Tom Sutton

If it is a domestic premises the you are not subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 therefore not required to consider fire safety precautions other than, those that you should with regards to the safety of you and your family. I think you also have moral duty for the safety of any staff and should consider the following guidance HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing which will show you what fire safety precautions you should be considering. If there is sufficient borrowed light to adequately illuminate any escape routes in the house then you may not need to consider emergency lighting.

Darren there is no simple answer you need to conduct a fire risk assessment to decide if a fire alarm is necessary and if it is, what category will be required, the guidance is Offices and shops. Next step is how to installed the fire alarm, if required, studying the guidance BS 5839-1:2013 will instruct you how to do it.

As green-foam has said there is no legislation that tells you how to install a fire alarm system it just says, "the extent that the premises is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment with fire detectors and alarms". It is the fire risk assessment that will decide what is required, the guidance is Offices and shops and BS 5839-1:2013. Fire safety order http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents/made check out article 13.

The metal bars can be of any colour you choose but it must have a sign. A sign which reads "Push bar to open" or a pictogram should be provided on the inside face of the door immediately above the horizontal bar, or on the bar if it has a sufficient flat face to take the size of lettering required. The surface area of the pictogram should be not less than 8 000 mm and its colours should be white on a green background. It should be designed such that the arrow points to the operating element, when installed.

I think I would rule out equipment fault because your problem only occurs on the first floor and if it was equipment faults why isn't it happening on the ground floor? I think I would be looking at the installation, check out http://www.coopersafety.nl/files/bestanden/noodverlichting_datasheets/easicheck%202%20planning%20guide%20rev2.pdf Which says 2.1 Choice of cable type The cable used to connect Easicheck2 interfaces to the Easicheck2 control panel must be an unscreened 2 core twisted pair cable. The recommended data cable type is Belden type 8471, or alternatively if a LSZH type cable is required, Belcom cables type 4001P1644 (16AWG) can be also used. Other cable types can be used providing they fully meet the following performance requirements: 1) It must be an unscreened 2 core twisted pair cable. 2) It is not acceptable to include additional cores, which are left unconnected or used for other systems or other Easicheck2 panels. 3) The total capacitance of all cable connected to the data loop must not exceed 1µF, this is best verified by calculation, cable manufacturers data should specify the total core to core capacitance per km and this should then be multiplied by the total length of connected cable. So could the wrong data cable or calculations have been used on the first floor or could there be other possibilities regarding the installation, so in my humble opinion you should be checking out the installation using the above Planning Guide, not necessarily the equipment. N.B. I am not an electrician just an ex firefighter trying to apply reasoning to the problem. :unsure:

To the best of my knowledge to comply with the Construction Products Regulations (CPR) each piece of door furniture sold in the EC require being CE marked. To conform, each item needs to meet the appropriate hEN standard, BS EN 12209:2003 for latches and BS EN 1935 for hinges, therefore are obligatory. BS EN 16034 will be a new hEN for fire resistance and smoke control, it also covers self-closers and emergency door opening devices. Consequently for fire doors to be CE marked they need to conform to the new hEN.(Obligatory) The date it comes in to force is anybody’s guess but check out the following power point it may help. Domestic Doors Luke Adams.ppt - RedBook Live it

Mike what Shawn says is a 100% correct but you also you need to consider is the fire risk assessment that is required by the fire safety order. The FRA is what decides how many extinguishers is required and the British Standard is only a recommendation. In your case the relevant guide is Offices and shops and if you check Section 3 Further guidance on firefighting equipment and facilities it says under 3.1 Portable firefighting equipment "Where there are self-contained small premises, multi-purpose extinguishers which can cover a range of risks may be appropriate. Depending on the outcome of your fire risk assessment, it may be possible to reduce this to one extinguisher in very small premises with a floor space of less than 90m2". My interpretation would be you could you could go down to one water and a CO2 if the fire risk warrants it, the need for a CO2 would depend on why it has been recommended? Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk

There maybe a security problem but as far as Fire Safety is concerned I do not see any problems.

I would suggest natural drying or you could use a hair dryer on the lowest heat setting. You can purchase switch cleaning fluid and clean it with a stiff brush, may work, but it is more likely you will have to replace it.

I cannot see this is a police matter, however are these flats owner occupied or rented?

It may be unusual, but there is no regulation which says he/she cannot. I believe most people do use their front door and not the fire escape because exit is easy but entry is difficult for security reasons.

I am not the expert, that is FIRA I simply read the guide and legislation and try to interpret it, but thanks anyway. The guidance says, 10.1 Charities The Regulations state that selling upholstered furniture and furnishings to raise funds for charitable purposes constitutes a business activity and hence there is a need to conform to the requirements of the Regulations. Therefore the charity will need to ensure that either the item has complied with the appropriate test(s) as outlined in the Regulations or is fitted with a permanent label which outlines the compliance of the particular item. Items which have not complied with the appropriate test(s) or do not carry a permanent label which outlines the compliance of the item cannot be sold. However furniture manufactured prior to 1950 is outside the scope of these Regulations. The Regulations state that the simple distribution of second-hand upholstered furniture and furnishings by a charity in pursuance of its charitable objectives to needy persons, either free of charge or at a nominal amount only, is not considered to constitute a supply in the course of business and hence is exempt from compliance to the Regulations. This practice is considered to be unsafe, especially in the case of vulnerable and needy persons, and it is to be discouraged. Charities distributing second-hand furniture are also advised to seek assurance that these items conform to the Regulations in the same way that second hand furniture is sold. What you are suggesting is similar and as it states you are not subject to the regulations but it is to be discouraged. http://www.fira.co.uk/publications/flammability-guides

The center stile of double fire doors can be rebated but you will need to fix priority selecting device and it will require intumescent strip fixing. http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/door_closers_and_controls/door_selectors_and_dampers

As I have said above you have no physical control in the clients premises but you can make your employees fire safety aware and if they feel unsafe they can discuss it with the owner or as a last resort, leave. There are many website devoted to "home fire safety" and if you surf the web they are readily available. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/category/domestic-premises/ https://www.gov.uk/firekills http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/SafetyAtHome.asp Use this information to train your staff, you will find guidance, leaflets and all sorts of information regarding home fire safety.

