Period properties, by their very nature, are older style buildings constructed in an age when safety regulations were less stringent than they are today. Many contain copious amounts of wood and other flammable construction materials, such as thatching on the roof - all of which could feed a fire more efficiently than when compared to the fire resistant materials used in modern properties. If electrical, gas and other installations are not updated in line with current safety legislation, your period property may well be at high risk from fire.
19th century thatched cottage burns to the ground
Douglas Hatterman had a lucky escape last year when his beloved thatched cottage went up in flames, along with his most prized possessions. Faulty wiring dating back to the 1960s was to blame. Investigations after the fire showed that some of the wiring had corroded. The fire started close to wood panelling, and then spread to the wooden stairs and eventually up into the thatched roof. The cottage burned quickly, largely gutting the property before emergency services were on the scene. However, had the wiring been inspected and updated where necessary by a NICEIC approved contractor, it is quite possible that the fire could have been avoided.
Use government safety regulations and guidelines to stay safe
So, if you live in or rent a period property, what should you or your landlord be doing to stay safe in a period home? The answer is to observe government regulations and use their advisories and guidelines to make the property a safer place. Here's how:
Electricity: Deterioration of electrical wiring is the principal hazard to contend with in period properties. It is strongly recommended that all electrical installations and wiring be professionally inspected by a NICEIC-approved engineer annually. Should wiring be more than 10 years old, rewiring is highly desirable.
To lessen further the risk of fire from wiring in thatched properties, it is advisable that ceiling mounted lighting is limited or avoided. Exposed cables running across attic floorboards could be targeted by vermin living in the thatch, and gnawed through. Should you have wiring in the ceiling consider placing a minimum of 30 minutes worth of fire resistant material between the wires and the thatch.
On the outside of the property it is also a requirement to space external electrical connections - such as aerial leads - to the property a minimum of 300mm away from the thatch.
Gas: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 govern gas safety in all types of properties in the UK, including period properties. If you reside in the property as an owner-occupier the law advises that gas appliances and flues should be safety checked annually by a CORGI-registered engineer. Should you be residing in the property as a tenant, or if you are the landlord, the regulations demand that an annual gas safety check is carried out by a CORGI-registered engineer, and that a Gas Safety Certificate is issued. A copy of the certificate MUST be given to the tenant within 28 days.
A fire in any property is always bad news. In a period property, where the construction is of wood or where wood forms a substantial part of the structure, it is especially bad news as it can burn very quickly. If you live in or own a period property always heed the government's electricity and gas safety advice / regulations, fit smoke detectors and alarms, and have a fire escape plan in mind should the worst happen.
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