Tom Sutton

Because there will be constant DC generation going to inverters you must use a non conducting medium and because the ancillary equipment is likely to be located in the loft space (indoors) you should consider CO2 because dry powder is not recommended indoors. Because there are areas that you can isolate and there is likely to be a class "A" risk you could consider foam or dry water mist that have passed the 35kV dielectric test which can be use close to electric equipment. Because the loft is not inhabited you should also consider a fire alarm to warn the residents if a fire should occur.

I am not aware of any requirements on the location of warning LEDs on EL liminaires however in your case, if they are outside your fire exits they are likely to be bulkhead lights fitted to a vertical wall and those with the LED on the top rotate them 180 degrees and it will be on the bottom as you require.

A similar question to the above what type of building are we discussing is a single private domestic dwelling or converting a house into flats they use different guidance. The only question I can answer is, you may need building regulation approval but before you do anything not after, check it out with the local building control.

What type of building are we discussing is a single private domestic dwelling, purpose built flats, or a converted house into flats they all use different guidance. If the main problem is the risk of kids or getting their fingers caught by the doors as they close then you could consider cam action, or swing free self closers.

I am not aware of any precautions regarding this problem, there is guidance protecting the external walls from fires in close adjacent buildings but not from your own building. I will research this further and if I find any useful information I will get back.

I need to know which grade of fire alarm/detectors are you proposing to fit because this dictates the type of detectors available to use. Grade A,B or C, more expensive will give you more choice than D,E or F. Checkout Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing to decide which grade you wish to install and I can give a more definitive reply. Also check out http://www.safelincs.co.uk/pages/bs5839-6.html?url=bs5839-6&allURL=pages/bs5839-6.html and http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-alarms/ which will explain more about the grades and the different types of detector. Research indicates that photoelectric alarms provide the best detection across a range of fires and are recommended for detecting smouldering fires which is the type you are likely to encounter in a thatch fire. Ionisation detectors are better at detecting products of a fire (Flaming fire) and heat detectors would be far too slow at giving a warning. A CO fire detector, which is different from a CO warning detector, but would only be available for a Grade A,B or C system. Mixed detectors using CO warning detectors operate at levels that inform you CO has reached levels that are becoming toxic but are useless at detecting fire. Finally I would think interconnected detectors are a must and RF is acceptable.

If a premises is occupied during a time when it is possible the normal lighting could fail as the result of a fire, plunging the premises in darkness and relevant person cannot find their way out of the building safely then you need emergency escape lighting (EEL). The length of time this could happen is irrelevant and in your case you could need EEL, this will depend if there is borrowed light outside that would illuminate inside the premises allowing the relevant person to escape safely.

Inspection and servicing certificates are not recommended for grade D systems, BS 5839: Part 6 2013 recommend only grade A systems require inspection and servicing certificates which are shown in Appendix H6 of BS 5839: Part 1 2013. In houses in multiple occupation, batteries in any radio-linked devices (such as manual call points, automatic detectors and fire alarm devices) should be changed by the servicing organization before the low battery warning condition is likely to be given.

I fullt agree with AB response and I believe a single staircase does not in itself precludes it from consideration but it depends on, size, travel distances, number of occupants and width of escape routes, all have to be considered. I would have guessed the FRS used the DCLG as a benchmark guide you need to check it out with the FRS.

Is there a ceiling below the voids concealing them or are they used to provide light to the workplace and if there is a ceiling is it fire resisting. If it is a totally separation then you could have separated fire alarms, but you must consider if the fire alarm operates, will they be heard for persons to act.

As the room in question appears to be only a tea room and not kitchen then the risk would be considered low but why would it be enclosed to a fire resistant (FR) standard? It maybe because of its location in relationship to the means of escape or it was used as a kitchen in the past, so you need to review your Fire Risk Assessment (FRA). The result could be that the tea room need not be FR and if that is the case then you do not require a FD30 fire door and replacing it with a stable door would be acceptable. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/ and Small and medium placesof assembly.

The part of the premises occupied by you will be a domestic premises and exempt from The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but the part of the premises members have access to, will be subject to the Fire Safety Order. Whether a fire alarm is required will be determined by your fire risk assessment which is required by the order. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005/

I assume you are talking about the normal curtains found in rented property as a fire curtain is a particular piece of fire safety equipment. Any upholstered furniture or fittings has to comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations but not the curtains. Check out http://www.fira.co.uk/document/fira-contract-flammability-guide-october-2011pdf.pdf page 26 item 9.5 lettings.

They need to be retained, why do you think you can remove them especially if you are considering renting the premises?

Yes they are called double swing, check out http://www.intastop.com/product/double-swing-hinge-package for an example.

Thanks AB I am familiar with Call Point Covers I thought it may be something different.

Hi AB could you give me some info on a pull tag sealed hinged cover maybe a link showing what they look like.

First I am not a fire door specialist and you would need to contact http://fdis.co.uk/. The fire regulations require you to have a adequate means of escape and the relevant guidance, require your front door to be a FD30s fire door. It would depend on the degree of damage but it is recommended that a certified fire door specialist should be used to decide if the door can be repaired or needs to be replaced, as any damage caused to a fire door can compromise its integrity. If you repair the door then I would suggest a certified fire door joiner be used but if a new fire door is required a competent joiner following the instruction accompanying the fire door should be satisfactory.

Providing the training is relevant to your care home then it doesn't matter where the training is conducted what is necessary is that you fully understand the fire procedures in your own care home. There are subjects that are general like using fire extinguishers and they will be the same in all premises.

The doorway between the communal/common hallway and the flat hallway require to be a FD30 fire door which I will refer to as the front door, the remainder of the doors in the flat need to be substantial well fitted doors. If the vestibule is between the front fire door and the flat hallway, then the door from the flat hallway to the vestibule could be removed. Check out http://www.cieh.org/policy/fire_safety_existing_housing.html gives fire safety guidace on flats other than purpose built flats which is http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/publications/-/journal_content/56/10180/3369777/PUBLICATION

I cannot give a definitive response to your situation without knowing a lot more about your proposals and assuming BStandard part 6 is BS 5839 part 6:2013. I am surprised Building control told you to consider a fire curtain because fire curtain will not control smoke and it appears your means of escape could be cut off in the early stages of a fire. Also did the BCO tell you which category of fire alarm should be used ? The use of wireless detectors is acceptable providing they are CE marked and meet the requirements of BS 5839.

Assuming the travel distances are such and you only require one staircase you will require 60 minutes separation between the basement and the ground floor so you need to build a 60 min staircase enclosure. It could be studding with two layers of plaster board, skimmed or a 100mm block wall with a FD60 fire door be fitted at basement level or FD30 at basement level and a FD30 ground floor level depending on required design. There could be more work at ground floor level depending on the location of staircase to upper floors. The staircase could be a standard timber staircase and would not be required to be treated. Check out vol 2 of Approved Document Part B Fire Safety.

Not only smoke, fire as well and the contractor should have apply for Building Regulation approval. It appears the way the floor has been done it will not meet a minimum fire resistance of 30 minutes and 60 minutes could be required. I would suggest you contact your local building control and explain your situation giving them full details.

It is lifted from a guide Factories and warehouses Page 44 Stacked goods and high stacked storage. Nevertheless it is all about risk assessment and the inspecting officer should have considered the risk of such lighting initiating a fire. Fluorescent light fittings do cause fires but it is not the tube it is the transformer developing a fault and overheating.

Recommendatory there is no law that says zone panels are required, but the guidance clearly state they are very much desired, to assist the fire service in establishing the location of any detectors that have operated which could be a fire.