Tom Sutton

Without a detailed layout it is impossible to say but the chances are it will and the Responsible Person should conduct a Fire Risk Assessment.

You do not provide sufficient information you would need to know the means of escape scheme, travel distances and much more. What does your fire risk assessment or fire strategy document say. I would suggest you employ the services of a fire risk assessor who could advise you what you require.

I cannot see that being acceptable as means of escape must be made clear and if there is any doubt the use of fire signs should be used so there is no doubt. All guidance works to that aim.

What you call the raw chipboard core is a fire resistant core and when they are purchased they come with a global assessment that gives instructions how to build the fire door. If they are not followed the fire door will not meet the required standard and the enclose certificate will not be considered valid. Check out https://www.egger.com/shop/en_GB/interior/product-detail/FIREDOORCORES

Final exit door do not need to be fire resistant door in most cases, therefore the gaps are not specified. Any final exit doors within certain distances of an external fire escape need to be FD30 fire doors, Check out https://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ depending if it is an office, shop, factory etc look at the appropriate guidance.

You are correct and c/w is complete with, s/c is self closer.

Check out The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 article 2 and the definition of relevant person can be found there and you fall well within that definition.The duties of the RP to the relevant person is well documented throughout the order.

I very much doubt a fire door has been tested in in such a configuration so it is impossible to predict how it is likely to behave in a fire. You could employ the services of a fire door inspector but other than that I am unable to help you.

Its an unusual situation, having a door on the stairs is not normal and I would see if there is a more suitable location for the door, without a physical inspection it is impossible to give a definitive answer.

As I have said it is up to the Responsible Person who will conduct a risk assessment and decide if the items in question constitute a serious risk and you can argue your case with the RP. The present legislation is all based on risk assessment and there is no one solutions covers all.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 article 14.1 states, Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times, however the RP may allow certain items but that is up to the RP you will need to speak to the RP.

What documentation did you get when you purchased the fire door, because I am not aware of any fire door that doesn't have top and threshold lippings. They are needed to be able to shave the the top and bottom, to ensure the required gaps between the door leaf/frame/floor are achieved without damaging the fire resisting core.

The guidance is Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Vol 2 which states the front doors should be a FD30s door with a self closer and internal doors should be a least FD20 doors without a self closer but this depends on the layout of the flat and without a physical survey or detail plans it is impossible to give a full answer. But if the premises was not being dealt with by building control then HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing would apply, check out page 45, you could point this out to the BCO/AI.

The fire was in a Nightclub fire in Perm footage, Russia and at least 109 people died. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxCU0o4WtpE The purpose of the test is to ensure the fire alarm is working, each call point is tested over a period of time, and every person in the premises can hear the alarm. I would consider 5/6 seconds should be sufficient, any longer people will start complaining about the noise, any less people may not have sufficient time to hear the alarm. Another point is that it must be done at the same time and day so if it is a short alarm, the residents know it is a test fire alarm, but if it continues it could be an actual fire, consequently the residents should be made aware of this.

Check out Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats page 86.

I think you are more likely to get a response from Firenet Forum http://firenetforum.org.uk/ they have a membership of many more FR assessors who would be able to give an informed reply.

Assuming the exit door doesn’t need to be fire resistant to a 30 minutes standard, also the exit width is satisfactory and it is installed according to BS 7273 part 4 then it should be acceptable, check it out with your fire risk assessor.

Was it working satisfactory when you took over the premises if it was then it is your responsibility and you need to replace it. You need to purchase a new mains operated one and have it fitted by an electrician, or get a battery operated one and fix it yourself. Check out https://www.safelincs.co.uk/co-detectors/ and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2015/9780111133439/regulation/4

andre if it is three self contained flats then it is not an HMO check out HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing and which designation does it fall under.

You need to speak to the charity.

Also you haven't give a description and type of premises involved.

An electrical plant room will have to be enclosed to a minimum 30 min standard and the door will have to be a fire door. As it will not be required for means of escape purposes but to prevent, fire and smoke spread, then the height, in my opinion would not be critical however you will need to contact the building control for their ruling.

Contact your local trading standards they are the enforcing authority on certain types of clothing they should be able to give you some authoritative advice. Check out https://www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office.

Its important if you get involved in a dispute.

As you would be fitting the call point upside down I would contact the manufacturer to check that it would work correctly in that position and as a result any wording on the face of the call point would also be upside down, therefore you then need to ask your self could this cause confusion for any person who had to use the call point. Have you considered modifying the dado rail to enable the test key to be used satisfactorily or relocating the call point a few cm higher.