December 10, 201411 yr comment_6946 I live in a 3 storey town house where there is only access to the garden at the rear. This is to say that the neighbours at either side have built hedges, fences and sheds, only allowing me to exit the property from the front. Also at the rear there is a wall and then a 10 foot drop in to a beck. this is probably about 10 metres from the rear door. Does this contravene any fire safety regulations Report
December 11, 201411 yr comment_6947 See section 2 of AD B for Dwelling Houses and diagram 4 - for an exit route to be accepted into an enclosed courtyard or garden the depth of back garden should exceed the height of the house above ground level or where a rear extension is provided the height of the extensions (whichever is greater). Bear in mind this is only if your access route to the front door is unacceptable - i.e. you have to pass through a risk room in order to exit the property - if you pass through a normal hallway the premises should be fine. Do you mind if I ask why you're raising this as its come up a few times recently? Report
December 12, 201411 yr comment_6948 It depends on the layout of your property and the travel distances to your front door, many houses have this situation you should check out approved document B (fire safety) not all houses need an alternative means of escape. Report
May 24, 20206 yr comment_17084 Friend of mines garden (end terrace) is escape access for his property and 2 others. One neighbour and friends just walk through his garden even if not an emergency. Is this allowed?? Report
May 26, 20206 yr comment_17102 That is a legal matter, not a fire related matter. I suggest your friend seeks legal advice. (But no, If it were me I would not be happy about it) Report
August 4, 20214 yr comment_21111 Hi I am renting a small cottage with front door leading into living room, very narrow hallway and into kitchen. The back door leads to a garden. Either side neighbours have fencing up. One side has a house built inches from the fence. The other side has a garage with a small space between that and their house. How would I exit if a fire was in front of house ?? I’m sure this doesn’t comply with fire regs. Report
August 4, 20214 yr comment_21113 It's fine, lots of houses only have one exit door. Shut your doors at night, make sure your smoke alarm works. Report
August 10, 20232 yr comment_38021 Hi. I rent a cottage from the trustees of a small village hall. The village hall has an enclosed garden. The trustees want to put a fire exit in the fence between my garden and the hall garden which will remain unlocked and so give access into my garden. Can I refuse this on grounds of lack of privacy and risk to my security? Report
August 11, 20232 yr comment_38041 Not a question or a fire safety forum sadly - more a landlord/tenant/property law issue, Citizens Advice are a useful free initial source of advice. Report
October 27, 20232 yr comment_39231 @Guest Tiny - fire exit gate in the fence doesn't have to be unlocked - it can be fitted with a crash bar or push handle type fire exit lock. This will allow it to be opened from the inside in an emergency, and from the outside with a key. Report
April 7, 20242 yr comment_42229 our garden has an exit open, for emergency but except for two neighbors, they also closed it. Example if my way the right will be blocked, I would like to go to the left, but it is closed by the neighbors. What rules Report
September 14, 20241 yr comment_44630 Shop next door to my home, put a fire exit door in the back of their shop . That opens up onto a overgrown copse that there is no way of escape.. The land is not owned by the shop that is rented nor the landlord.. it's not even a proper fire door, it has a handle and lock on the outside. And yet you can not access the outside , only from inside the shop. It's a worrying and illegal.. Report
September 17, 20241 yr comment_44684 If they don't have a way leave to access the land then it can be obstructed - it's a civil matter and you should take legal advice from a property law specialist. Report
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.