Check out http://www.envirograf.com/category/carpenters_and_builders/11.replacement_hardwood_door_edging.html or contact envirograp and see if they can help.

I am afraid this is a very difficult question because domestic premises are not subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. However it could be classed as a workplace for your cleaners but as you do not have control, you are not the Responsible Person and therefore no duties, that also applies to the occupants of the house/flat. However I think you do have a moral duty for the safety of your employees and should insist on a Fire Service, fire risk assessment which is provided free by your local FRS. The instruction to your employees should be if there is a fire, Get out, Stay out, Call the fire service out. I shall research this further as I have said it is a difficult one and hopefully get back in the future.

If there are no common areas then The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not apply and a Fire Risk Assessment would not be required. Definition of domestic premises Art 2 of RR(FS)O states “domestic premises” means premises occupied as a private dwelling (including any garden, yard, garage, outhouse, or other appurtenance of such premises which is not used in common by the occupants of more than one such dwelling); and domestic premises are not subject to the RR(FS)O only non-domestic premises (art 6).

You do not need a CO2 extinguisher for any electrical risk which can be removed by isolation the supply at the meter and then use the appropriate class of extinguisher on the fire. Check out http://www.safelincs.co.uk/fire-extinguishers-suitable-for-kitchens/ to identify the appropriate extinguishers. The only exception is the meter cupboard/room itself. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/portable-fire-extinguisher-general/

It is the landlord who is responsible for fire safety in a HMO and if he is not prepared to control his/her tenants then report it to the local housing authority. http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/content/houses-in-multiple-occupation

The problem with HMO’s is in England and Wales they are subject to two pieces of legislation, the Housing Act enforced by the Local Council Housing Department and common areas the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) enforced by the Fire and Rescue Service. This means there is no one guidance and it could be the DCLG, Lacors, or guidance created by the Local Council so you must establish which guidance the accessor is using. Regardless of this I cannot understand why he/she is asking for vision panel unless there is an inner room situation? I think you need to find out why the accessor require a vision panel and which guidance is being used? As for the other two questions I believe green-foam has answered that I am afraid there is no cheap answers. Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/14884/fsra-sleeping-accommodation.pdf http://www.cieh.org/library/Knowledge/Housing/National_fire_safety_guidance_08.pdf http://www.firesafe.org.uk/houses-in-multiple-occupation/

The office and shops guidance page 47 says, 1.9 Particular hazards in corridors and stairways used as escape routes Items that are a source of fuel, pose an ignition risk, or are combustible and likely to increase the fire loading or spread of fire, should not be located on any corridor or, stairway or circulation space that will be used as an escape route. Such items include : • portable heaters, e.g. bottled gas (LPG) or electric radiant heaters and electric convectors or boilers; • gas cylinders for supplying heaters; • cooking appliances; and • unenclosed gas pipes, meters, and other fittings. However, where more than one escape route is available and depending on the findings of your risk assessment, items such as those below may be acceptable if the minimum exit widths are aintained and the item presents a relatively low fire risk: • non-combustible lockers; • vending machines; • small items of electrical equipment (e.g. photocopiers); and • small coat racks and/or small quantities of upholstered furniture which meets BS 7176 or the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. For the minimum width of escape routes check out Approved Document B (Fire Safety) page 36 says it depends on numbers up to 60 persons, 750 mm, 110 persons, 850 mm larger numbers check out document.

The ADB clearly accepts locks and child stays on escape windows in domestic premises which I think is acceptable. In non domestic premises keys usually in glass fronted boxes are a strict no. no because of the number of people involved, the wrong key in the box or covered in metal foil which is likely to create serious problems. In domestic premises they would be of last resort and the keys are most likely to be in the lock, number of people will be small and the head of the household is likely to ensure the windows are available, for normal use if nothing else. Reliable fire detectors should ensure the principle MoE will be available if needed, so escape windows are a last resort but still necessary.

I do not see how you can achieve 30 mins fire resistance if the stain-glass panel if it is a genuine lead lite panel. If you are considering adding a pane on pyro glass to the risk side of the door you have to use a suitable method of fixing, which I cannot see how you could achieve it considering the width of the door. Check out the document below and you will see the method of fixing FR glass is not simple. http://www.ggf.org.uk/assets/FRGG_BPG_edition_5_Summer_2011_-_16-08-2011-4e4a7f50398c2.pdf

Download Approved Document B - Fire Safety: Volume 1 - Dwellinghouses and check the bottom of page 17 which now shows locks on escape window are acceptable.

A self contain flat in any building is not subject to the Fire Safety Order, all the doors, other than the front door leading to the common area, do not require a FD30s door with self closer and therefore would not need a hold open devices. The front door of a flat leading to the common area usually require a fire resisting door with a self closer and it is not wise to to keep it open unless absolutely necessary.