Glazing to external fire escape

[hammer1]

Hi,

We have a building that has glazing panels leading onto external fire escape, however there are no markings or evidence to confirm they are fire resistance.

It is understood the glazing is 6mm then a 25mm gap then another 6mm glazing panel?

What are your thoughts please.

[kurnal]

What is the construction of the frame?
What is the use of the building?
Sometimes the risk does not warrant upgrading the protection to the external escape, for example in an office building where all points of each floor have access within a reasonable travel distances to a protected internal staircase, full simultaneous evacuation strategy and especially where there is AFD.

[hammer1]

What is the construction of the frame?
What is the use of the building?
Sometimes the risk does not warrant upgrading the protection to the external escape, for example in an office building where all points of each floor have access within a reasonable travel distances to a protected internal staircase, full simultaneous evacuation strategy and especially where there is AFD.

Metal door, office building, 6 storey, simultaneous evacuation, type L4 system.

[kurnal]

I would make a careful evaluation of all aspects of the MOE before recommending upgrading the glazing. In my opinion it comes down to the potential for a fire to take out both (or a number) of escape routes at the same time on any floor, the layout, design and protection of internal staircases, storey height, travel distances, numbers of persons vs capacity of staircases, potential for a fire to develop undetected by persons or AFD. Other options might give a benefit offsetting the weakness eg an upgrade to L3 may give a useful benefit.

[Phoenix]

What kurnal said.  Plus sometimes, on unprotected external routes, it is advantageous to have handles on the outsides of the doors on the external to give people the option to return into the building if the external route becomes hazardous (there may be problems with this option if the building is multi-tenanted).

[hammer1]

What kurnal said.  Plus sometimes, on unprotected external routes, it is advantageous to have handles on the outsides of the doors on the external to give people the option to return into the building if the external route becomes hazardous (there may be problems with this option if the building is multi-tenanted).

In my experience I don't think tenants would be to keen in regards to security issues that go with that potential solution.

[G. N. Hamilton]

If two MOE are required and the external escape stairs is one of them (i assume so with a 6 storey building) the glazing and doors to the external stairway should be fire rated. As much for Fire Brigade access as MOE.

[colin todd]

What has fire brigade access got to do with it?

[Phoenix]

If two MOE are required and the external escape stairs is one of them (i assume so with a 6 storey building) the glazing and doors to the external stairway should be fire rated. As much for Fire Brigade access as MOE.

If a building of six storeys has two staircases then it would be acceptable to have a reception desk in the base of one of the staircases.  How do you reconcile that with the protection you are recommending for the external?

Also, Colin is right about fire service access.  It might be nice to have but unless a stair is a fire fighting stair you dare not recommend making it up for fire fighting purposes.

Also, on a more general note, does anyone ask for smoke seals to be fitted to fire doors on external walls?

[Phoenix]

My questions weren't meant to be rhetorical.

[Clevelandfire 3]

Also, on a more general note, does anyone ask for smoke seals to be fitted to fire doors on external walls?

Depends on layout use and evac policy of the building and whats around it i.e; could smoke leaking from door re-enter building elsewhere say a nearby open window and smoke log another compartment. And if it did would it be a problem?

[Fishy]

If two MOE are required and the external escape stairs is one of them (i assume so with a 6 storey building) the glazing and doors to the external stairway should be fire rated. As much for Fire Brigade access as MOE.

If a building of six storeys has two staircases then it would be acceptable to have a reception desk in the base of one of the staircases.  How do you reconcile that with the protection you are recommending for the external?

Also, Colin is right about fire service access.  It might be nice to have but unless a stair is a fire fighting stair you dare not recommend making it up for fire fighting purposes.

Also, on a more general note, does anyone ask for smoke seals to be fitted to fire doors on external walls?

I really can't think of any straightforward situation where they would be at all useful.