All flats require, under the Building Regulations 2013, to have boundaries (ie walls and floors) possessing one hour fire resistance. This is assessed in a severe furnace test BS 476 Part 8 or equivalent BS EN and the furnace fire severity represents fire after flashover in a room with combustion gas temperatures rising to 1000 degC. The question here was ‘Does the offset party wall and floor construction provide one hour separation between flats as required under building regulations?’
I was asked at very short notice to provide advice on the acceptability of omitting a previously-existing old fire shutter separating the foot of the listed spiral staircase from a new retail area to be used as a lighting display on the ground floor. I inspected parts of the building near the staircase, discussed means of escape issues and gave information on proprietary fire and smoke shutters that might be used to replace the shutter. I did not have access ...
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