Licence conditions for pre-2008 permanent residential sites

This schedule of conditions relates to pre-2008 permanent residential mobile home sites.

1. Site boundaries

1.1 The boundaries of the site shall be clearly marked by a hedge or fence. In addition, the site owner shall provide the local authority with a plan of the site layout upon application for a licence, transfer of a licence, or when requested to do so by the licensing authority. A 3 metre wide area shall be kept clear within the inside of all boundaries.

1.2 The requirement for a 3 metre clear area to be maintained within the inside of all boundaries shall only apply to sites on or after 25 March 1993 or where a caravan is replaced on an existing site.

2. Type of caravan

2.1 No caravan shall be stationed on site unless it is of a proprietary type complying with British Standard 3632:1989, or subsequent modifications thereof.

2.2 The requirement for caravans to comply with BS3632:1989 shall apply to sites first licensed on or after 25 March 1993 or where a caravan is replaced on an existing site.

2.3 There shall not be stationed on the site more than the permitted number of caravans.

3. Separation space between caravans

Subject to the following variations, every caravan shall be not less than 6 metres from any other caravan or any other dwelling at any point and not less than 2 metres from a road. The point of measurement for porches, awnings, etc is the exterior cladding of the caravan:

3.1 Porches may protrude 1 metre into the 6 metres and shall be of the open type. Enclosed porches shall be considered as part of the caravan and as such shall not intrude into the separation space.

3.2 Where awnings are used, the distance between any part of the awning and an adjoining caravan shall not be less than 3 metres. They shall not be of the type which incorporates sleeping accommodation and they shall not face each other or touch.

3.3 Eaves, drainpipes and bay windows may extend into the 6 metre space provided the total distance between the extremities of two adjacent caravans is not less than 5.25 metres.

3.4 Where there are ramps for the disabled, verandas and stairs extending from the caravan, there shall be 4.5 metres clear space between them and two such items shall not face each other in any space. If they are enclosed, they shall be considered as part of the caravan and, as such, shall not intrude into the 6 metre space.

3.5 A garage, a shed, or a covered storage space may be permitted between caravans only if it is of non-combustible construction (including non-combustible roof). A 1 metre wide space shall be maintained around each caravan so as not to prejudice means of escape in case of fire. Windows in such structures shall not face towards the caravan on either side. Car ports and covered walkways shall not be erected within the separation space. For cars and boats between caravans, see Condition 13.

3.6 Existing combustible garages, sheds or covered storage spaces when replaced shall only be replaced by non-combustible structures.

4. Roads, gateways and footpaths

Roads and footpaths shall be designed to provide adequate access for fire appliances. (Detailed guidance on turning circles, etc is available from the Fire Authority). Roads of suitable material shall be provided so that no caravan standing is more than 50 metres from a road. Each standing shall be connected to a road by a footpath with a hard surface. Roads shall not be less than 3.7 metres wide. Gateways shall be a minimum of 3.1 metres wide and have a minimum height clearance of 3.7 metres. Footpaths shall not be less than 0.75 metres wide. Roads shall have no overhead cable less than 4.5 metres above the ground. Roads and footpaths shall be suitably lit. Roads within caravan sites shall be kept clear of obstruction at all times to provide access for emergency vehicles.

5. Hard-standing

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

6. Fire fighting appliances

6.1 Fire Points

These shall be established so that no caravan or site building is more than 30 metres from a fire point. They shall be easily accessible and clearly and conspicuously marked "FIRE POINT".

6.2 Fire Fighting Equipment

a) 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 shall be situated at each fire point.

b) Where standpipes are not provided but there is a water supply of sufficient pressure and flow, fire hydrants shall be installed within 100 metres of every caravan standing. Hydrants shall conform to British Standard 750. Access to hydrants and other water supplies shall not be obstructed or obscured.

c) Where standpipes with hose reels are not provided, each fire point shall be provided with either water extinguishers (2 x 9 litres) or a water-filled tank of at least 500 litres capacity fitted with a hinged cover, 2 buckets and 1 hand pump or bucket pump. Fire extinguishers and pumps shall be housed in a weatherproof structure. All fire extinguishers shall be inspected and tested annually by a competent person.

6.3 Fire Warning

A means of raising the alarm in the event of a fire shall be provided at each fire point. This could be by means of a manually operated sounder, e.g. metal triangle with a striker, gong or hand-operated siren. Advice must be sought of the Fire Authority with regard to an appropriate alarm system (see Additional Fire Safety Advice).

6.4 Maintenance of Fire Fighting Equipment

a) All alarm and fire fighting equipment shall 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 log book shall be kept to record all tests and any remedial action.

b) All equipment susceptible to damage by frost shall be suitably protected.

6.5 Fire Notices

A clearly written and conspicuous notice shall 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 shall include the following:

"On discovering a fire -

a) Ensure the caravan or site building involved is evacuated;

b) raise the alarm;

c) call the Fire Brigade (the nearest telephone is sited.............................)

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

6.6 Fire Hazards

Long grass and vegetation shall be cut at frequent and regular intervals where necessary to prevent it becoming a fire hazard to caravans, buildings or other installations on the site. Any such cuttings shall be removed from the vicinity of caravans. The space beneath and between caravans shall not be used for the storage of combustible materials.

7. Telephones

An immediately accessible telephone shall be available on the site for calling the emergency services. A notice by the telephone shall include the address of the site.

8. Storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

8.1 LPG storage supplied from tanks shall comply with Guidance Booklet HSG 34 "The Storage of LPG at Fixed Installations" or, where LPG is supplied from cylinders and Similar Containers", as appropriate.

8.2 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, 1962 may also be applicable.

8.3 Portable gas bottles and cylinders placed outside caravans shall be provided with a firm, clean standing and be suitably secured in an upright position to prevent damage. Such bottles and cylinders shall not be placed within 3 metres of any combustible material, other than other caravan which they serve, or any drain, and shall be kept well ventilated at all times.

8.4 LPG installations shall 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".

8.5 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.

8.6 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.

9. Electrical installations

9.1 Sites shall be provided with an electricity supply sufficient in all respects to meet all reasonable demands of the caravans situated on them.

9.2 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, shall 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.

9.3 Work on electrical installations and appliances shall 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 (ECA), a contractor approved by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NIC), or a qualified person acting on behalf of one of the above.

9.4 The installations shall be inspected by a contractor, registered by NIC, under IEE Wiring Regulations every year or such longer period (not exceeding 3 years) as is considered appropriate in each case. When an installation is inspected, it shall be judged against the current regulations.

9.5 The licensee shall, within one month of such an inspection, obtain from the inspector an inspection certificate (Periodic Inspection Report) in the form prescribed in the IEE Wiring Regulations which shall be retained by the site operator and displayed, supplemented or replace by subsequent certificates, with the site licence. The cost of the inspection and report shall be met by the site operator or licence holder.

9.6 If an inspection reveals that an installation no longer complies with the regulations extant at the time it was first installed, any deficiencies shall be rectified. Any major alterations and extensions to an installation and all parts of the existing installation affected by them shall comply with the latest version of the IEE Wiring Regulations.

9.7 If there are overhead electric lines on the site, suitable warning notices shall be displayed at the entrance to the site and on supports for the line. Where appropriate, particular attention shall be drawn to the danger of masts of yachts or dinghies contacting the line.

10. Water supply

All sites shall be provided with a water supply in accordance with appropriate Water Byelaws and statutory quality standards.

11. Drainage, sanitation and washing facilities

11.1 Satisfactory provision shall be made for foul drainage, either by connection to a public sewer or sewage treatment works or by discharge to a properly constructed septic tank or cesspool approved by the local authority.

11.2 Each caravan shall have its own water supply and water closet. Each caravan standing shall be provided with a connection to the foul drainage system; the connection shall be capable of being made airtight when not in use.

11.3 Where shower or bath facilities are not provided at each standing, then communal facilities shall be provided on the ratio of one bath or shower (with hot and cold water) for each sex per 20 caravans; such facilities shall be provided with adequate artificial lighting.

11.4 Every site and every hard standing shall be provided with an adequate drainage system for the complete and hygienic disposal of foul, rain and surface water from the site, buildings, caravans, roads and footpaths.

12. Refuse disposal

Suitable provision shall be made for the hygienic storage, collection and disposal of refuse from caravans. Where communal refuse bins are provided, these shall be of non-combustible construction with close-fitting lids.

13. Car parking

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

14. Recreation space

A space equivalent to about one-tenth of the total area shall be allocated for children's games and / or other recreational purposes. The space shall be of such dimensions so as to facilitate ball games. 14.1 Where previous licence conditions permitted less than 10% of total area to be dedicated to recreational purposes this shall be deemed to comply with this condition.

15. Notices

15.1 A suitable sign shall be prominently displayed at the site entrance indicating the name of the site.

15.2 A copy of the site licence shall be displayed prominently on the site. The conditions shall be available upon request.

15.3 Notices and a plan shall be displayed on the site setting out the action to be taken in the event of an emergency. They shall show where the police, fire brigade, ambulance, and local doctors can be contacted, and the location of the nearest public telephone. The notices shall also give the name and location / telephone number of the site licence holder or his / her accredit representative. At sites subject to flood risk, warning notices shall be displayed giving advice about the operation of the flood warning system.

15.4 All notices shall 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.

16. Maintenance of caravans

16.1 Every caravan shall be kept weatherproof, in good repair and decoration and in all respects fit for human habitation.

16.2 The land shall be maintained in a tidy, orderly state and shall be kept free from refuse and litter. The licensee shall ensure that no detriment to the amenities of the land or the neighbourhood result from the use of the land as a caravan site.

17. Storage of caravans

No caravans shall be placed or stored on the site other than those included in the licensed number.

18. Unauthorised structures

No structures, other than those which comply with these conditions, shall be placed on site without prior approval of the licensing authority.

Additional fire safety advice

a) The early detection of fire in a mobile home or caravan is paramount to life safety. Occupants are advised to provide a domestic smoke detector, complying with BS5446: part 1, which may incorporate the alarm pause mode in its construction.

b) The following General Guidance is given for the location of smoke alarms:

• Standard Static Caravans The preferred location is ceiling mounted between the living and kitchen area. Mount smoke alarm out of line of sight of the kitchen area or cooker wherever possible. Additional smoke alarms should be considered for each bedroom.
• Mobile (Park) Homes If only one smoke alarm is fitted, this should be located in the living area or the hall, but not in the proximity of the kitchen or bathroom. Additional smoke alarms should be considered for each bedroom.