordshire
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Hertfordshire
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Hertfordshire
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Hertfordshire
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Hertfordshire
- Communal kitchen refits in Hertfordshire