Module 19

Question 1

inner room general points

Answer 1

.. The following points also to be considered:
•Aggregate number of persons in the inner room & access room should not be more than 60
•Access room under the same control as the inner room
•Travel distance from any point in the inner room to the exit from access room to be restricted to single travel distance
•No one should pass through more than one access room
•The access room should not be a higher risk than the inner room.

Question 2

corridor sub division ?

Answer 2

If the corridor provides access to two story exits and are over 30 metres in length they should be subdivided around the midway point between the exits

• The function is to prevent smoke spreading along the corridor making both routes impassable before all occupants have escaped
• Corridor sub division doors should be fire resisting, self closing fire doors.
• Accepted in existing buildings doors of substantial construction, capable of resisting the passage of smoke and are self closing should be acceptable.

Question 3

Staircase general rule?

Answer 3

.. General rule
•Once a person has entered a protected staircase they should be able to exit the building without having to leave that staircase
•If a storey has an occupancy of more than 60 persons it should be served by more than one stair.

Question 4

an unprotected staircase is acceptable means of escape when?

Answer 4

.. means of escape providing:
•Travel distance from the remotest position on the upper storey to a final exit does not exceed the suggested travel distance for escape in a single direction

• Any part of the premises served by a single stair does not exceed 60 persons
• If it is possible that persons in the premises may not be aware of a fire occurring elsewhere in the premises then automatic fire detection should be provided.

Question 5

open unprotected stair serving mezzanine floor ok?

Answer 5

yes as long as standr travel distance are not exceeded.

Question 6

define protected stairway ?

Answer 6

.. Separated from the remainder of the building by 30 minutes FR
and
•Leads to a final exit or provides alternative routes at the base separated by a line of FR.

Question 7

when is a single protected stairway permitted?

Answer 7

.. providing:
•Any storey has an occupancy of less than 60 persons
•Travel distance is limited
•The building height is limited (guidance to be sought from the relevant CLG guide)
•In some cases a higher degree of protection is required to a single staircase building – may be achieved by a ‘protected lobby’ or ‘protected corridor’ approach
•Any accommodation in the stairway must be minimal.

Question 8

what accodadation is allowed in a protected stairway ?

Answer 8

.. Toilets & washrooms, providing they are not used as a cloakroom (a gas heater or sanitary towel incinerator may be installed, but not any other gas appliance) - from AD ‘B’
•A lift well providing it is not a fire fighting stair
•A reception desk at ground floor level - less than 10m2 (if it is not the only staircase)
•Cupboards enclosed in FR (if it is not the only staircase).

Question 9

stair in relation to basements

Answer 9

.. A stairway serving the upper floors of a building should not extend to the basement. If the stairway does extend to the basement it is preferable to separate the basement flight from the remainder of the building by:
•2 x 30 min FR doors (one at the top and one at the bottom)
•or exceptionally
•1 x 60 min FR door ( at the bottom)

Note: Ceiling to basement is usually 60 minutes FR construction

Question 10

external stairs can be considered as part of the means of escape providing ?

Answer 10

.. •Protected by 30 minutes of FR
•Protected 1.8m horizontally either side
•Protected 9m vertically below and 2m above treads
•Windows fixed shut
•Doors self closing.

Question 11

spiral and Helical stairs are permitted when?

Answer 11

.. •Are no greater than 9m in height
•Are not less than 1.5m diameter
•Have a continuous handrail throughout their length

Spiral & helical stairs may be suitable for means of escape providing
•They are designed for the purpose; and
•Conform to BS 5395-2.

Question 12

info on accodadation stairs

Answer 12

.. Accommodation Stairs

• Accommodation stairs are open stairways usually between two floors used for general circulation
• These are not to be used as a means of escape
• They should not breach a compartment floor
• A person should not have to pass the head of an accommodation stair in order to reach the protected stair.

Question 13

escalators , travellators and lifts

Answer 13

.. Not usually acceptable for means of escape
•Lifts should not be used due to the possibly of power supplies failing in the event of fire (unless it’s a fire fighting lift).