A 6-storey terraced house had been divided into flats. My client, the owner of a middle flat, discovered that the secondary fire escape stair inside the building leading to the roof which had existed for many years and been approved by the local authority, had been cut off by the flat owner above. My job was to assess the fire safety risk introduced by the absence of the secondary fire escape route and come forward with a recommendation; the primary ...
Read On → ShareI 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 ...
Read On → ShareI was asked to look at the fire safety design for use by wheelchair users who are to be accommodated on the first floor of this proposed building of affordable housing. The building comprises 5 storeys above ground providing 40 units of accommodation. On the ground floor is car parking within the footprint of the building above. There is no accommodation at ground floor level. The plan was to house disabled persons on the first floor but there were no ...
Read On → ShareI was asked to find a remedy for the inadequate fire service access to a site to be used for new housing (low rise flats and houses providing 9 dwelling units). The furthest point on the site was approximately 90m from the public highway with an entrance gate too narrow, approx. 2.8m, to allow a normal fire appliance to enter the site. The client had been advised by the London Planning Authority that the project might be viable if all ...
Read On → ShareI was asked at very short notice to visit the Students Union block of the university to inspect and report on fire safety issues in the 3-storey North Block commonly known as the Students Union building. This followed an incident when the temporary generator power supply failed earlier in the week and parts of the block were plunged into darkness as the emergency lighting apparently did not operate. I visited the site, inspected the building and paperwork with the Estates ...
Read On → ShareI was asked to help the client get building approval for recent alterations involving the introduction of an open plan area which communicated the kitchen with the sitting room and escape corridor. There was an existing fire detection and alarm installation comprising a heat and smoke alarm but this provided inadequate coverage and reliability for likely fire scenarios identified. With the installation of a new and improved fire detection and alarm system, preferably wireless-based to eliminate damage to finishes, compliant ...
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My female client had bought a flat from a developer which featured open plan on first and second floors. Building Control was not happy with the internal planning layout as the staircase was not enclosed. She wanted an alternative solution that would both satisfy the inspector and not compromise the aesthetics of the flat. I was asked to inspect the building and recommend remedial measures. By the careful addition of an active fire barrier and some minor structural alterations the building ...
Read On → ShareAt short notice I was asked to inspect the open plan basement planning in this prestigious house undergoing conversion and prepare a letter for submission to building control to resolve whether or not an active fire barrier should be employed near the foot of the single stairs. I was able to argue that a preferred method of providing compartmentation would be to greatly improve the compartmentation at the head of the basement flight, and this was accepted. Further advice is ...
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My client, a building developer, was at an advanced stage of converting a large lodge into several flats over three storeys. There were difficulties in the internal planning due to the need to adopt open planning because of the small footprint, a difficulty compounded by the lack of any openings in the upper most room which could be used as a fire escape window. I was commissioned to inspect the building and make remedial recommendations. I used the guidance in ...
Read On → ShareI was asked to comment on the need for a fire resisting flat entrance door for this upper storey flat. The door was historic and the client did not wish to replace it if not essential. As the flat was the uppermost flat a fire emanating there would not threaten flats lower down and by this logic the need for a fire rated door was avoided. Advice was also given on smoke and heat detection in the flat and a ...
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