AnthonyB

Manufacturer's instructions, based on their certification test data, take precedence. In the example linked below, it allows a gap up to 10mm between frame & wall, states what the gap must be filled with - but does NOT say there MUST be a gap, only giving guidance should there be one. Therefore it is reasonable to assume no gap is permissible (check the install sheet for the particular door you are fitting though or better ring their support line) https://mbp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PREMDOR-CF195-installation-guide.pdf

Even in a large hotel the actual hotel bedroom doors don't need to have fire door signs, it's a specific exemption in Building Regulations that can reasonably be applied under the Fire Regulations.

Where are you? I can legally dispose of these. It's a bit too rusted for preservation in my collection but I can still get rid of it. If you are too far away then some (not all) local authorities waste centres take them. Someone has messed you around on eBay as dozens of these are listed on eBay. Put it on eBay again & Facebook Marketplace for a penny as an item for upcycling - people turn them into lamps, toilet roll holders, minibars, etc. Otherwise find a local extinguisher company that has a waste license to take it.

Whilst most people fit maglocks and green break glasses strictly speaking this isn't correct as the exit is no longer panic proof. The correct solution is explained here: https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/downloads/download-file-documents.asp?id=54&pos=0&dir=documents&ref=/publications/best-practice-guides/2.htm This is the The Door & Hardware Federation guide to BS EN 13637:2015 Standard for Building hardware. Electrically controlled exit systems for use on escape routes.

Is it a protected stair? See https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/building-safety/protection-building-safety/specialised-housing/ or http://www.cieh.org/library/Knowledge/Housing/National_fire_safety_guidance_08.pdf

Not generally See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-in-purpose-built-blocks-of-flats Retirement flats are technically Sheltered Housing (just with a less stigmatic name) so also see https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/building-safety/protection-building-safety/specialised-housing/

The site needs a fire risk assessment to sort this out by a fire safety specialist with additional training in & experience of residential FRAs.(Legally it should have had one for 18 years now in any case!) The current arrangement is one for a simultaneous evacuation usually required when one or more of the following is in place: - Inadequate fire separation between commercial & residential uses (but you say it's OK) - Shared escape between commercial & residential uses (but you say it's separate) - Inadequate fire separation between flats &/or flats & common parts (but you say it's OK) - Inadequate or no smoke control (but it's an open deck!) - External Wall System High Risk (unlikely for size of building) It seems (& this wouldn't be the first time this has happened) it has got a fire alarm system that it doesn't need nor ads any useful additional benefit and just costs everyone money and the premises may be acceptable with no common system and a 'stay put unless affected' approach. I can't of course be 100% unless I've been and done the FRA - where in the UK is the property?

Your doorsets no doubt are missing these: https://wellinguk.com/products/door-closers/door-closers-door-closers/overhead-surface-mounted-door-closers/double-door-selector-silver/

Have you checked these out? https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-means-of-escape-for-disabled-people

Whilst it has no common areas if it could be classed as a single building containing two or more dwellings then it falls under the FSO requiring an FRA to consider the external wall fire risk.

Yes you can as long as the PIR locations and activation times are such it's not possible to be navigating a flight before they lights activate nor them cut out before you've finished. Many buildings have these.

It's not explicitly required, but having one could be viewed as required to form part of the record of fire safety arrangements that is required by law. It also helps with planned maintenance so that only doors required to be fire doors are inspected and maintained (which as this can be quite expensive can save a lot of money!)

Keeping the kitchen separate is a good move as this is often the area of contention. As it's too high for every floor to have escape windows as a secondary exit you would usually need a protected stair as you have presently. I've not had time to look in detail, but usually layouts like this would attract a need for domestic sprinklers, in some cases smoke curtains and vents have been used too. A chartered fire engineer is your best bet for advice & any BCO submission.

Who ever did the work on 2 & 3 needs to come back & think again as the works are useless if the doors aren't shutting flush of their own accord - a fully competent firm would be expected to be able to recognise and deal with this issue. Does the lobby contain a staircase, how many floors are there & how many flats per floor? The default is to remediate your door but I can see your point - depending on the overall set up in the premises would determine how critical this would be.

How old is the house? It's been a legal requirement under Building Regs for a very long time so shouldn't have been replaced by a non fire door. If it's a very old house then it may predate this requirement and as long as it complies with the standard at the time of build it's compliant until there is any building work that would result in the application of current regs

I'd make the effort to find out, I've worked on a Tribunal case where a landlord supply was installed when not actually required for EL & alarm and helped the leaseholders win and not be liable for costs. If it's pre payment only then there are grounds for a landlord supply but these can be very expensive to provide and you are at the mercy of the DNS as to what they will charge for their side of laying in the new supply.

As long as it's not off a pre payment meter it's tolerable.

Yes, at least a notional 30 minutes usually

However, if an existing building with a common alarm system and simultaneous evacuation you are fine. A new build would indeed require 60 minutes and usually then doesn't need linked alarms.

That's because it doesn't need to be. 30 would suit, just like a flat front door on an external balcony with only one direction of escape that has to be passed to escape.

They removed the reference to 'significant' findings (no doubt due to the confusion) and so all findings must be recorded - which in practice means the whole assessment. Yes, if you are required to do a fire risk assessment under the FSO it must be written. It no longer matters if you don't have any employees, a license or whatever. This change is in part because many Responsible Persons treated the under 5 persons as meaning they didn't have to do anything at all as oppose simply not record the FRA and this included a lot of flats as well as non domestic premises. Fill in the template in full as applicable, including any action plan and you have recorded your findings for the purpose of the FSO. Simpler in a way rather than trying to decide what you needed to record and what you didn't.

There is no set lifespan for devices and independent testing has shown up 25 years of reliable function - but of course devices will eventually fail, either by false alarming or not working whilst tested, so at some point things will get replaced. Haes Sav Wire panels and Apollo Sav wire bases and s65 conventional detectors are all current manufactured kit so there is no reason not to just replace individual components as and when they fail - it's your choice if you wish to start over in one go for the fault finding extras a Fike system provides.

Sounds like the fire alarm system is an obsolete model and needs full replacement. If you are concerned visit the Business Fire Safety page of your local fire service website to get the contact details for the Business Fire Safety Team who can advise and if required carry out a site audit and any required enforcement action. Your company should have implemented temporary measures during the system downtime if they wished to continue to occupy the building

Where 60 minutes fire separation cannot be achieved between the commercial & residential elements then the commercial premises must be provided with a fire alarm system that includes automatic fire detection - the system should also be extended into the flat to provide alarm sounders on each level and no less than 85dB at the bedroom doors. In listed buildings wireless fire alarms are usually appropriate - https://www.safelincs.co.uk/wireless-fire-alarm-systems/

No!