AnthonyB

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.

At least it allows me to see the firestopping appears correct! The tiles don't appear to be part of the compartmentation, the usual issue with the odd missing tile is allowing smoke and combustion products to spread un-noticed and, if the void has no detectors, allow the fire to develop more before detection is activated as the rising smoke enters and layers above the corridor detectors.

An enforcing authority would usually look for the D1 equipment and may require you to provide this and issue a deficiency notice if a lower specification was present. Insurers and holiday let host sites also may have minimum requirements. If it wasn't a holiday let battery units would be accepted as long as it hadn't been rewired in recent years (when it should have had the system upgraded to mains) It's probably best asking your local council & fire service as they ultimately enforce and sometimes take a relaxed approach to certain requirements and may say battery only will do - the advice on here is taken from the benchmarks used by risk assessors, courts and enforcers, but each case is different. It's a shame that the fire safety requirements were only considered after all works, it should be part of the planning stage to avoid disruption.

As it's considered commercial sleeping risk rather than a flat on a AST the expectation would be for Grade D1 (mains with tamperproof battery) system that are interconnected. It's a long time since you needed to link via bell wire and now almost universally radio link units are used. You can find D1 Radio link alarms here https://www.safelincs.co.uk/smoke-alarms/

This is the link to the appropriate Government fire safety guidance for your usage of the flat: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11085/payingguests.pdf The rest of the building (common parts) is the responsibility of the freeholder or lease holder's 'right to manage' company with regard to risk assessment and fire safety provisions.

Looks electro-mechanical and not usually allowed on exits, absolutely not if not failsafe. Depending on the type of override if it was fail safe there are maintenance/testing obligations

Risk assessment guidance suggests in the smallest premises (which being a couple of ground floor rooms this would fall into) that sometimes torches are sufficient. Power failure is not exclusive to fire and you have to consider also the impact of a sudden loss of power on any procedures in progress. Even if it is determined that 'proper' emergency lighting is required you may find that a simple LED bulkhead (e.g. https://www.safelincs.co.uk/eden-led-emergency-bulkhead-light/) in each room and the entrance foyer (3 of in total based on your layout) may suffice, wired off the normal lighting circuit if installed as non maintained (lit only on power loss or, if it has to be on it's own circuit (usually due to a lack of a readily available permanent live in the ceiling cables to each light from the switch) installed as maintained (always lit)

I think if you are concerned you should contact the Fire Safety department of your local Fire and Rescue service. A strict interpretation of the law is that significant findings of the FRA should be shared with other Responsible Persons in the premises, not all relevant persons. If the freehold is owned by the flat owners through right to manage then an owner who is on the Tenant Management Company board is a Responsible Person so can access the FRA, but if the freehold is privately owned then it's not a given.

No, you aren't competent by your own admission. You may be able to test them, but unless an electrician conversant with commercial premises (not just Part P) and the regulations regarding EL and how they should be cabled and wired then you should not be repairing/replacing/adding.

Read where?

Seems a bit over zealous as it isn't actually the house, just a lobby with a shower off, an area infrequently occupied and not sleeping risk. Ask them to reference the relevant paragraph of Approved Document B they are using to determine this requirement.

Of course. Stairwells have heads and foots and the lobby/foyer at the foot of the stair leading to the final exit would be considered part of the protected route. If the travel distances from the furthest point of the storage area to the front door are long enough to require the stair to be protected then the lobby would need to be clear (assuming there isn't a second stair from the storage area)

Building Regulations (England & Wales). Relates to compiling and handing over fire safety information relating to the build, being given more teeth in the Building Safety Bill.

That is a matter of personal interpretation, you will hear different opinions of both A & D, plus if the premises are a conversion that comes under selective licensing the council will have their view as well. I've seen Grade A more often than not in this situation. Another factor that could influence matters is the separation between the shop & flats - if inadequate thus requiring linked systems you are looking definitely more like a Grade A system.

Any current type of simple fastening not requiring a key would suit, BS EN 1125 panic fastenings would only be needed if over 60 persons would be using the route or would be unfamiliar with it - BS EN 179 exit devices may suffice.

The normal expectation is an assembly point to keep staff safely together, allow further checking that people are out, etc. Depending on the geography of the site and number of persons involved there may be multiple assembly points for different floors, etc but it's expected there should be defined locations not just people randomly wandering off in all directions.

What floor the flat is on? Sounds like an individual flat assessment template than a building wide FRA.

If you mean not testing the smoke control yourself it's because you are unlikely to have the equipment and competency to ensure it is subject to a suitable system of maintenance and be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair based on the required maintenance regime in British Standards (which the Enforcers’ Guidance published by the National Fire Chiefs Council advises enforcement officers to use as a benchmark). With the Emergency Lighting you will be able to follow the BS and demonstrate competency as well as having the right equipment for the job.

If the occupiers of other flats have to pass your front door to get to the escape stair it has to be a fire door, always has been a requirement. If you are the last flat on the row, not as big an issue.