How many fire exits?

[Davey]

Hi I just wanted to ask for some advise please. My work building is located on two floors, but we recently moved downstairs while an air conditioning system is fitted upstairs. I am concerned because now that we are on the ground floor the only accessible fire exit is in the reception area and right next to the front door. This means that if there was a fire in reception there is no way out of the building. There is another fire exit downstairs but this blocked because of building work. All of the windows downstairs are also locked and require a key to open them. I've raised this with HR on four occasions and they have just ignored me. So i raised it again and today I was confronted as a trouble maker and was told the one next to the front door is all they need and to drop it. This doesn't seem right can anyone please advise me? 

[Tom Sutton]

The first thing is all doors that allow you to escape from the premises are fire exits including the front door. It is possible that a travel in one direction is acceptable, depending on the travel distance to all final fire exits, the numbers persons involved and the layout of the premises. Without a lot more information it is impossible to give a definite answer and I would suggest you contact the local fire & rescue service. They are the enforcing authority and should send out an inspector to check the premises out.

[AnthonyB]

I'd get the enforcing authority in as well - if your ground floor has a secondary fire exit this is usually (but not always) because it was necessary. How do they know one exit is all they need?