Good Practice Guide

The information in this guide is based on the Model Standards 1989 - Permanent Residential Mobile Home Sites from the Caravan Sites and Contrtol of Development Act 1960 Section Five


It will be included in all new Peterborough City Council Licence Conditions for Permanent Residential Mobile Home Sites.

SITE BOUNDARIES

  1. The boundaries of the site should be clearly marked, for example by fences or hedges. In addition, the site owner should give the Local Authority a plan of its layout. It is recommended that a 3 metre wide area should be kept clear within the inside of all boundaries (except for storage sheds).

DENSITY AND SPACE BETWEEN CARAVANS

  1. Subject to the following variations, every caravan should be not less than 6 metres from any caravan, which is occupied separately, and not less than 2 metres from a road. The point of measurement for porches, awning etc. is the exterior cladding of the caravan.
    • Porches may protrude 1 metre into the 6 metres or should be constructed of non-combustible materials.
    • Eaves, drainpipes and bay windows may extend into the 6 metre space provided the total distance between the extremities of two adjacent units is not less than 5.25 metres.
    • Where there are ramps for the disabled, verandas and stairs extending from the unit, there should be 4.5 metres clear space between units and two such items should not face each other in any space. If they are enclosed, they will be considered as part of the unit and, as such, should not intrude into the 6 metre space.

    A garage, a shed or covered storage space should be permitted between units only if it complies with the following:-

    • The structure should be of a single storey construction.
    • Provided the structure is built of non-combustible material and has a minimum of 30 minutes fire-resistance including the roof, it will be permitted both between units and within the 3 metre boundary.
    • Sufficient space is maintained around each unit so as not to prejudice means of escape in case of fire.
    • Any walls of such structures facing site boundaries or adjacent units, must be imperforate i.e. no doors or windows.
    • As a general rule, any structure, which is of a combustible nature, will not be permitted within the 6 metre space between units. However, provided the construction of the structure is approved by the Fire Authority it may be permitted in the 3 metre boundary area, provided it is not less than 5 metres from any unit or structure not occupied by the owner of the structure in question.
    • The storage of empty or full LPG cylinders must not be permitted in any of the above structures.
    • Storage of flammable liquids must be restricted to non-combustible structures or a properly constructed non-combustible and fire-resisting area within a combustible structure.
    • Car ports and covered walkways are not allowed within the 6 metre space; for cars and boats between units, see Standard 24.
  2. The density should be consistent with safety standards and health and amenity requirements. The gross density should not exceed 50 caravans to the hectare, calculated on the basis of the usable area (i.e. excluding lakes, roads, communal services and other areas unsuitable for the siting of caravans) rather than the total site area.

ROADS, GATEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS

  1. Roads and footpaths should be designed to provide adequate access for fire appliances. Roads of suitable material should be provided so that no caravan standing is more than 50 metres from a road. Where the approach to the caravan is across ground that may become difficult or dangerous to negotiate in wet weather, each standing should be connected to a carriageway by a footpath with a hard standing. Roads should not be less that 3.7 metres wide, or, if they form part of a clearly marked one way traffic system, a minimum of 3.1 metres wide. Gateways should be a minimum of 3.1 metres wide and have a minimum height clearance of 3.7 metres. footpaths should not be less than 0.75 metres wide. Roads should have no overhead cables less than 4.5 metres above the ground. Roads and footpaths should be suitably lit. Where safety lighting is required for roads and footpaths, it should be wired from the main electrical supply on its own sub-circuit. Where the access road is a cul-de-sac, a turning circle is required of at least 16.76 metres diameter, at the end distant from the access. (Detailed guidance on turning circles is available from the Fire Authorities.) Emergency vehicle routes within the site should be kept clear of obstruction at all times.

HARD STANDINGS

  1. Every caravan should stand on a concrete hard-standing which should extend over the whole area occupied by the caravan placed upon it, and should project a sufficient distance outwards from its entrance or entrances to enable occupants to enter and leave safely.

FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES

FIRE POINTS
  1. These should be established so that no caravan or site building is more than 30 metres from a fire point. They should be housed in a weather proof structure, easily accessible and clearly and conspicuously marked "FIRE POINT".
FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
  1. Where water standpipes are provided and there is a water supply of sufficient pressure and flow to project a jet of water approximately 5 metres from the nozzle; such water standpipes should be situated at each fire point. There should also be a reel that complies with British Standard 5306 Part 1, with a hose not less than 30 metres long, having a means of connection to a water standpipe (preferably a screw thread connection) with a water supply of sufficient pressure and terminating in a small hand control nozzle. Hoses should be housed in a box painted red and marked "HOSE REEL".
  2. Where standpipes are not provided but there is a water supply of sufficient pressure and flow, fire hydrants must be installed within 100metres of every caravan standing. Fire Hydrants must conform to British Standard 750. Access to hydrants and other water supplies must not be obstructed or obscured.
  3. Where standpipes are not provided, each fire point should be provided with either water extinguishers (2 x 9 litre) or a water tank of at least 500 litres capacity fitted with a hinged cover, two buckets and one hand pump or bucket pump. Fire fighting equipment should be checked annually and results entered in the logbook.
FIRE WARNING
  1. A means of raising the alarm in the event of fire should be provided at each fire point and the minimum requirement is as follows:
    • - A fixed bell, similar to those previously used on fire engines; or
    • - A fixed rotary fire alarm gong; or
    • - A simple electrical fire alarm system having a break glass call point and warning device such as a siren.

    The advice of the Fire Authority should be sought on an appropriate system.

    Any alarm system provided must be fully maintained and tested at least once each month and the result entered in the logbook.

MAINTENANCE
  1. All alarm and fire fighting equipment should be installed, tested and maintained in working order by a competent person and be available for inspection by, or on behalf of, the Licensing Authority. A logbook should be kept to record all tests and any remedial action. The logbook should be available for inspection by the Fire and Licensing Authorities. All tests of equipment, visits by manufacturers' maintenance staff and visits by the Fire Service should be recorded in the logbook. Logbooks can be obtained from the Licensing Authority.
  2. All equipment susceptible to damaged by frost should be suitably protected.
FIRE NOTICES
  1. A clearly written and conspicuous notice should be provided and maintained at each fire point to indicate the action to be taken in case of fire and the location of the nearest telephone. This notice should include the following:-

    "On discovering a fire

    1. ensure the caravan or site building involved is evacuated
    2. raise the alarm
    3. call the Fire Brigade (the nearest telephone is sited..........)
    4. attack the fire using the fire fighting equipment provided, if safe to do so.

    It is in the interest of all occupiers of this site to be familiar with the above routing and the method of operating the fire alarm and fire fighting equipment".

    These Fire Notices are to be checked at least once a week and entered into the logbook.

FIRE HAZARDS
  1. Long grass and vegetation should be cut at frequent and regular intervals where necessary to prevent it becoming a fire hazard to caravans, building or other installations on the site. Any such cuttings should be removed from the vicinity of caravans. The space beneath and between caravans should not be used for the storage of combustible materials.
TELEPHONES
  1. An immediately accessible telephone should be available on the site for calling the emergency services. A notice by the telephone should include the address of the site.

STORAGE OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)

  1. LPG storage supplied from tanks should comply with Guidance Booklet HSG 34 "The Storage of LPG at Fixed Installations" or, where LPG is supplied from cylinders, with Guidance Note CS4 "The Keeping of LPG in Cylinders and Similar Containers" as appropriate.

    The LPG cylinders may only be stored adjacent to units they serve provided that they comply with the following:

    • They are on a concrete base and are adequately ventilated
    • They are not positioned near any door to the unit
    • They are not stored adjacent to any electrical installation/meters, any sources of ignition or near any open drainage gulleys
    • They are not stored beneath any caravan structure

    Where there are metered supplies from a common LPG storage tank, then Guidance Note CS11 "The Storage and Use of LPG at Metered Estates" provides further guidance. In this case and where a British Gas mains supply is available, then the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984 and the Pipelines Act 1996 may also be applicable.

