We have just started to rent out a small space for storing parts. Not anything dangerous containing explosives or chemicals etc. The room is enclosed with one door in/out. The business we are renting from has a full integrated fire detection alarm system for the premises except for this small storeroom that is not occupied or visited regularly.

I am looking for the opinions on whether to stipulate on our FRA to install optical detectors into our storeroom. There are no ignition sources at all!

The storeroom itself is part of a wider warehouse area that would rarely have person in the space.

What is the risk to life or health here? No process, no hazardous goods, mostly no people, mostly no activity, no sleeping on site. Appears to be very low, on the information given.

What is the risk to property or business continuity? Again, apparently low on the information given.

Therefore it may be reasonable to accept the existing arrangements, based on risk assessment.

However, it is YOUR risk assessment, not ours on here.

What is the main risk in the buidling? people? or property?

If people and the fire alarm system is to an L1 or L2 standard:
(Category L1: systems installed throughout all areas of the building.
The objective of a Category L1 system is to offer the earliest possible warning of fire, so as to achieve the longest available time for escape;
b) Category L2: systems installed only in defined parts of the building.
A Category L2 system should include the coverage necessary to satisfy the recommendations of this standard for a Category L3 system; the objective of a Category L2 system is identical to that of a Category L3 system, with the additional objective of affording early warning of fire in specified areas of high fire hazard level and/or high fire risk;

which it sounds about right and the risks are extremely low with no ignition sources i would just mention on the FRA that it is considered but not appropriate due to low being low risk.

What about putting a vision panel (georgian wired glass or equivilent) in the door so in the event that there is a fire, this will be noticed using the vision panel.

It does sound a low risk though and i personally wouldn't bother!

agree, however, and again i always think of the worst (annoyed employee), who targets that room for arson.

it is excessive though but an option in my opinion, especially as a person would be able to see any fire using the vison glass, but as mentioned low risk, no ignition sources, i personally wouldn't but as said if you are assessing the risk and want to look at other options, there are others before needing AFD's.

If I was doing the fra and based on the available information I would leave well alone.

I agree with all the comments here - low risk of fire.

However, when I'm doing a FRA I also take into consideration the reasonable practicable application, for instance.

The rest of the premises may be protected by an addressable alarm system, and to add in an additional detector in the store room may be cheap. So.... for a small amount of money early fire detection can be improved in the premises. Small cost outweighs the fire risk.

The same one as where an L1 system offers protection in every part of the building (larger that 1 Meter Squared) weather there is a fire risk of not.

Note: I have made the assumption as with the previous posters in the thread, the fire risk is low.

Wilful fire raising comes to mind?