Storage Area Under Staircase Used as Escape Route

[davey96]

Hi, I have a client that runs a care home for children with severe learning disabilities linked to autism. The care home is a converted 1 storey residential property. There is only one staircase (escape route) that leads from the top floor (1st Floor) to the ground floor and it is not a protected staircase. There are however fire doors are fitted to all bedrooms (Ground & First Floor) that lead onto this route. There is a storage cupboard built under the stairs. This is used for storing a few cleaning materials and cleaning equipment. Does this storage area under the stairs need to be fire protected i.e. fire door fitted and fire resistant construction? Also above the 1st floor ceiling (roof void) there is no fire compartmentation between any of the rooms or the main corridor. Does this need to be compartmentatlised? Many thanks

[AnthonyB]

Yes and Yes! Particularly the roof void, far too many fatal care home fires over the years due to this (& prosecutions)