Removal of external staircase

[Meady]

Please can we ask for some steer on a subject relating to a block of flats we manage - we dont expect anyone to comment on the FRA's judgement, just whether or not you think Building Control should be involved in the final decision...

Sorry if there is too much info here, but the situation we have is...

19 privately owned and occupied flats in a building which is ground floor + 7 upper floors and 1 basement.  In addition, a roof space room houses water tanks and lift motor equipment.

Single internal stairway - protected by FD30s doors at each level.  

Simultaneous evacuation adopted in 2017 - prior, was a 'stay put'.

Communal alarm with AFD (smoke) at each floor level and Manual Call Point next to porters desk / office on ground floor.  A heat detector linked to communal fire alarm is also found just inside each flat entrance doorway (approx. 2m distance).

One side of the building has an original steel stairway which is accessible from approximately 9 of the flats.  The remaining flats have no external stairway.  The external stair still has 'FIRE EXIT' signage displayed.

The condition of the stair is poor - very rusty.  Plus, the facade along the stair is not fully protected.  Several glazed apertures are openable. 

The FRA we had completed in 2021 (February) shows that the assessor feels the external staircase is not needed as the internal stair is protected from fire and smoke for 30-mins.  Plus early warning of fire has been introduced since original construction. 

Landlord is obviously delighted as he thinks he can get rid of the external stairway and save a fortune in having it repaired (possibly even replaced).

Should we / the landlord advise local building authorities of the suggestion of removing the external stairway before we jump in 2 footed and do anything??  

 

Any steer / guidance always appreciated!

[AnthonyB]

It's Building Work involving a material alteration so needs approval under Building Regulations. Whilst it's not a full communal escape it should be borne in mind that the interior layout of some flats can be such that an alternative exit is required (& will have been for a long time) and that may be why the 9 particular flats have the stair access - this should also be checked as otherwise the flats could be in a difficult position (especially on sale or re-mortgage).

Other than that as it's full evacuation and presumably the internal stair has been assessed as having the width for all occupiers to leave at the same time it may be possible to remove.

[Meady]

20 hours ago, AnthonyB said:

It's Building Work involving a material alteration so needs approval under Building Regulations. Whilst it's not a full communal escape it should be borne in mind that the interior layout of some flats can be such that an alternative exit is required (& will have been for a long time) and that may be why the 9 particular flats have the stair access - this should also be checked as otherwise the flats could be in a difficult position (especially on sale or re-mortgage).

Other than that as it's full evacuation and presumably the internal stair has been assessed as having the width for all occupiers to leave at the same time it may be possible to remove.

Thank you AnthonyB - much appreciated.  I have just spoken to Building Control and they definitely want to inspect - appears the external stair was added circa 1960's due to alterations made within the 9x flats which have access to the external stair (travel distances extended by the looks of things).  Thank you so much - glad we asked before the landlord went ahead and started dismantling the stairway!