Hi, Can't you just replace the door with a type that doesn't have a window? Or if that's too costly, paint the window. Either way you avoid the need for blinds and the risk of delayed exit. Sam

I would remove the blinds as they are most definately an obstruction in my opinion and they would possibly hinder the ability of a person to open the door quickly and easily in an emergency. If privacy is an issue why not consider privacy film that can be cheaply installed onto window panes.

RRFSO 2005 Emergency routes and exits 14.—(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times.

Have you considered/suggested removing the blinds and fitting window film, as this would stop people looking in (if that's an issue) and also prevent possible glare on computer screens etc if relevant. http://www.abodewindowfilms.co.uk/ I have no affiliation with above company but have used their products.

Good luck trying to convince a fire officer or, if your really unlucky a judge that it wasnt "necessary" to keep a fire exit clear

RRO 2005, obviously. (Typo)

Is there any other answer the remove them yesterday? Not the best plan I've heard of. Please note: Not one swear word in sight. I've turned over a new leaf

The 'where necessary' bit is really important as it separates current UK fire legislation from it's prescriptive predecessors & allows the Responsible Person to risk assess the situation and develop bespoke control measures. In this case, it's clearly not acceptable for the blinds if this escape route could be used by 50 students evacuating a lecture hall, but is perhaps (??) more acceptable where perhaps 1 or 2 admin staff work in a low risk office. However, my gut feeling is that venetian binds on any escape route are very difficult to justify as their opening method is slow & unreliable. If you are wishing to hide this ugly door, why not use standard hung curtains, drapes or net curtains? Hung on a rail or track with easy to slide openings - and not obstructing any fire exit signs or emergency lighting, it's a relatively cheap option which will not upset the landlord or bank manager too much. Talking of the landlord, any fire risk assessment will be the duty of the employer and not the landlord. So if the FRA says get rid of the blinds, then that's what you do. If necessary, removing the blinds and carefully returning them to the landlord Good luck

Are blinds on all the other doors in the university ?, if not then their H&S advisor may be on your side and also advise them to be removed ? It would be a shame for them to be damaged in a fire drill :o)

Unless the landlord has placed a clause in the lease re the blinds simply remove tham and replace them when the lease terminates. He actually has no formal right to interfere with the FRA in the area rented/leased to yourself. Privacy is always possible by other means than delaying exit flows. Bob

I can't imagine any justification for having a Venetian blind lowered down across an escape door. As other have already quoted, the Regs require 'free from obstruction'; let's not quibble about 'Where necessary', the Responsible Person should be saying that is is necessary. If you have to exit via a lowered blind, just exactly how are you going to do it? Raise the blind... well that's at least 30 seconds if you don't mess it up because of panic or the hoard behind you wanting to get out. Push past it... what and get tangled up in the cords and slats? Meanwhile, what is the blind made of? Bet you it's plastic of some kind or wood with a lacquer/paint finish, so inflammable. IMHO the Venetian blind scenario is a complete no-no.