Basement stairs in converted house

[Suttonfire]

Hi,

I have a client who has been instructed by a consultant to replace the stairs to the basement in property for which they are responsible in order to ?to bring them up to date with approved document K?. This is apparently been justified on fire safety grounds.

The property is a house converted to a care home, and the only people who have access to the basement stairs are staff (on rare occasions to retrieve stored items) and maintenance personnel etc as required. In view of the infrequent need for access, and the very low numbers of persons who will use the stairs when they are in use, I would not consider that the level of risk (from a fire safety perspective) would warrant a retrospective upgrade of the stairs. This is of course based on the stairs being in sound condition when I inspect them.

I would appreciate any views which you may have.

[AnthonyB]

I'd argue that if no building work is being carried out compliance with ADK 2013 isn't applicable. The existing stairs may be considered under an H&S audit to see if they are satisfactory for the purposes of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 based on their type, condition and usage.

Whilst there are fire safety aspects related to stairs that we all are aware of (width, spiral/straight, construction & protection, etc, etc) there is no suggestion that those are the 'fire safety' issues being cited.

I'd be inclined to get the consultant to justify their requirements further and certainly not to do anything until more information and/or a second opinion is sought.

[Bruce89]

Suspect consultant I would suggest, I'm with Anthony B.

[wee brian]

Yes, that's nuts!