I have recently visited a building, including a basement car park which is open to the external atmosphere via the access ramp and houses the gas meter room and water tank room. Both of which are blockwork constructed, but are fitted with wooden louvre doors.
In the case of the water tank room I understand that it is not a high risk room, although there is still electrical plant etc within this room, therefore I am recomending fire doors be provided.
In the case of the gas meter room, if a gas leak was to occur it could propogate directly to closeby parked vehicles which could provide the source of ignition. Therefore to my thinking a fire door would need to be installed to prevent the leak of gas, however this raises issues with respect to ventilation. It is not possible to provide ventilation from the gas meter room to the external atmosphere due to the location of the room and I am in two minds as the fire strategy plans for the building show both rooms as non fire resistant.
Could the fact that the basement car park is open to the external atmosphere at one end be a reason for this fire strategy.
I would appreciate any comments on this issue.
Thanks,
Rocha
