Posted By Denn We are short of space in our workshop and have an area under some stairs that could be used to do cabinet bead blasting. We would need to curtain off the area to keep the dust contained. The issue is there is a fire exit door that people would need to get to which would mean them coming through the curtained area - once through it the access to the door would be clear. Question is: if the curtain was signposted to the fire exit beyond it, would there be any issues that you could foresee?

Posted By shaun mckeever The answer to your question is probably no. You cannot go from a relatively low risk area through a relatively high risk area to reach an escape. Goodness knows why people always refer you to the local fire officer as if they are the font of all knowledge. They most certainly are not!

Posted By DPK Denn It would not be something i would be recommending at our place of work, it presents too many if and buts. Bead blasters are noisy, so how would the users know the alarm has been activated, would they block the escape route,how dusty would the area become,would the waste beads present slip hazards in the exit area. With all that said it is your site and your FRA so your decision. DPK

Posted By jervis I understand you are short of space but working under a stair well could also cause a problem . What type of machine is it is there any risk of fire etc!!