One the current guidance doesn't address in it's examples, our people have come across several times single common internal stair flats with access onto a external stair from each flat.
You could use that theory to justify it, especially as already evacuate, but it would be interesting to see what the new guide and the relevant fire service say what with the FS Act making not following the guide tend towards proof of a contravention and I would assume it's going to say you should have fire doors.
Run through possible likely scenarios to see how comfortable you are, random examples include:
- flat on fire occupier leaves, door possibly open (are there self closers?), alarms are sounding. As most people would use the route they are familiar with they would go onto the stair, will they be able to make it down in time (how many floors?)
- flat on fire unoccupied, will the common alarm sound before the non fire doors have let effluent out into the stair (which people will use first as they won't know just from an alarm which way to go)
- flat becomes fully involved so both stairs are out of action as unprotected, would everyone have left?
- even with full evacuate are there vulnerable tenants/owners who would have difficulty in quickly leaving?
I can't say either way not having seen the place but some points to consider that's all.
