Smoke control in old buildings.

[Sgt Bilko]

Trying to establish around retro fitting smoke control in old buildings.

I have buildings where we have POVs and i do see the need to change these to AOVs as this was the standard of the day.

My question is where you have a three story, two staircase buildings. Both lobbied and balcony access to both. Is there any requirement to install window opening on the stairs for the Fire service to manual vent the stairs. Present arrangement has no smoke control.

my arguement is this is how it was built, plus two staircases so if one is compromised you can turn hour back and use the alternative.

smoke is also not going risk the means of escape as it is not an enlcosed corridor to the stairs as its balcony access to both stairs.

Any thoughts. Purpose built flats has a case study for 6 storey building scenario but with enclosed protected corridor and no lobby. Which i can understand the logic of smoke control as its not lobbied. 

[AnthonyB]

So none of the flats actually open into the stairs? If not no reason at all for smoke control.

[Sgt Bilko]

Hi, No straight onto a balcony which then has a door leading to the staircase. So lobbied. Plus two stair.

my argument is that this was the standard it was built to so no requirement to bring upto todays  standard for smoke control AOVsor even openable windows which is what the FRA says.