Tom Sutton

I cannot give a definitive answer without a physical inspection (Fire Risk Assessment). However a possible risk is, the containers to be involved in fire but providing the alternative means of escape can cater for all the person on the premises, then that should be acceptable. The second risk is the containers being moved and causing a trip hazard, but providing the containers are held fixed in a suitable position, allowing the MoE not to be reduced then you could have a good case to convince the enforcing officer that safety has not been compromised. Who has conducted the FRA, it may be worth having a word with him/her but I would not be too worried providing the conditions above had been met.

According to the appropriate British standard BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004 Emergency escape lighting systems. Specifies the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises,it should follow the following procedure. Daily emergency lighting inspection (only for central back-up systems) This check only applies to emergency lighting systems with one central back-up battery system. In this case, there is a daily visual inspection of indicators on the central power supply to identify that the system is operational. No test of operation is required. This test does not apply to emergency lighting with self-contained back-up batteries in each unit (standard emergency lighting). Monthly emergency lighting tests All emergency lighting systems must be tested monthly. The test is a short functional test in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004. The period of simulated failure should be sufficient for the purpose of this test while minimising damage to the system components, e.g. lamps. During this period, all luminaires and signs shall be checked to ensure that they are present, clean and functioning correctly. Annually A test for the full rated duration of the emergency lights (e.g. 3 hours) must be carried out. The emergency lights must still be working at the end of this test. The result must be recorded and, if failures are detected, these must be remedied as soon as possible. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/emergency-lighting/

You have a class A risk (organic material) and a class F risk (cooking oil in the kitchen). You should never try to extinguish a class C fire other than cutting off the supply then using a class A extinguisher or fire blanket. For electric risk you should again cut off the supply and use a class A extinguisher. You can get class A extinguishers that claim to be safe on electric risk but always isolate the electric appliance from the supply. The only problem is, the supply intake cupboard or room where it may be impossible to isolate the mains and I would suggest a CO2 extinguisher. You need extinguishers for the class A to a rating of 26A for the first 200 m2 and 13A for every 200 m2 thereafter. You need a class F extinguisher depending on the size of you deep fat fryer and I would also include a fire blanket. Finally a CO extinguisher for the meter cupboard or room. Check out for more detailed information. http://www.firesafe.org.uk/portable-fire-extinguisher-general/ and http://www.firesafe.org.uk/types-use-and-colours-of-portable-fire-extinguishers/

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 only covers the common areas of blocks of flats, but the flat it's self is not covered, however the Responsible Person (landlord) must consider any Relevant Persons, (tenants) in the building. The RP has a duty to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment to ensure everybody will be safe in the event of a fire in your building and depending on the construction, provide a safe haven up to 60 minutes. You say, "There is no lift in the building and so she is forced to use the stairs" so is your partner house-bound, as the result of her disablement, or can she make her way out of the building, understandably slowly, if so why does she present a serious fire risk? Without more information I am unable to give a definitive answer. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ for more information.

It certainly would, you can make certain alterations to fire doors but it has to be done by approved joinery companies, approved by the certification organisations. ( British Woodworking Federation Certifire and TRADA Q-Mark )

Check out and http://www.esmagazin...s-system-sensor and www.systemsensor.com/pdf/COPTIR-performance-report.pdf another make by Honeywell http://www.notifier....adv-sensing.htm may be of help.

I do not understand what you are proposing, is it in relation to B3 of the building regulations? Fire resistant door leaves and frame are integral and both have to resist the passage of fire for the required time, but not always are opening required to be fire resistant, it all depends of what you are trying to achieve. You need to provide more information.

The only way to be sure a door is fire resistant is to read the documentation that accompanies the fire door, you could write to the council and see if they would provide you with the necessary evidence.

The sawmill and not the woodland is subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 , consequently you will be required to conduct a fire risk assessment for the sawmill. There is no such a thing as a standard fire risk assessment form and each premises is a bespoke situation. The appropriate guidance for a factory is https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-advice-documents and you may need to consult the guide for offices. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ for more information.

You can add any additional security you chose to a fire exit door, providing it is removed when the premises is occupied. If this is happening during the time the premises is occupied you can fit an individual intruder alarm to the fire exit door which will operate if the door is opened. This will not prevent unauthorized entry but it will alert you immediately so you are able to take the necessary action. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/security-and-fire-safety/

The common areas of blocks of flats are subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and article 14 states, Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times. The RR(FS)O is enforced by the Fire and Rescue Service and if your landlord will not help I would suggest you contact the fire and rescue service.

