Posted By GaryC40
Looking for guidance.

I am in the process of carrying out a FRA for one of our older commercial multiple occupancy buildings. I have noted that neither the main entrance door nor the rear exit door have been designated as fire exits (both are inward opening). the building was heavily modified a few years ago with specific fire exit 'emergency' escapes built on externally.

Can the two doors in question be designated as fire exits also in their current inward opening configuration, or would they be need to converted to outward opening under planning / building control.

Any experience of this appreciated.

Gary

Posted By GaryC40
Should have stated that if converted to outward opening, both doors would open onto a public pavement, potencially causing another hazard.

GC

Posted By GeoffB4
How many final exits, how many people involved, what type of commercial activities.

But start with the premise it is not always essential to have outward opening doors

Posted By Stuff4blokes
Why bother? If the existing routes and exits are adequate for the occupancy and building configuration leave well alone.

Posted By Messy Shaw
Gary

You do have quite an unusual situation there. When I was a fire service inspecting officer, my area had numerous crown properties.

Generally speaking, if the rack rent was paid to the crown (or a crown agent) we would leave the enforcement of that building to CPIG (Crown Premises Inspection Group)

If the multi occupied building merely housed a Govt body, but was in every other sense a private tenant (rack rent paid elsewhere & not to her Maj) then we assumed responsibility for enforcement.

I cannot remember a joint approach, but we did liaise constantly with CPIG as many buildings are not instantly recognisable as crown property. I have been in some buildings that, despite 'owning' them, I am sure HM has never been in (unless she is secretly into pole dancing!!)

However, if your building is 'enforced' by CPIG, you may well be better off, as they only have a handful of inspecting officers compared with scores employed by the fire service in a similar sized area.

In which part of the UK is this building you refer to??

Posted By GeoffB4
Could you reference that please SBH?

Posted By GaryC40
Thanks for all the advice i think i have a plan in mind. There is less than 60 persons occupying the building, however the public does have access albeit limited. I am reluctant to designate the main entrance a fire exit as it leads directly onto a public pavement and busy highway. Tenants meeting initially, decide on improved signage and training for evacuating disabled persons.

GC