Venn Farm, Kings Nympton, EX37 9TR

Assessor: Zoe Elkins, Director

Date: 11/1/25

Date of Review 11/1/26

Identify hazards:

Sources of ignition:

  • Electrical wiring and appliances
    • All electrical appliances are pat tested annually
    • All fuse boxes have RCD protection
    • Electrical certification is in place date 2020 – inspection booked 14/1/25
    • Trailing leads and adaptors are avoided where possible
    • Safe use guidance has been provided to guests for the following equipment:
      • Hair dryer
      • Iron
      • Electric oven/hob
      • Microwave
      • Night storage heaters
      • Infrared panel heaters
      • Toasters
  • Naked flames:
    • BBQ & Fire pit; safe use guidance has been provided for guests, BBQs and fire pits are situated a safe distance from the cottages
    • Cigarettes; smoking is not allowed in or near the cottages, only in the permitted smoking area by the laundry; ashtrays are provided
    • Candles / other naked flames; are not allowed in the cottages or anywhere on the land
  • Charging large electrical items like electric bikes:
    • Charging of large electrical items like electric bikes or scooters is prohibited

Fuel present:

  • Property is made of cob and stone
  • Furniture complies to fire safety standards
  • Domestic waste; guests are advised to use the small waste bins provided and decant to external waste bins regularly
  • Cleaning products and aerosols; guests are advised not to leave cleaning products or aerosols near sources of heat
  • Fire lighters and matches are kept in a fire safe tin away from sources of heat

The properties are secured to prevent unwanted access and guests are reminded to lock the cottages when they go out

Combustible materials and waste are stored away from the cottages

The housekeeping is of a high standard to avoid the build-up of combustible materials and waste, and ducts and filters are regularly cleaned

Only qualified contractors are used

Persons at risk:

  • Pheasant Cottage is a 2 bedroom property which sleeps up to 4 guests
  • Owl Cottage is a 3 bedroom property which sleeps up to 5 guests
  • Buzzard Cottage is a 2 bedroom property which sleeps up to 4 guests
  • Goose Cottage is a 3 bedroom property which sleeps up to 6 guests
  • There are 2 owner/directors who live on site in the adjacent farmhouse and 1 additional relative who resides in the annex 

Means of escape:

  • Each cottage is a small 2 storey terrace cottage
  • There are no inner rooms
  • The front door is the fire escape door which is unlocked with a thumb turn
  • There is emergency lighting at the top of the stairs which can be used as a torch, and will automatically come on in the event of a power cut
  • Additionally there is a wind up torch at the top of the stairs which is not reliant on battery or mains power
  • The cottages are kept free of clutter with minimal furniture, stairways and hallways are kept clear and guests are advised to keep these areas free of clutter during their stay
  • All doors and windows are checked at every changeover
  • All bedroom doors are nominal fire doors

Fire alarm and fire detection:

  • Mains fitted radio linked amoke and heat alarms have been fitted on the upstairs landing and the downstairs open plan kitchen/living area, these are tested at every cottage clean and changeover and can be heard throughout the cottage which is small
  • There is a fire bell located by the stable which can be sounded to alert all guests and residents to a fire risk

Fire fighting equipment:

  • Guests are informed that their priority is evacuation, not to fight a fire
  • A fire blanket is available in the downstairs open plan kitchen/living area

Evacuation procedure:

  • The cottages can be exited via the front door
  • In the event of a fire guests are asked to exit the building as quickly and as safely as possible without delaying to collect belongings
  • Guests are asked to call the fire brigade on 999 immediately and to raise the alarm by activating the fire bell which is located by the stables and to gather on the concrete yard in front of the games barn

Record keeping:

  • Records are kept of the fire alarm checks conducted on changeovers, the annual PAT testing and the 5 yearly electrical inspections