AnthonyB

There is no fixed definition, there is some basic pointers to help you decide in here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11085/payingguests.pdf If you feel you are bigger than the property types detailed in the above you need to use this guidance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/422192/9281_Sleeping_Accomodation_v2.pdf

Most cheaper off the shelf FR foams are not tested for use in frames regardless of the claims on product literature, loads of places have had to rip this out and start again or if lucky been able to trim it down and suitable mastic or plaster over it. Search for Blue 60 a foam specifically intended to serve your purpose

The first two were clearly out of their depth, the third was nearest to what the current benchmarks state - it would be correct in a post 2000 building regulation compliant stay put premises to not have a fire alarm system or domestic detectors and just have smoke detectors to operate the AOV's. Deaths have occurred in stay put flats where common area only detection with alarms (which would only activate if there was a fire in the common areas, an unusual occurrence and often associated with arson or charging mobility scooters) has brought people out of the 1 hour safety of their flat into a fire and smoke filled landing. It's therefore correct to suggest the erroneously installed smoke alarms be removed (or at least it be clear in the procedure given to tenants that hearing a common alarm may mean there is danger so take care if investigating and staying put may be safer) . As long as the fire service can access the AOV manual controls (which they can from your info) then your solution to a building specific issue should have been accepted and rubber stamped by the FRA. Too many under trained persons doing residential FRAs using the wrong guidance and ticksheets or point and click mobile report apps unfortunately.

It would probably be looked at as a civil matter for the private landowner to enforce through parking charge notices and physical means to stop obstruction such as steel or concrete bollards on the pavement

See reply in identical thread in this section

It should be unlocked at all material times, i.e. when it may be necessary to be used. If the use of a route is legally binding through an easement, deed of variation, license etc then you will have to honour this. Some of these agreements expire on change of occupancy or have a break clause, sometimes there is no agreement in place, in which case you could in theory give fair notice that they cannot use this route. It's not a perfect route involving windows and ideally should be risk assessed out if possible, however in some older city centre areas found in places like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool etc they are the only way of providing a secondary escape.

Smoke detectors of the type you describe are for domestic use not commercial premises. Fire alarm system design in all commercial premises starts with what is called Category M coverage, which is 'break glass' Manual Call Points and alarm sounders all connected to a fire alarm control panel, the system complying with BS5839-1:2017 Most shops,offices, etc only require this and no automatic detection. This is because in many cases a person will discover a fire and react quicker than a detector and thus needs some way of raising & spreading the alarm. Automatic detection is only required where the life safety risk warrants it - a common example is where there is a sleeping risk. If you want detection for property protection (i.e. out of hours) then that's up to you but it's not a legal requirements and again domestic detectors are not adequate, you should have a commercial system that is remotely monitored or dials preprogrammed numbers so there will be a response. A small shop may not even need an electrical fire alarm system is small enough for a shout of fire or a hand bell/whistle/air horn sounding to be clearly and quickly heard throughout the premises. Your Fire Risk Assessment should decide your requirements and a specialist fire alarm company (as oppose to a general electrician who may put the wrong equipment in) can also advise.

If constructed as a protected shaft there isn't an automatic requirement, it's usually seen where a protected shaft approach isn't used or sometimes in fire strategies to give added protection where compartment floors are required.

A sprinkler system would cost even more and be more disruptive and you wouldn't have anywhere for the supply tanks and pumps. You need to get in touch with a fire engineering consultancy to see if there is an engineered solution they can come up with. You could look at leaving the ceiling as is and underdrawing it with the requisite fireboarding rather than remove it

Most fire training these days uses LPG fuelled simulators, although there is still some use of live fire using actual fuels (gasoline, paper, etc). Gasoline is extremely hazardous and isn't advisable (when we still used fuels we used kerosine that doesn't produce flammable vapours until heated). If you are in the US (a guess from the use of 'gasoline' instead of 'petrol') you are likely to be mainly using dry chemical extinguishers - be aware of the risks of damage and from inhalation with this agent when deciding where to do the training. Also unless you have spares you can't reduse your cover by using your own extinguishers. As your extinguishers will have to be serviced you will have a fire protection firm in place for this - it's best to ask them for help as they will have spare extinguishers and possibly training kit too.

Is this Local Authority Building Control or an Approved Inspector? A lot of people use private sector AI's as they can be more sympathetic. If you go down to a single stair it will restrict your occupancy but isn't in itself not allowed. A shared escape stair is not uncommon, if you have issues with the other party obstructing the stair then you have recourse to the fire service who can carry out appropriate enforcement action. Regardless of what Building Control sign off if you don't have suitable means of evacuating people you will fall foul of the Fire Safety Order. Appeals info https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval/appeals-and-determinations

All you need to know is here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11085/payingguests.pdf

Probably not, how would the lighting activate upon mains failure and would the UK weather ensure the units are always charged to 3 hours? If part of a proper solar panel system covering the whole roof then there may be possibilities, but I'd be surprised if the self contained stuff as seen on Amazon would be suitable.

