smoke vents

[runningman 321]

hello guys
..I'm converting a victorian building into 6 flats.
The building is on 2 floors and a basement
(2flat) ground floor (2 flats) top floor (2 flats)
No lobby the flats open straight on to the stairwell
The maximumhttp:// travel distance is less than 12m from the top floor flat to the front Main entrance.
The client has been instructed to install a smoke vent on the top

[AnthonyB]

It's quite straightforward - Building Regulations say there should be a vent of at least 1 sq.m. open area at the head of the stairs.

The vent should be operated automatically by smoke detection unless the top storey of the building is a maximum of 11m above ground level in which case it can be a manual vent operated by a control at fire service access level (i.e. ground  floor)

I suggest you read the Building Regulations before proceeding as there are all sorts of things that are required: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937931/ADB_Vol1_Dwellings_2019_edition_inc_2020_amendments.pdf

[colin todd]

Marathon Man think about a communal AFD system and simult. evac. as an alternative.

[AnthonyB]

That's true, I went to a purpose built today that went down the full evac route in lieu of smoke control (Liverpool seems to have a few like this) and a conversion that completely omitted it and it would be impossible to retrofit (as lobbies need cover due to size as well as the stair) where extending the (superfluous if it had been converted correctly) the FD&A system to the flats may be the only realistic option.