Hi

I understood the common practise of opening in the direction of the exit, but heard that on a flat, with few occupants, opening inwards is fine.

Is this generally not a problem?

thanks

if this is a personal entrance to your own flat and not public right of way then it is ok. once it becomes a public escape route then all doors should open in the direction of the fire exit

But they don't have to - certainly exits used for less than 60 persons can be accepted opening inwards, although it's preferable to open outwards.

Flat doors do not have to open outwards.

It is worth noting that flat entrance doors must be British Standard Fire Doors fitted with self-closers, fire strips and close fully (check lease for responsibility of flat front door as may be Management Company or Leaseholders).

The door of any communal doorway or exit should, if reasonably practical, be hung to open in the direction of escape and, as AnthonyB says, should always do so if the number of persons that might be expected to use the door at the time of a fire is more than 60 (the door should be changed to open outwards even if the number is less than 60 where there is a very high fire risk)