Maybe a silly question, but what is the primary objection to escape over a flat roof? For, example, I have a first floor restaurant refurbishment project for which I can provide a secondary MOE over a flat roof which is of concrete slab construction. I can also form an appropriate gangway. There are no openings through the roof, although I guess that one could be provided at some future time.

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?

5 hours ago, Mike North said:

Would you really want members of the public to have access to a roof?

Not normally, I agree, however, the anomaly is that we have secured both planning and BC approval to use flat roofs as beer gardens, many with external escape stairs so that not only can the MOE serve the beer garden but also the bar or lounge area that gives access to it. So the beer garden is nothing other than a flat roof with a fence around it but also serves as an escape route for members of the public inside the building.

So, I am failing to understand the sense in not permitting a MOE will full barrier protection across a flat roof that is not a beer garden.

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.