Does this building type have to have a detection and alarm system?

[Ashley Wood]

Take a building that has 1 or 2 flats on the 1st floor and 1 or 2 flats on the ground floor and they share an internal stairs and landing. Does that building have to have a detection and alarm system under the RR(FS)O? If it does, does it have to be to BS5839 Pt1 category or could it be to part 6? Does the landlord also have to provide fire extinguishers?

I am asking this because I know that my client is going to be miffed when he knows he has got to pay a lot of money for alarms, etc., he has hundreds of these types of premises, some 2 floors, some 3 but all individual buildings.

Any advice and comments much appreciated as ever.

[Martin Burford]

Ashley

I think your first step is to decide if they are HMO's.....When you have decided that let me know and i'll comment further.
Conqueror

[Ashley Wood]

I do not think they are HMO's as each flat is a tenanted property unlike a hall of residence or a building full of bed sits.

[CivvyFSO]

If they were converted to completely self contained flats under building regs he may be ok. (Although the sleeping accommodation guide would have an alarm system put in for the common areas.) If they are sharing facilities then chances are it's a HMO under the new housing act.

[Martin Burford]

Ashley

Returning to your Non HMO prob.

What is the existing level of fire protection in the building..ie FRSC doors..1/2 floors.......EL......I also think that an electricasl alarm for the common areas will be necessary.
Conqueror.

[Ashley Wood]

Each flat has a 30 min fire door (with a letter box cut in to it)! and that is it. In the past these flats would have had no door to the building stairs, etc. They had to put a door on for added security. The communal areas are literally a landing at the top, stairs and a lobby at the bottom. They are concerned about malicious activation of a fire alarm system if installed and fire extinguishers being used as battering rams to break into flats, or to be used as a weapon! My feeling is that they need to protect the escape way and install a detection and alarm system in each building. The problem is going to be the cost. They have over 150 of these buildings!

[Big A]

Each flat has a 30 min fire door (with a letter box cut in to it)! and that is it. In the past these flats would have had no door to the building stairs, etc. They had to put a door on for added security. The communal areas are literally a landing at the top, stairs and a lobby at the bottom. They are concerned about malicious activation of a fire alarm system if installed and fire extinguishers being used as battering rams to break into flats, or to be used as a weapon! My feeling is that they need to protect the escape way and install a detection and alarm system in each building. The problem is going to be the cost. They have over 150 of these buildings!

They are probably right to be concerned. These things do happen.

[Martin Burford]

Ashley

I have considered your description and I would consider the accommodation HMO;s.

The fire alarm system should conform to BS 5839-6 2004 and be at least Grade D..LD3.
Why not provide restricted access to the building by fitting a suitable security device to the door at ground floor to the staircase enclosure.
Do not provide extinguishers in the common areas but provide at least m2 fire blankets to each occupancy.
I assume there is no risk within the staircase enclosure,
Remember to fit FR letterboxes to the FR doors to each occupancy.
Is the floor 30mins FR.
Conqueror