Window on escape route

[Hi Tower]

Can anyone help

Plans for a new flat show window on escape route.  Window needed to satisfy ventilation requirements but then of course contravenes protection to escape route. 

Does anyone know of a device that is acceptable to BC that would shut the window on operation of detection or other suggestion.

[nearlythere]

Can anyone help
Plans for a new flat show window on escape route.  Window needed to satisfy ventilation requirements but then of course contravenes protection to escape route. 
Does anyone know of a device that is acceptable to BC that would shut the window on operation of detection or other suggestion

How is the window affecting the escape route and who's escape route is it affecting?

[Hi Tower]

Two flats are over a shop (1st and 2nd floor) and egress is made over a roof to total safety.

The flats common area final exit door opens right next to the window of the 1st floor flat.  'Stay Put' not suitable so full evac required.

[kurnal]

The main concerns would be smoke or the full  fire plume of flame and smoke with considerable radiated heat.Smoke from a small opening window at the same level of the external escape route is unlikely to be a problem - it is unlikely to make the external route untenable. It would be different if the window was underneath an external fire escape.

In the case of a fully developed fire I would take a look at the CP3  1971 design for balcony approach flats which are a similar concept and certain dimensions were recommended for the width of the balcony and the height of the sill so persons could, if necessary, crawl below the level of the window.

With a full evacuation strategy incorporating detection the fully developed fire is not likely to be an issue during the evacuation phase.

You could consider a vertical screen between the exit door and the window to deflect such a plume, partial secondary fire resisting glazing to the lower part of the window leaving just a small opening vent at the top, or of course sprinklers if you have deep pockets.

[nearlythere]

Two flats are over a shop (1st and 2nd floor) and egress is made over a roof to total safety.

The flats common area final exit door opens right next to the window of the 1st floor flat.  'Stay Put' not suitable so full evac required.

What is the use of the room which the window serves?

[Davo]

Hi Tower

Agree with Prof re the vertical screen, takes account of any wind you might have


davo

[Hi Tower]

What is the use of the room which the window serves?

NT, the room will be used as a bedroom.

Prof, Davo, the screen you talk about, is that a permanent structure or one which is released upon activation?  Do you have an example?

[Midland Retty]

Hi Tower

To answer your question specifically there are devices on the market that automatically open windows in the event of fire to clear smoke, and I'm told these same devices can be configured to work in reverse - ie; close upon activation of the fire alarm.

Not sure how expensive they would be but you can guarantee they would probably be vandalised or broken and you would need some find of testing regime for them, which could prove to be a ball ache in the long run.

The screen Kurnal talks about would be a permanent erection, and to my mind the best way to go forward.

[Hi Tower]

In the case of a fully developed fire I would take a look at the CP3  1971 design for balcony approach flats which are a similar concept and certain dimensions were recommended for the width of the balcony and the height of the sill so persons could, if necessary, crawl below the level of the window.

Prof
I think you refer to this?

For dwellings accessed from a balcony, there was not generally any limit in travel distance to a stairway. Where there was escape only in one direction along the balcony, either there was to be an alternative route to a main stairway or construction below 1,100mm above the balcony floor was to be fire resisting and unglazed.

I guess this information ties in nicely with App. doc B 5.25 b


Thank you for the prompt