Mr

[Guest Michael Sealey]

Hi , 

I'm after some advice - with completing a fire risk assessment for a medium sized high street retail unit , with private residents above ( not our demise.)

We have one main entrance/ exit door & one fire exit to the rear. I've been advised to discount the main entrance / exit for travel distance calculations - meaning we now technically have one fire exit , and thus single direction . Is this correct , or do we calculate travel distances with all doors included ?

Thanks 

[Mike North]

The discounting of a final exit is all about the capacity of the building, how many people can I fit through the doors.  This has nothing to do travel distances.

 

[AnthonyB]

On 11/06/2025 at 13:26, Guest Michael Sealey said:

Hi , 

I'm after some advice - with completing a fire risk assessment for a medium sized high street retail unit , with private residents above ( not our demise.)

We have one main entrance/ exit door & one fire exit to the rear. I've been advised to discount the main entrance / exit for travel distance calculations - meaning we now technically have one fire exit , and thus single direction . Is this correct , or do we calculate travel distances with all doors included ?

Thanks 

Sounds like you may need to use a professional risk assessor if you aren't sure - but in essence travel distances and exit capacities are different issues. If you have two or more exits (that meet the 45 degree rule or are separated by fire resisting construction) you can use the Travel distances listed for more than one direction of escape (but be aware that initial dead ends where you can only go one way must meet the single distance up to the point that routes diverge).
Then you need to ensure the number and width of exits is enough for the occupancy - you always discount the widest exit for this just in case the fire blocks access.

The extract in the above reply is fro Approved Document B, a design guide under the Building Regulations for new premises - existing ones should use this - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-offices-and-shops

Useful extracts: