Tom Sutton

All fire safety equipment need to be ready and available when require for use. How do you guarantee the school bell hasn't gone on walkies when required, it is my experience when you require something you can never find it no matter how careful you are. I would suggest you use a fixed bell or gong providing it is suitable for purpose and provides an acceptable fire alarm. Check out DCLG guide http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/firesafetyrisk2 step 3. (3.4.1.) and section 2

Hi LeeEdge could you get back to us and tell us the layout of your premises and is the "fire escape doors" the only doors into your premises. I would suggest that many people believe "fire escape doors" have to display a fire exit sign which is not correct please let me know.

You need to contact the HSE for information regarding this, they are the experts. http://www.hse.gov.uk/ Have you discussed your concerns with the company carrying out the test?

This will be determined by the test (BS 476 part 22), the test uses a fire door set which is the door and frame and the frame should be a similar specification as the test frame. However nowadays it is usually 12 mm rebates, the 25 mm rebates were under the part 8 test which is now redundant. Check out any documentation that accompanied the fire door.

British Woodworking Federation and TRADA have approved contractors but I would imagine most fire doors are fitted by competent joiners. Providing it is fitting and not alterations then most good joiners who knows what they are doing could meet the necessary standard. Instruction should be included with the door set but I would suggest you download ASDMA Best Practice Guide to Timber Fire Doors which is the the bible regarding fire doors.

You are not required to do a 6 monthly test, daily monthly and annually who ever told you ask them to check the latest British Standard, BS EN 50172:2004 BS 5266-8:2004. Check out http://www.firesafe....gency-lighting/

Yes providing they are easily opened from the inside without the need of a key, when the premises is occupied and are kept clear of obstructions. Are you saying you only have one entrance, all doors are fire doors if you are to use them to escape from fire?

Do you have common areas shared by occupants of the building. (Staircase and front door?)

Has he tried http://www.envirograf.com/ who are the leading experts in this area. There is also fine grade steel wool, wet and dry and chemical varnish remover because trying to find a practical alternative is going to be extremely difficult.

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)

Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/ you may find it useful.

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.

The common areas are subject to the FRR Act 2005 and the appropriate guide is the Sleeping accommodation also ‘Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing‘ should prove useful.

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.