What grade of AFD is req'd for common areas of flats

[Wishy]

I am new to the forum and have just spent an hour reading various threads about what AFD is reqd in common areas of 'true' flats (no shared facilities owned by individuals).  After my hour I am still none the wiser!

My Client managers a number of residential blocks mainly 2 storey.  They are of an age where AFD within the flats were not reqd at time of construction.  The units appear to have 60 min compartmentation.  They share a single common stairwell to the final exit.  My Client can only advise the flat owners that they should have AFD but can not insist as there is no legistlation available (as far as I am aware).

I can see both camps regarding whether to have or not AFD in the common areas but in the absence of any warning from the individual flats what is the point?  As I see it from a common sense stance, provide a call point and sounder on each floor and provide free individual AFD to each flat.  This plus proper lighting is about all we can do.

Comments??

[Midland Retty]

The "sleeping accomodation guide" issued by HM Government would state that if the buildings were built to current building regs then AFD in the common parts would not be required.

If you do have true 60 minute separation / compartmentation and the common areas are completely sterile then i would ordinarily say that a common fire alarm system is not be required.

That said however the fire risk assessment should determine the standards required, and without seeing the premises it is hard to comment on whether it would be a definative "no AFD is not required" or otherwise.

There is legislation that covers the common areas of flats - it would be the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005.

Again it is down to risk assessment, if a resident has gone on holiday and left a fan heater on, and it causes a blaze at 3 in the morning will anyone be able to detect it before it breaches the 60 minute fire resistance?

I know of some fire safety professionals who would say that they have never heard or come across a blaze in a 60 minute compartment which has gone undetected and affected other residents (even in the small hours of the night) The reasoning they give is that someone somewhere will always see it and call for help.

Look at your occupants / residents - are they vulnerable people (i.e; elderly, less abled etc).                                                                                                                                                              
Some fire safety professionals will say that you are able to accept window escape in anything less than 4.5 meteres in height , not something I personally are keen on, but converseley its not to say it is wrong, plus it does give people an alternative if the main escape has been compromised or they cant reach it for whatever reason .

It probably doesn't answer your question unfortunately but hopefully it will give you a bit more to think about to help you arrive at the appropriate plan of action. It all comes down to that magic term " risk assessment ".

[Big T]

BS5588 pt 1 provides a lot of useful guidance on residential blocks of flats and maisonettes.

In my opinion (And I look after 3500 blocks of flats) a fire alarm is unlikely to be required if you have a 60 minute compartment. I would only consider it in a building that was a conversion where compartmentation between floors could not be proved or in buildings with deficient compartmentation in some other way (doors etc), so stay put would not be desireable. Buildings typical of ex council stock (unless sheltered or supported accomodation) would not require AFD, Extinguishers or emergency lighting. As midland rightly says above, maintaining sterile communal areas is the key to success in blocks of flats.

Not withsatnding, a proper fire risk assessment should be carried out as there may be a requirement to go above and beyond the guidance and BS due to a specific hazard.

[Wishy]

Thanks guys at least the fog has cleared a little!!

[Sapper268]

I also have a similar problem but with further issues. Our company has recently aquired a complex consisting of four blocks of flats or appartments, two of two story and two of three story. It is a new build and complies with current Building regs. Each appartment has AFD but nothing in the common areas. The tenants in these premises, although independently living, receive support for mental health issues. Do we need to extend the alarm system.

[Ashley Wood]

Big T, why would you not require emergency lighting? The only exception I could see is borrowed light. Also, 80% of ex council stock I have assessed has had ill fitting flat entrance doors and letter boxes cut into the doors, not to mention old furniture on landings, rubbish under stairs, rubbish on landings, etc.