Fire Safety

SOUNDING THE ALARM

Posted on August 3, 2026

Raising the Standard for Fire Safety in the Caravan and Leisure Park Sector...

Fire safety within the caravan and leisure park industry has never been more critical. As modern caravans evolve in design, comfort and functionality, the need for robust, reliable fire detection systems has become a non-negotiable standard.

Hispec has been working alongside the majority of leading UK manufacturers and securing over 75% market share in smoke and heat alarm supply firmly positioning the brand as a market leader in this specialist sector. Caravans present a unique fire risk.

Their compact layouts, combined with the proximity of cooking appliances, heating systems and electrical installations, mean that fire can spread rapidly. In such environments, early detection is essential. This is why compliance with recognised safety standards such as BS EN 14604 and BS 5839-6 is not just a regulatory requirement, but a critical life-saving measure.

These standards ensure that alarms deliver consistent detection performance, clear audible warnings and dependable operation in real-world conditions. Hispec has built its reputation by not only meeting these standards but by championing best practice across the industry. One of the most important advancements in caravan fire safety is the requirement for mains powered smoke alarms with sealed 10 year battery backup.

During prolonged unoccupied periods in caravans and holiday homes of more than 7 days it is essential for maintaining the longevity of the alarm, that the alarm head is removed from its mounting plate. It is common during unoccupied periods that the power to the caravan is switched off which can cause the alarm to emit a low battery warning beep and will reduce its overall service life.

Removing the alarm head disengages the alarm battery enabling it to remain at optimised condition when it is eventually returned to its mounting plate and the caravan becomes occupied again. The importance of battery backup cannot be overstated. Caravans frequently experience power interruptions when disconnected from hook up points or during system faults.

Without a reliable secondary power source, occupants could be left unprotected at the most critical moment. Hispec’s integrated 10 year lithium battery solutions eliminate this risk, while also reducing user error by removing the need for frequent battery replacements and preventing tampering. Beyond installation, Hispec continues to advocate for ongoing safety responsibility.

Even the most advanced alarm system must be regularly tested to ensure it remains fully operational. Weekly testing or checks prior to occupancy are simple yet essential steps that can make the difference in an emergency. Additionally, keeping alarms clean, unobstructed, and replacing units at the end of their service life, after 10 years ensures continued compliance and performance.

Importantly, Hispec’s approach is not about compliance alone, but about delivering long term confidence to manufacturers, site operators and caravan owners alike. With minimal maintenance requirements and systems designed for durability, Hispec solutions offer both practicality and peace of mind.

As the caravan and leisure park sector continues to grow, expectations around safety will only increase. Hispec remains committed to leading this progress through innovation, rigorous testing, and an unwavering focus on protecting lives.

Hispec
T: 01257 262197
www.hispec.co.uk

SAFETY MELTING POT

Posted on August 2, 2022

SAFETY MELTING POT

Take a strategic site safety approach urges Ramtech's Tom Ambler...

WINTER AND SPRING are the ideal times to review a site and prepare it for the busier seasons.

 

Fire constitutes one of the biggest risks to the total loss of a park home, and with many sites often at lower capacity or closed during off-season, upgrading site safety and efficiency should be a top priority for site managers. Recent fire reports provide a stark warning to site owners, including how fire crews battled a large blaze at a Dorset holiday park, showcasing the chaos that fire can wreak.

Fortunately, no more than property damage was the outcome on this occasion but investing in the appropriate safety measures ahead of time, can help to reduce fire risk and help to stop a blaze quickly with the right detection in place. Preparing a site in advance of opening, by checking that the current fire safety system is working, is advisable. Any faulty wiring or machinery - particularly relating to power generators for homes or common buildings - as well as the threat of arson and vandalism should be front of mind all year around.

 

RAMTECH’S WES3 places the power in site owners’ hands

 

SHOW COMPLIANCE
Currently, holiday park site owners have a legal obligation to manage fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the FSO”). The act applies to all non-domestic premises including certain types of parks, such as those with common areas in leisure complexes, restaurants and guest houses. With park residents often mingling in these types of campsite community buildings, the threat to human life is very real.

Just a few years ago, there was an incident at a leisure facility on a campsite near Newquay, which resulted in extensive damage to several communal buildings including a swimming pool, sauna and gym. So, not only is protecting against fire a requirement under the FSO, it is also vitally important to avoid the financial implications, which can be huge.

 

A fire forces site owners into a massive rebuild operation, potentially putting them out of action for a season for more. A system, like Ramtech’s WES3, places the power in site owners’ hands. It’s an EN54-25 compliant connected device, that can be deployed at various points across holiday parks on stands.

It acts as an emergency response system, with automatic smoke and heat detectors responding to site incidents and maintaining 24/7 coverage through the CONNECT unit, otherwise known as the brains of the system. The WES3 is also IP55 rated, which means they are suitable for outdoor areas and won’t be affected by varying weather conditions. What’s more, the CONNECT system ensures off-site notifications can also be enabled, informing site owners and even alerting emergency authorities.

 

RECENT FIRE REPORTS provide a stark warning to site owners.

 

ROBUST FEATURES
While sites must ensure that fire safety is robust, other park management features that support the efficient and daily running of the park, are also welcome. This is where technology has evolved to help answer these added value requirements at the same time as emergency response needs. WiSE, for instance, is a reliable business information and monitoring platform providing real time alerts, data and information about security coverage. For holiday park operators, WiSE can also extend your existing security and fire system coverage, reducing the complexity and cost of enhancing your risk management systems.

