Tom Sutton

Check out https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/NFCC Guidance publications/NFCC_Specialised_Housing_Guidance_-_Copy.pdf you may find some help there.

If the external fire escape serves all floors then it is likely that the kitchen door needs to be an FD30s fire door so you will need to find out if it meets a fire resisting standard.

I would stick to the lacors guidance, front doors to be FD30s fire doors, upgraded or replaced and a grade A in the common areas with a heat detector in the hallway of each flat. Each flat owner should be advised to provide a grade D system in each flat, not interlinked. The alternative fire escape route would be a bonus but not used as a compensatory factor for the principle means of escape.

You need to check the fire risk assessment that will tell you if emergency lighting is required. Assuming the building is not a place of public entertainment which usually requires maintained illuminated exit signs they are not required in non maintained systems providing any fixed exit signs are well illuminated by the emergency lighting.

I do not understand the layout you are describing "each flat having an entrance door and a kitchen window on to the corridor" is the door and window in different rooms, also you cannot use fire escape window on the second floor because of the height. Escape windows cannot be fire rated window because they need to be fixed permanently shut and if the escape corridor is enclosed, the kitchen windows should be fire rated.

I cannot give you a definitive response without a physical inspection or detailed plans but I am reasonable certain all flats should have domestic smoke alarm and CO detector installed by the landlord, check out The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and a LDI system should only be installed if you have a full evacuation fire procedure. All front doors opening onto a common area should be fitted FD30s fire doors. I also think all tenants should be given a detailed note on the action to be taken in the event of a fire especially now while the works are being actioned and should be a full evacuation until at least the work is completed.

Is the fire inspector you speak of a fire and rescue officer or a person conducting a fire risk assessment.

Does the flats operate a a stay put or full evacuation fire procedure and was the building built to any approved standard.

Check out approved document K page 35 if people moving about in the building are likely to collide with the inward opening windows they they would be a contravention of AP K5. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/443181/BR_PDF_AD_K_2013.pdf

Electric meter installations are quite a high fire risk ( I have dealt with many as a firefighter)and as common stairway enclosures should be very low fire risk then I believe the installation should be enclosed by fire risting cupboard.

I agree it is not a major fire risk but it is a fire risk and you have to deceive if you are prepared to accept it.

You need to give more details on the construction and layout of the building and is each flat owned or leasehold and who is the Responsible Person also what is the fire procedure.

You can get expanded polystyrene products that have an additive to inhibit fire and are safer that those that do not, so you need to contact the retailer to see if it does. Although I would not consider it a major fire hazard my advice is to not use it and you should consider using plaster ceiling coving which I think is aesthetically more pleasing and of course less of a fire risk.

I think this is a civil matter and and you need to speak to your solicitor or the police and find why it was considered illegal parking.

You will find about minimum widths in approved document M page 7 check out https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/540330/BR_PDF_AD_M1_2015_with_2016_amendments_V3.pdf. As it is an existing door the BCO/AI may consider a smaller width but that will be up to him/her.