What are the fire safety requirements for short lets and non-hotel structures?The regulations recently introduced with the Decree on Short Term Rentals provide for the use of the National Identification Code (NIC) for all extra-hotel facilities and tourist rentals. This code will not only serve to identify each establishment, but will also ensure compliance with the new security regulations.
Among the new obligations linked to the introduction of the CIN code are those relating to fire safety for holiday homes and short lets. Here are the main requirements:
Installation of combustible gas and carbon monoxide detectors:These devices are essential to prevent accidents related to gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Installation of fire extinguishers:Fire extinguishers must be placed every 200 m2 and on every floor of the structure, with a minimum capacity of 6 kg.
Adaptation of all non-hotel accommodation facilities that were not previously subject to the safety and short-term rental regulations. This obligation applies to B&Bs, holiday homes, guest houses, agritourisms and all tourist and short-let accommodation. All these facilities must comply with the new fire safety regulations.
Obligation for all activities: the obligation applies to both ‘entrepreneurial’ activities (with VAT number) and those run on a ‘non-entrepreneurial’ basis (without VAT number).
What features must mandatory fire extinguishers have?
Which fire extinguishers should be chosen for non-hotel accommodation establishments that were not previously subject to safety and short-term rental regulations? The choice is regulated by the standard that sets out the specific requirements. Every non-hotel accommodation facility and tourist rental must be equipped with fire extinguishers that meet the following requirements:
- Number of extinguishers: one extinguisher is required per floor or for every 200 square metres of floor space on a single floor (if the facility has 3 floors, 3 extinguishers are required; if the facility is 300 square metres on a single floor, at least 2 extinguishers are required);
- Capacity: fire extinguishers must have a capacity of not less than 6 kg;
- Professional installation: they must be installed by competent technical professionals;
- They must be installed in well-accessible and visible locations in the facility, close to entrances and areas of possible danger;
- Certification: fire extinguishers must be certified by the European Community (they must bear the CE symbol).
What are the requirements for mandatory gas and carbon monoxide detectors?
Every non-hotel accommodation (B&Bs, holiday homes, rooms-to-let, agritourisms) and short-let accommodation must be equipped with gas and carbon monoxide detectors that comply with the following characteristics:
- Certification: detectors must be certified by the European Community (they must bear the CE symbol);
- Professional installation: detectors must be installed by competent technicians to avoid false alarms and ensure maximum effectiveness.
When will the use of fire extinguishers and detectors become mandatory for all non-hotel accommodation facilities (B&B, holiday homes, guest houses, holiday cottages) and short lets?
The compulsory use of fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors for non-hotel accommodation facilities (B&Bs, holiday homes, rooms-to-let, agritourisms) and short lets will become compulsory from 02/11/2024 as the Ministry of Tourism’s communication was published in the Official Gazette on 03/09/2024, and will become operational 60 days after said publication.
Are there exemptions for the mandatory installation of detectors?
According to the latest FAQs issued by the Ministry of Tourism, non-hotel accommodation facilities (B&Bs, holiday homes, rooms-to-let, agritourisms) and short lets whose property units are not equipped with a gas system and in respect of which the risk of uncontrolled release of combustible gases or formation of carbon monoxide is excluded with certainty, are exempt from the mandatory installation of combustible gas and carbon monoxide detectors.
What do owners and operators risk if they do not comply with the minimum safety requirements?
Facilities that do not comply with the minimum safety requirements by 02/11/2024 will expose themselves to fines of between €600 and €6,000 for each established violation.