Question: How Many Fire Exits Are Required In An Apartment?

Do I need 2 fire exits?

The government recommends that you provide more than one fire exit from your premises whenever it’s possible. These exits should be completely independent of each other and have separate escape routes so there’s always a way to evacuate the building in an emergency.

How many fire exits should a block of flats have?

There is a core principle that there should normally be at least two escape routes. However, exceptions are allowed where travel distances are short and numbers are low.

Does an apartment need 2 doors?

Every apartment or other residence must have at least two means of egress. These can be door, windows, ramps, corridors, or fire escapes. An elevator is not considered a means of egress.

What is the minimum number of fire escape routes for a room?

At least two separate exits should be accessible from every part of every floor, including basements; such exits should be as remote from each other as practicable and so arranged as to be reached by different paths of travel in different directions except that a common path of travel may be permitted for the first 15

Can fire exits open inwards?

Should fire exit doors open in the direction of escape? Yes, fire exit doors should open in the direction of escape. However, in the workplace it may be permissible to have an exit door opening inwards if it is providing excess for less than 60 staff without public access.

Where should fire exits be placed?

In most offices, fire exits lead out onto a car park or open communal space. The two exit routes should be placed as far away from each other as possible, to minimise the chance of a fire blocking both exits, and if from the same room or level be at least 45° apart and not lead onto the same escape route.

Do flats have to have a fire exit?

Why do you need to provide fire doors? They are specifically designed to withstand fire for up to 30 minutes. They are a legal requirement for flats which open onto communal areas shared with other tenants. This is to make sure crucial escape routes are protected if a fire breaks out.

What to do if there is a fire in your flat?

Find a safe room as far as possible within the flat from any fire or smoke (with a window if possible), close the door and use soft materials to block any gaps to stop the smoke. Go to a window, shout ‘HELP, FIRE ‘ and call 999.

Do flats need a fire escape?

Fire prevention in flats Internal doors do not need to be fire doors if the flats are on the ground floor or less than 4.5 metres above the ground, providing the habitable rooms have a means of escape, such as a terrace or a window.

What is a blocked egress?

If ANY door in the direct path of egress requires the use of a tool (key, screwdriver, combination, etc) to open it – it’s blocked. For example, an inverted passage lock on a bathroom, bedroom, or closet door.

What is Group B occupancy?

Business Group B occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts. Business occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Airport traffic control towers.

How many exits do you need in a house?

A minimum of one exit door is required, and it should provide direct access from the living areas of the home to the exterior without traveling through a garage.

What is a fire escape route?

A fire escape is a special kind of emergency exit, usually mounted to the outside of a building or occasionally inside but separate from the main areas of the building. It provides a method of escape in the event of a fire or other emergency that makes the stairwells inside a building inaccessible.

How often check fire escape route?

A full test /discharge of all light units is to be carried out at least once per year. Generally, 25% of all devices are tested on a quarterly basis with one quarter deemed the annual check where maintenance that is more extensive is carried out.

What is the minimum width of a fire escape staircase?

For fire escape purposes from a small block of flats, BS9991 requires a 750mm wide stair. Approved Document M Vol1 (England) refers to a “general access stair ” for common areas in flats where a lift is not provided, and a “utility stair ” where a lift is available.