Mike North

Although certain manufacturers state in their instructions that no discharge test is required, BS 5306‑3:2017 sets the UK servicing standard. Table 2 (Enhanced Service – 5‑Year) explicitly lists water, water‑additive, foam, powder, wet chemical, and specific clean‑agent extinguishers as requiring a 5‑year discharge test involving discharge, internal inspection, and refill. Under BAFE SP101, service providers must follow BS 5306‑3 unless the manufacturer provides a BS‑aligned alternative maintenance schedule. Industry bodies including FIA, IFEDA, and UKAS‑accredited companies all recognise the 5‑year discharge test as mandatory for water and powder extinguishers.

Most likely, yes — a hole of that size in a separating wall is a fire‑risk. You should first confirm whether it was intentional, whether a service or duct has been removed, and whether it connects directly to another flat. You also need to check if any services still pass through it, because unsealed penetrations can seriously compromise compartmentation. Even if the wall is solid brick, a 15×15‑inch opening can allow smoke to spread, and smoke spread is often more dangerous than flame. For that reason alone, it should be treated as a significant defect. The wall needs to be properly repaired so that its fire‑resisting and smoke‑tight performance is restored.

Given the age of the doors, lack of certification, and no historical FRA paperwork, I’d personally commission a full independent FRA. While the Responsible Person can assess nominal doors in‑house if they have demonstrable competence , the judgement involved here — thickness, gaps, glazing, ironmongery, smoke control, and the absence of test evidence — is exactly the kind of thing that could be challenged later . An external assessor gives you a defensible baseline and removes any doubt about competence under Article 18 .

No, the act is generally only concerned with the areas external to the flat. The duties placed on the AP focuses on the common parts and the extremal structure of the building

Because the bear garden roof has permanent railings around the edge, permanent lighting, is designed for public occupation, has been risk assessed and is supervised by staff or is a safe managed space, it is allowable to use it as an escape route. For an atypical roof this is not the case.

In my view, you have very little control over the two groups that are explicitly prohibited. Would you really want members of the public to have access to a roof?

Because the second-floor room is accessed directly from the stairs, it should still be considered an inner room. The access is still dependant on the lounge, however the fact that there is ASD and visibility will make it an acceptable risk

If the footpath is ≥2m wide then it would be considered acceptable in most case ≥1.2m and the external wall is non-combustible then it would be considered acceptable in most case < 1.2m then it would be considered unacceptable in most case

What does the fire strategy say? Is the fire stopping intact? What size are the cupboards?

Having a single lodger is not an issue as the home would not be classified as an HMO. You must Check your smoke alarms: Test the alarms on every floor right away to confirm they work perfectly. Inspect furniture labels: Look for fire safety labels on any mattress, bed base, or sofa you are providing in the lodger's room. Brief your lodger: Show them the main exit routes, explain how to unlock the front door in an emergency, and point out where the door keys are kept.

As long as they are competent then no

There is a legal requirement for a fire risk assessment completed on the common areas of flats, the responsibility of who will pay should be in the lease, while this is being done ask about including the gable end.

Whilst I agree that ADB calls for a FD20 door. Unfortunately, FD20 doors are rarely manufactured or certified today, the current standard is now FD30

I can see the reasoning behind the advice; the hoist places a risk within the bathroom. Are they happy with the door to the bathroom? Is it a fire door? Smoke detectors should not be installed in bathrooms or within 900 mm of the door as the steam and humidity may cause false alarms or long-term damage to the internal electronics. I would look at heat detectors.

Not until you make a material alteration to the premises, like changing the door. The changing of the door must be done in compliance with building regulations which includes part K. Would it be possible to create a small lobby at the foot of the stairs and turn the door 90deg?