Blocking of Fire Exits

[Guest JJJ]

A bit of an odd question, but it seems to be on topic for this thread:

I have recently come across a situation where a shop has had its fire exit blocked up from the outside, with a wire fence. The shop staff have no access to the space beyond other than through the fire exit door, which they currently cannot open beyond a crack. Obviously they have a responsibility to maintain the fire exit, but in this case there is nothing they can physically do about it.

We plan to write to the neighbour to tell them to take the fence down, but what is the next step if they say "no" or do not respond at all? We obviously need to move things forward, but at the same time we do not want to get our client (the shop owner) into strife!

Thanks in advance.

J (he/him).

[AnthonyB]

Depends on what rights of access there are and if it falls under the Party Walls legislation. First port of call would be a property dispute solicitor and surveyor after checking for any access rights in leases, deeds, etc.

Depending on the situation you may have legal remedy.

[Guest Tracie]

Hi, could you tell me if it is legal under the fire regulations the owners of the flats above our shop to put a flat parking space sign on the back of our fire exit, this door lead out to a private car park. Also in our office we have a fire door with a normal lock on it? And what sort of fire evacuation would the people on the next 2 floors have as there is only one stair way out of the building ? Should we supply a emergency rope ladder for them to break a window to escape through. Thank you 

 

[AnthonyB]

In small buildings only one exit stair is perfectly legal - rope ladders are not! The stair would need to be a protected route.

To answer your questions in full would warrant carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment of the site - which should have been carried out as a legal requirement for both the commercial and residential parts, the commercial one having to consider the effects of a fire on the flats above.

[Guest dom]

Hi there,

Has anyone had any experience with fire exits opening onto private land?

The land owner has put bollards in front of my shop fire exit rendering it useless.

 

Thanks

D

[AnthonyB]

This isn't an uncommon situation and focuses on property and land legislation - where an escape route goes onto another person/entities land there usually needs to be a legal agreement, license, easement, deed of variation or similar to allow right of access for escape without trespass. Where no agreement exists a landowner is entitled to deny access.

You will need to contact a specialist on land/property law for advice.