A stable option

摘要

The UK's farming industry has declined over the last two decades for numerous reasons. A report by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for 2002-03 showed that 56% of England's 60,400 farmers had to diversify to stay in the industry. As a result, former farm buildings have been converted, for example, into stables to accommodate horses, ponies and donkeys. Yet despite the increase in building development in these areas, and proven fire risks, there is only a limited amount of guidance available on fire safety standards for conventional farm buildings. There is very little, if any, in-depth information on how to understand and comply with the statutory fire safety requirements for farmers and licensed commercial stables. The Building Regulations and BS: 5502-20: 1990: Buildings and structures for agriculture. Code of practice for general design considerations only provide those designing, constructing and occupying farm buildings with a general indication of the types of fire safety standards to apply.