Tom Sutton

When you are dealing with CO2 fire extinguishers the pressure is such that the gas turns to liquid and remains that way until the pressure is reduced. When it is released it turns back to a gas that is why you have a discharge horn to slow down the pace of extinguishing medium to allow it to change state and scatter the fire you are trying to extinguish.

I would need to see it myself to be able to say it is unsafe but if you are concerned speak to ASDA who are the Responsible Persons or you could contact the enforcing authority who is the fire and rescue service check out, http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/, for your local fire and rescue service.

Is this a second post I think I have already answer it.

In accordance with BS 7273-4 2007 green emergency release units are required unless the doors can be opened manually. The door has to be fail safe when the fire alarm operates, and the push to exit button is simply the means of operating the door and not covered by the above standard. You could try relocating the green emergency release units away from the door within a 2 metre distance which is acceptable to the standard or you can purchase devices that cover the unit and has to be lifted before you can operate the unit.

A single COMPANY/BUSINESS uses the premises/building as opposed to a multi occupancy where a number of companies use the building.

There is no set time, all employees require training, others require additional training depending on their fire safety role but no frequency is given. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states , Article 21 2(a) include suitable and sufficient instruction and training on the appropriate precautions and actions to be taken by the employee in order to safeguard himself and other relevant persons on the premises; Article 21 2(b) be repeated periodically where appropriate; So it is not very clear on the frequency and it is left up to the Responsible Person to decide but is generally considered to be 12 monthly.

Registered HMO's the local Housing Department are the enforcing authority and the Landlord ZONE is more likely to give you more accurate advice than I, checkout http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/

There is no such a thing as a risk assessment certificate the Responsible Person or persons (owners/freeholders) has to conduct a fire risk assessment (FRA) and if he/she employs 5 more people it has to be recorded. If this document is available then this is most probably what they are talking about. You could contact the owner/freeholders who are the Responsible Persons to see if the FRA has been recorded. Check out The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, article 9 (6)

I am assuming you live in England or Wales because the legislation is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Your block of flats are subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the freeholder is the Responsible Person and has to conduct a fire risk assessment (FRA). Without seeing the FRA I cannot say what is needed to ensure the premises are fire safe but all front doors need to be fire doors. Who ever conducted the FRA must have decided all the front doors met a 30 minute nominal standard of fire resistance but because you removed your front door you have to replace it with a certified 30 minute fire door, as you didn't the RP is insisting you do. If you still have concerns contact the enforcing authority the local fire and rescue service check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/ .

Most fire risk assessors do not think it is important the general feeling is that most people understand the signs no matter which one and it is not a serious problem. Unless the government is proded with a pointy stick they will not do anything and until a situation occurs that can be blamed on poor signage nothing will change. (Stable door jumps to mind typical of fire safety legislation)

The term escape route simple means any route people use to escape but yes I would consider the gangs ways from the edge of a row to a emergency exit as the escape route. The level of illumination is not as simple as that it depends on each situation and you need the British Standard to be certain but you can download a number of guides which should help. Do a internet search for "Design Guide to emergency lighting" and could add theatre which should tell you what you need to know.

The guidance for this type of premises is the HOUSING – FIRE SAFETY Guidance on fire safety provisionsfor certain types of existing housingpage 47 and although may it not be subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but will be subject to the Housing Act and the enforcing authority is the local house department who should be able to advise you.

In most cases it does not need to to be fire resistant (FR) but there could be a situation where a dead end external means of escape passes close to the door and if flame was issuing from the door people would not be able to pass then it would be necessary to be FR, but I think this is very rare.

If it is a dead end route, you are correct they have to be a protected routes all guidance on MoE will show this.

There is a comment in BS 7273 but you may need BS EN 1155:1997 Building hardware. Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors. Requirements and test methods, which says, "Upon the removal of of the electric supply and when the applied voltage is reduced to 10% of the rated supply voltage the device shall release and allow the door to close under the control of the door closing device. The hold open device shall release within 3 s of the supply being disconnected." I hope this is what you are looking for but do understand I am no expert on fire alarms and treat this information with caution.

It is not necessarily a HMO, but even so, it is most probably is subject to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and consequently you could contact the enforcing authority (local Fire and Rescue Service) or the agent and give him time to sort the place out. As it sounds dangerous, you possible should contact the FRS immediately and then the agent if you choose. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/ .

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 article 13 says a fire alarm is required when necessary and taking into account what you are proposing, would it be necessary, I think not, for a definitive answer you would need to contact a solicitor. What you are proposing is Staff alarms, voice evacuation systems and public address systems that are used in national guidance for large places of assembly, although it will not fully meet the requirements of that guidance. Providing adequate training of the stewards in human response and immediate closure of the bar are also necessary to the plan. Rapid response and well initiated evacuation is vital and the role of the entertainers is important, good communications needed and predetermined messages. Stewards should draw persons to the exits whilst others sweep them out, also toilets need to be checked. However this is a temporary situation and the owners should review their alarm arrangement in accordance with national guidance for large places of assembly. Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-large-places-of-assembly . Thank you Kurnal

True but our hands are tied until the government get there finger out.

Not necessary, providing you have a fire marshall or marshalls who will sweep the premises, if the fire alarm is initiated, to ensure the premises is empty and everybody is safe.

You have a protected escape route and an escape route and it will depend on travel distance/time which you require. If it is a protected escape route all doors opening into that route are required to be fire and smoke resisting if it is an escape route then standard doors are acceptable. In a multi storey building staircases are usually protected escape route which may include a lobby which has to be protected. Depending on travel distance/time, part of corridors may have to be protected but it all depends on the layout of the premises.

I am not aware of any, to achieve this you would need a bar wide enough to accommodate the wording which I would think is unlikely.

Approved Document B Fire Safety Vol 2 states for up to 60 persons the minimum width of escape route is 750mm so if you can achieve this with the chair folded then it should be acceptable. Check out http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partb/bcapproveddocumentsb/ for more information.

Keys in glass fronted boxes are not acceptable and there are many alternatives available. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/security-and-fire-safety/.

Without a review of the Fire Risk Assessment there is no way of knowing if the premises is acceptable but as an alternative was considered for the 1st and 2nd floors it looks like the premises are not acceptable and the enforcing authority (local Fire & Rescue Service) should be informed.

The office should have had a Fire Risk Assessment and it will indicate if any fire safety requirements are outstanding. It also shows that the premises conforms to The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and you will be required to conduct a FRA as well when you occupy the premises. You will need to read the tenant's agreement and the RR(FS)O very carefully, so you will know which aspects of the fire safety provision you are responsible for and which the owner is responsible.