Rank: Forum user 
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Quick question related to fire exits
I'm compiling some area based fire risk assessments at the moment, and would appreciated some thoughts on the following issue. One definition of a fire exit is an exit to the outside of the building (safe area) could you class an exit that leads you into say, another warehouse or another building as a fire exit or would this only be classed as a fire exit route.
So if a building as 2 final fire exit doors and 2 fire exit routes leading to a final exit do class the area as having 4 fire exits or as only having 2 fire exits and 2 fire exit routes.
(Hope all this makes sense)
Steve
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Steve W wrote:Quick question related to fire exits
I'm compiling some area based fire risk assessments at the moment, and would appreciated some thoughts on the following issue. One definition of a fire exit is an exit to the outside of the building (safe area) could you class an exit that leads you into say, another warehouse or another building as a fire exit or would this only be classed as a fire exit route.
So if a building as 2 final fire exit doors and 2 fire exit routes leading to a final exit do class the area as having 4 fire exits or as only having 2 fire exits and 2 fire exit routes.
(Hope all this makes sense)
Steve Hi Steve, Yes, it makes sense. Have you counted the normal exits/entrances? these are still viable in the event of a fire and should be counted along with the escape routes to them (subject to them being available of course)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I would call them all 'fire exit doors' but the ones that go outside are also 'final fire exit doors'.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I meant to add, the reason being that all the requirements for fire exit doors (not being obstructed, being easy to open and so on) apply to the internal ones as much as to the final exits.
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Rank: Forum user 
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I am sure you have considered this but do not forget the internal doors will also need to be fire/smoke suppressant fire doors, as the final doors do not
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Rank: Forum user
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I am sure you have considered this but do not forget the internal doors will also need to be fire/smoke suppressant fire doors, as the final doors do not
Not sure about the above post, as this will all depend on the building fire strategy, surely the internal doors are all part of the emegency route, which would be signposted with appropiate running man signs, which would lead to the fire exit and then onto assembly point. In ref to the internal doors being fire/smoke suppressant this may not be the case, but one thing is for sure if they form part of your emegency route they need to be kept clear and unlocked or if security is an issue, they should controlled with normal fire door exit means.
Steve if unsure call in some help to assist with fire risk assessments, as if we get this wrong the potential outcome could be ???? have you got expierence on compiling fire risk assessments??, just an after thought mate.
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Rank: Forum user
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The internal evacuation route will need to be protected from the effects of fire and smoke. The doors leading directly onto, and along, the evacuation route should be FD30/FDS30.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Originally Posted by: O'  The internal evacuation route will need to be protected from the effects of fire and smoke. The doors leading directly onto, and along, the evacuation route should be FD30/FDS30. I hope you don't mind me saying, but many posts on this thread are making 1001 assumptions about the requirement for fire doors and have a protected route. I am sorry, it's simply not possible to adequately assess separation & fire door needs without much more info. FD30S? Why not FD60? or do they need to be a fire door anyway? How can anyone give such firm advice on such little info. Prescriptive control measures have gone and it's all about risk assessing. So the one size fits all approach is dead & buried. I don't mean to offend as exchanging ideas and experiences is what this forum is all about, but surely we all need to exercise caution when offering blind advice
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Rank: Forum user 
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I miss prescriptive controls...
What was wrong with the old Fire Certificates and fire brigade visits anyway?
As far as exits goes, I use the (now obsolete) term, " a place of ultimate safety".
So an internal refuge space would not count in my book, but an area OUTWITH the confines of the building would count. but NOT if that area was within a locked and fenced compound.
So...
I count FINAL exits as only those which enter to a place of ultimate safety.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Going back to the OP, I would suggest the latter option - 2x fire exits plus two additional fire escape routes.
Depending upon setup, it may not always be necessary to evacuate outside to a muster point, there is the possibility of horizontal evacuation to another building/ area - as long as this area provides suitable protection/ refuge.
Which exits to use would be defined in your emergency action plan, and depending upon the type of system, be highlighted by a different type of alarm sound.
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Rank: Forum user
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messyshaw - I agree with the principle of not making assumptions, and for that I apologise, however based on my experience the Fire Service are enforcing a 'one size fits all' approach (BS, Guidance, Part B etc) rather than a FRA.
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