Fire separation between commercial premises/residential accommodation

[Jacko]

I would like to get a few general opinions on the matter of fire separation between commercial premises and flats above. Is it felt that so long as the commercial premises are separated from the residential flats by 60 minute fire separation, with the residential flats having their own independent escape, that there is no need for any interlinked fire alarm/detection sytem between the two occupancies (providing the commercial premises are assessed as low or normal risk). I appreciate that there are other matters to consider in determining the need for AFD but would welcome comments on the basic principle.

many thanks

[Midland Retty]

yes you are absolutely right 60 minutes seperation is acceptable.

No requirement for interlinked AFD if this is the case.

If the level of FR cannot be determined or upgraded then interlinked AFD should be considered or

If the commercial premises below are staffed 24/7 you could say the staff replace detectors as a means of early warning and will call the fire brigade.

In this instance consider a manual call point perhaps linked to an alarm in the flats but staff should be fully trained on procedure and be able to see most of the areas within their control (ie you dont want a situation whereby a fire occurs in a staff kitchen unnoticed).

[slubberdegullion]

If the residential part has 24 hour management then I have come across several schemes where the warden or consierge or security person (etc) gets notification of a fire in the separated part of the building.  This just keeps them aware of the situation and could be helpful for the FRS attending or if the fire developed beyond what was anticipated.

Stu

[nearlythere]

Was it purpose built as residential over commercial or a convertion job?
What is the nature of the construction of the existing seperation between the two purpose groups?