Posted By Jennifer Kelly
Cannot find anything on the web or in the guidance about this so was wondering what the fire experts could offer.

Situation is as follows:

5 storey building, including a basement.

2 fire escape routes for everyone, 1 via outside metal stairs at the back of the building and the other via an internal enclosed stairwell which has carpeted stairs.

This is not an issue about the carpet being or getting loose but more about using carpet on the stairs of a fire exit route, ie should the stairwell not be decorated in fire resistant material?

All thoughts are most welcome.

Regards

Jennifer

Posted By Lilian McCartney
Hi Jennifer,

Quick answer,
Its quite common for routes to have carpets, particualry if they double as 'usual' access/egress routes.
Wouldn't worry too much about the carpet burning (or smoking) I'd make sure the doors effectively seal the stairwell - the inside one that is! - and that the route is free from obstruction.
Hope this helps

Posted By Bill Elliott
The FPA's - Fire Risk Management in the Workplace indicates that carpets for escape routes need to comply with the relevant BS 4790 - specification for the assessment and labelling of floor coverings. But generally the risk assessment should take these issues into account.

Posted By Messy
Be careful with carpets as the 'hot nut test' does not take into account carpets laid on vertical surfaces (ie on walls). Fire will spread up such carpets much more readily than when they are laid horizontally

I once had dealings with a building with a significant sleeping risk who had carpeted 'dado to dado' to provide the walls with protection from clumsy housekeepers & their trolleys. After some grumbling,the wall carpets was replaced