Questions & Response Form

 

We hope the consultation is presented so that you can understand and give due consideration to the various issues, the risks and the benefits. It will be helpful if you respond using the questions below.

The consultation is open to response until 17:00 on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

If you have trouble with the consultation form or a related query, please email the Standard Setting Forum secretariat at bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org

We will produce a summary of the views expressed and the Forum's response to the collated comments within two months of the closure of the consultation. The Forum will publish the conclusions on the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) website

Q1 – Do you support the general concept of introducing a new mandatory safety standard for the correct number of suitable working smoke alarm(s) in good condition to help reduce the risk of fire spreading, and where relevant, to protect invited guests on commercial and community boats (Non-private boats)?
Q2 – Do you agree that the BSS Check 6.5.1R is supportable (If the vessel has one or more accommodation space(s), is at least one suitable smoke alarm provided?)
Q3 – Considering the proposed BSS Check 6.5.2A (private boats) / X6.5.2R (Hire Boats) / C6.5.2R (Non-private Boats) regarding the audibility of installed smoke alarms by checking that they are fitted within 10m of each accommodation space that can be used for overnight stays. Do you agree that the proposed check is supportable?
Q4 – Do you agree that the Check 6.5.3R is supportable (Are smoke alarms of a suitable type and located at at specified heights?)
Q5 – Do you agree that the Check 6.5.4R is supportable (Are smoke alarms in good condition?)
Q8 - Can you see any further unintended consequences concerning introducing the proposals beyond those already mentioned in this consultation?
Q10. If responding for an organisation, may the organisation’s name and its response be made public?
Q11. If you are an individual respondent, are you happy for your anonymised responses to be made public?

Data retention policy

Personal details - i.e. name and email address of private individual respondents will be be kept on the BSS website server for no more than 12 months.

Organisation data - The organisation name responding may be kept on record for up to six years. Any contact email address may be retained on the BSS website server for 12 months.

All responses will be anonymised (names of organisations and individuals) and their retention reviewed within 10 years.

This data policy is in support of the regulatory change process.