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

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Richard Rose  
#1 Posted : 29 November 2011 14:03:55(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Richard Rose

Hi folks,

in our workshop we are upgrading our welding bays to become an enclosed workroom, with LEV to outside and screens etc.

However i have been asked if the room requires 2 exits.

basically the room will be of wood and plaster construction with the side of the workshop forming one wall. The doors will be double swing doors in a side by side layout, i.e. \__/ if that makes sense.

These doors open out to the main roller door and is about 3m in a straight open access to the adjacent fire exit.

However it was asked if the room should have another single door exit at the rear side wall.

i did not think this was required as the offices we have in the workshop are single entry\exit and these were built post 2006.

Would anyone be able to clarify to me if a second exit would be a legal requirement.

It would add a lot of work and would only give access to an area that leads back into the workshop rather than the fire exit etc.

cheers all.
davidjohn#1  
#2 Posted : 29 November 2011 14:42:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
davidjohn#1

Is there vision panels in the door or room? I would say that due to the size of the room in question, the short distance to the adjacent exit and the fact that occupancy numbers are low, one would be sufficient.
Richard Rose  
#3 Posted : 29 November 2011 14:46:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Richard Rose

There will be windows in the doors and in the side of the room, probably tinted perspex to avoid any arc flash into adjacent areas.

it would be 1 or 2 occupants at any time, so i felt one is sufficient given its also double door width.

firesafety101  
#4 Posted : 29 November 2011 17:07:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

Sounds like you are creating an inner room with a single exit from the room leading to roller shutter door, with a fire exit 3m away from the roller shutter.

Am I right?

If so - the two adjacent doors will be considered to be a single door.

Roller shutter cannot be considered for means of escape.

Inner room must have either AFD or vision panel/s. High risk inner room (welding for instance) needs AFD and audible alarm.

It all depends on your fire risk assessment but IMO the travel distance to the final exit (single door 3m from roller shutter) will suffice for the small number of occupants.

Hope I have got this right, without seeing the place it can be difficult.

Oh for the ability to put photo’s on here!
Richard Rose  
#5 Posted : 01 December 2011 09:12:24(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Richard Rose

Hi Chris, the fire exit is about 3m away from the welding room doors, it is right beside the roller door on the other side from the welding room if that makes sense.

The room does\will have vision panels, but i am getting some extra sounders\visual fire alarms added, so when that is getting quoted, i will get them to look at fitting alarm unit to the welding room also.

many thanks
David Bannister  
#6 Posted : 01 December 2011 10:41:29(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

Richard, just a word of caution: ensure the alarm designer/specifier is sufficiently competent to be able to understand the challenges presented by normal welding operations. Otherwise expect constant activations.
Richard Rose  
#7 Posted : 01 December 2011 10:51:32(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Richard Rose

Its a big antional alarm and detection company, and i know the sales guy so he wont give me any rubbish, he knows the needs. :)
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.