Tom Sutton

In addition to the previous posting I would also add that all self-closing devices should conform to BS EN 1154:1997 Building Hardware – Controlled Door Closing Devices. I far as I am aware only one perko self-closing device the perko powermatic meets this criteria. http://www.safelincs.co.uk/perko-powermatic-concealed-door-closer/

Approved Document Part B Fire Safety volume 2 says in the first page that self-closing devices are not required to be fitted to fire doors except the fire door between an attached or integral garage, also check out page 64. You do not require a self-closing device on the fire door to the boiler cupboard but you do th the fire door to the integral garage. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/485420/BR_PDF_AD_B1_2013.pdf

Your question does not give sufficient information to be able to give a definitive reply. It depends if the machine excessively restricts the access to the fire exit and is there an acceptable escape route available to the fire door? The width of the fire door would dictate the width of the escape route required.

Being of a certain age I use them regularly and most if not all they use a self locking deadlock on the outside and a thumbturn mechanisms on the inside which would be acceptable in an FRA. What I do find is most persons on the till get fed up issuing the key or customers leave to door open.

I cannot give a definitive answer without knowing the full layout of the premises but If you remove the handle, as you suggest, could you guarantee the exit door to outside, from the staircase would be available at all times, if so it sounds acceptable. Quote Edit

The grade D smoke alarm in the hall is to warn the occupants of the flat only, for instance burning toast and other false alarms, will only warn the occupants of the flat, and not warn the rest of the building to evacuate. The heat detector is connected to the grade A fire alarm, covering the common areas. If there was a fire in the flat and the occupants of the flat evacuated the building without warning the rest of the building or if the flat was empty, the rest of the building would be warned, it prevents the building being evacuated unnecessarily.

Thanks Anthony.

If a completion certificate has no bearing as to whether the physical works on site are suitable what is its purpose. I understand it is proof that the building work has been carried out in accordance with Building Regulations and therefore, as far as can be reasonably determined, is built to certain standards that would include the physical works?

If the fire doors are designated FD30/60s that means they require to be fitted with intumescent seals and cold smoke seals. The appropriate guidance is BS 8214:2008 Code of practice for fire door assemblies and this British Standard changed the advice on threshold gaps, which suggested you use manufacturer's guidance which I believe required smoke seals if the gap was greater than 3mm. Who pays is between you and the landlord.

Without knowing the layout of the premises it is impossible to give a definitive answer and if The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies. It does not apply to domestic premises other than the common areas of flats. If you apply means of escape (MoE) principles to most houses they would not need an alternative MoE and only escape through the front door would be acceptable. You need to study Approved Document Part B Fire Safety which would help you to decide what is acceptable.

No, providing the do not block the exit in the case of a fire, they are doing nothing wrong as far as The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is concerned.

You need to check if the Perco door closers are being used as fire door self closers, because as far as I am aware there is only one that meets the requirements of a fire door closer, Powermatic, which meets the requirements of BS EN 1154:1997 and is adjustable. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-door-fitting-and-ironmongery/

When the door or doors are fully open is there a route away from the building to a place of safety which doesn't means squeezing between cars also who does the car park belong to?

If you carry out any modifications to a certificate fire door you stand a chance of invalidating the certificate and there is no way of knowing if the fire resistance has been compromised.

It is not a domestic premises and therefore subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and you are required to implement article 8 to 22 which includes conducting a Fire Risk Assessment. You can do it yourself if you feel confident or employ a professional, check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/ and http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/, if you need further advice get back to us.

There is no requirement for independent certification of fire stopping and no labelling requirements. When the work is complete and if subject to building regulations the authorise inspector or the building control officer will issue a completion certificate. Also on completion the premises will be subject to the FRA being reviewed and the FR assessor will check the work and give his/her approval.

What guidelines are they talking about most councils use HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisionsfor certain types of existing housing and that says for HMO's page 44 " Fire fighting equipment (see paragraph 25) Fire blanket to be provided in each bedsit with extinguisher on each floor in the common parts recommended" tell more.

Most joiners would use a hand saw but what is more important is the construction of the door and how much it would be safe to remove.

Absolutely no to rising butt hinges and the concealed closer could be a problem depending on the one proposed.

Flats or maisonettes are domestic premises and are not subject to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but the common areas are and the Responsible Person (RP) has to implement article 8 to 22 of order, which includes conducting a Fire Risk Assessment of the common areas. The common areas are not a principle workplace so article 3a does not apply but article 3b does 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); (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. As a freeholder you are the person who has control of the premises unless you use the services of a service or management company and therefore as the RP have certain legal obligations for the safety of relevant persons in your premises. Amongst other things you do have to conduct a fire risk assessment and implement any significant findings. There are guidance documents to assist you and in your case the HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisionsfor certain types of existing housing would be the appropriate document. If you employ five or more persons you must record the significant findings of the assessment, including the measures which have been or will be taken by the responsible person pursuant to this Order and any group of persons identified by the assessment as being especially at risk. In your case it is unlikely you do not meet the above criteria and therefore you do not have to record the the FRA but you still have to conduct one. There is no format for the FRA document which the safelincs is a good as any and you could amend it to suit your particular situation. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/ An asbestos assessment is outside the scope of the RR(FS)O and I am unable to assist on this matter.

As owner (freeholder) the law requires him/her to conduct a FRA for all the common areas and the size of the common area is immaterial, but if they do not employ 5 or more persons, then the FRA does not have to be recorded. The owner (freeholder) may have conducted a FRA but it may not have been recorded, what does the solicitor want, verbal response to the prescribed information? You could ask the owner for a copy of the FRA if he/she has recorded it but the solicitor needs to understand the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

As owner (freeholder) the law requires you to conduct a FRA and the size of the common area is immaterial, but if you do not employ 5 or more persons, then the FRA does not have to be recorded. What exactly does the person who is asking for the FRA want, verbal response to the prescribed information? You could record the prescribed information, although you are not required to, this may simplify your position and may be easier than arguing the situation. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

You would be subject to Approved Document Part B Fire Safety 5.4 page 30 all walls and floors to be a full 30 minute fire resisting. But as I see it, not 5.5 which would mean you do not have to lower the floor or have sloping floor to outside.

Emergency escape lighting is to enable occupants to easily and safely escape from the premises in the event of an emergency if the normal lighting should fail. When people are working in the premise then it is occupied premises and in a small space like you have described an illuminated exit box should be sufficient to achieve this. The level of illumination is low compared with normal lighting check it out in BS 5266 page 24.

The regulations require the manufacturer, importer and/or the retailer to be able to prove the materials used to upholster domestic furniture is cigarette/match resistance. This is done by having records to prove that this is the case and a permanent label is attached to the furniture given details of the manufacturer or importer so the enforcing authority can check the details. These records are only required to be kept for five years so after that the permanent label is the only indication that the item of upholstered furniture is compliant with the regulations. Therefore it is up to the original purchaser to ensure the permanent label is attached to each piece of upholstered furniture and as far as I am aware after five years there is no way of checking the records so a new permanent label can be attached. If it stays within the ownership of the original purchaser there is no problem, it is when passed on to new owners and the permanent label is missing, there in little one can do, if you need to prove the item of furniture is compliant.