Posted By stevehaigh I recently visited one of our new build premises only to find two fire exits leading directly into a courtyard. The reason I received from the site supervisor was that this was on the architects escape route i.e Peoplle cross the courtyard to get to another part of the escape route. Surely this is not best practice ---any comments

Posted By Fred Pratley Presumably the local planning office was involved at some stage and would have considered this? Perhaps asking the question of them will resolve your concerns?

Posted By stevehaigh We have extinguishers, 30 min fire doors, intuminescent strips,compartnentation in the ceiling spaces, smoke and heat detection plus a sprinkler system.

Posted By Frank Hallett Hi Merv & Steve The original UK fire safety requirement for escape routes not to converge or [apparently] end in courtyards was the result of a French hotel fire in which a considerable number of people preished because they were not sufficiently protected from the fire once they entered the enclosed courtyard! Steve, may I suggest that you go back to the designers and require them to clearly identify how the users of the enclosed courtyard are effectively protected against exposure to the products of fire during an evacuation? If you still have reservations [no, I don't want a room]; feel able to contact me for further advice - it may be chargeable though. Frank Hallett