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Posted By Rob Cooknell
Can anyone give me some advice on who can authorise the de-classification of a Fire Exit?
We have four Fire Exits currently in an open plan office, and only need two to meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. We are changing the furniture, and want to block off a set-of doors and de-classify it (i.e. take down the Fire Exit signs).
Is it up to the person in control of the premises or does it need to go to Building Control?
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Am a little unsure about this - I personally think Building Control will look for input and may probably refuse the change. This discussion with regard to RRO was rehearsed on the fire door fiasco posting.
You will almost certainly be required to demonstrate why the previous standard should now be reduced. The old fire certification did not often introduce too many exit routes and certainly the design codes under the building regs would most likely lead to the strategy you currently have in your office. You cannot simply risk assess away the need for 4 doors when they were clearly necessary previously.
Bob
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Posted By Paul Oliver
Thats the purpose of the RRO. Placing the emphasis on the employer to carry out a fire risk assessment.
If you manage fire safety correctly then the use of the fire exit doors should be your last concern.
Rather than block the doors up, why not remove signage, try out the new layout and see how it works. try a dry run of an evacuation with the use of these doors restricted and see how it works.
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Rob
You will need to demonstrate that this action will not cause any maximum travel distances, as set out in the relevant design codes, to be exceeded. Remember that the Fire Officers who set out the old fire certificate will be inspecting your new assessment and will need the evidence that ALL travel distances are not in excess.
Bob
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Posted By garyh
Do fire officers inpscet premises any more?
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Its called familiarisation visits but they have the same effect!!!
Bob
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Posted By shaun mckeever
In the circumstances you describe you can (as the responsible person) alter the fire safety arrangements according to your own risk assessment but you must ensure you are correct. As has already been pointed out travel distances must be met. You must also assume that one exit will be obstructed by fire so the remaining exit(s) must be sufficient for the numbers involved. You must also observe the 45 degree rule so that not more than one exit will be obstructed by a fire.
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Posted By stevehaigh
Have you calculated the density factors
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Posted By Rob Cooknell
A big thank you to everyone who has replied to this post.
It seems that it is up to me and my fire risk assessment to determine if I can de-classify the fire exit.
Some background info - the floor (which is at ground level) is a low risk open plan office, which at maximum occupancy (including four full meeting rooms) can hold 115 people. There are currently four fire doors all over 1250mm in width, located at 90 degree spacings (imagine a square box with a fire eixt on every side!). Maximum travel distance (with the Fire Exit in question closed) is less than the specified 60m for a low risk building. I can see no problems with closing this exit.
Haven't got a clue about the density rating though!
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Posted By stevehaigh
Info on density factors or available moving space for occupants is given in approved document B
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