Tom Sutton

Not enough information it would depend on the layout of the flat, travel distance and the height of the building. It is very likely you are subject to the building regulations and should study Approved Document B (fire Safety) volume 2: Premises other than Dwelling Houses and check out B1 section 2.

The purpose of testing the alarm is to test some of the components and ensure the alarm s working, also to allow all relevant persons to hear what the alarm sounds like and ensure they can hear the alarm. It should be tested at the same time each week so relevant persons realise it is most likely a fire alarm test. Consequently the Responsible Person is not carrying out the recommended procedure.

I think you are addressing this query to the wrong forum you are more likely to get a better reply from a website like the RSPB. Check out https://www.pigeoncontrolresourcecentre.org/html/reviews/kill-pigeons-pigeon-traps-killing-pigeons.html and you are not the only one I have problems with the beasts.

It all depends on the fire risk assessment and what level of fire resistance is needed. It is likely it would need to meet the medium hazard when tested to BS 7176: 2007 Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for non-domestic seating by testing composites and carry the appropriate label or equivalent. You would most likely need to have documented proof to establish any claims made. You should study Fire safety of furniture and furnishings in the contract and non-domestic sectors to see how complicated it is.

If the lock suggested by AB can be fitted then it is made of stainless steel and should not be affected by the elements with good maintenance, I would need to know a lot more details to give a complete answer.

Further to my response above I would suggest you have the front doors assessed to see what needs to be done to achieve the required standard, http://fdis.co.uk/ may be able to help.

You need to speak to the building control officer but he may accept a hardwood lipping to the bottom of the door within 3mm +/- 1mm of the normal floor level with a similar gaps on all other gaps.

I cannot give a definitive answer without seeing the full layout, but no, a hallway smoke alarms will not provide adequate fire safety and all front doors need to be updated to FDs fire doors.

Before you start considering signage you need to look at means of escape, how far do people have to travel to get to a place of relative safety. Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-factories-and-warehouses.

How many people are involved, how wide is the exits, what is the travel distance and are they true alternatives?

Mark not strictly true the building is designed to prevent a fire in the flat of origin spreading to any other flat in the building for a minimum of 60 minutes, which should allow the fire and rescue service to get to the premises and extinguish the fire before anybody has to leave the building.

Firstly what is a Q key for dry riser outlets I though they just used standard yale rim locks. You could check out https://www.easylocks.co.uk/fb-fire-brigade-keys and see if they can help.

I think the first thing to consider is, the FRA is not always recorded, it depends on the number of persons employed by the Responsible Person and if it is recorded I cannot find anywhere, the RP is required to make it available to anybody except an inspecting officer. So as far as I can see it is up to the Responsible Person (RP) who he provides with a copy of the FRA, (if there is one) other than the inspecting officer. Check out The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

I think the first thing to consider is, the FRA is not always recorded, it depends on the number of persons employed by the Responsible Person and if it is recorded I cannot find anywhere, the RP is required to make it available to anybody except an inspecting officer. So as far as I can see it is up to the Responsible Person (RP) who he provides with a copy of the FRA, (if there is one) other than the inspecting officer. Check out The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

I cannot imagine why not but you would need to consider the means of escape scheme for the whole building and why you would wish to erect a costly external escape staircase?

The same applies to Approved Document B (fire Safety) volume 2: Premises other than Dwelling Houses look up the section, "main changes in the 2006 edition".

It is impossible to say without a fire risk assessment you need to study the appropriate guidance for The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which can be found at https://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/. As for the kitchenette the guide for factories state, 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 maintained 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.

Cotton is not fire retardant unless it is treated, so search the web to see how this can be done. Next samples have to be made and tested by an approved testing station to BS 5852 and if they pass, all cushion inserts made to that specification would meet the requirements of the Furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/. Then all that needs to be done is fit the appropriate label in accordance with the regulations.

The landlord has to provide smoke alarm also CO detectors in each flat, check out The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. When you move into the flat the landlord should test them after that it is up to the tenant. Keeping your smoke alarms in good working order protects you and your family against fire. By pressing the test button on your alarm, you can check if the battery in your smoke alarm is still charged and find out if your alarm is ready and working. However, it is just too easy to forget this crucial test. Safelincs can offer to help you by reminding you via email, and at your chosen frequency, to test your smoke alarm regularly. http://www.safelincs.co.uk/Smoke-Alarm-Reminders Maintaining your smoke alarm To keep your smoke alarm in good working order, you should: test it once a month, by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds change the battery once a year (unless it's a ten-year alarm) the landlord should replace the whole unit every ten years clean your smoke alarm once every three months using the soft brush of your vacuum cleaner. This will ensure you remove any excess dust or insects.

Have try substitution, try using the ionisation in place of the optical and see if that is ok. If it is ok then it looks like you have a faulty detector, if not then there may be a fault on the installation? To be certain you need to do more than one substitution.

Search the web for "location of CO detector" get an overview of the subject, like http://www.carbonmonoxidedetectorplacement.com/uk/ then purchase your CO detectors and install them according to the manufacturers instructions. Remember they are designed to warn people in the room they are installed and CO is lightly to be warm, slightly lighter than air, so the CO will rise not fall consequently I would think the electricians advice is suspect.

You will find guidance in approved document M and K and have you considered wheelchair uses, also risers have a maximum height of 150mm. Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents https://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/supplementary_guidance/dcans/dcan11_draft/dcan11_draft_design/dcan11_draft_accessb.htm

I would think so if it is a converted block of flats, but to be certain you should contact the local housing authority and obtain their advice but you could check out section 257 of The Housing Act 2004 for background information.

DCLC guide "Residential care premises" state "Doors (including access hatches to cupboards, ducts and vertical shafts linking floors) walls, floors and ceilings protecting escape routes should be capable of resisting the passage of smoke and fire for long enough so that people can escape from the building. Which means FD30s should be fitted to cupboards on escape routes, but self closer need not be fitted they can be locked closed when not in use and must be fitted with an appropriate sign. Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-residential-care-premises.

From what you have described it looks like you will be subject to the buildings regulations and fire safety is covered by Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellinghouses, you need to speak to building control. Your proposals, providing the ensuite conforms to ADB you will not have worsened the means of escape so I think you will not need to carry out any work on the fire doors other than to ensure they are substantial well fitted and maintained. In accordance with ADB all the fire doors need to be FD20 doors, not fitted with a self closer and if you have a door between the house and an integrated garage it needs to be a FD30s fitted with a self closer, also fitting intumescent seals will improve the situation. The building control is the enforcing authority and it is up to them to decide how far you need to go. This guidance document may help FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing.