Flats - MOE through Lounge

[keithflint]

I have seen several blocks of general needs flats recently (including three storey blocks) , in the South East, where the flat design is as follows -

Front entrance hall provides access to lounge and separate kitchen to the side (kitchen door often removed). A rear corridor is accessed via the lounge. The rear corridor has the bedrooms and bathroom. Therefore the MOE from the bedrooms is via the lounge and often passing an unprotected kitchen.

For reference purposes, does anyone know what historical standard would have permitted this design?

For info - Most of the flats only have S/D in the rear hall. Some have an additional detector in the lounge.

Thanks in advance.

[kurnal]

Hi Keith
This is a fairly common layout but relies on an alternative exit from at least one of the bedrooms together with a fire door and screen between the lounge and the bedroom accommodation to create two alternatives. Of course where the top floor level is below 4.5m a window exit may be used. The layout was first illustrated in the 1971 CP3 chapter 4 part 1 figure 3 and described in clauses 222 and 321. This document only applied to buildings over 2 storeys. The diagram and guidance were repeated in BS5588 part 1 figure 3 clauses 9.4 and 9.5 and re-iterated in BS9991 figure 12.
However the best advice and guidance on dealing with problems such as where the alternative MOE is no longer available can be found in the LGA flats guidance (download from the LGA website). See page 80 and paras 56-25 - 56-32.  

The LGA document is a cracking piece of work and a credit to the LGA - it shows what can be achieved by local government staff when they set their mind to it. 

[Dinnertime Dave]

 
The LGA document is a cracking piece of work and a credit to the LGA - it shows what can be achieved by local government staff when they set their mind to it. 

I see what you're doing with that crafty wink. Can't imagine who the author was.

[keithflint]

Thanks Kurnal for your detailed answer, I hadn't seen figure 3 in CP3 Chapter IV before, or noticed it in 9991!

The problem with the flats I have seen are that 3rd floor flats do not have the alternative MOE from the bedrooms and some GF and 1st floor flats do not have suitable escape windows.

[Phoenix]

I don't like the sound of this layout at all.  As an absolute minimum, I would advise that a programme of works should be instigated to provide better means of escape in all such flats.  Depending upon the nature of the flats and their occupants you may also feel it necessary to take some immediate remedial action which could range from moving people out to educating them on reducing fire risks.