windows on escape stairwells

[GB]

You could be quite correct -

Stair well in question covers 4 floors and is surrounded by 30 mins fire doors at each level.

however I would suggest that until clarification of the actual scenario layout is recieved, then the answer still can not be determined.

If the item in question is as you suggest a borrowed light, then FR is required and they should be by definition fixed shut. If the items in question are in fact windows on external walls, then how do they affect / interact with the fire escape stairwell.

[Tom Sutton]

If the items in question are in fact windows on external walls, then how do they affect / interact with the fire escape stairwell.

They don't, but handy to ventilate the staircase if the permanent ventilation is not up to the job once the fire is under control.

[Clevelandfire 3]

External windows should be left unsealed to allow for post fire ventilation, internal windows may need to be FR and sealed if they form part of the escape route or if the extrnal windows open onto additional fire risk they may need to be sealed then.

[jokar]

Lets revisit this then.  Why do windows on escape routes that are external to the building need to be FR?  Because it is a prescriptive thing to do.  You can only have an external if there is an internal protected route and that route should be sterile and therefore no fire as it is a place of relative safety.  If you cannot get to that route you use the external.  Now a fire unless arson, can not be in 2 places at once so why do the windows need to be sealed shut and FR in all cases.  Answer, they do not subject to a nicely worde FRA of course.   

[CivvyFSO]

I believe (Admittedly I could be wrong, but this is the best way to explain how I read it) that the issue here is as follows:



Someone doing a risk assessment thinks that the windows shown here should be sealed shut, their reasoning is that, by being open, they would supply oxygen to a fire making it worse.

No mention of any need for fire resistance, or any mention of the consideration of smoke/fire compromising the escape route. Just normal windows, opening to fresh air, with no requirement for them to be fire resistant.

In a building of this height they would not have to supply any form of smoke venting to the stair, so essentially they are not doing anything wrong. It is simply misguided.

[nearlythere]

Can PS come back asap and clarify the question please?
Handbags are being drawn and we must avoid a mess.

[ps]

Hi sorry I've only just seen that this thread carried on after I got the answer! I think the first responses I got hit the mark. The assessors point was indeed oxygen coming in though the windows to aid the fire. No external fire escape anywhere near and no likely source of fire anywhere near the escape stairs.

Result....won't be using that assessor again...but will consider hermatically sealing every window in my house just in  case!