Tom Sutton

Check out https://envirograf.com/product/animal-door-flap/ and speak to envirograf they may be able to help. You will also have to speak to Lambeth council.

You also need to study Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats and having commercial spaces & a car park at the basement does complicate matters.

If you need to ask such a question maybe your not the right person to conduct such a task and need the help of a qualified person. But if you want to understand more about the subject check out https://www.firesafe.org.uk in particular page https://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-emergency-evacuation-plan-or-fire-procedure/.

Spy holes are a security matter, not a fire safety matter unless you are talking about vision panels?

I think this is an AOV control system and not a fire alarm and the use of sounders seem to be not necessary. I understand wall mounted detectors are acceptable under certain situations so check out BS 5839 and an AOV control box may be able to be situated in such a location. Check out https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/22/messages/AHy_aH9aGMEgXLWUFQGSWEp7xnU?.intl=uk&.lang=en-GB&.partner=none&.src=fp may be useful and Guidance on Smoke Control to Common Escape Routes in Apartment Buildings (Flats and Maisonettes).

I cannot speak for the asbestos assessment, but the fire risk assessment is the responsibility of the Responsible Person, who will be the owner/agent. It is unlikely one would have been carried out in this situation, providing the front doors lead directly to the public thoroughfare, with no obstructions. The problem is that the guidance just says " the common areas of flats and maisonettes " and doesn't differentiate between internal or external but if you apply common sense it would only apply when your actions are likely to jeopardize the safety of other people. Check out The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422192/9281_Sleeping_Accomodation_v2.pdf

This will depend on your tenant's agreement or other contacts you have signed so it is not a fire safety matter but a legal one and you should seek advice from a property lawyer. What is important that it is made clear that this would not apply in an emergency situation.

I have no idea how it will affect your NHBC 10-year certificate or if you will need a full-on survey. I think standard plasterboard would suffice as I cannot see any difference in the fire risk either side of the staircase, providing you do not use under the staircase as storage.

With outward opening doors, we used to require a meter of level going before you had to step down, I believe it came from the building regulations. If should study approved document M but not being totally au fait with most of the approved documents I cannot give a location. Check out https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/441786/BR_PDF_AD_M2_2015.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-from-falling-collision-and-impact-approved-document-k.

I cannot see a detrimental fire safety problem if you removed the wall, providing the staircase remains underdrawn and the hall/landing remains as sterile as can be expected. There would be no legislation involved, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 doesn't apply and building regs would not have issued the completion certificate if it had not complied, I do not believe removing the wall would make the means of escape any worse. The Housing Act is pretty vague anyway and I cannot see the local council raising any objections.

Is it a meter cupboard or is it just a storage cupboard.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is all about Fire Risk Assessment and the guides are guides, there is nothing cast in stone. During the FRA the assessor has to consider many things, to decide if modifications can be allowed to the guidance and not all fire safety related. The assessor has to make his/her decisions based on risk assessment and if necessary defend it in court. Without knowing all the necessary details it is impossible to give a definitive answer.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is all about Fire Risk Assessment and the guides are guides, there is nothing cast in stone. During the FRA the assessor has to consider many things, to decide if modifications can be allowed to the guidance and not all fire safety related. The assessor has to make his/her decisions based on risk assessment and if necessary defend it in court. Without knowing all the necessary details it is impossible to give a definitive answer.

Do you have an alternative means of escape, or travel in one direction, from your front door this will determine the type of front door you require also do you have a stay put fire procedure.

It sounds like the detector, detected CO or other gasses, above the trigger point and gave a warning, but it dissipated quickly, which can happen. I have heard of situations where exhaust fumes from a nearby road has been blow though a vent and actuated the CO detector inside. It could be an intermittent fault on the CO detector, so if it happens again have the detector checked out. If you are concerned, then purchase another CO detector which you keep the two detectors close together and if both do not operate at the same time, you can assume a false alarm. Check out https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/help-and-advice/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/