Tom Sutton

Further information to consider, 1. Because it will not bear any relationship to existing building regarding fire safety I would expect you need to consider a fire engineered approach. 2. This is bound to include life sprinklers, and automatic fire shutters. 3. You need to talk to Building Control at an early stage which could mean you will have a fight on your hands. Check out http://www.coopersfire.com/index.php.

Laurence, Have you considered treating it as a multi-storey car park there is a design guide for that, and there is a section on fire safety. check out Design recommendations for multi-storey and underground car parks(3rd Edition) there is a fourth edition but you will have to pay for that one. Remember 1st April has passed and it is definitely not a college project is it. :unsure:

Laurence I am assuming it must be subject to building regulations and you have a choice on three methods to use, 1. The prescriptive method by using Approved Document B (Fire Safety). 2. A fire engineered solution usually done by specialists using PD 7974. 3. A hybrid system using the methodology of both the above in a document BS 9999. The number of staircases and distance apart will depend on the number of people who will occupy the structure based on its use to establish the occupation factor. This is a strange one and I need more time for research. As a matter of interest how is it proposed the structure will be used? Tom

I have doubts on my previous submission because Approved Document B (Fire Safety) does not show smoke control is necessary in flats so ignore the reference to cold smoke seals and have word with your building control officer.

Do not understand you definition "a public plaza, with several stacked levels" hopefully some body else will or could you explain.

Depends on what the flammable liquids are and the quantity?

When tested fire door tend to fail at the gaps between the door leaf and the frame and need intumescent strips to seal this gap (when subjected to fire) to ensure they pass the test. This information should be available in the test certificate and should indicate intumescent seals need to be fixed to both sides and the head of the door. Because this fire door protects a means of escape route (Hallway, which is used by all habitable rooms) it should be provided with cold smoke seals which should be fitted to sides, head and threshold of the fire door.

The only BS that I am aware of for fire shutters is BS 479 part 22 or BS EN 1634-1:2008 and only deals with the fire resistance not the maintenance. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, require you subject all fire safety equipment to a maintenance program and have available means of proving to a Fire Rescue Service (FRS) officer that the equipment is maintained (logbooks, certificates or other documented proof. The Door & Hardware Federation have a scheme that may help, called TS004 check out DHF Repair& Maintenance Standard and http://www.dhfonline.org.uk/. .

I am not sure why a fire alarm is required in the kitchen unless it forms part of a BS5839-6:2004 domestic fire fire alarm, designed to alert you in the event of a fire in your flat. Does the detector on the hall operate the fire alarm for the whole building, which would alert all the residents of a fire in your flat, which would allow them time to escape. If am afraid there is not sufficient information Rosemary to give you a full answer. http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-alarms/

You only require a level of illumination as required by BS 5266-1: 2011 Code of practice for emergency lighting of premises and if the remainder of the emergency lighting provides that level then that would be satisfactory but I would remove the unnecessary emergency lights to prevent confusion. I would also suggest you take a second opinion from an approved emergency light installer who would leave the premises conforming to the above BS with all the necessary certificates. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/emergency-lighting/

It would all depend on the construct of the fire door and most likely it would not be considered satisfactory by an enforcing authority. You can buy bespoke doors by providing the size and the manufacturer makes the door, or provides a panel with instructions how to construct a fire door, try the internet.

I would suggest the closing time for a fire door will depend on the self closing device and all door furniture has a BS for each unit, the closing device is BS EN 1154:1997, check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-door-fitting-and-ironmongery/. The closing time stipulated is between 3 and 20 secs but the British Standard has to be read to fully understand the times.

There is no requirement for permanent fire labels to be attached to mattresses but the Responsible Person (Housing Association) should be able to prove the mattresses meet the required standard if needed and they are not in breach of any legislation. Speak nicely to the housing association they may change them.

A fire door has two purposes, first to resist the passage of fire and hot gases including hot smoke and designated FD. The second is to resist the passage of cold smoke and is indicated FD followed by an s. A FD fire door should be fitted with intumescent strips along the sides and top of the fire door/frame including the gap between the leaves of a double leaf fire door. The gap along the sides/top/between the leaves should be 3 mm +/- 1 mm and the old guidance stated the thresholds should not exceed 8/10 mm no mention of cold smoke seals, the new guidance states, BS 8214:2008 Under-door (threshold) gaps should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the particular door-set design. If the fire door is FDs it should be fitted with cold smoke seals (brush/rubber) sealing all the gaps including the threshold and the latest guidance states, BS 8214:2008. When fitted, smoke seals should give an even contact with the floor but should not exhibit significant increased frictional forces that could interfere with the closing action of the door.

