Bypass routes

[Big T]

Just been looking at one of the guidance docs and have  been reading about the bypass routes.

My question is this.

(2 storey building, resi care home) If you have 2 bedrooms that open directly onto the head of a protected staircase, would you have to provide a bypass route to allow the occupants of those rooms to be able to get to the alternative exit that is available on the same floor via a protected corridoor. The corridor to access this alternative is behind a FD30s door 1.5 and 2 metres respectively from the bedroom doors. The particular scenario affects 2 people who can evacuate unaided, all fire doors are FD30s and the fire alarm system is L2 so early warning would be afforded. At the bottom of the said staircase all doors are FD30s on auto closers (shut at night) and the front door which discharges straight out of the front of the building.

My opinion is that the risk is tolerable, but wanted to get some opinions on the matter.

Answers on a postcard

Big T

[kurnal]

I would say it depends how well the staircase is protected at the ground floor level and which rooms open into it at ground floor.

I would suggest that unless the laundry or kitchen open directly into the stairs (for example) the risk as you say may well be tolerable without the bypass.

[nearlythere]

Just been looking at one of the guidance docs and have  been reading about the bypass routes.

My question is this.

(2 storey building, resi care home) If you have 2 bedrooms that open directly onto the head of a protected staircase, would you have to provide a bypass route to allow the occupants of those rooms to be able to get to the alternative exit that is available on the same floor via a protected corridoor. The corridor to access this alternative is behind a FD30s door 1.5 and 2 metres respectively from the bedroom doors. The particular scenario affects 2 people who can evacuate unaided, all fire doors are FD30s and the fire alarm system is L2 so early warning would be afforded. At the bottom of the said staircase all doors are FD30s on auto closers (shut at night) and the front door which discharges straight out of the front of the building.

My opinion is that the risk is tolerable, but wanted to get some opinions on the matter.

Answers on a postcard

Big T

Ask yourself this? If the alternative means of escape was not there would you need one? Alternative means of escapes are not always required for all parts of a premises.