Tom Sutton

Check out section 10, diagram 38, page 87 of Approved Document B (fire safety) vol 2, it appears to be 30mins. (read the notes to the diagram especially 2c)

If there is no common areas then you are exempt from The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and do not require a fire risk assessment. This is not common however there are flats no more than 50m from where I live that do not have common areas, but if you both have your own front doors opening onto the public area and don't share any part of the premises then you are exempt. The common areas are the only part of purpose built flats that are cover by the RR(FS)O.

It does appear the retailer is in breach of the regulations and the regulations are enforced by the Trading Standards Department. If you need advice, clarification or additional information contact them by using their website, telephone or go personally to the local office which will be a department of your local Council. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/.

I agree with you they are not specifically referred to but A.1.2 Beanbags and floor cushions are mentioned in the guide which could be seen as similar construction. Check out http://www.fira.co.u...mability-guides and download Domestic Flammability Guide. Try http://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/

If there is no legal agreement then I am afraid he can deny you access and you will have to find an alternative. You could examine the possibility that this means of escape is not required, other than that you may have to negotiate and appeal to his better side.

Check out Fire safety in purpose-built flats 68.2 and 68.5

The gap for a fire between the door and frame should not exceed 4mm, so 2mm is ideal. However it still requires intumescent fire door seals to be fitted and maybe cold smoke seals (brushed seals) which will depend on its location. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-doors/

Some garden furniture is subject to the regulations. A2 Group B A2.1 Garden and outdoor furniture The Regulations apply to upholstered outdoor furniture suitable for use in dwellings (e.g. homes, conservatories, caravans etc.). The Regulations do not apply to garden furniture which is unsuitable for use in dwellings (i.e. garden furniture which would not physically fit indoors), non-upholstered garden furniture (e.g. deck-chairs and parasols) and cover fabric of any removable canopy part of upholstered garden furniture which is intended to act as sunshade or waterproof cover when the article is used in the open air. If there is any likelihood of the garden furniture being brought inside the dwelling for use or storage then it will need to comply with the Regulations. All upholstered cushions, whether tie on or permanent, supplied for use with garden or outdoor furniture are required to satisfy the Regulations. Each separate finished item and removable cushion set should have a permanent label. It has been observed that ‘Not for Indoor Use’ labels are attached to outdoor products with the intention to make these products exempt from the requirements of the Regulations. If there is any likelihood of an outdoor upholstered furniture item being brought indoors (and if it is possible to physically carry this item indoors), then this product must comply with the Regulations regardless of any labels stating ‘Not for Indoor Use’.

To add to the discussion check out http://www.fireextin...s-for-metals-2/ it deals with all types of metal fires including lithium. You should bookmark http://www.fireextinguisherguide.co.uk/ its a good site for understanding fire fighting extinguishers.

It appears you should use graphite based dry powder extinguisher and If a graphite dry powder extinguisher is not available use copious amounts of fresh water as a fine spray to swamp the fire. In the USA they use halon 1301 but that is not available to us in the UK. Check out http://www.nerc.ac.uk/about/work/policy/safety/documents/guidance_lithium_batteries.pdf 4. Emergency procedure for lithium batteries of all types. • Clear everyone from the area • Ventilate the area with fresh air • Use a respirator, eye protection and gloves while clearing up • Disconnect the cell or battery if practicable in a way that prevents sparks and avoids contact with internal components • Put the cell or battery in a remote, well ventilated area • Only trained and qualified personnel should attempt to fight a lithium or lithium ion battery fire. • Use plenty of water as a fine spray to swamp and wash away spilt liquid that may be corrosive. Do not use damp solids or small amounts of water as this increases the risks. • In the event of a fire the material inside the battery may be released; this may be toxic and corrosive. If possible fight small fires with a graphite based dry powder extinguisher. First Aid information on specific chemicals contained in the cell can be found at www.inchem.org (used for COSHH risk assessment chemical information). • If a graphite dry powder extinguisher is not available use copious amounts of fresh water as a fine spray to swamp the fire. This will not extinguish the fire immediately and will result in the lithium generating hydrogen; this may fuel a fire or explosion if it is not managed. Continue to use plenty of water until the fire is extinguished and the batteries are cooled. Be aware of the increased risk of explosion. • Report the incident to the local safety adviser.

I stand corrected and if this is the advice of the IFSA who I am I to argue, we learn something all the time.

