Tom Sutton

Am I correct in thinking you have a hallway which leads to a lobby which leads to another lobby and then to the staircase. Which is your front door and is the staircase a protected staircase with FD doors at each floor level?

Part B, came into existence in 1985 and the relevant part is B3 which shows the minimum fire resistance of floors in all types of building. Ceilings provide an important barrier that helps to prevent the spread of fire and noise between the floors of a building. Installing recessed downlights punctures this barrier and can reduce the effectiveness of this safety barrier. Installing fire rated downlights helps to protect your premises from the effects of both fire and noise pollution and aids compliance with building regulations governing the installation of downlights. Made from intumescent materials, fire rated downlights seal the gap between the ceiling and the fitting to offer up to 90 minutes protection against the spread of fire into the void spaces within your ceiling / loft space. For the work to need building regulation approval it has to be a material alteration which makes the means of escape worse and changing halogen bulbs for LED bulbs, is going to reduce the risk, not make it worse, so I think ADB is not relevant. We need to know who is asking for it and why.

Understand I am no an expert in this field but my interpretation would be, you first statement is correct. How do I find out which fabrics are schedule 3 compliant, you speak to your supplier, who should be able to provide document proof or have it tested yourself. If you study schedule 3 it says The fabric shall be made of 100 per cent flame retardant polyester fibre. Its construction shall be woven to a plain weave. The yarn in the warp shall be of 1.6 decitex fibre, spun to a linear density of 37 tex, Z twist at 420 turns per metre. The fabric shall be woven to 20.5 yarn threads per centimetre in the warp and more. Consequently the Curtain lining fabric you have would not be suitable. Check out https://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/ and study the regulations, especially schedule 3.

BS EN 1935:2002 Building hardware. Single-axis hinges says that all fire doors fitted with self closers or hold open devices should have three hinges of group 12,13,or 14. This is to prevent the door warping in use or in a fire, preventing the door closing properly. The manufacturer may in very exceptional circumstances suggest only two hinges may be suitable. Two hinges may be fitted to fire doors not using self closers , but could be subject to warping in a fire so it is wise to fit three hinges, so other than fire doors to very small cupboard doors, all fire doors should have three hinges. I think the problem is the british standards they try to cover all the eventualities which adds to confusion, I would always fit three hinges unless I have documentation evidence to the contrary.

Without more details it is impossible to give a definitive answer but it does appear that the wooden staircase would not be required depending on travel distances and other considerations. Also it could be argued that this could be material alterations and building regulations would apply, therefore contacting the local building control would be necessary. Having your FRA reviewed would be necessary and the assessor would be able to give you a definitive answer. He/she would be able to advise if you need to contact the BC.

Is it a two storey building and why was the external wooden staircase provided in the first place?

How have you converted the halogen downlight to a LED downlight, this is important, because it is not about electrical safety its about breaching a fire resistance membrane with a number of reasonable large holes and they need to achieve the required fire resistance of the ceiling.

Assuming FD30 self closing doors are not required, you can, it is a security problem not a fire safety one.

From BS 5839-6 : 2013, All Grades of system need to be tested periodically to ensure that there has not been any major failure. This does not require any specialist knowledge, and can normally be carried out, quite easily, by the occupier of the dwelling, who will, however, need simple instructions in how to do so. Assuming the system has manual call points, any tenant can carry out the weekly test with a little training, it is the maintenance that requires specialist persons. Self testing has been introduced where it can, but fire alarms is not one of them.

I would disagree because you alter an item, you become the manufacturer and where in fire safety legislation does this rule apply. As I have said, we will have to wait for the courts to decide.