The WiSE wireless security solution gives you peace of mind that your holiday park business and on- park properties are being securely monitored 24/7. Powered by long-life batteries and connected to a reliable radio technology, the system allows thousands of devices to be linked to a central base station that creates an instant alert via email, text or pager. WiSE is not dependent on SIM or WiFi to function, which is great for sites with little or no data or internet coverage.

 

WISE CAN ALSO EXTEND your existing security and fire system coverage.

 

Winter and spring are the ideal times to review a site and prepare it for the busier Easter and summer period. This should vitally include fire safety standards - as once peak season arrives, and the warmer weather attracts more visitors, the heat, coupled with popular campsite activities such as fires and barbecues, can be a real melting pot in terms of park accidents.

For more information on how Ramtech’s solutions can help protect holiday park sites, visit www.ramtechglobal.com

THREE REASONS TO ACT STRATEGICALLY TO ENSURE HOLIDAY PARK FIRE SAFETY

Posted on April 13, 2022

THREE REASONS TO ACT STRATEGICALLY TO ENSURE HOLIDAY PARK FIRE SAFETY


Fire constitutes one of the biggest risks to the total loss of a park home, and with many sites often at lower capacity or closed during off-season, upgrading site safety and efficiency should be a top priority for site managers. Tom Ambler, sales manager for leisure at Ramtech, shares the three reasons to consider more strategic site safety management, as sites reopen for the busy spring/summer season.

Safeguard parks and people

Winter and spring is the ideal time to review a site and prepare it for the busier Easter and summer period. This should vitally include fire safety standards - as once peak season is here and the warmer weather attracts more visitors, the heat, coupled with popular campsite activities such as fires and barbecues, can be a real melting pot in terms of park accidents.
Recent fire reports provide a stark warning to site owners, including how fire crews battled a large blaze at a Dorset holiday park, showcasing the chaos that fire can wreak. Fortunately, no more than property damage was the outcome on this occasion, but investing in the appropriate safety measures ahead of time, can help to reduce fire risk and help to stop a blaze quickly with the right detection in place.
Preparing a site in advance of opening, by checking that the current fire safety system is working, is advisable. Any faulty wiring or machinery - particularly relating to power generators for homes or common buildings - as well as the threat of arson and vandalism should be front of mind all year around.

Meet regulations with confidence

Currently, holiday park site owners have a legal obligation to manage fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the FSO”). The act applies to all non-domestic premises including certain types of parks, such as those with common areas in leisure complexes, restaurants and guest houses. With park residents often mingling in these types of campsite community buildings, the threat to human life is very real.
Just a few years ago, there was an incident at a leisure facility on a campsite near Newquay, which resulted in extensive damage to several communal buildings including a swimming pool, sauna and gym. So, not only is protecting against fire a requirement under the FSO, it is also vitally important to avoid the financial implications, which can be huge. A fire forces site owners into a massive rebuild operation, potentially putting them out of action for a season for more.
A system, like Ramtech’s WES3, places the power in site owners’ hands. It’s an EN54-25 compliant connected device, that can be deployed at various points across holiday parks on stands. It acts as an emergency response system, with automatic smoke and heat detectors responding to site incidents and maintaining 24/7 coverage through the CONNECT unit, otherwise known as the brains of the system.
The WES3 is also IP55 rated, which means they are suitable for outdoor areas and won’t be affected by varying weather conditions. What’s more, the CONNECT system ensures off-site notifications can also be enabled, informing site owners and even alerting emergency authorities.

Get real time data to protect and improve your park

While sites must ensure that fire safety is robust, other park management features that support the efficient and daily running of the park, are also welcome. This is where technology has evolved to help answer these added value requirements at the same time as emergency response needs.
WiSE, for instance, is a reliable business information and monitoring platform providing real time alerts, data and information about security coverage. For holiday park operators, WiSE can also extend your existing security and fire system coverage, reducing the complexity and cost of enhancing your risk management systems.
The WiSE wireless security solution gives you peace of mind that your holiday park business and on-park properties are being securely monitored 24/7. Powered by long-life batteries and connected to a reliable radio technology, the system allows thousands of devices to be linked to a central base station that creates an instant alert via email, text or pager. WiSE is not dependent on SIM or WiFi to function, which is great for sites with little or no data or internet coverage.

For more information on how Ramtech’s solutions can help protect holiday park sites, visit https://ramtechglobal.com/

Park Faces Fire Safety Failure Fines

Posted on January 16, 2017
Fire Safety

The owner of Europa Holiday Park has been fined for safety breaches, following a serious fire at the park in August 2015.

Park Faces Fire Safety Failure Fines

The owner of Europa Holiday Park, in North Devon has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £15,500 costs after pleading guilty to six offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Graham Toms, Director of Woolacombe Beach Holiday Park Ltd (operating at Europa Holiday Park), was also given a six-month sentence suspended for two years when he appeared before Exeter Crown Court. On the afternoon of August 3, 2015 a significant fire broke out in the club house at Europa Park Holiday park.

During the course of the fire, two staff members suffered burns and a guest, using the pool with his young son, had to break out of the building by using his bare feet to smash the glass of a locked fire exit with only minutes to spare. The resulting investigations by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service revealed a number of failings including lack of emergency escape lighting and failure to provide adequate safety training for staff. The investigation also found that Mr Toms had failed to act on the findings of a fire risk assessment carried in 2009, which had identified several issues.

Business Safety Manager Paul Bray, of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Mr Toms had been in the industry for many years and should have been well aware of what was expected and needed in respect of fire safety at the premises. “He understood the need for a Fire Risk Assessment, yet failed to comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Order by ignoring advice from those he had appointed to assist, putting lives at risk as evidenced by the actions and resulting injuries sustained by a guest and staff as a result of a fire on the premises.”