There are two types of label Display label and Permanent label. Display labeling is required to indicate the ignition resistance of each item of furniture and needs to be attached to all new furniture at the point of sale, with the exception of mattresses, bed-bases, pillows, scatter cushions, seat pads, loose covers (sold separately from the furniture) and stretch covers. Permanent labeling on furniture is intended to assist enforcement officers and show compliance with the specific ignition requirements for covers and fillings. The prime objective of the permanent label is for enforcement officers to examine a label on a piece of furniture and obtain relevant information which will enable them to find out and confirm that the materials used in the item do comply with the Regulations. They will also be able to complete a cross check of the claims being made on the label with the manufacturer’s records. Standard red triangle and green rectangle labels are the display labels and tend to go missing soon after purchase it is the permanent labels that you need to have, which are fixed to the item of furniture, usually on the underside of the furniture, these give all the relevant information. Check the Domestic Flammability Guide and http://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/

It all depends if the barn (Dwelling House) can be classed as flats or a House in Multiple Occupation which is not easy to determine. The company you have created could be classed a management company which most multi occupied premises have. Also do you have private accommodation and common areas. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/houses-in-multiple-occupation/ for more information.

You need to clarify what you mean by fire escape door, is it the final escape door to the outside of you premises or is it a fire resistant door. (FD/FDs) If it is a final escape door then there is no reason why you cannot fit a self closer. If it is a FD/FDs door then it has to have an authorised self closer fitted check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-door-fitting-and-ironmongery/ for more information.

As I say above, BS 8214:2008 for FD and FDs the Under-door (threshold) gaps should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the particular door-set design. BS 8214:2008 says for FDs When fitted, smoke seals should give an even contact with the floor but should not exhibit significant increased frictional forces that could interfere with the closing action of the door. So it depends if the fire door is only required to hold back a fire for the prescribe time (FD) or it also require to control the passage of cold smoke (FDs) no measurements are stipulated, that is up to the manufacturer.

As a landlord you need to be able to prove or have a permanent fire label attached to each piece of upholstered furniture, to meet the regulations. The label you have will have the manufacturer displayed and you may be able to contact them for advice. If is pretty obvious that the two pieces of furniture form a suite you may be prepared, in the event of any problems, to argue your case based on this point. I am afraid if you cannot prove the furniture meets the standards or there is no permanent label attached then it does not meet the regulations, and in the event of the proverbial hitting the fan you could fined yourself in difficult situation.

Sorry Messy I do not have have any idea it has been going on for years and until the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 is amended it will carry on and even then the chances are that a period of change will be allowed of a number of years. The main problem is illuminated exit boxes and the ICEL appear to be reluctant to using the BS EN ISO standard until the euro-sign is made illegal, I am afraid it is a case of wait and see. I know that members of the FireNet Forum will carry on using risk assessment and will only change the signs if they constitute a risk.

Employees/staff need a detailed procedure of the action to take in the event of a fire on the premises, and should be trained on it (fire drills). Displaying a copy in the areas frequented by the staff could be part of the training and regular training sessions would be essential. However you need to consider relevant persons (visitors to the premises) and they need a short instruction of the actions they need to take. Fire notices are ideal for this but the locations you suggest would not be my choice, with the exception of the lift and adjacent to manual call points would seem to be better. You will not find any mention of fire action notices in any legislation but it is a means of informing relevant persons what they need to do in the event of a fire. Check out my previous submission.

The Regulations apply to upholstered second-hand furniture sold by a person in the course of business of his (including auction). However, they do not apply to furniture manufactured before 1 January 1950. Because you are not selling in the course of a business, then I would say you are not subject to the regulations, but charities can be and may not accept them. However I would consider the practice is unsafe and I would discouraged it on moral grounds. 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.

It all depends on the layout and the travel distances, it could be a fire hazard, on the other hand it could be considered acceptable, without a lot more information I could not give a definitive response. Despite this, I think the landlord should repair the door so it is accessible for normal use, even if it is not required for fire safety reasons. Check out http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/housing_e/housing_renting_a_home_e/getting_repairs_done_while_renting.htm

It all depends on the layout and the distances involved. You are subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the guidance for offices is ‘Fire safety risk assessments - offices and shops’ . Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ and https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities

When you decided to use a management company they became the responsible person under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and are required to implement the above order. It requires them to conduct a fire risk assessment in the common areas including the front doors of the flats and requires them to ensure under, Emergency routes and exits 14. -(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times. If they fail to carry out the conditions of the order they could be prosecuted which could include the tenants. I would suggest you abide by their instructions and all this should have been done prior to them taking control, you were lucky the Fire and rescue service did not conduct an audit. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/

Hi Laurence I would like to know more, please contact me, if you do not wish to do it publicly then send me a message through my profile. I will abide by any conditions you wish to impose.

The minimum width would be the width of the fire exit but the more space the better, because of bunching up, which happens when numbers of people attempt to pass through the door at once.

You need a means of raising the alarm of fire and in most cases this is done by the use of manual fire alarm call points, also the wiring has to be fire resistant. What is more relevant, has a fire risk assessment be done and the results of the FRA will determine all the fire safety provisions required, including the type of fire alarm . Check out https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities and all the guides you require you will find there.