I depends on the the bed settee if it is part upholstered furniture and a mattresses, the upholstered furniture requires labeling according to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) if only a mattresses it should be tested to BS 7177 and is labelled. It looks like yours is only a mattresses therefore meets the requirements but without more information I cannot be certain. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/ and http://www.fira.co.uk/publications/flammability-guides

You would have to quote specific situations but there are solutions, like swing free fire doors, magnetic hold open devices and acoustic hold open fire doors. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-door-fitting-and-ironmongery/ and http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firesafetyassessmentmeans

Very unusual but I cannot see any reason why you cannot have seals in the door and frame providing they do not interfere with each other.

I believe timber tables and chairs need to be treated at all. However some airports have rules that insist they are treated to a spread of flame standard which will be determined by the airport. Therefore I suggest you contact your customer and find out from the airport what standard they require.

Yes, you are subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and you will find guidance in the document Offices and shops. Check out http://www.firesafe....ety-order-2005/ which may help also http://www.firesafe.org.uk/.

Harry there will be places that will ignore the rules and I would suggest that smoke detector is next to useless I would stick to BS 5839-6:2004 which states, Detectors should be mounted on ceilings and should be located at least 300 mm horizontally from any wall or light fitting unless, in the case of light fittings, there is test evidence to prove that the proximity of the light fitting will not adversely affect the efficiency of the detector. Ceiling-mounted detectors should be located such that their sensitive elements are between 25 mm and 150 mm below the ceiling in the case of heat detectors, or between 25 mm and 600 mm below the ceiling in the case of smoke detectors. If ceiling mounting is impracticable, in rooms and hallways not exceeding 10 m in both length and breadth, and not exceeding 50 m2 in area, detectors may, alternatively, be mounted on a wall provided that, the top of the detection element is between 150 mm and 300 mm below the ceiling, the bottom of the detection element is above the level of any door opening and the manufacturer’s instructions state that the detector is suitable for wall mounting. There are other recommendations but the above is the principle ones relating to siting.

Prior to BS EN 1935: 2002 fire doors required hinges in accordance with BS 8214:1990, now they have to meet the current British/European standard. BS 8214:1990 states, Hinges fitted to fire doors should be non-combustible and should be selected to perform in accordance with BS 7352. NOTE Some regulations also have a minimum melting point of 800°C requirement. (which means steel hinges) The hinges selected should be adequate in numbers and performance for the use category, size and weight of door to be supplied and be compatible with the fire resistance of door and frame and with any self-closing device that may be fitted. BS 7352:1990. Specification for strength and durability performance of metal hinges for side hanging applications and dimensional requirements for template drilled hinges. Hinges with rising cams or quick action rising spindles should not be fitted to fire doors.

Yes an electrician who specialise in emergency lighting as s/he would need to be conversant with BS 5266-1- 2011 Emergency lighting-Part 1: Code of practice for emergency lighting of premises. Because if you should be subject to an inspection from the Fire and Rescue Service they will require it to be installed to that standard.

It does appear your proposal does not meet the requirement of Approve Documented B Fire Safety but I would suggest you contact your local building control officer and put you proposals forward explaining you would consider installing a residential sprinkler as a compromise which may be accepted.

The means of escape (MoE) from your flat is the normal route you use to get assess to your flat, the opening windows are the alternative MoE and to establish how necessary the alternative MoE is you would need to conduct a fire risk assessment. (FRA) If you are concerned then the enforcing authority is the local fire and rescue service which can be contacted by checking out http://www.firesafe....rvices-details/

Where is this door located is it a final exit door and how do you propose fixing the dorgard to the fire door the kit provided is for timber fire doors?

A fire door provided with intumescent strip, when activated, which will prevent hot gasses passing through any gaps and if you have cold smoke seals (brushes) fitted that prevent cold smoke passing through the same gaps. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-doors/ for more detailed information and download the The Best Practice Guide from publication section of http://www.asdma.com/ A door with only intumescent seals is designated a FD door and if cold smoke seals (brushes) are installed it is designated a FDs door. The decision whether a FD or FDs fire door is required is made as the result of the fire risk assessment. If there is any doubt I would suggest you fit both.

Check out a similar situation. (950 square feet is equivalent to 88.25 square metres)

The part of a hotel found to have no detection, and the owner claimed this to be private accommodation within the hotel. This could this be considered private residential premises and therefore be exempt from the RR(FS)O but the occupants are still relevant persons and the Responsible Person has a duty to protect them. He would have to ensure the occupants of the private accommodation can hear the hotel fire alarm and the RP should provide the minimum cover, which I would consider to be a part 6 for the accommodation, and for protection of the hotel guests from the private accommodation a heat detector connected to the hotel system in the entrance area, plus adequate fire compartmentation?