Chris Allis

Thanks for your reply Anthony, it always concerns me when a part of the original fire protection measures is removed for non fire protection mean. Even other options such as a suppression system or possibly a fire shutter or curtain interfaced with the AFD doesn't sit right - just old school I guess!

Hi All, I have a dilemma regarding a small country pub who has recently reopened the kitchen to provide food at lunchtimes. The issue is that the previous tenant removed the fire door to the kitchen in order for the staff to move between the kitchen and pub without fumbling with the door! They also installed shelving and other equipment on the bar side so it is difficult to reinstall the door as it would open to about 45 degrees before hitting the shelving etc. My initial advice would be to reinstall the door, or possibly install a sliding fire resistant door to form a barrier should a fire start in the kitchen, or leave the door off and mitegate by fitting automatic suppression possibly to extinguish a fire in the early stages. It is a small commercial kitchen with gas range,deep fat fryer and microwaves. There is a gas isolation point, extraction and portable co2/wet chem and fire blanket. A heat detector is also in situ. My gut feeling is that the door must be reinstalled to the kitchen and relocate the obstructions so the door can operate correctly, the other option of suppression doesnt feel right to me as the smoke etc would spread into the pub which has low ceilings and little ventilation. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! many thanks in advance.

Thanks Anthony, Its good to have a case study from another assessor on this subject. I will ask the questions relating to the tenants and advise accordingly.

Hi All, Just had an enquiry from a supported Living home about an action on their recent FRA. The action required heat detection to be fitted in the ground floor wet room to protect the electric hoist and to fit a FD30s Fire door to the room as well. In my opinion, this seems unnecessary as there are no combustible items within the room, the appliance is PAT tested and the electrical installation is within its test date. With the addition of a FD30s on the wet room complete with automatic closer, I feel this would impede access and egress and would then require a hold open device, otherwise the dreaded wedges would appear! I would like your thoughts on this please as it doesn't feel right that the advice given is proportionate. The building is a converted 3 storey Victorian house with a L1 fire alarm system and is sprinklered. Thanks for reading!

Thank you for your replies which I will look into regarding alternative glazing. Interesting suggestion regarding the riot shields, could be worth my client just getting the riot shields as a preventative measure to protect the fire doors! All the best

Hi All, I have a question I hope you can help me with. Is there an alternative solution to Georgian Wired Glass in fire door vision panels? I have an enquiry from a care facility that has a tenant who constantly smashes the vision panels in the cross corridor fire doors. Has anyone else had this issue? If so, how did you achieve maintaining compliance? Obviously blocking them up is a non starter as you still need to see through the doors. Any guidance would be appreciated!