How wide dos a fire exit need to be?

[Guest Dhanish]

i would like to know what are the minimum requirements that an internal fire exit door opening onto a small flight of stairs onto external fire exit door should be? What is the minimum flat surface distance from the top of the stairs to the internal door before the top step?

Dhanish

[Tom Sutton]

Depends on the level of risk (high,medium or low) and the number of persons likely to use the door in the event of an emergency.

The minimum flat surface distance from the top of the stairs to the internal door before the top step I assume you means a landing? This will depend on which way the door opens.

Download the appropriate guide for more information. https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-advice-documents

[Guest StevenRo]

Hi.
What is the minimum permitted width of a staircse from and enclosed basement to a ground floor escape corridor? We need to do some ceiling works above the staircse so need to construct a temporary platform so could that dimension be temporarilly reduced by scaffold poll legs?

Steven

[Tom Sutton]

There are few hard and fast 'rules' in these days of risk based approach to fire safety and everything is about assessing the true risk to occupants.

However it depends on how may person are likely to use the escape route and providing it does not reduce it too much it could be acceptable for a temporary period of time.

Approved Document B states that the minimum width of a fire escape route or exit which will be used by 60 persons or less is 750 mm (Table 4 page 36). It also states that the width of escape routes and exits should not be less than the dimensions given in table 4.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_B2_2013.pdf

[Guest Jo Brown]

We want to know if there is a certain distance that must be left on corridors to fire exits, ours is in the toilet but the corridor is kept clear leading to the toilet but we are looking at putting some lockers along that corridor but do not want to block it.

[Tom Sutton]

The office and shops guidance page 47 says,

1.9 Particular hazards in corridors and stairways used as escape routes

Items that are a source of fuel, pose an ignition risk, or are combustible and likely to increase the fire loading or spread of fire, should not be located on any corridor or, stairway or circulation space that will be used as an escape route.

Such items include

:

• portable heaters, e.g. bottled gas (LPG) or electric radiant heaters and electric convectors or boilers;

• gas cylinders for supplying heaters;

• cooking appliances; and

• unenclosed gas pipes, meters, and other fittings.

However, where more than one escape route is available and depending on the findings of your risk assessment, items such as those below may be acceptable if the minimum exit widths are aintained and the item presents a relatively low fire risk:

• non-combustible lockers;

• vending machines;

• small items of electrical equipment (e.g. photocopiers); and

• small coat racks and/or small quantities of upholstered furniture which meets BS 7176 or the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

For the minimum width of escape routes check out Approved Document B (Fire Safety) page 36 says it depends on numbers up to 60 persons, 750 mm, 110 persons, 850 mm larger numbers check out document.

[Guest Sandy]

Hi, can you tell me what are the regs./requitements about having patio funiture on an outside escape route.

The outside route (balcony) is the only entrance and exit for 4 attached masonettes, the balcony only has one entrance /exit to one set of stairs. All of us have patio furniture outside under the kitchen window, with more than enough room (more than 1m) free space past each peice of furniture.

What is the law regards having this furniture there?

Thanks

Sandy 

[Tom Sutton]

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 article 14.1 states, Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times, however the RP may allow certain items but that is up to the RP you will need to speak to the RP.

[Guest Sandy]

3 hours ago, Tom Sutton said:

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 article 14.1 states, Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times, however the RP may allow certain items but that is up to the RP you will need to speak to the RP.

Many thanks for reply, is this even when only 1 house needs to go past mine. Thats 2 people. So its not done on numbers of persons to pass, or that we have had the furniture out there for over 10 years?

[Tom Sutton]

As I have said it is up to the Responsible Person who will conduct a risk assessment and decide if the items in question constitute a serious risk and you can argue your case with the RP.

The present legislation is all based on risk assessment and there is no one solutions covers all. 

[AnthonyB]

Guidance says the minimum width of an escape route should not be less than 750mm (unless it is for use by less than five people in part of your premises) and, where wheelchair users are likely to use it, not less than 900mm.

So in theory from an obstruction point of view managed risk may be possible, fire risk from flammability of items is another factor to consider.

[Guest Guest Paul]

Could you please advise if a small cafe with a basement area with stairs approx 700mm width and and an escape route which is 630mm at the narrowest part be used for up to 4 people. Fire detection system and Manual Call Points are installed throughout. 

[AnthonyB]

If an existing building it would not be unreasonable for a risk assessment to accept that scenario, ideally the 4 should be staff and not the public.