Air transfer grille

[K Lard]

I've come across air transfer grilles above fire resisting doors to service cupboards in a block of High Rise Flats. They appear to be have intumescent fire dampers to stop spread of fire but obviously not smoke. There are two service cupboards within each lobby which also has 4 flat doors discharging into it. The fire risk assessment does not refer to the situation, but I see it as a problem because the lobby would fill with smoke and prevent persons escaping. BS 9999 makes it clear that this should not happen. Has the assessor allowed it because it is existing? Any thoughts?

[SeaBass]

I'd start by looking at the Assessors competency. And frankly, I'd be looking for some form of third party accreditation to back up any claims of experience gained in a fire service, H&S, building control, building surveyor or similar field.  The other thing to do, depending on how long ago the assessment was carried out,   is contact the Assessor and ask them about the issue.  There may be a compensatory measure that they have taken into account, not sure what that might be, and if there was one, it should have been referenced in the FRA report, but it is worth asking. 
There is also the chance the assessor simply didn't notice the air transfer grills or forgot to include them in the report.   And of course the grills may even have been installed after the assessment was carried out. 

[Fire Monkey]

Hi,

In terms of a resolution then the need for the grills could be questioned - why where they installed and are they still required. Were they required to keep electrics cool or just to provide a trickle of ventilation to prevent damp? What's inside the service cupboards - source of ignition and what is flammable? Any detection in there or in the stairwell? If you had a fire alarm , and the vents were deemed essential you could fit a fire resisting vent damper instead of the existing grill. If the cupboard has an outside wall could a vent be place their instead?