Posted By Eric PD
Hi

We occupy ground floor office premises of some 3000sq ft with 30ish staff in , we are planning to knock through into next door to make an office overall of appx 5000sq ft.The joining a ces for the 2 offices will be through a arch that we creat when knocking through. Does anyone know if there would be a requirement to install a fire door inot this arch to seperate the building or is it ok to have a open office of this size? any thoughts?

Eric

Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Do you mean that by knocking into the new room this will create an inner room in your building? If so you will need to comply with Building Regs Approved Document B (Fire Safety). In particular section B1 clause 4.9 which states the inner room is at risk if a fire starts in the other room known as the access room. The Inner room should not exceed a capacity of 60 persons (this is reduced to 30 if the building is in grouop 2a). The inner room should be directly accessed from the access room (ie no corridor). The escape route should not pass through more than one access room. The travel distance from any point in the inner room to the exits) from the access room should not exceed the limits in Table 3 ie not more than 18m if in one direction only, or 45m if more than one direction. Additionally one of the following must apply, 1. the enclosure (walls and partitions) must be stopped at least 500mm below the ceiling, or 2. a suitable vision panel must be fited in the door of the inner room which is at least 0.1 square meters, or 3. the access room should be fitted with automatic fire detection and alarm systems.

So you see its not just a matter of knocking through and doing a risk assessment although to be a suitable and sufficient assesment the need for this should be taken into account when establishing adequate arrangements.

Worth getting a copy of the Approved Docucment its available on the website of the ODPM now the Dept of Communities and Local Government. But I think it may be easier to install a fire escape route into the new room.

Posted By GT
Hi Eric,

Next door........is it a habitable area?

If it is, it will have an access door and windows?

Hence you will have an alternative means for travel,
as you have 5000 sq ft which is proportional in size
e.g. not 1000 x 5 ft ?

As advised by Bill if you meet the travel
distances you shouldn't have an issue, providing
the alternative door discharges into an approved
area.

You will need additional fire equipment to cover
the area and hazards. Extend the fire warning system,
provide additional fire routine notices and
training for the staff.

Posted By Is Kismet
Spot on Gerry, should always be the first port of call in these situations.