AnthonyB

It's a part 6 system that serves no purpose other to draw people into a smoke filled stair, usually these are either withdrawn or replaced with a compliant full evacuate system (i.e. sounders and detectors in flat lobbies) depending on the results of the FRA. You can't build a compliant Part 1 system using Grade D equipment so it can't be categorised as such.

You would need to approach your Local Authority Building Control - they may require compensatory measures such as a residential sprinkler system or an LD1 alarm system (linked detectors in all rooms other than the bathroom as well as the landings). In your application you need to demonstrate how your plans will not lower the level of safety beyond existing measures and those following the default configuration under Building Regs Guidance. It's down to the individual Building Control authority on a case by case basis so all you can do is ask them.

I've come across this too, sometimes I've pushed back citing guidance and been successful, other times I've gone ahead and after 15 minutes given in and reset the alarm as no one bothered to come out.... If it's a staffed site there may be some benefit for them to practice even if no one else takes part.

Yes if installed correctly. No stamp, no good. The same applies in Health & Safety for glazing that, due to location, has to be toughened or laminated against impact, no mark, no good.

Depends on the size - a heat detector on it's own will not activate in time to save the life of the occupier. The usual trend is a heat over the kitchen area and an optical smoke (not ionisation smoke) over the sleeping area located as far from the kitchen whilst not being closer than 30cm to the wall. I've been to many sites with studios that do it this way and report no issues.

British Standards are not law (unless of course a statute specifically requires conformity to them) but are often used as benchmarks to judge what is suitable. Compliance with a BS implies (but does not guarantee) compliance whereas not following it requires you to demonstrate why what you are doing instead is still safe (which is sometimes possible). For example if you just did basic in house checks every week or month and a thorough check say just once a year and all your doors were in good order you are unlikely to face enforcement action even if you aren't following the BS. This may however change for buildings containing two or more dwellings as the guidance (& the BS it refers to) is being given back door statutory status by changes in the Fire Safety Act.

Yes - the doors are to protect the stair in case the rest of the occupiers ultimately need to leave, to prevent spread to other parts of the building and to aid the fire service by having safe access. Whilst you are fortunate to have a second exit the other floors don't. The front door is as much to protect others than protect you.

It shouldn't be a legal compliance/life safety issue however you may consider it a property protection/business continuity issue. If they are not doing hot works then the risk should be the same as any night, just ensure you have a more rigorous application of an evening shut down regime so that all heat sources are checked and isolated, equipment switched off and unplugged, etc - all the usual risk reduction measures . As some schools are at risk of arson out of hours ensure security is tight. If you are really concerned you could have a fire watch over night so a fire can be identified and tackled early.

England/Wales - No, possibly and No. Scotland - Yes, possibly and No Assuming England/Wales Every premises, including buildings containing two or more dwellings, have to comply with the Fire Safety Order (only the actual dwellings are exempt) the cornerstone of which is the Fire Risk Assessment. Smoke alarms/Fire Alarm Systems depend on whether it's purpose built or a conversion, the former often don't require them as the common areas are risk free and each flat is a fire resisting 'box' with only the flat on fire needing to leave. Conversions (& in some specific situations purpose built flats as an exception rather the norm) usually require full alarm systems. Where a block of flats has a smoke vent system it will have smoke detectors attached, but as it's not an alarm system you wouldn't expect sounders or call points. Fire doors - Flat front doors should be (& this is the case for the best part of 60 years) fire doors

Have there been any significant changes since 2015? If not it should suffice with a review appended confirming that the premises are unchanged and any protective measures are still being maintained which you should be able to do yourselves

It's not compliant with current legislation - there MUST be a smoke alarm in the hall & landings (or equivalent for open plan) of a rental premises. An optical detector is less sensitive to cooking than the ionisation ones and it should be spaced as far away from the kitchen bit as possible whilst still meeting spacing requirements. Hundreds of new build open plan flats manage to do this every year so it's not a problem.

Size and layout will determine if it actually needs anything at all, it doesn't sound like it needs much at all I'd need to see the plans or a sketch.

The manufacturer's current data sheet is here, it shows it's electrically safe: https://www.britannia-fire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/P50-F-Class.pdf

This work may require Building Control approval in which case they would advise. However, in principle, if you are maintaining the correct thickness and layering of the correct plasterboard, suitably fixed, it should be OK

What are the travel distances to the final exit, is there more than one exit? Depending on size a protected route may not be required and the partitioning is purely functional

The vents are required - but they should be safe from someone falling through - sounds like they should be fenced off. Installation may be in breach of H&S legislation as oppose to fire safety, you should enquire with the HSE or Local Authority Environmental Health.

No, not required unless as a temporary measure due to combustible cladding being involved or some other critical defect in structure. Only requires a smoke control system (unless using manually openable windows/vents as part of the small development exemption) which would have detection to open the vents (no alarm sounders, etc). Not required in current Building Regulations (or those at the time of build): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937931/ADB_Vol1_Dwellings_2019_edition_inc_2020_amendments.pdf Not required in existing flats guidance (currently being revised so no on line copy available) either - in the interim the above document is referenced.

You would have to check that the street lighting was on as required as local authorities are reducing the lighting up times for street lights and are bringing in LED fittings that cast their light differently to the old sodium lights and no longer provide sufficient light. It's a common retrofit, but the guidance does state that it's a low priority in small blocks and other issues take precedence.

Often they are placed on them when they shouldn't be. The exit legend kits are for when a fitting is to be installed as an internally illuminated exit sign - something separate from the provision of emergency lighting of escape routes, high risk tasks, etc, etc. Too many untrained installers think because a light fitting includes a legend kit they have to put it on - far too many times I have to go around ripping them off so the correct illumination is provided.

Yes - use Blue 60 foam? Why can't you?

Oh dear, looks like occupancy before completion, a common trick to get money in to help cash flow. Fire Service enforcement probably wouldn't get too bothered about the tiles, but they may well be interested in these conditions.

Not unless some temporary measures are in place to ensure the alarm can still be promptly raised - the size and type of premises determines what these would be.

Yes, it's in the official guidance (which with the Fire Safety Act will have statutory backing in residential properties) and borrowed external lighting isn't always reliable and sometimes has to be discounted in assessments. In small blocks the retrofit of EL is considered a very low priority compared to other issues such as fire doors etc which are the main priority so you would only expect it actioned once all other issues are completed. It can, however, be what is called 'non maintained' which means that the lights are not lit (other than a small green LED showing the power is on to the unit) except when the mains supply fails - it sounds like your units are installed as 'maintained', in other words always lit. With many modern fittings you can set them for either mode as required so the existing units could in theory be altered rather than replaced. To be fair as EL fittings are almost invariably LED the electricity usage is minimal compared to the old fluorescent tube units.

That's your interpretation of course, but does not reflect what is being enforced out there, nor makes some of the massive gaps that shoddy contractors are putting in acceptable.

You've read the guidance - that's your answer. Admittedly it's often not followed and not always strictly enforced but that doesn't make it right.