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THE REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER 2005 => Q & A => Topic started by: Tadees on November 05, 2015, 07:03:16 PM

Title: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: Tadees on November 05, 2015, 07:03:16 PM: The benchmark guidance is as follows:

Single storey flats on ground or first floor level: all habitable rooms, except kitchens, should open directly on to a hallway leading to the entrance door or an alternative exit, or be provided with an escape window or door.

1. What is envisaged by "or an alternative exit?"
2. Does this mean you come out in to the hallway and you have an alternative exit through another room? 3. 3. 3. What would be the purpose of that if you can make it to the entrance door in 9m or less?
4. I presume the last part of the sentence is implying that if there is no protected entrance hall and the travel distance is greater than 9m, then each habitable room would have its own window escape. Is that correct?
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: AnthonyB on November 05, 2015, 09:33:21 PM: Look at Diagram 4 - I think that illustrates the principles you are asking about
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: Tadees on November 06, 2015, 02:19:21 PM: Diagram 4 on page 78 does not answer the questions posed
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: Tom Sutton on November 06, 2015, 04:00:05 PM: My interpretation would be,

A If all habitable rooms open on to a protected hallway, all occupants would be able to pass any room on fire and get to the front door.

B If there is no protected route to the front door and you have to pass through a habitable room, it could be on fire and you would need an alternative route which could be an alternative escape or an escape window/door, which may be needed in all habitable rooms.

So diagram 2 and diagram 4 kind of explain it, I think. ???
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: Tadees on November 06, 2015, 06:36:24 PM: Tom, I agree.

I would suggest the paragraph is poorly worded because it implies that once you enter the entrance hall, you can make your way to the front door or an alternative exit. Why would you want an alternative exit once you enter a protected entrance hall. You would make your way out through the flat front door, unless the distance is greater than 9m, which is hardly likely.
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: Tom Sutton on November 06, 2015, 07:27:00 PM: Tadees The way I read it is all habitable rooms should lead to, (three choices)

1 Hallway leading the a front door.
2 alternative exit.
3 an escape window or door.

If 1 doesn't apply then 2 if that doesn't apply then 3.
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: wee brian on November 09, 2015, 01:10:03 PM: which book of words are we reading from?
Title: Re: Flats with no floor more than 4.5m above ground/access level
Post by: Tom Sutton on November 09, 2015, 02:28:51 PM: The word according to Tadees see OP and I think would be based on 2.10 of ABD 2013, vol 2, page 22. ;)