Hi All, I am having some difficulty in working out what appears to me to be conflicting guidance on the above within a couple of official guidance docs, and I wondered whether you would comment on the issues I have raised below: I note that the recently issued Local Government guidance for fire safety in purpose built blocks of flats frequently emphasises that a communal fire alarm system should not normally be provided in a general needs purpose built flats. This is an approach which I have followed when carrying out risk assessments for post 1992 building regs properties; however, I have previously recommended Grade A LD2 or Grade D LD2 mixed systems for purpose built flats which do not conform to the post 1992 building regs - in accordance with the guidance issued in table 1 of the DCLG 'Sleeping Accommodation' guide. Typically, I would recommend such systems for purpose built flats with a single stairway, over 2 storeys in height, where the doors to the flats open directly onto a single common escape route which is not accessed via a lobby approach and permanent openings (which is set out in the modern building regs and on page 25 of the new purpose built flats guidance). In the cases where I have recommended compensatory communal fire alarm systems, where the layout is as described above, It would not have been possible to retrospectively install a lobbied approach etc to achieve the level of structural compartmentation required. Accordingly, I note from the new purpose built flats guidance that it may be appropriate to install a compensatory communal fire alarm system 'where it can be demonstrated that the assumptions and principles outlined earlier are not met and cannot readily be achieved' (paragraph 20.8). I assume that one of the principles referred to is the requirement for a lobbied approach to a single common stairs. My interpretation of this is that this supports my approach to recommending communal fire alarm systems in the circumstances outlined above (i.e. when a lobby approach can not be provided to a single common stairway). However, this approach, and the type of fire alarm system which I recommend appears to be contradicted in the new purpose built flats guidance as follows: • Paragraph A6.21 states that when a communal system is provided it 'does not imply that such a system need incorporate fire detectors within all flats' whereas the specification for a Grade A or Grade D LD2 system (for non blocks non compliant to modern building regs) recommended in the previous previous 'Sleeping Accommodation' guide requires that heat detectors linked to the communal system are installed inside the dwellings by the exits on to the common stairs. • The case study in Appendix 7 of the new purpose built flats guidance outlines a property which is not compliant with the modern building regs standards, and can not be readily upgraded to meet with them. However, a compensatory fire alarm system within the communal areas has not been advocated. This appears to directly contradict the recommendations set out within Table 1 of the 'Sleeping Accommodation' guidance. I appreciate that each risk assessment should be considered on its own merit; however, I need to clarify the above general principles upon which I can base my advice.