Fire Prevention

Would a linked passage way between two properties which has glazing, need to be fire rated? The passage link windows/glazing is to the open. So I can’t see why it need to be? thanks

Modern restaurants are commonly using an open kitchen area, however this breaches the compartmentation between the kitchen and dining area. What are the regulations around doing this and how is it acceptable? Are there certain measures a restaurant has to take to negate the increased risk of doing this?

Hi. I work for a hotel company and am looking for documentation that specifies how many people should be in a building over night. Does this depend on the number of rooms/the number of guests? Thank you!

Where there is a flat above a restaurant with separate entrance, is an integrated FA system required please

Hi, I have recently set up a pottery studio in my garden. The building is made of wood and it houses an electrical kiln. Does anyone have any advise on what type and size of fire extinguisher I should keep in the shed. I have investigated both foam (ok to use on electrical fires if you are 1m away I believe) and powder 2kg size but i'm not sure which is best and what size I need. Many thanks for any help you can give. Julia

Hi, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on fire safety when upholstering furnture - I've scoured the regulations for what feels like hours to no avail! I'm re-upholstering the seat of an ottoman (Lloyd Loom style) which I will be looking to sell once complete. I have purchased replacement foam which complies with all UK fire safety regulations. I will be using a schedule 3 interliner as the fabric I'll be using is 100% cotton. Because of this I'm aware that the cotton fabric doesn't need to be match resistant but does it need to be cigarette resistant as it looks like I'll need to include this on the permanent fire safety label that I attach? I've co…

A query which has me puzzled on heat detector spacing. BS5839 gives spacing of 5.3m from any point for detectors on horizontal ceilings. However, it seems accepted that, within rooms, this should be halved to ensure overlap. Many manufacturers technical guides show this. I cannot see anything within the BS on this, and cannot see any circumstances where the 5.3m from any wall cannot be met . Any ideas?

Hi there, I recently had a company make furniture and upholster walls and furniture for my hair salon, I have recently been made aware by another customer that even though “they said” they treated the fabrics and foam used with fire retardant it turns out they have not so none of my furniture is fire guarded and has no labels and we have not seen any proof of this. Does anyone know where I stand now and what should my next steps be? I need some advice please as I fear I may need to shut the premises and have it all removed as I’m guessing it’s ultimately my responsibility to ensure it is safe and can I ask the company for a refund and proof of it being fire guarded? Than…

Good Morning. Can anyone help please. After checking fire doors on site i have noticed that on some of the doors a lot of Intumescent hinge pads have been use to help close the gap ( on some doors as many as 5 have been used ) I didn't think this was OK, can any body advise please. Kind Regards Martin

Hello, I live in a rented apartment in a large residential complex. I recently had a near-miss incident in my kitchen which resulted in the flat being filled with smoke, and worryingly the smoke alarm directly above the oven did not go off. I tested the alarm again after the incident and it still appeared to be working fine, though clearly it is not. Presumably this is because the smoke alarm is the original fitting? The complex is approximately 15 years old, and I understand that hard-wired smoke alarms are advised to be replaced every 10 years. I have asked my landlord to inspect it, and am confident that it will be replaced if required. However, pre…

My mother in Law lives on her own wears hearing aids during the day and obviously removes them when going to bed. I realise there is a wealth of domestic detectors on the market, but is there one that works through an App, so if it activates it will send a message to out to our mobile phones, so we can be aware? I just can't be sure she is going to hear anything with a stand alone device Cheers

Hi Guys, I am looking into importing garden furniture from China. The furniture is made from metal & plastic with foam seat & backrest cushions. The factory has tested the foam slabs & the covering fabric which is removable, the results are as follows: The sample(s) MEETS the following requirement(s): 1. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. S.I. No. 1324(amended 1989, 1993 and 2010), Schedule 1, Part I, Ignitability test for foam in slab or cushion form when using ignition source 5 of BS 5852:Part 2: 1982 What I am trying to understand is, do I need to carry out some tests here in the UK or can I sell these w…

