AnthonyB

Check the manufacturer's instructions - you will find most are self testing and do not require servicing as long as they show that they are OK. A log of regular inspections of the status indicators, pad & battery dates and the accessories kit should suffice.

Not unless there's an external escape stair nearby or an external escape pathway that you can only get to safety by passing the door and would be within a metre or two max if it.

If it's in a Care Home detection wouldn't go amiss - after all some are having to even put it in bathrooms (& fire doors) if there's significant ignition risk (electric hoists, height adjustable and therapy baths, etc all surrounded by plastic)

If it doesn't use CLASP and is just used as a school during the day then technically a Category M system suffices. Add extra curricular use, sleeping risk or the fact that it sounds like the school doesn't have it's own site and is in a multi tenant building and you are looking at anything from L3 upwards. The flats are more of a concern as I doubt it's purpose built or compliant modern conversion and without detection there will be a significant risk (especially as residential and non residential uses shouldn't share escape routes unless there are protected lobbies) The residential smoke alarms aren't suitable and are pointless anyway - you'd notice the fire before activation if in the room & if the room is empty they won't sound throughout the building. I'd suspect poor fire doors and compartmentation too. One worthy of an enforcement audit!

Colt do free online CPD seminars on smoke control systems

Yes in my opinion.

It's possible, several smoke seals are advertised as combined acoustic, draught & smoke seals - they are only to stop cold smoke prior to the activation of the intumescent seal.

I think that this could be acceptable in your fire risk assessment, there are no locks/keys involved, staff led evacuation, small numbers, etc

No. There are suitable products available for new doorsets: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/astroflame-fire-rated-door-viewer/ https://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-rated-letter-plate-system-from-doorset-global-solutions/ Often they would be specified with the new door so they can be incorporated in the manufacture and still meet test criteria

Guidance says the minimum width of an escape route should not be less than 750mm (unless it is for use by less than five people in part of your premises) and, where wheelchair users are likely to use it, not less than 900mm. So in theory from an obstruction point of view managed risk may be possible, fire risk from flammability of items is another factor to consider.

The permanent label is the important thing, the tied labels are primarily for initial retail display purposes and are expected to be removed by the purchaser so you should be OK

To remove the need for the commercial units fire alarm system to be linked to sounders in the flats above there should be adequate fire seperation between the different Purpose Groups, usually 60 minutes fire resistance. If the refurb was to a degree that would be classed as 'Building Work' it would be subject to building regulations and there should be a Health & Safety File containing fire safety information that would answer your questions. Your part of the building appears to have no areas covered by the Fire Safety Order (but the Housing Act does apply) so the obligations are solely on the commercial unit's Responsible Person to ensure your safety - as whilst you are not in premises covered by the Fire Safety Order anyone in your apartment would be a 'relevant person' who could be affected by a fire in the commercial unit so they still have to account for them. There are plenty of passive fire protection companies that could look at the compartmentation as well as specialist Fire Engineering Consultancies that could help too.

Both BB100 & Building Regs are for designing new builds and not always fully applicable to existing builds. Earlier schools will have followed the many editions over the years of BB7 and the risk assessment guide for existing schools is here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/14887/fsra-educational-premises.pdf

There are loads out there: https://fire-surveys.com/ https://pyramid-online.net/index.php?d=1&d=1&refr=128 http://fireriskassessmentapp.co.uk/home/fra

Try these for advice - they are specialists in the field of making items like yours safe for general use https://www.flameprotectuk.com/

Building Regulations only apply to new builds, the DCLG guides replicate the approach used to good effect for over half a century and so as not to penalise existing buildings. The current approach offers enhanced safety, but the old approach still provides a reasonable level of safety in most situations.

Heats are a no no for escape routes as by the time they activate the area wouldn't support life. If you need a common system, the common parts have to have smokes. As a very small block by the sounds of it you may be able to retain the existing kit, without looking I can't be sure.

The premises should have call points first before detection - domestic smoke alarms are normally not suitable for commercial premises (unless of course you are talking about a HMO where in smaller ones they are OK) Not all Grade D smoke alarm systems can have call points added so knowing what exactly you've got would help. A proper fire detection & warning system to BS5839-1:2017 may be required if it's a commercial building.

Rough rule of thumb is one 13A rated extinguisher per 200 sq.m. (each extinguisher has a fire rating written on the front). British Standards (Guidance not law) cite a minimum of 2 A-rated extinguishers regardless of floor size, but that's overkill for the trades benefit and any competent risk assessor would be happy with just one if it's a particularly small office. As most environments have electrical equipment it's common practice to pair each fire point of water or foam with a CO2 Water Mist replaces the 2 separate extinguishers but not all extinguisher suppliers will stock these as they prefer the income from selling and maintaining (& replacing again every few years) twice as many extinguishers so you are best suited to order via Safelincs (don't forget to add Commissioning).

You will need a fire risk assessment and this will answer the questions - I'd need to see the site to give definitive advice.

It sounds like the vulnerability is where the pipes enter the roof void and this is the junction needing the most attention.

Yes, the door will have had it's integrity compromised unless installed with suitable passive fire protection products (e.g. https://envirograf.com/product/animal-door-flap/) and even then the door may loose it's cold smoke protection

You qualify for a free 'safe & well' visit from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service - their freephone number & email are on the below link: https://www.rbfrs.co.uk/your-safety/safety-at-home/book-a-safe-and-well-visit/are-you-a-resident/

Usually the communal system would have heat detectors and sounders in each flat to enable full evacuation, which is the purpose of the common system (if it had been purpose built flats it wouldn't need a common system unless it had smoke vents)