lobby protection

[XMY556]

Hi

I have a 8 story tower block used for sleeping. Each level consists of 6 study bedrooms all of which open on to an internal sprial staircase protected and seperated by fire resisting doors at each level. The tower block also as an external staircase which is accessable via the toilet blocks sited on every other landing. The owner wishes to improve the kitchins that at present also open directly on to the internal staircase via FSD30 doors. The tower block is also fitted out with an automitic fire alarm system to a standard of L2.
Would i be wrong in recommending that the upgraded kitchens should be provided with a lobby between the internal staircase.
My reason to this is the doors are often wedged open by the occupants and cooking fumes/smoke operating the smoke detectors generating unwanted signals.
Would appreciate any advise.

R

[nearlythere]

Hi

I have a 8 story tower block used for sleeping. Each level consists of 6 study bedrooms all of which open on to an internal sprial staircase protected and seperated by fire resisting doors at each level. The tower block also as an external staircase which is accessable via the toilet blocks sited on every other landing. The owner wishes to improve the kitchins that at present also open directly on to the internal staircase via FSD30 doors. The tower block is also fitted out with an automitic fire alarm system to a standard of L2.
Would i be wrong in recommending that the upgraded kitchens should be provided with a lobby between the internal staircase.
My reason to this is the doors are often wedged open by the occupants and cooking fumes/smoke operating the smoke detectors generating unwanted signals.
Would appreciate any advise.

R

I can't see how lobby protection will resolve your problem. Would both doors not be wedged open?

Do all bedrooms have access to the external escape without going through the internal stairway enclosure?

[wee brian]

Maybe provide decent ventilation to the kitchens so people are less likely to leave the door open?

[AnthonyB]

Swing free closers or hold opens connected to the fire alarm system so the doors are open for normal use, but closed in a fire? Should prevent propping and an L2 should be fast enough to give protection (but only perhaps if you use a multi sensor to the kitchen instead of the heat only type)

[Dragonmaster]

There is also the problem of continuous false alarms. By providing FA activated hold-open devices, the cooking fumes will still get to the SD's in the escape routes. Why not try to get the kitchen electrical supply interfaced with the kitchen door, so that the cooker etc will only work when the door is closed.

Of course wee brian is exactly right. None or poor ventilation will always lead to propped open doors.

[Galeon]

Why not do it the other way , as soon as the cooker is switched on , pull a decent extract fan on

[XMY556]

Dear All

Many thanks for your views and advise

Regards

R