Hi there,

I am looking into purchasing a part commercial part residential premises. The building is a converted terrace made up of one shop on the (ground floor) then two residential flats. Both flats have their own access from the rear of the building and one is located above the shop (with internal stairs access not external) and one is located directly to the rear of the shop. I'm just trying to find out what to look for with regards to fire regulations?. Any help is much appreciated. 

The shop will require a fire risk assessment under the current legislation, which in addition to considering fire safety within the shop needs to consider the effect of a fire on the flats above, requiring:
- Suitable fire resisting construction between the shop & flat above; or

- Fire detection in the shop linked to sounders in the flats above

It's preferred to have the fire separation as oppose to linked alarms.

The flats, if they have an internal communal area, will also need a fire risk assessment of the common parts in addition to complying with the Housing Act (which is of more relevance if rented out not owner occupied)

The exact fire precautions required come out of the findings of the fire risk assessment.