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 Scottish Borders, priced against the HMO rules for Scotland and the council’s own standards.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Postcode areas
- TD, EH, ML
- Main towns
- Hawick
What do escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Scottish Borders involve?
- Upgrading or boxing in under-stair cupboards
- Fire stopping around pipes, cables and voids
- Final exit door with thumb-turn
- Removing fire risks from the route
- Glazing upgrades in doors and fanlights
- Fire-resisting plasterboard to walls and ceilings
Which rules apply in Scottish Borders?
- 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.
- Every HMO needs a council licence: 3 or more people who are not all from one or two families, sharing basic amenities. Licences last up to 3 years.
- 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 Scottish Borders?
| 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 Scottish Borders
Questions about escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Scottish Borders
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 Scottish Borders?
Yes, across the whole of Scottish Borders, including Hawick.
Who licenses HMOs in Scottish Borders?
Scottish Borders council licenses HMOs in its area. Every HMO in Scotland needs a licence.
Other HMO services in Scottish Borders
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Scottish Borders
- Fire doors in Scottish Borders
- Fire alarm and detection systems in Scottish Borders
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Scottish Borders
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Scottish Borders
- Commercial and above-shop to HMO in Scottish Borders
- Damp, mould and HHSRS repairs in Scottish Borders
- Full HMO refurbishment in Scottish Borders