water risers

[mosh]

Converted Houses (and sometimes purpose-built blocks) often have water risers in the stairway, which are not fire - protected, but have a thin door.

(See attachment)

Do these need to be fire resistant?

Thanks

[AnthonyB]

I've seen it omitted as long as the riser walls are suitable to prevent fire spread into other compartments, the argument is a fire can't start in them and thus soon affect the stair and if there is already a fire in the stair to enter the riser through the thin door then that route is already untenable.

It seems differing opinions are in place - whilst I 've seen BCO's pass unprotected designs as you describe I've seen others insist on a 60 minutes protected shaft and FD60 doors.

The argument seems to be they are part of the staircase protected shaft and don't need complete enclosure as they do not present an ignition risk

[mosh]

Thanks for your helpful reply.