Thanks Tadees. As others have pointed out without further information the comment is no help whatsoever, and does not help in fire risk assessment or prevention terms. Nevertheless, if the comment is correct there are a number of forseeable potential reasons for this, refuse chambers, plant rooms, unauthorised storage at the base of the staircases, mailboxes, arson attacks are easier at the main access level.
Soap box time. I have seen a number of new blocks with the same design mistake over the past few years, and the mistake does not get picked up by less experienced AIs or fire officers etc. There should be a direct exit to open air from the base of the staircase. This was explicit in the old CP3 document where diagrams illustrated the point, although it is covered in ADB it is not set out clearly and is a factor often overlooked.
I have seen a number of new builds in which from the base of the staircase it is necessary to pass flat entrance doors and ancillary accommodation in order to reach the exit. As a consequence on the upper floors the staircase is protected by two fire doors but on the ground floor there is only single door protection to the final element of the fire exit route.
I have even seen this in buildings with fire fighting staircases in which access to the fire fighting stairs is compromised by passing through or adjacent to ancillary accommodation. In other words the means of escape at ground floor level is at a lower standard than on the upper floors. If the comment in the guidance is correct then this increases the fire risk.
