Fire Risk Assessments

Hi there, I have 2 question about protected escape routes in a pub with live-in accommodation upstairs: 1. There are 2 escape routes from the first floor accommodation flat via separate corridors & stairs. Some of the doors on these routes are not FD30S. Question is, would they need to be as there are two escape routes? Risk assessment could argue that if one escape route becomes compromised, another will be available. So for life safety, 30 min fire protection is not required along either of the routes). 2. In an older builder, can a 25mm doorstop still be accepted as a alternative to intumescent seals/cold smoke strips. Thanks!

I have some fd30 doors within a care facility with that only have 2 hinges fitted . Am I looking to install a third hinge to comply? or was 2 hinges once allowed and the legislation not retrospective when it comes to a FRA. ? The fire brigade inspection did say that intumescent strips had to be fitted (since done) but no mention of hinge quantity.

In an small office environment, is there a requirement for the incoming electrical mains to to encased to offer 30 mins FR? In this example the incoming cable is housed in a wooden cupboard along with the consumer unit ( a new metal case type.)

Hello all, Have a slight conundrum with a new basement I would like to put partially under a new extension. 1/3 will be under the extension, 2/3 will be in the garden. size is approx 5 x 5 x 3 high There will be skylights in the garden bit. Access to the basement will be via a spiral staircase from the open plan kitchen/dining area. Building regs require an egress window and then stairs up to ground level - in this situation that means we will have a wall/banister 1000 high in the middle of the garden - that is enough to scrap the idea. HOWEVER... It has been suggested that other measures may negate the need for an egress opening - domestic mist s…

Hi, what regulations should I use to assess a 100 year old industrial building which was originally a print works which has had a change of use and is now a craft shop with a small warehouse. I assume it'll be offices and shops? The travel distances are different for each guide and will conflict with what is currently in place. Thanks.

Hi folks, Please see the attached with reference to some work being carried out to build a self contained customer service outlet within a local council building. It will be self contained with security access for staff only. The area to the left bounded by the green walls is the staff area where a maximum of 3 people with be at any time. The majority of times will be 1 or 2 staff members. The public area to the right of that will be separated by security screens floor to ceiling. The architects have designed in an escape hatch through the screen as shown in the event of a fire. I have no idea why the door at 2 will not suffice as this will be the main entry/eg…

Hi, We have just taken on the management of a converted manor house into flats. In the communal area there is one door which leads down to a basement containing the boiler system and electric meters etc. The ceiling in the basement is not plaster boarded at all and the floorboards to the flats above are visible. My understanding is that this would need a lot of work to bring it up to standard. Is there any way around this? It has been mentioned that by implementing a full Evacuation Policy with a Fire Alarm System could be the way around this? This will probably be required anyway as the Property is not likely going to be able to support a 'Stay Put' policy…

Hi, I recently moved into a new build apartment in Manchester and the front door to my apartment has a quite large gap at the bottom (4cm) the apartment door leads to the hallway with other apartments which all seem to have similar sized gaps . I’ve attached images . What could be the reason for these large gaps and does this affect fire & smoke compliance

Can anyone help me. I've been asked by a client if they could avoid the expense of providing 60 minute fire rated boarding between their commercial units and the flats above, if the commercial units became empty? I can't find any particular guidance around this and wonder if it just comes down to a risk assessment? Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Is anyone aware of CEW specifications within the HTMs. The only specific reference to CEWs I can find is in Health Building Note 00-04: ‘Circulation and communication spaces’ - HTM 05-02 does not specify CEWs in detail but directs you to this document. My question is, does Health Building Note 00-04 only apply to circulation and communication spaces or does it apply throughout a hospital i.e. to wards and operating theatres where bed and/or trolley evacuation is required?

Hi all, The kitchen in my rugby club has just undergone extensive refurbishment. There are 2 separate doors, neither of which has currently been designated or signed as a fire exit. I've been down and inspected the refurb and was concerned that both doors open inwards into the kitchen. I thought this was odd and the Operations manager said he would confer with the architect about why this has happened. If the doors were to open outwards (in the direction of escape) one would open into the main bar area and one would open into the foyer which is where I suspect the majority would be exiting in the event of a fire. I thought the RRFSO was quite clear about emergen…

Good morning,can anyone help please.I have a 2 bed flat with 2 tenants, it's a private rental in a converted house.Downstairs is another private rental with 2 tenants . I had a fire risk assessment of the hallway as a friend of mine said I needed to ensure it was safe ,and now have many works that need to be carried out .Including a fire alarm system in the hallway .I haven't got any issues with this ,but being a small set up it says online that these systems as well as monthly checks they also need weekly checks and recording of this . Is this system necessary for communal hallways in non HMO dwellings ? I'm so confused as the maintenance of this seems a l…

Evening, These emergency lighting control units are wall mounted in the communal corridor within a high rise block. mains fed and house 12 lead acid back up batteries. the corridor forms part of the escape route from the FED to the stairwell. what are your views on fire separation and would you recommend they are encased in a fire resisting enclosure to REI30 cheers all.

