Firedoors needed on ALL rooms?

Konradvg · 6 Dec 2023

Hi, we're in the process of remodelling our home. The new layout has a staircase going up from the entrance hallway to a landing. From the landing there are three bedrooms and one bathroom - all pretty standard. The bedrooms all have escape windows. Because of the sloping nature of our site one of the bedrooms has more than a full storey drop (almost two storeys) down to ground level.

My building regs inspector says that because of this one bedroom I have to install fire doors on ALL the rooms - upstairs and downstairs, bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen and utility - except for bathrooms and toilets.

Is this correct? If so can someone explain the logic behind this for me please?

Thanks very much,

Konrad

freddiemercurystwin · 6 Dec 2023

Can you post the existing plans and the proposed plans?

Konradvg · 6 Dec 2023

Hi thanks for your reply, I hope these plans help.

Existing ground floor plan:

Existing first floor plan:

Proposed ground floor plan:

Proposed first floor plan:

Apologies for the poor quality of the last two drawings.

Looking forward to your thoughts - many thanks

^woody^ · 6 Dec 2023

You shouldn't need fire doors or a protected escape route unless there are more than two storeys. If there is increased risk then that can be dealt with by fitting a suitable alarm system, probably L3 grade.

Konradvg · 6 Dec 2023

Thanks for your reply. So are you saying there is no need for fire doors?

Basically the bedroom with the bay window has more than one storey below it because the ground falls away. Is there a maximum height the escape window cill can be?

My building inspector said the only alternative would be a sprinkler system which he said would be cost prohibitive.

A new wired and linked fire alarm system will be fitted throughout.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Konrad

freddiemercurystwin · 6 Dec 2023

^woody^ said:
You shouldn't need fire doors or a protected escape route unless there are more than two storeys. If there is increased risk then that can be dealt with by fitting a suitable alarm system, probably L3 grade.

Isn't it because one storey is over 4.5m above ground level (the new master bedroom presumably)? So the stairway must be protected.

wessex101 · 6 Dec 2023

I assume the ground slopes away to the rear so the fire egress windows to floors above 4.5m only applies to the rear elevation?
The existing rear bedroom with the bay window is existing and you are not making the means of escape any worse so that should not be affected.
With the new master bedroom why can't you make the front window between the ensuite and stairs the fire egress window? The main entrance door is at the front so I assume the floor level to the bedroom at the front is less than 4.5m above the ground level?

Konradvg · 6 Dec 2023

Hi Wessex101, yes the 4.5 m applies only to the rear elevation. The building inspector says that it is the bay window room that causes the issue. The new master bedroom has an escape window (the one between the stairs and en-suite) which has the sloping roof from the porch right below it .

So you are saying that when it is an existing bedroom which causes the issue, building control can't really make an issue of it?

Thanks

freddiemercurystwin · 6 Dec 2023

Yes you're not making anything worse than it is now.

wessex101 · 6 Dec 2023

Konradvg said:
So you are saying that when it is an existing bedroom which causes the issue, building control can't really make an issue of it?

If anything you are improving the means of escape from the existing rear bedroom as the existing escape route has the stairs discharging into the ground floor hallway which is open to the living room.
If the building inspector will not budge and you want to be pragmatic it might be worth offering to fit a fire door to the kitchen and utility room on the ground floor but technically you shouldn't have to.

^woody^ · 7 Dec 2023

You are not creating an extra room on an extra storey, so the requirements for extra MoE measures do not apply. There is specific mention in B1 about this creating of extra storey.

The reference to >4.5m heights applies to new build or conversion of buildings with existing compliance to create a storey >4.5m.

As there was no existing protected escape route to an existing room and storey, then you are not under any obligation to create one ie the principle with renovation is that you should maintain compliance to the regulations in force when built and approved, but are not required to improve measures to current standards.