Tom Sutton

Hi June I would suggest you contact either the Trading standards, who are the enforcing authority or The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) who may be able to advise you. The problem is a re-upholster running a business and charging a fee is certainly subject to the regulations. A DIY project is a different matter and I would expect s/he would ensure it conform s the standards for the sake of the users but when it comes to selling the item later that confuses the matter even more because without the permanent label it could be illegal. The Furniture Industry Research Association then go to FIRA Publications then Flammability guides and then Domestic Flammability Standards. Contact the local Trading Standards Department they should be able to help.

A single dwellings is not covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and only the common areas of blocks of flats are covered. So in a single dwelling its up to the head of household and door mats are unlikely to cause a trip hazard to his neighbours. In a block of flats the commons areas are covered by legislation and a doormat in the common areas (escape routes) may cause a tripping hazard, causing a neighbour to fall. The guidance also says, Suitability of escape routes, should be free from any obstructions, slip or trip hazards. Check out page 66 General Principles, http://www.communiti...firesafetyrisk4 will explain it more fully.

If the conditions are right then charcoal can be subject to spontaneous heating, it depends on which form the charcoal is involved, the level of impurities, method and quantities of storage, is the charcoal kept dry, is there a history of fires, I am afraid there is no simple yes/no answer. Method of fire fighting is strong jets to penetrate the stack, then deal with visible flames, and finally break the stack down. There is also specialist equipment that can be used, stack drags and bunker branches for instance. Check out good practice in charcoal protection and storage although not the same situation you describe it does give an insight into the transport, storage and distribution of loose charcoal.

Check out http://www.nodj.co.u...e-machine.shtml Safety and usage information which says, The smoke can activate smoke detectors and this is something that you should check with the venue first. Many venues have more advanced smoke detectors that allow this type of smoke, but some don't and the venue staff will be able to tell you if it's OK to use a smoke machine. Which is pretty good advice, it all depends on which type of smoke detectors are being used, the type of smoke, the amount of smoke, the size of the room, and the potential temperature of the room. As I have said it all depends, even steam from a shower can activate a detector head if the conditions are right.

I am not aware of an electrically operated door closer. The only door closer that could be described in those terms I would think, is a, Free swing door closer - The door can be opened without any resistance from closer making it ideal for applications where the doors will be operated by less able people. http://www.safelincs...penDoor-Closer/ Is that what you are referring to and you will also need to give a much fuller explanation of the circumstances regarding the need for the door closer.

Doormats or flower pots are not usually a fire risk but could be a tripping hazard and in the event of a fire evacuation could be very serious risk. You can purchase fire rated uPVC fire door sets but to find out if a particular fire door is fire rated you would need to check for for any labels, documentation, or check with the manufacturer or retailer. It depends on the number of persons likely to use the doors if it is less than 60 then it may be acceptable to have an final exit door opening to the inside. Flotex I am not familiar with the product you should check with the retailer or manufacturer.

Fire extinguishers at the hotels had not been tested for three years and was one of the 15 charges, that's why the RP was prosecuted under art 17. The service engineer was charged with conducting 2 inadequate FRA's, I suspect under art 5(3) 5(4) being a person having control. He did not service the extinguishers although that is what his company did.

What signs are you referring to, is it "Fire Safety Signs" or is it "Escape Route Signing" check out http://www.firesafe....it-signs/#intro for an overview of escape route signing.

You can purchase laminated fire resisting panels with instructions how to construct a fire door, check out http://www.buildingd...News-171110.asp I have no experience of this product but it may be worth a punt. You also may be able to fix smoke and intumescent seals to the fire door to increase its fire resistance and reduce the amount of smoke escaping. If the underside of the stairs is covered in plaster board and skimmed also with brick or studding walls, then it should achieve at least 15 minute if not more depending on the fire loading in the cupboard. Reduce the junk under the stairs to as small as possible. Any holes through the plaster board should be sealed and what to use, would depend on the size of the hole.

Check out http://www.firesafe....ial-sprinklers/ for an overview of the subject. The appropriate British Standard is, BS 9251:2005 Sprinkler systems for residential and domestic occupancies and you may be able to study a copy at your local reference library.

As you can see I am not sure about this I have tried to solicit other opinions on this matter with little success. What I would suggest you do is contact the manufacturer and establish if s/he will confirm it conforms to BS EN 179 2008. Then approach the enforcing authority, if its an alteration or new build then contact the local Building Control and confirm it is acceptable to them. If it is an occupied building then contact the local Fire Rescue Service (Fire Safety Department) and see if it is acceptable to them. Maybe contact both, with 400 units you cant afford to get it wrong.

Download the DCLG guide Factories and warehouses and if you need information on specific areas check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/ .

I found the following leaflet http://www.ucl.ac.uk...Fire_TN_002.pdf which puts my previous advice in doubt so I checked out BS EN 179 again and realised it was talking about the locking device not the operating handle and there are many similar devices that are acceptable. Therefore I would suggest you check out the ten digit code which should indicate if it is suitable.

You cannot have them certificated when you purchase fire doors you need to buy certified fire door sets which will have all the documentation to prove they are. Who conducted the fire risk assessment for this building s/he should be able to advise you.

Yes it does and states the handle should be designed to release the door in 1 second by a single hand operation only, not requiring a key or any other similar object. It should enable immediate exit from the inside at all times regardless of any auxiliary locking devices. Therefore it does appear not to comply with BS EN 179 2008, have you checked with the manufacturer.

You could try BS 9999 and BS 9991 but I do not have copies so I am unable to any more information than that. http://shop.bsigroup...000000030158436 http://shop.bsigroup...000000030203948

I am afraid there is no such thing as short description on this subject the only person who can give definitive response to your question is the local housing department. But you could try http://www.firesafe....ple-occupation/ for some information and the flow chart tries to. HMO Definition

Check out the appropriate DCLG guide for the premises you need the information for but the Offices and Shops (page 64) states, While not normally acceptable, the use of ladders, floor hatches, wall hatches or window exits may be suitable for small numbers of able-bodied, trained staff in exceptional circumstances. Basically use as a last resort but not discounted I suspect all the guides will say the same.This guidance only applies to non-domestic premises.

Harry do you know of a self contained, radio linked, smoke alarm?

You can download "Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats" from http://www.local.gov.uk/publications from their website. I agree with Ryan and is a highly acclaimed document and when the firenet forum says nice things about Colin T then it must be good.

Hi Harry I have looked through the guide and cannot find any references to purpose built self-contained only converted self-contained and there is a subtle difference.

You should get in contact with the manufacturer of the cupboard and see what he has to say. Did any documentation come with the cupboard you may find useful information there,

You should get in touch with The British Woodworking Federation or BMTRADA they should be able to answer that one.

The description states "The block is 40 years old and purpose built - comprising 12 flats" consequently it is unlikely to be a HMO/Shared house more likely to be self contained flats therefore only the RR(FS)O will apply.

Is emergency lighting required if it is then it is a requirement what does your fire risk assessment say. Check out Sleeping accommodation Page 28, 103 for information on this subject.