Part M

[kurnal]

Hi Dr Wiz
Dont know if this will belp:
(Guidance leaflet to the Building Regs)

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/odpm/4000000011249.pdf

As I see it for existing buildings without material change of use or alterations taking place, the only requirement to upgrade to strobes in toilets is through the fire risk assessment. If not having strobes is identified as a hazard either because of the presence of people with hearing impairment or because of noise or screening the alarm would otherwise be inaudible then this will be the driver for change. If there is no hazard theres no need to do anything, or if the RP wishes to control the hazard in an alternative way then so be it.  

But if there is a change of use requiring Building Regs approval, or if building work  (as defined section 3 Building Act 1984) is undertaken that affects the alarm eg additional screening then if the alarm has to be modified as a result it should  conform to the new standard.

I dont agree with people being encouraged to use the disabled facility just because they cant hear.

[wee brian]

I'm with Kurnal - although I think you mean Regulation 3 of the B regs 2000.

Even the DDa only requires reasonable adjustments. If there are no employees with hearing problems then an upgrade wouldnt be justified (I'mtalking about buildings with no public access).

[David Rooney]

Hi gentlemen... thanks for the interesting comments thus far.....

Just to clarify, the building in question is a theatre in Cambden where we are installing a new AFD system. We have installed approximatley 20 other systems in similar theatres under Westminster and the "beacon issue" has not arisen with their building control officers.

So are we saying that Parts B/M really only apply to new builds, and that if the client does a risk assessment and decides the alarm levels in the toilets are sufficient, and that there are procedures in place to cater for the rare and occassional hearing impaired visitor - be they actor or member of the public - that we can see no reason or legal obligation to install the beacons?

[jokar]

Yes to Part B and M.  Yes to the risk assessment and also built into that is the fact that theatres will have silent alarms for staff alert and the staff responsibility will be to ensure that toilet facilities will be clear if and when the manager decides that an evacuation takes place.