Tom Sutton

May give some idea what is required http://ductdevil.com/TR19 HVC Sample.pdf and http://ductdevil.com/TR19%20HVCA%20Internal%20Cleanliness%20of%20Ventilation%20Systems.pdf

Thanks not bad for an old git but I do no more than read the guidance and try to interpret.

Sorry to Hunter, this has been missed and I am not a sparky but people with similar problems needs to understand there are two types of emergency lighting, maintained, which remain on with the normal lighting or non-maintained which remain off, until the normal lighting lose its supply. In this situation it could be non-maintained and there would be no supply to the emergency lighting until the normal supply is isolated. Also the premises may have standby lighting which will not have a supply until the generator is started up.

I would favour AB's first suggestion as you wouldn't want a false alarm (burning the toast) instigating the general fire alarm, but as well as extending the the sounders would provide a heat detector in the hallway of the flat to warn the remainder of the building if there is a genuine fire in the flat.

Further to my above submission the point I made about requiring flat occupants to upgrade the front door to the required standard, check out http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19935%3Aborough-obtains-injunction-to-assess-property-for-potential-fire-hazards&catid=60&Itemid=28.

Check out http://fireangel.co.uk/support/smoke-alarms/st-620/ down load the user manual and as a last resort contact the manufacturer.

This question would be best suited for a fire alarm engineer forum http://firealarmengineers.com/forum/.

Check answer to Domestic Flat on 6th floor of office block above.

The key in a glass box is not acceptable and there are other acceptable methods, not necessarily a push bar. It sounds like a conversion and I would survey it in accordance with HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing.

EN 1935 states that timber doors fitted with self closer (S/C) should normally fitted with three or more hinges. There is a notes that says door manufacturers may recommend the use of only two hinges under special conditions if experience allows to demonstrate adequate performance of the door. My interpretation would be any doors that use S/C needs three hinges and fire doors to cupboards may use two hinges on the advice of the manufacturer.

The storage of candles will increase the fire loading of the relevant room but would not be considered a major fire risk if locked away in a metal cabinet, the biggest problem is when they are used and great care should exercised. Check out http://www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters/churchguidance/fireguidance/firerisks/index.aspx

It sounds unacceptable and depends on the travel distances and how would you be warned of fire that occurred in the two rooms you have to pass through to get to the final exit? It sound like you have a hammer to break the window to escape which is not acceptable and there should be fire extinguishers. I would suggest you contact the local fire and rescue service, anonymously, and try to arrange a visit. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/

It all depends if the construction of the residential side if a stay put policy is acceptable and even then certain residents may need to evacuate, dependent of the fire situation. If a stay put policy is adopted then all are subject to it and you cannot have full evacuation and a stay put policy combined therefore your suggestion is unacceptable. In my experience there is few people that would remain, if there is a safe means of exit and a fire is licking their rear end, if this did happen I would use force.

It all depends if the construction of the residential side if a stay put policy is acceptable and even then certain residents may need to evacuate, dependent of the fire situation. If a stay put policy is adopted then all are subject to it and you cannot have full evacuation and a stay put policy combined therefore your suggestion is unacceptable. In my experience there is few people that would remain, if there is a safe means of exit and a fire is licking their rear end, if this did happen I would use force.

The owners/freeholders of the building are subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and are required to conduct a fire risk assessment (FRA) of the common areas which include the front door of flats. The FRA will require all front doors to the flats to be half hour fire resisting, self closing and in the past the courts have required flat occupants to upgrade the front door to the required standard. However the flat itself is not subject to the order but it is recommended a category D (domestic fire alarm hard wired into the mains) should be installed but if you insist on a grade F (operated by a battery only) then it is recommended long life batteries are used.

It is important to know who has the duty to implement article 8 to 22 which includes conducting a fire risk assessment (FRA). Article 3a states if it is a workplace then the employer is the person designated the Responsible Person (RP) who has a duty to implement article 8 to 22. The common areas of flats are not a workplace therefore article 3b applies which states (i) the person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not); or (ii) the owner, where the person in control of the premises does not have control in connection with the carrying on by that person of a trade, business or other undertaking. Which I interpret as the owner or the persons acting on his behalf, having full control is the RP. It is unlikely this person will employ 5 or more persons therefore he/she does not have to record the FRA but still has to conduct it, which means there is no document to hand on to conveyancing solicitors. On occasions the RP will record the FRA to meet this problem of solicitors requiring FRA, or to use as a reference for future reviews, but legally they may not be required to.

Further to AB comments the legal situation is, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 article 18 require the responsible person must, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), appoint one or more competent persons to assist him in undertaking the preventive and protective measures and some companies call them fire marshalls. One of the conditions under this article is a person is to be regarded as competent for the purposes of this article where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly to assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures. The certificate is proof that he has had that training and it is still relevant, as AB has said it is not set in stone.

As leaseholders you are not owner/landlord or freeholder therefore you are not the Responsible Person (RP) under Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and it is the RP who is responsible to conduct the fire risk assessment (FRA). This person, may not need to record the FRA but you could ask them to provide a note indicating that a FRA has been conducted and all is considered satisfactory and see if the solicitor will accept that.

Does the building have oil fired central heating and is the fuel tank located in the basement? Are you sure the generator deisel tank is located in the basement and what does your fire risk assessment say about this situation?

Fire doors are to prevent a fire and the product of combustion spreading, fire alarms are to alert the occupants there is a fire in the building. The fire doors are not acceptable the gaps are too excessive they should be 3mm +/- 1 mm and fitted with intumescent strips/cold seals. Only call points may be acceptable this will depend on your fire risk assessment.

Is this part of a fire risk assessment and what grade of fire alarm has been fitted. The arch creates a well on the lift side, which would have to fill with smoke before the detector operated, creating a delay. What is the loose wires and why did you employ a security company instead a fire alarm company? Check out HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing.

I am assuming you are talking about fire action notices the illuminated signs bit confuses me. However most Responsible Person's use purchased action notices for convenience but there is no reason why you cannot produce your own, providing it has the necessary information and only small numbers of people are involved. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/ on signs.

The common areas including the front door to all flats are subject to Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the management team is designated the Responsible Person (RP) who has a duty to implement the order. The fire risk assessor, advisors you of the actions required but the final decision is the RP's (management team) to implement the advice in the way they consider necessary. As to the buildings insurance being affected you would need to speak to them. Check out HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing

There are various type of intumescent seals and certain types can be concealed under the hardwood door lippings. You should contact the experts in this field, like envirograf for their advice.

There is no legal requirement but under the regulations you are considered to be a competent person and if any fire doors you fitted or ungraded, failed, you are responsible. You may have to convince a court if the fire doors were not up to the required standards are acceptable. I would consider this very difficult much easier to ensure they meet the necessary standards which includes the hinges.