Posted By John Andrews
Hello all,

Could someone please confirm if possible wheather there is a minimum level of automatic fire detection required within the common areas of flats if possible.

The stairwells are not protected in accordance with the current building regs at the property i am involved with assessing (the building is 5 storeys high).

Howeverm The risk of a fire starting and spreading throughout the common areas is very low.

Would emergency lighting along the escape route and battery powered smoke detectors be sufficient measures? Or would we need to look at installing a full mains operated alarm system/panel/break glasses/sounders etc?

Thanks in advance,

John

Posted By ivorfire
Following on from the last poster, (not to duplicate) I would take this opportinity to suggest that the evacuation strategy, that is needed and then employed for the building will also impact on the spec of fire alarm. If there are any further commuial accommodation this too would also impact.

If the building has any other type of intergrated device e.g. automatic opening vents, lifts integrated with fire alarm this will also have an impact.

The common parts (as you are robably aware of) is subject to Fire Safety Order and thus a fire risk assessment should be considered. Depending on the age and whether if building regulations have been applied in the past it may also be subject to the Housing Act 2004 enforced by LA Environmental Health.

The standard of the accommodation is not clear from the information given. It hints at not being too standard re doors.

I am assuming there is a single staircase, and hence there is a need to protect this route. Front entrance doors should be FD30S with no breaches e.g. letter boxes (unless suitable for protection). Coupled with, probably a stay put policy on any fire alarm, it is now more critical. If on a fire in a flat at a lower floor, someone makes an escape leaving their front entrance door open, any smoke / fire now has the potential of impacting on the single means of escape for those that are still within the building at a higher level.

The total fire control measures should be considered which includes the fire alarm, for the staircase / common part. On first impression, it appears not to be "much of concern", but in essence is key to the overall fire strategy / fire management of the property.

The link below below gives further information in the form FSO Sleeping risk guide.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162105

Hope this helps,
Shaun