The unit within a building being a multi occupied commercial building ground first and second built on an incline with one elevation at ground level having an entrance/exit into the second floor, there's a vaulted steel trusted 3.5 m high roof, there are currently two independent enclosed MOE discharging from the second floor, providing escape for the occupiers below discharging out in to an ultimate place of safety, total 2nd floor area 2090m2 The second floor is the area to be used to provide sleeping for homeless persons due to the premises they occupying as dorms not meeting the government's requirements for social distancing. The open warehouse will be fitt…

Hi I'm trying to find out where it says fire alarm or smoke detectors can be checked 50% on a 6 monthly basis. I know is recommended that fire alarm systems are to be tested either quarterly or six monthly but does that mean 100% check of all detectors and call points on the system.

Hi, we have several fire doors in our establishment and we want to change the door handles and kick plates from blue to brushed steel, do we have to buy specific ones? I have found some on Ebay etc, but just wondered if there were any regulations for this.

Hi, I have a couple of hardwired smoke detectors that need replacing in the house. It is a Firesafe model FdS238 ionization type smoke alarm currently but the manufacturers no longer make those, is there a way to find out the best replacement for these to ensure they need no additional wiring or base replacement (the bedroom one is in a very awkward place) any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi every one. How to get fire stopping certificate for ltd company . Thank you.

Hi all, I was wandering if you can tell me if a small Sluice Room (2m x 2m) which has an electric slice and a consumer unit should have a fire door fitted with intumecent smoke seals ...also, there is s vent at the bottom which I would say requires intumecent protection ? This is located in s Care Home. Any feedback will be appreciated

I'm helping my elderly mother move into a ground floor flat. Her door opens into a communal area. The door is currently a double pane Safety clear glass (with wires). I've asked the housing association to replace with a solid, wooden door, with peep hole and letter box. They've said new rules don't allow a peep hole or letter box. Is this right?

Hi, A bit of advice on regulations please. The company I work for supplies themed display props, often used in public display areas such as theme parks. We do not manufacture but import these items mostly from the USA. They are typically hand made and hand painted body casts that are foam filled with “rubberised”/outer skin and sometimes with a fabric covering. The products do not have any certification relating to combustible properties etc. but we are in discussions with them about this. In the interim we are considering spraying the fabric with flame retardant material as a way of reducing risk. I am struggling to find what legislation is relevant to the supply an…

Hi, Just wanted a second opinion. Scenario. Acetone is applied to a rag via a dispenser and used to clean utensils. The rags are then disposed of into a metal waste bin which has a fusible link which closes the bin lid in the event of fire. Bins are emptied at the end of every shift, however lids are left open during operational hours. My thoughts are that a waste bin with a sealed lid would be a better solution - e.g. foot pedal to open the lid which automatically closes. Current practise doesn't control flammable vapour from entering the atmosphere where there are light fittings, 240v sockets etc. Justification for the fusible lin…

Hi all, I am an electrical contractor who is keen to work with a good level of fire safety. A client of mine has recently on site FRA and one of the action point raised by the assessor is a electrical cupboard used as storage. This has previously mentioned on electrical reports but more due to accessibility regulations. While on site the other day a carpenter turned up to price boxing in the electrical equipment. at this point alarm bells started ringing in my head as to having further reduced access to electrical equipment. Now the obvious solution is to find alternative storage but due to being in central London and space at a premium an alternative solution …

i have a client that has an electric service cupboard. it is fire resistant to 30 minutes. the doors are perfect with fire rated hinges, intumescent seals. my question is can he use a bolt or surface mounted rim lock to secure it. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Hi Can anybody point me in the best direction for training courses with regards to supervising the installation/maintenance of fire doors and fire stopping. I have already completed the BRE 1 day fire stopping course and I have arranged a Rockwool seminar. All advice is much appreciated

The gaps around fire doors installed a year ago are over the advised 2mm - 4mm so need reducing. This maybe able to be rectified with adjustment to the hinges but if not could someone please advise on the best method to close the gaps. Intumescent strips are already installed so can another stick on intumescent strip be added to either the door or frame?