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Posted By Clinton Dunn
I work as Health and Safety officer of a large hotel which was built in the early 1970's. Following a visit from the company external health and safety consultant I was instructed to seal up a number of windows in an internal enclosed fire escape - which was duly done. These windows opened out approximately 4 inches to the outside environment.
Following our annual fire inspection by the Local Fire Service I raised the point with the Fire Safety Officer and was informed that he was unhappy with this advice as he would rather they were open as they provided fresh air to ventilate the enclosed fire escape and did not in his opinion pose a risk of feeding the fire with oxygen. Our advisor continues to audit us on this issue and refuses to accept the advice of the Fire Service. Can anyone offer guidance or advice on moving forward with this issue?
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Posted By Joe McNicholas
Clinton,
I have always taken the advice of Fire Officers on any fire issues.
I am sure if you asked the fire officer he would put any recommendations in writing to you which, I would have thought,would outweigh any argument by an external consultant.
Hope this helps.
Best regards
Joe
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
I have to reinforce Clinton's view. The ability to provide smoke ventilation outweighs the fire risk problems. In any case on a protected route , which the staircase is, the doors will provide the barrier to major oxygen ingress. I am afraid to say that you must look carefully at the qualifications of the consultant in this area and make a judgement accordingly. If you would like to contact me I would enlarge on this.
Bob
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Sorry that should read Joe's view
Bob
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Posted By Nick Higginson
Clinton,
Totally agree with the others. In a court of law, if you could prove you had sought the advice of a Fire Safety Officer on Fire Safety and complied with this recommendations, what else could be construed as "reasonably practicable"?
Nick
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Posted By Richard
Just like to add my voice in agreement. The full time specialist must score over those, including most of us I think, who's knowledge, though maybe encyclopaedaic, is general
Richard
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Posted By Zyggy Turek
Clinton.
We had a similar problem to yours involving high rise flats where windows on the stairways were fitted with locks to prevent certain undesirables from lobbing T.V. sets, etc. onto the unsuspecting public below.
When the local FPO came round he also asked us to remove the locks so that in the event of a fire, the Brigade could choose whether they need to ventilate the staircase or not.
The compromise solution was to remove the locks and install a limiting device to prevent large objects being pushed out.There were no concerns that this would assist in propagating any fire.
As with the other responses I would certainly take the advice of the Fire Brigade but would also ask the consultant to perhaps make his next visit at a time when the FPO can also be present.
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Posted By Gary Cutter
Hi Clinton
Fascinating problem! I find it difficult to give you a definitive answer without knowing more about what the staircase is for and where it is located. Without being too contentious I think your fire officer may be right. Under the current Building Regs (Part B) ventilation may be required to staircases depending on what their purpose is and their location. The same advice is given under BS 5588 part 1.
Now most of this advice has been issued since your premises were built. Nevertheless ventilation may be required to disperse smoke etc.
However, you do say that these premises are a hotel so I assume have a fire certificate. One of the conditions of the certificate is that you "maintain the means for securing the means of escape". Ventilation will be part of that condition. Now the fire officer may have the legal right to require you require you to re-instate those windows. So I would suggest that you confirm through discussion with the fire officer exactly why he is unhappy and what if anything he requires you to do. If you have any problems you can e-mail direct and I would be happy to discuss the matter further.
Gary Cutter
Chair of the Fire Risk Management Specialist Group
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