It would depend on why the extinguishers are locked away and how available they would be in the event of a fire. If it is to prevent the children from maliciously operating them and the staff have keys readily available to access them when required then it could be acceptable, it all depends on the situation.

A fire exit is just a door to be used as required but must be available for use, without a key, during the time the premises is occupied, to enable persons to escape to the outside in the event of a fire in the premises.

I would suggest you check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/emergency-lighting/ and also invest in a copy of BS EN 50172:2004/BS 5266-8:2004 which is the official guidance on testing emergency lighting systems.

The regulations only apply to upholsted furniture and I am sure a glass dining table does not fall into that category, so a fire label is not required.

You could make augment that it is a workshop but if he has a road tax disc he is exempt from any duty under from the RR(FS)O by virtue of art 6(1) (e) so what other act/order would you apply?

You need to check out with the local housing department who are the authority who licence HMO,s. Also the common areas are subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and fire extinguishers are required, if necessary, check out regulation 13.Fire-fighting and fire detection of the RR(FS)O.

Robbie yes one fire alarm manual call point should be tested weekly to ensure the fire alarm is functioning correctly. In accordance with BS5839-1:2002+A2:2008 and check out Inspection and Servicing in http://www.firesafe....uk/fire-alarms/

Like many inquiries the lack of necessary information make it’s very difficult to give a reasonable response. Quite often there is no direct link to a regulation but certain actions are required to ensure the principle regulation is completed to a satisfactory standard. In this case the principle regulation is, all premise subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is required to conduct a fire risk assessment (FRA). Part of the FRA is Means of Escape (MoE) and the door in question is part of that MoE so it has to meet all the requirements of a final exit door which needs to available at all relevant times and be openable without the need of a key. The fire risk assessment should consider whether a. A green emergency release unit is required and b. Whether the magnetic lock is required to release automatically on operation of the fire alarm. We would need to consider who would use the door- public or staff only, and how many people may need to use the door. We would also need to consider what other exit hardware was fitted and how it all works together, e.g. is it necessary to manipulate more than one device to open the door. If so is this a risk? For say 10 employees in an office an interface to the alarm is most likely not needed, a green break glass box may be advisable (usually is- depending on the installation) but if members of the public are involved, or large numbers of people it would be advisable to have the door unlocked by the fire alarm before they get to the door in an emergency. As soon as a maglock is connected to the fire alarm BS7273-4 will apply. Let’s not forget that BS7273-4 only relates to the interface of the magnetic lock with the fire alarm system. If there is no such interconnection then BS7273-4 does not apply. In this case I am not sure if a FRA was conducted and an inter connection with the fire alarm was necessary and if a mechanical means is available to open the door (Turn screw knob) then BS7273-4 does not apply. Although in this case a mechanical/electrical means is used to open the door which will be tested constantly during the day by person leaving the premise, however should the electric supply fail would it failsafe to open or closed, if it is closed, which is more likely you would need some means of overriding the maglock to escape. I would suggest you find out more about the means of operation of the maglock and find out what is the purpose of the interface fitted.

If the doors are fire rated then the door furniture should comply with the appropriate BS and for lock or latch it should be CE marked to BS EN 12209 or preferably should be provided with additional product certification by an approved third party certification body. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-door-fitting-and-ironmongery/ section Locks and Latches.

Is this door a final exit door and is it designed to prevent unauthorised people in the building from gaining access to the outside?

Hi Harry the number of visitors in a day is irrelevant its the maximum number at any one time plus the maximum number of waitrose personnel and you would calculate if the MoE is adequate. Most visitors (relevant persons) would find their own way out (good signage) and be helped by staff of both organisations. There are are no set number of helpers but I would expect a number of fire marshals, one for each area, to ensure the premises is vacated. All this should be part of the evacuation plan and both organisations should co-operate in accordance with the RR(FS)O. All the necessary guidance can be found by studying DCLG guide for shops and offices and the RR(FS)O.