cupboards under stairs

[Guest Emma]

Hi,

I'm looking for some guidance around the installation of fire resisting storage under fire stairs.

We have a basement with two fire stairs, both of which have space for the construction of a small storage cupboard. Reading the regulations I'm not sure I'm interpreting it correctly but it appears that we could have a fire resisting construction, but only under one staircase? I understand it should be fire resisting, but would this fire resistance need to meet the same resistance as the fire stairwell?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Emma

[Tom Sutton]

What guidance are you using and what section. In my knowledge is you can have a fire resistant storage cupboard under a means of escape stairs, both in your case. It is important that the stairs is underdrawn the a full standard as well as the walls and door creating the cupboard. Depending on the layout you may well require fire detection.

[AnthonyB]

No objection under either or both stairs as long as you create a fire resistant cupboard of at least equal fire resistance to that of the stair (30 minutes in most cases,can be more though), that the stair (unless concrete or similar) is underdrawn to the same FR and that it  has an FD30S door either self closing or kept locked shut (& signed as such). Depending on the required category of automatic detection for the premises you may need a smoke detector included too (off the buildings fire alarm system, not a self contained domestic unit)

There is a limit on including a reception in a stairwell - you need to have at least 2 stairs and only one can have the reception,the other has to be fire sterile.

[Guest Simon Lane]

We are looking at storing office filing contained in standard office cabinets under mezzanine stairs. Is this permissible? The stairs are the only means of escape. 

[Tom Sutton]

I could not give a definitive answer without knowing a lot more, but by the sound of it, I would not be in favour of the proposals. 

[Ronnie]

The definite answer is a No. For the former query, one can build a fire resisting storage under the fire stairs with the same resistance as that the stairs. This will be allowed when you have more than 1 fire escape stairs. 

For the latter query, No, you can not build a cabinet under your only fire escape stair/route.

[Guest Zainab]

Hi 

I'm an renovating my home. A 2 storey being converted to 3. I need to know if I require a fire door for the ground floor cupboard under the stairs and the kitchen door. My understanding is that fire doors are for habitable rooms (under the stairs isnt) and also if the kitchen has sufficient ventilation and escape route then the internal door does not need to be a fire door. Any help much appreciated.

Thank you 

[Tom Sutton]

Your understanding is incorrect  in a three storey domestic premises all doors all doors protecting the staircase should be FD30 doors, including cupboards check out 

Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Vol 1

[Guest Worry Nikki]

I have only 2 storey mid Victorian house but with HMO licence, council inspector requested me to to fire door in under staircase cupboard where it house consumer unit, gas and electricity meters and also requested to box them, i thought she is being heavy handed and pick on me, is her request correct? Or should I challenge it?

thanks

[AnthonyB]

You could argue if the cupboard has a fire door fitted this protects the escape route from the electric meters and boxing in as well is unnecessary duplication. The boxing in is usually reserved for meters on corridors/hallways that aren't in a room.

[Guest Alan S]

I have a fire exit door leading right under the stairwell which is of metal construction that is used as emergency exit for escape in the event of fire from offices upstairs i would like to use this for storage area is this possible.

[AnthonyB]

External stair? Difficult without photos, possibly not.