AnthonyB

Yes, as long as they are owner occupiers it wouldn't be an issue as long as they accepted the risk as it would only be raised if they were doing further alterations under Building Regulations.

No, only use the manufacturer's approved anti freeze agent in the correct amount otherwise you invalidate all warranties and more importantly could degrade the foam removing it's class B capability.

As above. The FRAs would have to consider the effect of a fire in the shop on the ceiling separating it from the flats as well as it's effect on the ability to use the stair.

The version of building regulations in force at the time of build is here: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141202130432/http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADB_2000.pdf Older version of ADB required self closers in flats & certain houses, however the current approach is such that you no longer need them to the stair. However on all levels you must retain the fire doors. If you wish to sell your house without hitting problems you need to refix the missing doors, but not the self closers

The attached image summarises the guidance.

Yes!

Powder and gaseous extinguishing agents are generally accepted as non conductive on all voltages - liquid based agents have also been tested to high voltage (35,000V) but in practice are marked for up to 1000V to give safety margin.

Check with BWF/Certifire & BM TRADA who operate the certification schemes - they should be able to advise if certification is current.

Doesn't sound correct, best consult your local Fire & Rescue Service who can enforce these issues.

Yes, but they do that automatically and report if they fail (either to the control panel if an integrated network or via the coded LEDs on the fitting if self contained). Just inspect them visually (& the control panel where fitted) monthly and act on the faults indicated (if any)

As your posting was delayed I believe we have all answered you sufficiently on FireNet. Fire door blanks are often used when not required, it can be for matching purposes, economy of scale on bulk buying the same blank, to increase contract value and much more!

If you are lifting the floor boards then this may be suitable, applied correctly it gives over 100 minutes resistance. The same site has treatments for the beams and for walls and doors https://envirograf.com/product/under-floor-fire-barrier-and-acoustic-barrier/

If an existing building it would not be unreasonable for a risk assessment to accept that scenario, ideally the 4 should be staff and not the public.

Out of hours when the building is empty you can lock the door.

Contact this company - https://envirograf.com/ they specialise in products for upgrading heritage doors, walls, floors and ceilings, have had certified the use of their solutions in many situations and have a Technical Department that will give advice on particular doors, etc. Most other places will just say new frame and door required - which is not always the case.

How long is the corridor, is it in the same occupancy and what detection is present? They may not need to be fire doors onto the corridor

If we were anywhere else in Europe they would all say "Safe for direct use on electrical equipment up to 1000v at 1 metre" after passing a safety test that ensures a suitable resistance in the discharge stream when sprayed on a metal plate with 35,000V running through it because the manufacturing standard EN3 says this. The UK trade doesn't like this as it stops them selling extra extinguishers for electrical fires (really!) so many brands omit the 'safe for direct...' phrase and just rattle on about a 35,000V conductivity test (which will mean nothing to most users) even though the same manufacturing standard is used, although some models (Water Mist, P50 Triclass) do follow the correct 'safe for direct use...' marking. Others vary batch to batch! The 1000V is partly to give a margin and partly because there are general hazards with high voltage fires such that only specialist personnel should be dealing with them

Yes, they are completely wrong in many aspects - The riser shaft will have been constructed as a 'protected shaft' as per Building Regulations (both then and now). It will be constructed of fire resisting wall material and access doors should be fire doors. There is no requirement to stop at each floor level - Any horizontal penetration does need to be fire stopped to maintain the integrity of the shaft, this work would need looking into but is a lot less of an issue than trying to stop the floors (extortionate cost) - The fire alarm was never needed, the standards in a purpose built flat block from a 1985 build would generally suit stay put. It is not by itself indicative of a need for a simultaneous evacuation procedure, just an indicator for a closer investigation of the premises. - A lot of assessors try and cover themselves by asking for a Type 4, which is an unusual one off exercise where there appears to be serious issues with the structure (often in pre 60's builds and even then not too commonly needed) Does the report show that they inspected a sample of flat front doors? Even the most basic type 1 communal FRA should do this (and should have done even before Grenfell). Does it address smoke control provision or lack of (which doesn't mean you need to retrofit). I'm just wondering what it's looked at. For the record - Principle fire consultant for a BAFE SP205-1 third party certified life safety fire risk assessment provider, Individually registered Tier 3 (High Risk/Complex Premises) on the National Fire Risk Assessors Register and holder of Advanced FRA in Residential Premises certification - so I do have some experience with this!

The Part 6 residential alarms total price is around the average total cost based on two flats using Checkatrade's guide. The detectors alone would add up to half that alone (if using radio linked mains units and installing to LD2 with at least 2 devices per flat) The Grade A communal system is also on average, although there are no sounders listed on the summary - to be compliant there should be sounders off this system to the stair AND each flat It seems the money is weighted onto the cost of the aesthetic only containment (white trunking) which is ridiculous. I'd also lift the trunking and check that the actual cables are secured to the wall by metal clips every 300/400mm as required - often surface trunking is used so extra can be charged whilst time and money is saved in not clipping the cables correctly. You can work out the actual costs here https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/cable-trunking/cat1910006

The builder is unlikely to have the required competencies and seems to be creating a shopping list each time (if they were you wouldn't have had the extinguishers fitted as never needed). The meters should be in a non combustible housing (if not metal) but this doesn't have to be a cupboard - see https://envirograf.com/product/electrical-consumer-unit-and-distribution-board-fire-protection-system/ Even if you had a cupboard you wouldn't need a Fire Brigade padlock, particularly as the residents need access. A domestic fuse board doesn't need rubber matting and most agents save on the cost of matting where it is recommended by making it a requirement for contractors to provide their own. You don't need an accident book, it's not a workplace. You don't need fire action notices as long as residents are made aware of the fire policy (plus they'd no doubt fit the wrong ones meant for commercial 'full evacuate' buildings) plus as a notice it can be printed off and laminated and doesn't have to use safety sign colours or pictograms I strongly suggest you report your concerns on the restaurant to your Fire & Rescue Service's Business Fire Safety unit as this presents the biggest and most real danger to you (as oppose to the electric meter) - they will take action to correct the various serious issues that seem to be there (& won't say it's you telling them)

As long as the front door is going to be part of a FD30s fire resistant door set there should be no problems in finding someone to fit it. If you are wanting to fit a non fire door I can understand no one wanting to be involved. Plenty of specialist fire door installers out there if you are stuck.

Depends to some extent on the brand and type of equipment and the mark up on product as well as labour rate. How long did it take for them to install it?

Are these above ground floor commercial units with access via a rear external stair?

Off my patch sadly, I travel a lot but don't do London anymore as we've got people down there now. There is a fire risk assessors facebook group you could ask on as well as Firenet's forum

Where in the country are you?