Ryan Mcmullan

What are the benifits of a possitive pressure differential system? with regards to relaxed passive fire protected (i.e. protected lobby doors not needed ect.) There is a limited amount of information in ADB and BS.9999, what reference do you recommend?

You mention that your flat is in a house so it is most likely been converted to self contained flat. The FSO will apply to the common area of the house as such it is common to find an AFD system installed in the common area. There should be a minimum of 75db at the bedhead, for this reason sounders in each individual flat would be required. This would be the only interlinking of the flat with regards to an AFD. There is a lot more to consider though and the FRA should identify what is required as stated by Tom

Tom you have taken what I have said out of context, I am answering the question at hand. The basis of the question is whether or not they need to fit an AFD and her arguement being are the flats as a whole classed as a HMO, if the flats where all leashold this would not make the premises a HMO so it has no relevance!

Hi Harry I agree that the size of the building does play a part, though the use of the building is primarily where to start. All detectors have to have a CIE, if your talking about a system that does not have this then you are talking about a smoke alarm and not a smoke detector. The CIE is not just for the F&RS it is for the staff also e.g if a staff alarm was in place. If you could clarify also what is meant by a panelled system as there is no reference for such a term within the standards. I understand your point that there is not a need for an addressable system within a small premises, though if smoke detectors and not smoke alarms are to be installed you will still need a CIE, though this can be a convenional system i.e. 1 zone for the premises. Ryan

Hi Harry The size of the premises does not govern what part of BS 5839 is used, it is governed by the use of the building (i.e risk based). I have also never heard of a F&RS giving consent of such, it would make no sense. A conventional fire alarm system (1-2 zones) in place of an addressable fire alarm system as you mention would satisfiy the requirements of BS 5839-1 in most small offices. Regarding british standards, though they are not law, using them may help prove due diligence in a court of law (if the correct one is used). I would imagine that any suitable and sufficient FRA would also recommend the catagory/grade of AFD to be fitted, though ultimetely what suitable and sufficient means is a matter for the courts to interperet. If the responsible person (non competaent person most likely in this scenario) decides to specify an AFD system not in line with British standards they would be in contrevention of artical 13 of SI 2005/1541 and find it hard to prove due diligence.

Hi First may I ask how you came to the conclusion you are not classed as an HMO? from my interpretation of artical 254 of the Housing Act 2004 I would say that you are classed as a HMO, though this doesn't mean that you will have to obtain a licence

As the door has not been been tested to BS 476 part 22 it will not be a fire rated door, P.S To make alterations to a fire door the person must be licensed ( BWF scheme) and only recommend tested apputures are to be fitted

In response to your query, intrumecent air transfer grills can be fitted to fire doors, though these doors must have been tested (test fire) by the manufacturer with the transfer grill in question fitted.The air transfer grill must be fitted by a licensed fitter (BWF) and the recommended unit fitted in line with the manufactures guidance. If he has fitted a transfer grill himself intrumecsent or not it will no longer be a certified fire door, subject to a FRA it may need replacing.