Ventilation in Means of Escape

[Harvey]

Hello all.
During a recent inspection of a Res.Care premise the occupants explained they had been told, folowing a FRA, they couldn't open the Velux roof vents in the escape corridor as this would lead to a chimney effect in case of fire.
The premise is one year old, purpose built, single storey and forms an annexe to existing building. The roof vents do not pose any exposure hazard to nearby structures.
The corridor serves bedrooms and living/communal  areas,  no kitchen and has 2 way escape.
The FRA had reccomended the vents close on actuation of the fire alarm, which is impractical.
During the summer,  staff  ventilate the corridor by wedging fire doors open to maintain comfort levels.
2 questions?
Where is the hazard in ventilating the corridor?

The wedging open of fire doors as a result of the FRA, surely not right.

[kurnal]

As far as I can see a chimney effect that would allow bouyant smoke to escape from the building can only be of benefit.
Are sprinklers fitted?
Otherwise it just doesnt make sense as you say.

[Harvey]

Hi Kurnal, no sprinklers (no surprise). I agree, the ventilation would prob. be beneficial in my view.
If I get to the bottom of this i'll let you know.

[Graeme]

maybe they think if there was an escape of smoke near the open velux it would prevent it from activating a smoke detector.
But how would they close if no detector is activated in that area?

[Ashley Wood]

I am amazed in this day and age that a residential care facility resorts to wedging open fire doors! As the building is only 1 yr old I would have thought that automatic alarm activated door closers would have been specified as a must. My dear old mum lives in a care home and doors in corridors need to be open during the day as the old dears can't walk and open doors at the same time!

Best regards

Ashley

[kurnal]

You are absolutely right Ashley. Swing free closers/ magnetic releases should be the norm.
Plus regular adjustment of the closers so they dont close with too much speed. Invariably overlooked but takes less than a minute.

Has anyone seen a copy of the English draft guide for care homes? does it refer to protected areas? I heard one report that for technical guidance it refers to  the B document and makes no detailed reference to the concept of protected areas and the old draft green guide.
So we could see a move towards closers on all bedroom doors, probably a good thing in view of the Rose Park fire. But a bad move for quality of life for most residents unless the owner can be persuaded to fit swing free closers. These are the best of all worlds.