Selfcloser on doors

[clio222]

Hi all looking for some advice with regards to selfclosers and in particular in modular buildings ( large portacabins )

I have came across a large 2 storey modular building within my workplace it was initilly installed to accomadate contractors whom were carrying out work on site for several year. It is fitted with AFD, MCP, Heat/smoke detectors, wayfinding signage, emergency lighting etc when it was installed some 8 years ago so alot of care and attention has been focussed on Fire safety however there are at least 15 offices/rooms on each floor and none of them have any selfclosers on the doors .

I fully understand the basic reasons behind containing fire within a compartment utilising selfclosers and doors ( Fire doors  ) but my question focuses on the type of construction of the modular building as it would hardly contain any fire although the doors may contain the fire for x amount of time unsure the walls of the premises would.

Ultimately my question is this is there a requiremnt to fit selfcloser ?? to all doors leading to the means of escape and as some of the doors have glass in them is there also a requirement to ensure the glass is fire resistant

PS the building is of low risk as only accomadates offfices

Your thoughts and comments and any advice greatly appreciated

[nearlythere]

Clio. It really does depend on the layout and travel distances. The internal partitions may not appear substantial but can still provide an acceptable degree of fire resistance capable of protecting escape routes where necessary. The unit spec will probably include the nature of construction and level of fire resistance, if any.

You specifically ask about self closers. Normally only fire doors, where they are needed, are provide with self closers and, where fire doors are needed, would depend on the building layout.

Have you a plan drawing of the building?

[clio222]

sorry don't have a plan but in basic terms upper floor long corridor through middle of the premises with offices either side of corridor exit in middle and 2 further exits at either end. ground floor corridor a long premises and offices leading off one side of the corridor

hope this makes sense

thanks for the reply

[nearlythere]

sorry don't have a plan but in basic terms upper floor long corridor through middle of the premises with offices either side of corridor exit in middle and 2 further exits at either end. ground floor corridor a long premises and offices leading off one side of the corridor

hope this makes sense

thanks for the reply

Generally get your drift but usually if you can leave any room and have choice of at least two escape routes each leading to final exits (no dead end conditions) you would be compliant with general guidance without need for protected routes. But it is difficult to be more specific without better details of layout, size, lengths of corridors etc.

[lingmoor]

clio

if you have access to it, check out HM Government Guide to FRA's for offices and shops

Page 68 Travel distances

 Page 74/75... fig. 30/31/32 dead end conditions (including alternative exits)

as been mentioned, and in simple terms... depending on travel distances, if you can come out of an office and turn left or right to escape from a fire then it shouldn't be necessary to fit a fire door