Fire Escape for 1-Bed Apartment

armchairninja

Hi all,

Just wondering what are the regulations governing the means of escape for a 1 bedroom ground floor apartment single storey, the apt. having an area of approx. 513 sq ft

delly

Moving to Accommodation / Property

Victor

Essentially that each bedroom would have a window capable of being used for escape and that the primary escape wouldn't be via a kitchen.

Nothing else immediately comes to mind, but look at the Building Regulations.

http://www.environ.ie/DOEI/DOEIPol.nsf/wvNavView/wwdConstruction?OpenDocument&Lang=en

Mellor

This is from part B of the regs, doesn't go into much detail, only tells you were to find the details.


1.1.2 Guidance on the provision of means of
escape in buildings containing flats and maisonettes,
etc. Residential (Dwellings), Purpose Group 1(c), is
provided in the following:
- BS 5588: Part 1: 1990, Fire precautions in the
design, construction and use of buildings, Part 1,
Code of practice for residential buildings;
and
- Sub-section 1.4 (general provisions for means of
escape) of this Technical Guidance Document.
Section three of BS 5588: Part 1 1990, contains
recommendations in relation to the internal planning
of flats and maisonettes, escape routes from
dwellings with corridor, lobby or open balcony
approach and vertical escape routes by way of
common stairways. Recommendations are also
included for stairways in buildings which contain
dwellings and other uses (mixed user buildings).
Section five of BS 5588: Part 1: 1990, contains
recommendations in relation to accommodation
ancillary to flats and maisonettes.

armchairninja

Thanks for That,
was looking at the building regs, but wasnt really sure what i should be looking at.
Is there anything bout travel distances or anything in particular(again i know there in there, just not sure how exactly they work, because i havent got that far in college yet:o )

Victor

It depends. The core of Irish fire safety is escape (as opposed to fighting the fire).

There will be travel distances involved (a) within the apartment, (b) from the apartment door to the stairwell (or in this case external exit), (c) distance from stairwell to external exit. You may need to take into account the distance for a second means of escape, usually in a different direction.

I imagine there are different rules for each.

Mellor

Have a look through part b. Travel distances are listed in there. They are grouped into purpose groups. Appartments are under group 1c.

And don't worry about not being that far in college, fire cert will be a big project in 2nd year. And its frustrating.

Dakeyras

The maximum travel distances are 10m in one direction/20m in more than one direction (in a bedroom), 10m in one direction/35m in more than one direction (in a bedroom corridor), 20m in one direction/35m in more than one direction (elsewhere).

It helps when part B is beside me on the desk

armchairninja

Mellor wrote:

And don't worry about not being that far in college, fire cert will be a big project in 2nd year. And its frustrating.

Now dont say things like that, I like to hear that "it will be a big project in 2nd year. And its p!ss easy!":D

Anyway, thanks to all for the help!