If you own it they have no authority at all unless there is something odd in any lease. The works don't sound like they are for Fire Safety Order purposes, if you own & occupy it the Smoke & CO Regs don't apply (& they don't to HA rentals in any case) and the Housing Act wouldn't place such an obligation on you. If it's free then I'd let them anyway as it would improve your safety, if it's a cost I'd check what it is (as it may be cheaper to arrange for it to be done yourself). I'd still recommend you have it done- most fire deaths are at home!

There's no legal requirement to have a BM Trada certificate for a fire door, even a brand new one being fitted and an existing doorset can in some cases be acceptable if in good condition or be upgradable in situ (see relevant section in https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/fire-safety-purpose-built-04b.pdf). Lots of TMC & freeholders agents are going beyond the minimum requirement as it's not them potentially paying up to £500 for a complete new doorset (some have done this to their costs as leaseholders have taken them to tribunal and won where the leases as well as fire safety benchmarks didn't give them power to demand this).

One change in the 2017 edition is that exits that do not lead to an ultimate place of safety don't need a call point, e.g. a door onto an internal courtyard with no further escape.

Assuming travel distances are OK the two exits would have to meet the 45 degree rule where if they are closer than 45 degrees apart they are counted as a single door. However as your plan shows the exits separated by construction then as long as the partition was full height to 30 minutes fire resistance you could count them as two exits for escape capacity purposes

Approved Document B Part 1 contains guidance as how to meet the functional requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 in Dwellings.Because the installation is Building Work and subject to the regulations Building Control can require the application of the current fire safety standards including the use of Grade D alarms instead of Grade F. The biggest risk of death from fire is in your own home and whilst grade F (battery only not linked) have saved many lives there has in recent years many deaths in battery only alarmed homes due to non functionality. Interlinked alarms afford an earlier warning as when asleep the fire needs to spread to the top of the stairs in order to set off the top landing alarm before you will wake with self contained alarms. Linked alarms can give you valuable extra time at night allowing escape via the stair rather than the windows. Private homes built or subject to significant building work since 1991 have required the fitting of alarms.

Chemical Foam used to be predominant in the early to mid 20th century but was rapidly replaced as the century as mechanical foam was developed in the 20's & 30's and gained favour. Foam is stored as a bulk concentrate and depending on the type of foam and application is usually proportioned with water at 1% , 3% or 6%. Most foam solution has been traditionally aspirated through a branch pipe designed to use the venturi effect to agitate the solution and aerate it to create low or medium expansion finished foam, but in more recent times, particularly in portable extinguishers, with synthetic foams such as AFFF non aspirated spray has been used to good effect. Foam solution can be stored premixed, such as in most extinguishers, fixed extinguishing systems and some rapid intervention fire fighting vehicles or can be added by an inline inductor to the water supply at any point up to and including the actual branchpipe. Hi expansion foam usually uses large water pressure driven fans and a fabric tube to create. You could really do with a copy of the Angus Foam Handbook, sadly that isn't on their website and I'm not sure they have print copies left.

New ones created as part of a new build or alteration usually have them provided to meet the Building Regulation process. In an existing building the Fire Risk Assessment and associated Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans would determine if retrofitting is required - it's not an automatic retrospective requirement and depends on how well evacuation can be managed without them.

I'd be wanting further investigations, did they do any flue checks? I'd be loathe to accept that the boiler and flue were all completely safe and whilst it's not impossible for fumes to enter the passenger compartment of a car that's a major cop out. I'd consider a second opinion and to check whoever you use has a genuine and current Gas Safe registration https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/

Of course it's better to be sprayed by AFFF than burn to death! The concentrated form is a skin irritant and not good to drink, but the diluted form discharged during fire fighting has no immediate risk, you wouldn't be wearing the clothing for ages afterwards and would have a wash anyway. Any possible side effects are outweighed by the benefit. Most foam is discharged as no or low expansion and if you were to drown/suffocate in it then you would be in conditions where you would still drown if plain water was discharged. High expansion foam is full of air bubbles and can be walked through, although disorientation is a risk.

Your risk assessment should really have answered this for you - depending on the circumstances there is the possibility of accepting existing doors, the guidance on how to decide that is in here https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/fire-safety-purpose-built-04b.pdf

The fire trainer doesn't sound like a competent fire risk assessor and their advice is severely flawed (otherwise everywhere would just do this). A proper fire door retainer is advisable, depending on the situation a simple indirect self contained device such as a Dorgard or Shuttle may suffice or a more direct device may be required - your competent risk assessor should consult BS7273-4 in determining which will suit.

https://envirograf.com/ do such products, it depends on the surface you are treating and the performance needed as to if there is a viable product.