I feel like this is potentially a really silly question but I don't really know where to ask. 

I'm the first to admit that fire regs are not really my forte but I do know that fire escape routes should not be blocked. 

I visited a warehouse yesterday (I'm new to my role and the business) and found a barrier pulled over a clearly marked fire escape route, so it's obstructed. However, the reason it is there is because they are trying to stop people from coming in through the door and walking left onto the warehouse floor, where there are operational fork lift trucks. I don't know if it's worth adding that the barrier is not heavy and could be easily moved in the event of a fire.

I haven't yet added this to the audit report and was wondering if someone with a little more clue than me could tell me if this was acceptable given the circumstances, or if it's still a no no? 

Originally Posted by: biker1

Easily solved by having a proper fire exit door, i.e. can only opened from the inside via a push bar. Any obstruction to a fire exit should be removed, as in the inevitable panic of a real fire, people often don't think clearly or calmly, and can find any obstruction difficult. A lot or people using the exit will compound the situation, as has been demonstrated in the past.

Not sure from biker 1's description if the door is the problem, as he only mentions that the route is blocked. Does he mean the route to the door? or the route from the door in an emergency? And if so who is at risk? the people on the left or right of the barrier????

However if the barriers is light and easily moved then it's not serving any useful purpose anyway  

A proper fire exit should be readily available for use at all times people are in the premises.

Seems to me that it is a control issue, humans are naturally lazy and will take a short cut whenever they can.  As above if it is a designated fire exit have it closed and secured by use of a panic bar, also have it checked at least daily to ensure it is as it should be.  Record all checks either on paper or electronically.

Employees need to be TOLD in no uncertain term to never abuse the fire exit.

Place a sign on the outside face of the door i.e. FIRE EXIT KEEP CLEAR NO ENTRY.

That should sort it.