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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: brearabbit on August 08, 2008, 11:08:19 AM

Title: External Stairwells....confused??
Post by: brearabbit on August 08, 2008, 11:08:19 AM

Morning all,

I have recently been told that the external stairwell to our building (iron type one painted black) has to be assessed every 3 years by a structural engineer.  According to the report I had done 'the external stairwell or any other external structure used as a means of escape has to be inspected by a structural engineer every 3 years'?  

I am interested to know where the requirement for this comes from??  Is it statutury??  Can anyone help.

Thanks,

Steve

Title: External Stairwells....confused??
Post by: wee brian on August 08, 2008, 11:25:31 AM

Not laid down in any particular regs - you have duties to ensure safety and maintenance of escape routes under fire safety and general health and safety law.

The 3 years comes (from memory) in the recomendations of a British Standard. They suggest it gets a regular once over as they can get rusty and unsafe.

If you think 3 years is over the top then you need to be able to evidence why you are doing something different from normal practice.