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Posted By JimE
Hi folks,
A storeroom in a canteen has been turned into an office. It opens directly into the canteen. Is this allowed?
J
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Posted By Adam Worth
At least the owner of the office won't have far to go for lunch :)
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Posted By Rob Jones
Mmmm... Bacon!
Erm, is there any other exit for the office? what would your fire risk assessment make of it?
I don't think there's an issue with it opening into a canteen, I have seen many catering managers offices which do this.
RJ
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Posted By garyh
I don't see the issue with fire risk assessment. You don't necessarily have to have two exits for an office.
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Posted By David Bannister
Hi JimE, what are your concerns? Other than the practical matters of noise, smells, grease, access etc I cannot see where the H&S problem is, provided that there is adequate ventilation, light, heat, space.
Workplace politics may of course have a bearing on this. Does the user of the office feel aggrieved that they do not merit a more prestigious location?
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Posted By Alan Hoskins
There should be a vision panel in the door, though.
A
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Posted By Rob Jones
My point on the fire risk assessment was that it would need to be reviewed for the change of use.
RJ
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Posted By Ken Taylor
Everywhere needs fire risk assessment.
For the proposed new office you need to check whether it meets the requirements of the Workplace (H,S&W) Regs, check whether the travel distance and route for escape in the event of fire is adequate, whether the office occupant will hear the fire alarm and assess the risks of access/egress through the canteen (eg proximity to cooking, heat sources, food safety/hygiene, etc). The proposed door vision panel seems a very good idea.
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Posted By JimE
Many thanx as always for the sound advice and the humerous responses. I don't have any H&S or Fire Safety concerns with the new office but as always here I was not made aware of the change of use until I met the user and saw the new doorway being built to create a "double" entry akin to a toilet opening into a kitchen/living area. I will take on board the advice and act accordingly.
Thanx JimE
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Posted By GT
JimE,
I am not sure what country you live in but please be aware that you may need local authority building approval for change of use.
regards
GT
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Posted By JimE
GT
I live in UK and I hope the management have sorted out any permissions need, I'd be the last one to find out!!!
JimE
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Posted By Ken Taylor
If there's a lobby between the new office and the canteen, you will almost certainly need a fire alarm sounder in the office as well as vision panels in the doors.
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