AnthonyB

Either remove and replace or use a separate surface mounted smoke seal, the former being preferred.

Not usually.

In England/Wales you would be expected to see FD20 doors internally other than the bathroom, with no self closers. As FD20 doors aren't made sometimes an FD30 door will be fitted without the intumescent seal - other times they just put in a standard FD30 with intumescent seals. I would expect similar in Scotland

Yes they are - they are taking about them being an ignition & combustible materials risk in an escape route, which is not permitted as oppose to just a physical obstruction.

If it requires a code to get in, but not to get out it's OK. If a code is required to escape it isn't

See https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-standards-technical-handbook-2019-domestic/2-fire/2-0-introduction/ Standards change over time - depending on the age of the flat a different specification would apply and be acceptable as building standards aren't retrospective if not carrying out work that comes under them.

LACORS is quite old and any modern conversion that went through the correct Building Control process should have equal or greater standards in place in any case (& as part of the Building Regulation 38 requirements include a fire strategy plan). If it doesn't meet even LACORS standards then I'd wonder about whether the original conversion was into 4 bed single family flats with a further change to HMO use added later.

In theory yes, but of course there is the risk of hours changing in future - if there is enough width to include a passenger gate in the sections of fence either side this would future proof the work.

I've done a few like this for a Local Authority. Depending on how they are let each flat is either an individual HMO or a shared house (the latter usually only applies with students unless the same family happens to let one). LACORS applies. The common parts, if converted in accordance with Building Regulations, could in theory fall under the LGA Guide although these blocks are usually full evacuate rather than stay put so arguably you could use the Sleeping Risk guide. In this scenario it's not one big HMO/flat/shared house, more 4 distinct units with a common access.

Definitely not adequate then!

This is subject to Building Regulations and the plans will need LABC approval - they will set conditions. It is likely that a fire door and fire resisting construction would be needed and possible additions to the fire detection system. There are a variety of ways of protecting structural elements like joists - boarding, protective pains/varnishes, Envirograf have some of the coating based solutions.

I think COVID is being used as a tenuous excuse to do it for other reasons they'd rather not disclose. If you don't need a key to open the door in the direction of escape and it's just a simple single action mechanism to be used by less than 60 persons then it can be held as compliant.

If the doors are fire doors, the surrounding walls and floors are suitably fire resistant (e.g. brick or block) and all penetration (e.g. the pipes) are correctly fire-stopped then it's perfectly fine to store inside them - presumably that's why they were included in the build in the first place.

If it's a designated fire exit then yes it's not best, nor are the extinguishers. The law states: Emergency routes and exits 14.—(1) 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. (2) The following requirements must be complied with in respect of premises where necessary (whether due to the features of the premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to safeguar

There may be possibilities, assuming the play area is outside, but without seeing it I can't go much beyond that. It's not an absolute no although beware of housing associations, councils and landlords who will quote 'fire regs' as an excuse not to try and find a solution.