Tom Sutton

I do not know if the following is still relevant but we used to use it many years ago , www.iafss.org/publications/frn/765/-1/view/frn_765.pdf

Dan as you said "Upgrading the glazing makes the problem go away" cost should be a secondary consideration. However looking at it from a risk point of view, if a fire originated in any of these risk rooms would there be a risk to the primary MoE and is there a good fire separation? Assuming there is, a fire originated in one of these rooms that would negate the alternative escape route but the primary MoE would still be available, I am assuming there is an L1 fire alarm fitted. I personally would discount going back into the building based on the premise once out stay out..

Is the electric cupboard a 30 minute fire resisting enclosure? There must be an owner/landlord who has employed the management company on his/her behalf. If it is an FR enclosure then depending on what is stored it could be acceptable as for getting access to the cupboard I have no answer, other than talking to the management company. If you are very concerned you could get in touch with the enforcing authority the local Fire and Rescue Service. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/

I am not aware of any distances BS 5839 states they should be on means of escape routes, particularly at store exits and exits to open air, but usually they are within a metre of the door.

Depends on the layout of the flat you need to consult Approved Document Part B Fire Safety vol 2 start a page 21.

This is not a fire safety problem it is a legal matter and should be dealt with by solicitor. All I can say is, the enforcing authority is the local fire and rescue service and it is unlikely they would accept a means of escape across private land without control and a written legal document given right of way to ensure it would be available if required. The means of escape from a premises doesn’t finish until it discharges onto the public thoroughfare.

The Responsible Person for non-domestic premises is required to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. He/she has to consider the general fire precautions which are defined in article 4 and states (a) measures to reduce the risk of fire on the premises and the risk of the spread of fire on the premises. To achieve this FR assessor will consider a number of actions but will include using fire resistant furnishing, furniture and surface spread of flame. The guidance for this will be the DCLG guidance or HTM’s and http://www.fira.co.uk/document/fira-contract-flammability-guide-october-2011pdf.pdf

Is the smoke alarm in this flat a significant finding in relation to the fire risk assessment of the common areas?

Approved document B (fire safety) volume 2 page 143 define a Self-closing device as a device which is capable of closing the door from any angle and against any latch fitted to the door. Rising butt hinges on a fire door opening into an internal corridor is unlikely to meet that criterion so they cannot be classed as a self-closer. The only place a rising butt hinge could be accepted is for a door in a cavity barrier.

Further to the above a simpler way to determine the power size required by EN power size. Check out http://www.safelincs.co.uk/overhead-door-closers/ for more information. P.S. If the centre stile of the doors are rebated you will need a door selector as well.

Door closers are designated according to BS EN 1154 1997 and the door width and mass in Kg defines the power size, also needed, is it a fire door. Consequently you need to know the width, mass and is the door a fire door to determine the power size required. Most retailers should be able to provide the test certificate and using the BS EN 1154 you can determine the power size required. The third digit defines the power size and can be two digits, from to.

The employer is the responsible Person (RP) under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 so if the tenants are running the nursery as a business they are the RP but you could be responsible for certain items depending on the tenants agreement and who has control. Who pays will be subject to the tenant's agreement but I would imagine fire safety items that will become a permanent feature and under your control would be at your cost, fire safety items that could be removed would be the tenants. For example the fire alarm which could not be taken if they vacate the premises but the testing/maintenance could be at their cost through the rent.

If the landlord is the owner he/she is subject to the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and is required to conduct a fire risk assessment (FRA). This includes the need for an adequate means of escape, if he/she is not prepared to provide this then I would contact the enforcing authority who is the local fire and rescue service and let them know you situation. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/

As freeholders you are the Responsible Person (RP) of the common areas under the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and require to conduct a Fire risk Assessment. (FRA) If the FRA considers a fire alarm is necessary it should be installed in accordance with BS 5839-6:2004 which includes testing and maintenance. Depending on the grade installed testing is weekly and maintenance is six monthly for most systems in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. The weekly test is simple operating the system to ensure it is working and the six monthly maintenance is to ensure it will fulfil its role if ever needed. Check out http://www.cieh.org/uploadedFiles/Core/Policy/Publications_and_information_services/Policy_publications/Publications/National_fire_safety_guidance_08.pdf for standard to be applied.

It has occurred to me a situation where you would require two batteries would be when the batteries are 12V and the system is 24V and you would need to connect them in series. Check out http://firealarmengineers.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7281&highlight=calculate

I am not a fire alarm engineer but looking at BS 5839 Part 1 AMD 2013 it appears to say, you do your battery calculation and the result upgraded to the next available size, ie 6.1 Ah would be 7Ah as in your example. This is the total of the standby capacity you require 2 X 3.2Ah batts or 1 X 7Ah batt, in your previous method you would be doubling the capacity and I cannot find any reference to that. I would suggest you log on to www.firealarmengineers.com/ and post there as they will be able to give you much better advice than me.

Student living accommodation is a tricky one it may not be subject to any fire legislation and could fall under the description of domestic dwelling. I would contact the local Fire and Rescue Service and ask for an inspection as you are concerned about the fire safety of the premises, you could ask them to not to use you name in case the landlord identifies you. Check out http://www.firesafe.org.uk/uk-fire-rescue-services-details/

Yes most certainly the only premises that require illuminated fire exit boxes is premises where the normal lights are dimmed or extinguished during the time the premises is occupied, like cinemas, theatres clubs.

I am afraid they are all quite complicated but if you download the templates in http://www.firesafe.org.uk/fire-risk-assessment/ you can ammend them or at least one of them to suit your own circumstances.

I am sure you could disconnect one magnetic hold open door release from the system but it most probably require the fire alarm control and indicating equipment panel (CIE) to be reprogramed. I would suggest you contact your fire alarm company who maintains the system and ask their advice or try www.firealarmengineers.com to see if they can help.

If the occupants are familiar with the means of escape and it is not a place of assembly, you could as Harry as said fit a door closer with an approved nightlock if you have panic bars or pads they should be removed. For additional security when the premises are unoccupied you could fit deadlocks or barrel bolts which would have to be opened or removed when the premises opens first thing and use a chain board. A chain board located in the manager office, is a board fitted with numbered hooks one for each key or barrel bolt so you can see at a glance that all the exit doors are open and only secured by the nightlatch.

Check out for more information Guide to Interpreting Markings for Single Axis Hinges.

Hinges that meet BS EN 1935: 2002 will not be stamped BS EN 1935: 2002 but will carry the CE mark with a number indicating the hinge designation and there may be more information on the documentation accompanying the hinges. Providing you have three substancial hinges and they are made of steel, then they are most probably satisfactory until you rehang any fire doors.

Someone is correct you need full width of the door with no obstructions. Check out https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-offices-and-shops

The FDIS and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-sleeping-accommodation .