The following is only my personal view. Originally the upholstery in domestic furniture was springs, hessian and horsehair, covered with wool Moquette and was flammable but not highly flammable. However in the 1950,s they started using highly flammable foam filling, making the furniture much more dangerous. In the 1979 there was a fire in Woolworth store opposite Piccadilly Gardens in the centre of Manchester, involving the furniture department, attended by the assistant chief fire officer, Bob Graham. He was horrified at the ferocity of the fire and considering the number of deaths in domestic premises, started a campaign on the dangers of this type of furniture, resulting in the introduction of the https://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/ Upholstered furniture made before 1950 was excluded because of the methods used and materials used. Upholstered furniture made between 1950 and 1988 was considered dangerous and should not be resold. Upholstered furniture made after 1988 is fully subject to the FFFSR. Upholstered furniture manufactured abroad is not covered by the FFFSR but the importer, should have checked this and insisted on document proof. If there are no permanent labels the fault lies with the manufacturer, importer and retailer. Also the person purchasing the upholstered furniture, not checking the permanent labels where in place and refusing to buy. Another important consideration is being able to prove an item of upholstered furniture meets the required standards. Assuming they are conforming to the FFFSR, for the first five years the manufacturer, importer or retailer will have documented proof and will ensure a permanent label is fixed to each item of upholstered furniture. The purchasers will need to ensure a permanent label is attached for the life of each item, so he/she will be able to prove they meet the required standards. The present FFFSR is considered not fit for purpose and is being revised, check out https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/furniture-and-furnishing-fire-safety-regulations-proposed-changes-2016 and http://www.toxicsofa.com/

If the chair is classed as domestic upholstered furniture and the charity sold it, they would be in breach of the FFFSR, so most charities will not accept without permanent labels. The fault lies with the manufacturer, importer, retailer or the person purchasing the chair not checking the permanent labels where in place. Most probably the chair was manufactured abroad and not covered by the FFFSR but the importer should have checked this and insisted on document proof.

BS 5266 part 8 : 2004 is clear there is no six monthly test only the daily, monthly, annual test and the regulating authority may require specific tests. I think the gov guide is incorrect and I am not surprised. I do accept my wording could be better but if you read the following submission in June it is clear and if the link was checked out it is quite clear there too.

No it would not be acceptable you could fit a lock that requires a key to enter from the outside and a level handle from the inside. Do you have a legal document that requires you to provide this means of escape, like a wayleave agreement.

The guide states "The Regulations apply to the re-upholstery of furniture manufactured after 1 January 1950," my interpretation would be the item was manufactured before Jan 1950 and having it reupholstered later date does not change the date of manufacture. We will have to leave it to the courts to decide.

Without conducting a physical survey and much more information, it is impossible to say I would suggest yo employ a fire safety consultant.

Which legislation is the fire safety advisor advising you on The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 or the The Housing Act 2004. In both cases he/she should be using http://privatehousinginformation.co.uk/site/files/LACORS RRO guide 08.pdf for guidance you need to check it out.

You need a lot more information, manufacturer, type, which led,s are operating, what is certain the battery is flat or not working?

Panic bars are fitted at a standard height – between 900mm and 1100mm in accordance with BS EN 1125:1997. This height should be taken into consideration when specifying mid rail heights. Where it is known that the majority of the occupants of the premises will be young children, you may wish to reduce the height of the bar and the midrail. However in your situation I would imagine there will always be an adult with the children who will most likely required to assist the children to escape and so they are the most likely to have to open the door not the children.

What do means by change emergency lights?

join FireNet forum there is a thread on the subject. http://www.crisis-response.com/forum/

Your plans will be subject to Building Regulation approval so you will need to submit them to your local building control and they will correct any omissions. But my very basic knowledge would say you will have to install fire breaks, around any openings like doors and windows. Also if any internal walls needed to achieve 30 minutes fire resistance ( internal garage or maybe kitchen), they will need to be fire stopped and you may need to create a fire break between the walls and the roof. Study in fine detail ADB vol 1 B3, B4 where you will find out most about fire breaks. Check and study Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellinghouses

Check out BS 7273-4:2015 Code of practice for the operation of fire protection measures. Actuation of release mechanisms for doors, is the currect British Standard.

Check out https://blog.coltinfo.co.uk/webinar-calendar I do not know if it is approved but they do issue CPD certificates.

I know laying a screed can been dusty job so have you vacuumed the sensor that may be the problem.