Hi all, Is there a requirement to undertake an audibility test under BS5389 apart from service & inspection by a specialist contractor? Weekly fire alarm test & check of audibility in areas are carried out in-hose. Thanks

Hi all, in the case of a large site with multiple buildings, would every building require an individual fire risk assessment? I understand most occupied buildings would certainly require one but what about say a small GRP security kiosk, single unit portacabin or vacant/derelict buildings etc?

Hi, am looking to remove a wall in our flat which is one of 4 flats in a converted victorian house. Main reason is to open a fairly narrow kitchen up and more open plan. Obviously I am aware of structural things related to such a task, but am interested to know if there is any fire risk issue. The wall in question is marked yellow. The floor plan is as we bought it. Currently the entrance to this 1st floor flat is already open to the kitchen as you can see. In the kitchen is installed a fire detector and siren. That entrance door is a fire door and the building passes fire checks. By removing the wall, I will need a building control notice from the council, in my vie…

Hi, Modern conversion (2017) of office block to self-contained residential flats. Gas boilers for flats are installed in common part cupboards. FD30S doors and semi-reasonable fire resisting construction but no lobby separating the place of 'special fire hazard' from the stairway, as the cupboards open directly onto the corridor leading to the stair. Does this meets with ADB, I don't think it does and I am also concerned that there are flues running into voids, but that's a separate gas regulation issue. All thoughts gratefully received. Mark

Hello, I live in a flat in a former 1960s or 1970s post office building that was converted into flats in 2014. It's a Waitrose mini supermarket on the ground floor and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors contain 11 flats in total (quite high spec with a lift and very thick and solid doors which I suspect are 1 hour fire doors as not much sound gets through). It has an addressable fire alarm system that covers the communal areas (I don't think it's linked to Waitrose) but no Grade A detection or sounders in the 11 flats. A fire risk assessor has said that a Grade A combined heat detector with sounder is required in the hallway of each flat and the sounder must …

Hello. I’m having a disagreement with my housing association landlord regarding the enclosed porch at the front of our flat. I know the stairwells are communal, and the flats opposite share a porch landing, however ours is completely enclosed and has a door fitted. Is this enough to define it as private under the law?

I am trying to establish what Fire regulations or certification applies to a Manor house converted into 13 self contained flats. Can anyone help me with this query? Kind Regards Mike

My friend took a few general safety courses as a manager but he needs to make sure that he is covering all bases as plenty of time has passed since then. Will an iosh managing safely refresher be viable? Could I get more details on this? Does it cover everything he needs, such as fire safety?

I have started to work for a small company of 13 people, we have a new office which is mostly open plan and a few offices, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, 2 x meeting rooms. At the moment there are is no fire alarm fitted, there is a bell but I think it has been disconnected there is a shop underneath us (our landlord) so I think it used to belong to them. I think it falls on me to get this sorted and it makes me really nervous having to plan all this and not 100% what we need. We have fire extinguishers that are due to be checked every 12 months. Can we just get smoke detectors fitted all around the office or do we have to have a fire alarm fitted? I didn't want to…

Hi All, Does anyone know what the minimum/ maximum recommended time delay is between hearing the audible fire alarm activation voice messages and the intermittent sounders that follow that message. This is for an 8 story open planned cooperate office building. Many thanks MFD

2 containers one on top of the other, the top container is used as an office that has stairs leading to it that is the only way of getting in and out. Do these stairs have to be periodically tested every 6 months like emergency stairs as they are for all purpose use?

Hello all, We have had a fire risk assessment completed by a new company, who are gladly more stricter than past companies. My question is, that our main buildings were built in 1958. Some of the pick up points were concerning risks which are due to the building being built before such regs, whilst we complete as many pick points as we can. Some like the pvc windows and panels for example were fitted before such rules came into place. And the due to the cost of replacing these which would be enormous. So how do we stand in such matters, what reply do I give, If the cost is simply not practicable due to the age of the premises?