I am chairman of our residents association and we run the block ourselves. The block is 40 years old and purpose built - comprising 12 flats.

Is it a legal requirement that emergency lighting should be installed in the common parts of the building?

Thank you

Is emergency lighting required if it is then it is a requirement what does your fire risk assessment say. Check out Sleeping accommodation Page 28, 103 for information on this subject.

The LACoRS guide to fire safety in housing states that emergency lighting will be required in HMOs/Shared houses of this size.

I would also assume that the fire risk assessment will demand emergency lighting. See our emergency lighting guide for helpful tips

The description states "The block is 40 years old and purpose built - comprising 12 flats" consequently it is unlikely to be a HMO/Shared house more likely to be self contained flats therefore only the RR(FS)O will apply.

Hi Tom

You might be right about self-contained flats. In this case it depends on the number of floors. The LACoRS guide asks for emergency lighting for self-contained flats from five floors upwards.

Hi Harry

I have looked through the guide and cannot find any references to purpose built self-contained only converted self-contained and there is a subtle difference.

Hi

Just to inform you, you may wish to take a look at Fire safety in purpose built flats which is more current and relevant, it also takes into consideration the guidance in the LACORS manual and works along side it.

You can download "Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats" from http://www.local.gov.uk/publications from their website. I agree with Ryan and is a highly acclaimed document and when the firenet forum says nice things about Colin T then it must be good.