Rank: Forum user 
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Hello All,
I am currently involved with drafting a policy relating to the decommisioning of refuse chutes in medium rise residential tower blocks, due to the fire risk associated with the chute hoppers opening directly out on to the escape stairs (and evidence that the chute systems are being misused).
I wondered whether anyone may be able to point me in the direction of some good guidance concerning the technicalities of decommisioning the chutes/receptacle rooms.
We are looking at blocking off the receptacle room at ground level (1 hours fire resistance) and sealing the hoppers on all floors.
Would appreciate recommendations of good guidance materials etc.
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Rank: Super forum user
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probably daft question but how are people going to get the rubbish down stairs. and when they put it in the main bin isn't someone just as likely to start a fire in there. i think you will need to give a bit more information about the current refuse system before anyone can comment. I assume there is some form of ducting or chute the rubbish drops through. i guess it would be to remove this first and then ensure 1 hour fire separation between floors but it would depend how people access it on each floor ones i have seen are in a room just off the main walkways.
Could you not look at locking access to the chutes and only residents with keys can use them rather than removing the facility altogether. have you had previous fires before, where they caused by residents or other people who shouldn't be on the premises.
phil
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
Thanks for your input.
Lifts are available for residents to transport refuse bags etc.
The refuse chutes at these particular sites open directly onto escape routes (no plans to decommision chutes which are accessed by protected lobbies etc), and the refuse hoppers are not large enough to accommodate the modern bin liner type sized bags (which has resulted in th hoppers consistently being vandalised and large bags stuck inside the chutes).
As things stand, a fire in the refuse receptacle room could quickly affect multiple floors and would encounter a rich supply of fuel sources (discarded rubbish) on the way.
The plan is to combine the decommissioning of the chutes with an environmental inititiative, i.e. provide an external store with recycling facilities, rather than having everything thrown into the chute and taken to landfill (the residents associations are happy with this).
I suppose the main area which I would like input on is the level of comparmentation required between the floors (given the impracticality of accessing the internal chutes at old buildings to install 1 hours structural fire separation between the floors).
In view of this, my view is that it would be more practical (and bring the risk down to an acceptable level) to decommission the receptacle room and block it off from the chute at ground floor level (1 hours fire resistance) then seal the hoppers on each floor.
Can anyone confirm whether this is standard practice when decommissioning refuse chutes?
Many Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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Quote:
The plan is to combine the decommissioning of the chutes with an environmental inititiative, i.e. provide an external store with recycling facilities, rather than having everything thrown into the chute and taken to landfill (the residents associations are happy with this).).
Could this present an increased risk due to the build up of combustible waste in between trips via the lift? What happens when the lift is out of order? When provided with the chutes, residents had to dispose of waste bags smaller than a conventional bin liner. I cannot see that a person will take the time and trouble to use the lift for each small bag of waste etc. Quote:
I suppose the main area which I would like input on is the level of comparmentation required between the floors (given the impracticality of accessing the internal chutes at old buildings to install 1 hours structural fire separation between the floors). ).
Fire resistance should be equal to that provided by the existing ceiling and walls. Quote:
In view of this, my view is that it would be more practical (and bring the risk down to an acceptable level) to decommission the receptacle room and block it off from the chute at ground floor level (1 hours fire resistance) then seal the hoppers on each floor. ).
If the existing construction is of one hour FR, then this would seem appropriate. Make sure the chute is clear of all waste/obstructions prior to closing off the chute. You will also have to ensure an adequate degree of fire resistance (equal to that of each wall) when you block of each chute opening. Also consider the fire resistance and positioning of your new collection/waste storage point both in terms of radiant heat flux on adjoining structures but also in terms of smoke plume and re entry into building structures via window, balcony and or hvac intakes. Have you looked at other means of protecting the chutes?
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