I am NOT a fire safety expert, & I am NOT acting as the H&S (etc.) consultant for this client, I am on their site doing other works. They have an amenity "Portacabin" type building, toilets, wash rooms, catering, rest areas. This is heated, and acts as site security office out of hours. During working hours it has an authorised but uncontrolled stream of visitors. i.e. they are authorised to be on the site, but, their use of the facility is uncontrolled. It has the "official" entrance and exit in one "long" wall about 1/3 of the way along. There is a "Fire Exit" in the short wall furthest from the main entrance. I hope this makes sense. This unit is heated by electricity and the client feels that they need to do this to offer the workers respite from the weather, in which they are "normally" working. The bill for this heating is astronomical as the both doors are often left open for hours on end! I have been asked to look at the heating to see what can be done with reducing the cost. We have looked at alternatives, but, they have had abuse problems with some sorts of alternative heat sources. We are still working on this, however, the main problem is that of global warming, my client is just heating the word with their electricity! They have tried the signage route and this has had little effect. I have just, this minute thought about fitting auto closers to both doors, however, as one is a fire exit, toward by the way a diesel storage area, the other is away from this to the assembly area, could this be done as it could save their electricity bills, carbon emissions, gobal warming etc. in one fell swoop! Also tagged on to this can we legitimately prevent the fire exit being used as a normal exit by locking in some way? The propping thing I think can be covered by the layout of the unit. I am not sure as this is not my normal area of operation and, I don't feel competent to advise, I'm not looking for direct answers, necessarily, points to the relevant legislation clauses is fine, I'm not exactly sure where to go to be honest. Oh & don't say their FRA as it is doubtful they have one, LONG, LONG story, but, the site manager seems to think that they are exempt from almost all H,S&E laws! He only sees £'s & the Union shop stewards points of view. He seems to be able to ignore the EA, LA Trading Standards, LA Environmental Health, & HSE when it suits him!!! He also seems to get away with it. Shocked Smiley Face, IF I could do one!

Can you explain what you are doing and how you became involved as I would advise that this may be outside your competence area - stupid question but I must ask it;- does the company have their own H&S etc professional/s

I don't understand what the issue with self-closing fire exits is - aren't they perfectly normal and accepted?

You could fit self closing devices and or fit a locking device that can be easily opened in the event of an emergency - similar to the ones common on fire exits in shopping centres. If there are serious concerns about health and safety or fire safety on site then there is always the avenue of informing the HSE - they're not obliged to divulge the source of the complaint. It is though preferable to try and discuss such issues but in some instances (such as yours?) this may be fruitless.

Paul, I don't see any reason why a self-closer cannot be used on a fire exit, unless I have misunderstood the scenario. There is probably a good argument in favour of putting them on as this will restrict oxygen flow in to the fire area. As for locking a fire exit: No. Supermarkets use easily broken plastic ties to limit unauthorised access/thievery but I would not recommend their use in your situation. Why do you want to prevent the fire exit from being used? If there is a genuine need to stop routine use then it will help to understand why the people are using it and address that reason. Education, instruction and persuasion. Final random thought if the above fails. You're a sparks: cattle fence technology on the door handle to deactivate once the first person gets a jolt! That way only one person gets elecrically hurt whist everybody else trips over them in the rush to get back to work.

Fit a sign stating that 'This is an emergency exit and NOT is to be used other than...Guess what ? An emergency exit' Think of the health benefits due to the exercise the people will have walking a few feet. The heat generated will help with the heating bill.