Posted By Darren (Daz) Fraser
Quick answer = IMHO yes.

Dependant upon your internal procedure and the role defined by the organisation for a fire marshall (FM), then the FM covering that area should also be able to access the area concerned. Alternatively, if there is a security issue that IT has identified, provided the area is manned by IT at all times, then what is stopping a member of the IT team being responsable for ensuring area is clear?

Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Lets get this right, what do you mean by a comms room. My limited computer skill and knowledge suggests a comms room is a room where the servers etc are located and is normally kept locked and acces is limited to authorised personnel only. They are not general work locations so no one is there very long. If this is the case here make sure those who have authorised access to the room fully understand the fire precations you should have in place, especially what they must do in the case of a fire alarm. Normally such rooms would be keptt locked to protect the equipment and would only be accessible when an IT person was doing something in there and the fire warden would be able to check the room was clear just by walking into an unlocked door and telling anyone inside to leave and close the door behind them on the way out. In my experience when there is a fire alarm the wardens are to keen to check the workplace is clear and then get out themselves to stand around anf play with the equipment in the room.