Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Guys and Girls,
Just want a sense check. One of my sites is moving to another Warehouse, whilst carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment prior to us moving in I walked out a Fire Exit at the rear of the building and well lets just say there is a very high risk of face planting into the mud due to the ground sinking rather lower than the step and sloping nicely down to a fence. This would be unsafe to use in an Emergency and it will be at our cost to put in a new pathway out the back (love the small print). I'm planning to shut this off as an exit as there are others near by within a safe traveling distance and reflect this in the Fire Risk Assessment. The door will be de-marked and signage changed etc. We are planning to put a path in a some point but not before we move in (lack of funds!)
Should I ever get a visit from the local authorities or Fire Brigade, as long as this is reflected in the assessment I shouldn't get any problems? the product being stored is very low risk in terms of being flammable and the warehouse isn't that big.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Mr F, So long as you are confident in your assessment that adequate escape routes will exist without this one being available, then "de-listing" this one should not present any insurmountable problems.
All signage must ignore this door as you have said, any fire plan too and your personnel need to be clearly informed that it is not available for use - and the reason why. As a new site for them that should not be a significant change to their habitual behaviours.
If you can cover the exit so that it doesn't look like an external door that would be better.
It is your fire risk assessment to determine whether the arrangements are adequate or not.
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Rank: Super forum user
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It's a pre-assessment to identify what needs to be put in place prior to us moving in looking at fire plan, signage, escape routes etc
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi,
From a health & safety point of view, is the exit route really that hazardous that it warrants closing off? Surely a slip/trip/face plant is better than being stuck in a burning building? Deciding to close it off as part of a written fire plan / risk assessment done from a desk is one thing, but try to imagine what would happen in a real fire situation (smoke, panic, darkness...). Forget theoretical travel distances for a moment and think, can people REALLY get out quickly enough without this exit being there? (Not criticising by the way, just offering a different perspective).
Personally, to make sure you sleep better at night i would consult with your local fire & rescue service. We acquired a new office a year or so ago and the new layout was confusing me somewhat. I made a call to Kent Fire & Rescue and a very helpful officer met up with me for half an hour to help out with my assessment. Not sure if they all do this but definitely worth a try.
From a legal point of view, is there not a requirement to get building control consent if you want to remove a fire exit from a building? Does this apply t workplaces or just places where the public are present? (Supermarkets etc).
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Rank: Super forum user
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As we have no idea what will be going into the warehouse - racking, FLT charging, type of stock etc -unfortunately, insufficient information to provide a reliable answer - sorry.
As the others have said - clearly document what you are doing and why it will be OK in your view. Ensure that the FRA is undertaken with the final internal layout completed and that it clearly identifies why the additional travel distance is acceptable.
That may not be accepted in the event of a visit, but at least you'll have something to argue with!
And NEVER mention that the changes may be due to a lack of money to do it to a better standard.
Frank Hallett
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Rank: Forum user
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As Frank said, it depends on a number of factors we are not privvy to but providing you have sufficient fire exits there is nothing to stop you from removing the signage and calling it an access door.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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However would you still allow the door to be used as an exit knowing the dangers lurking outside?
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Rank: Forum user
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FireSafety101 wrote:However would you still allow the door to be used as an exit knowing the dangers lurking outside?
Impossible to say without being there. During an emergency evacuation people must be able to move out quickly but the situation may not be so critical under normal conditions.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Cant the exit route be maintained by tipping, spreading and compacting some stones or hogging (mixture of stones and clay) to make a gravel path?
Doesn't sound too expensive
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Rank: Forum user
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We had to do something similar in one of our warehouses a couple of years back, area was low risk, other exits available, Fire brigade didn't have a problem with it when they inspected at a later date.
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Rank: Super forum user
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When exiting a premises during an emergency do you allow persons to use emergency exits only or do you allow the use of "non" emergency exits?
IMO every single exit door could be expected to be available for use by the occupiers. If you require persons to only use Emergency Exits during an emergency evacuation they must be informed accordingly.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Are you saying that staff are asked to walk past a 'non emergency' exit in order to reach a designated fire exit? Surely not! (or have I misunderstood you?)
BS5839-1 recommends manual call points next to every final exit, whether they are a designated fire exit of not. The BS accepts - as I do - that during an evacuation, people will (and should) leave the premises by the nearest possible exit - regardless of it's 'status'. I suggest this a reasonable point of view
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Rank: Super forum user
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Messy that's the point I'm trying to make? If an exit is too dangerous to use as a fire exit then it must be too dangerous to use .............
This thread is asking about re- designating an exit due to the condition of the ground outside, my advice is to make the ground safe and then the exit can be used safely.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Oh yeah! Sorry, but it is a Friday after a very loooooong week!!!
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