Can an escape route go through somebody's bedroom?

[Guest DorothyAud]

Daughter has moved into a shared house in Swansea. There is a basement and three additional floors. The top floor where her bedroom is located has signs indicating the main stairs as the fire exit. In addition there is an external fire escape which is accessed through another student's bedroom. When everyone is in residence that bedroom door will be locked. Is this permitted in law or should I query this with the agents? Many thanks

[Tom Sutton]

I am assuming the house is an older type house converted into flats and the premises meet the requirements of LaCors Guide for shared house page 42.

Principle means of escape is the protected staircase to the front door and also you would need to enter the staircase to get the room where the external escape is located. If the staircase is clear of smoke then you will not need the alternative escape, if it is smoke logged then you will not be able to get to the room in question so your daughter will have only one means of escape which is acceptable to the above guide.

This is why a fire alarm is required in the staircase to warn the occupants before the staircase becomes unusable also all habitable rooms should have openable escape windows for rescue by the Fire and Rescue Service as a last resort