Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error
Battery Backup for electrical shutters on Fire escape route
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Previous Topic Next Topic
LEEBOY1978  
#1 Posted : 26 October 2012 16:26:30(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
LEEBOY1978
Hi All,

Just want your views.

In a small shop they have installed a electrically operated roller shutter door on the rear fire escape. It does have a manual override but it is extremely stiff. Which I have flagged up as a serious issue.

They have come to me and asked if they can install a battery back up so if the power was to fail during a fire the shutter would be able to be raised therefore escape could be possible, would that be acceptable.

Can anyone help me out with this one.

I have suggested that they remove the shutter as they are not suitable on fire exits but they are refusing to budge due to the cost of replacement.

Regards

Lee
Back to top
Ron Hunter  
#2 Posted : 26 October 2012 16:54:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter
The shutter should be open during occupied hours.
Back to top
Andrew W Walker  
#3 Posted : 26 October 2012 16:55:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Andrew W Walker
Hi Lee.
I wouldn't be too happy with that arrangement. A final exit should be, IMO, a push open door. I wouldn't want people queuing whilst the door is raised. Battery power or mains.

I would be a little happier if the door was linked to the fire alarm and raised on activation. With a suitable testing and maintenance regime.

Preferred option: get rid of the shutter.

Hope this helps

Andy
Back to top
messyshaw  
#4 Posted : 26 October 2012 18:05:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
messyshaw
If this fire exit is needed (and it might not be for a small shop) then the shutter must be open when the shop is, or removed. Even if the shutter was supplied with a full monitored UPS system, I would not accept a slow opening shutter on a MOE.
Back to top
Zimmy  
#5 Posted : 26 October 2012 18:27:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Zimmy
Ron and messy have it on the button. No more to say is there.
Back to top
Jeff Watt  
#6 Posted : 27 October 2012 21:17:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jeff Watt
As the folks above say always open during occupation.

Plus

Depending on the venue, I have visited premises with small RS doors that can be pulled down from the outside by anyone who wants to try (leisure centre, lots of kids about).

Here I recommended locked open; hole drilled in the runners and padlock added during opening hours.

Just a thought.

Jeff
Back to top
roshqse  
#7 Posted : 29 October 2012 14:39:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
roshqse
I wouldn't tell them to remove it, but as others said, it MUST be locked open when building occupied.
Back to top
jwk  
#8 Posted : 30 October 2012 17:13:00(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jwk
Yes, to add to the weight of opinion, locked open during opening hours, but we tend to remove them unless there is a good protected alternative escape route. After opening hours shops are often still occupied, people doing stock-checks, cashing up and so on. Usually this is done with shutters down, so we don't give our shop workers the option, we disable or remove,

John
Back to top
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2025, Yet Another Forum.NET