    LPG installation should conform to British Standard 5482, "Code of Practice for domestic butane and propane gas burning installations, Part 2: 1977 Installations in Caravans and Non-Permanent Dwellings".

    For mains gas supply, the 1984 Regulations will be relevant for the installation downstream of any service pipe(s) supplying any primary meter(s) and such service pipes are subject to the Gas Safety Regulations 1972.

    In cases where the site owner supplies gas to caravans on the site, he may need an authorisation to do so from OFGAS under the Gas Act 1986.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

  1. Sites should be provided with an electricity supply sufficient in all respects to meet all reasonable demands of the caravans situated on them.
  2. Any electrical installations, which are not Electricity Board works and circuits subject to regulations made by the Secretary of State under Section 16 of the Energy Act 1983 and Section 64 of the Electricity Act 1947, should be installed, tested and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the Institution of Electrical Engineers' (IEE) Regulations for Electrical Installations for the time being in force and, where appropriate, to the standard which would be acceptable for the purposes of the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, Statutory Instrument 1988 No. 1057.
  3. Work on electrical installations and appliances should be carried out only by competent persons such as the manufacturer's appointed agent, the electricity supplier, a professionally qualified electrical engineer, a member of the Electrical Contractors' Association, a contractor approved by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, or a qualified person acting on behalf of one of the above. The installations should be inspected periodically; under IEE Wiring Regulations, every year or such longer period (not exceeding three years) as is considered appropriate in each case. When an installation is inspected, it should be judged against the current regulations.
    The inspector, must, within one month of such an inspection, issue an Inspection Certificate in the form prescribed in the IEE Wiring Regulations, which must be retained by the Site Operator and displayed, supplemented or replaced by subsequent certificate, with the site licence. The licence holder must, within one month of receipt, send a copy of the certificate or a letter of deficiencies to the Licensing Authority. The cost of the inspection and report should be met by the Site Operator or licence holder.
  4. If an inspection reveals that an installation no longer complies with the regulations existent at the time it was first installed, any deficiencies should be rectified as soon as practicable. Any major alterations and extensions to an installation and all parts of the existing installation affected by them should comply with the latest version of the IEE Wiring Regulations.
  5. Where there are overhead electric lines on the site, suitable warning notices should be displayed at the entrance to the site and on supports for the line. Where appropriate, particular attention should be drawn to the danger of masts of yachts or dinghies contacting the line.

WATER SUPPLY

  1. All parks should be provided with a water supply in accordance with appropriate Water Byelaws and statutory quality standards.

REFUSE DISPOSAL

  1. Every caravan should have an adequate number of suitable non-combustible refuse binds with close-fitting lids or plastic bags. Arrangements should be made for the bins to be emptied regularly. Where communal refuse bins are also provided these should be of similar construction and housed within a properly constructed bin store.

PARKING

  1. One car only may be parked between adjoining caravans provided that the door to the caravan is not obstructed. Suitably surfaced parking spaces should be provided where necessary to meet the additional requirements of the occupants and their visitors. Plastic or wooden boats should not be parked between units.

NOTICES

  1. A suitable sign should be prominently displayed at the site entrance indicating the name of the site.
  2. Notices and a plan should be displayed on the site setting out the action to be taken in the event of an emergency. They should show where the police, fire brigade, ambulance and local doctors can be contacted and the location of the nearest public telephone. The notices should also give the name and location/telephone number of the site licence holder or his/her accredited representative. At sites subject of flood risk, warning notices should be displayed giving advice about the operation of the flood warning system.
  3. All notices should be suitably protected from the weather and displayed where possible out of the direct rays of the sun, preferably in areas lit by artificial lighting.
Peterborough City Council. Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1QT - (01733) 747474 - DX12310 Peterborough 1