Hi, Our company has recently sub-letted a proprty for use of 18-20 office based workers. They work in a complex of several other offices and are located on the first floor. Upon my visit there today (I was not involved in the letting process), I found that there was only one way in and out (other than jumping from a window 20ft up). If there was to be a fire on the stair well, none of our guys could escape safely. Whose responsibility is it to ensure there are sufficient means of escape during an emeregency?? Ours or the owner?? Many thanks for any help.

Imho, the responsibility for fire safety in shared parts of premises lies with the owner (or managing agent). This is based on the guidance given in the government booklet "Making your premises safe from fire". The Building Regulations (Approved Document B1), permits a single stair / escape route under specified conditions. Ask the building owner for a copy of their Fire Risk assessment. PH2

The responsibilities in a multi occupied building as described here are varied. Think of who should be carrying out a fire risk assessment, as this will (in most cases) provide the answers: The owner (or managing agent) will be responsible for conducting a FRA for the common parts - stairs, corridors, car park and if shared, tea points and loos Then, each occupier should carry out a FRA on their demises plus any other parts of the premises their staff may use, in particular, escape routes - even if this has already been completed by the managing agents/premises owners. So, in this case (how I imagine the situation to be) all parties are responsible to ensuring a clear unobstructed escape route, and in a single staircase building - almost certainly a MOE free from combustibles. Where a neighbouring business is storing kit on a staircase, it's obviously his responsibility not to do so, and the other occupiers (especially those above!) have a duty to inform the first occupier (& managing agents) of the issue. As for only one escape route, this is permissible as JJ Prendergast has recorded in his post. For premises over 2 floors with a single staircase, it is most likely that the staircase will need to be protected. That means, constructed and separated from the remainder of the building by elements of construction which are fire resisting. In addition, no ignition sources or combustible items would be permitted in such a single escape route to prevent (as far a possible) a fire in the stairwell Good luck