Means of Warning and Escape Routes - Article Example

Running Header: Means of warning and Escape routes Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Means of warning and alarm systems According to the building regulations 2000 that have been amended, the building should be designed and constructed in such a way that appropriate supply of early warning of fire and proper means of escape are effectively put in place. Fire safety requirements will be achieved when there are enough means of giving early warnings in case of fire to the individuals occupying the building. The requirements should also ensure that there are enough routes that correspond to the number of people occupying the building as illustrated by Communities and Local Government (2006). Installation of alarm systems, automatic fire detection or smoke alarms increases the safety levels through giving early fire warnings. All new dwelling houses should be installed with fire alarm system and fire detection in according to appropriate recommendations of BS 5839-6:2004. They are two main types of smoke alarms that include optical (photo-electric) and ionization chamber smoke detectors. They respond differently to fast-flaming and smouldering fires. Nevertheless, they are both important for smoke detection as illustrated by Communities and Local Government (2006). The new rooms that are above floor level should be installed with fire alarm system and fire detection. Smoke alarms should as well be provided in the dwelling houses circulation spaces. This is towards warning new rooms occupants of any fire likely to obstruct their escape. In sheltered housing schemes, detection equipment should be such that it is connected to a central monitoring point. This is to enable the individual in charge becomes aware in case of fire in one of the dwelling houses and be able to identify the exact dwelling house. Positioning of heat and smoke alarms The smoke alarms should be positioned in the circulation spaces between the places where fire is likely to occur such as living rooms or kitchens and sleeping spaces. This is to ensure they detect smoke at the initial stages of fire. Every storey of a dwelling house must have at least one smoke alarm. Additional heat alarms and interlinked heat detectors should be installed in rooms like kitchens in case it is not separated from the main room to supplement smoke alarms. In case more than one alarm is installed, they should be an interlink so that in case one detects smoke, all the others are able to operate. In the movement space contained by 7.5m of the door in every habitable room, a smoke alarm should be put. The smoke alarms should also be mounted in ceiling; sensors in devices mounted in ceiling should be such that they are between 25mm-600mm beneath ceiling and 25mm-150mm where heat alarms and heat detectors are used. The smoke alarms should be installed in such a way that they are easy to reach in order to carry out routine check-ups and maintenance. Smoke alarms should not put direct above or near air-conditioning or heaters outlets, garages, cooking areas, bathroom showers, or areas where steam and condensation fumes are likely to give false fumes. They should not also be put in areas that get hot quickly including boiler rooms or extremely cold areas like unheated porch. Smoke alarm system should have their power supply derived from main electricity supply of the dwelling house as illustrated by Communities and Local Government (2006). It should have a separate circuit with lighting so that when there is need to switch off power for a long time, it does not affect the alarms. Smoke alarms systems can be connected to power supply using cables used for domestic wiring. It is important to properly design, install, and maintain fire detection and fire alarm systems. Means of escape The increasing height of dwelling houses results to an increase of fire hazards hence the need for clear and protected internal stair stairway. The ground storey habitable rooms should open directly to a hall that leads to entrance or any other appropriate exit. In case windows are used for the purposes of exit, they should have an unobstructed open-able region of at-least 0.33m2 as well as 450mm wide and 450mm high. The height above the floor should be less than 1100mm. The door or window should be such that it enables a person to get into safer area away from fire. In case of storey dwelling houses less than 4.5m above the ground level, they should have one protected stair that is accessible. The window or external doors can also be used for exit as long as it 450mm wide and 450mm high and less than 1100m less from the ground, those are referred as egress windows. In case the house is more than 4.5m, then the upper storeys must be served by a stairway that is protected as illustrated by Communities and Local Government (2006). This should give an access to at least two routes of escape within the ground level leading to a final exit. The two routes should be separated by fire doors and fire resistance walls. In case the storey is more than 7.5m from the ground, then the escape route should be provided for every storey. Figure 1 escape means from dwelling house Figure 2 Escape means from dwelling house Egress windows should be fitted with stays or locks with or without removable keys subject towards remaining fitted in case of a release catch. Windows should be such that they stay in an open position with no need to be held by an escaping person. A flat roof that forms part of escape means should part of the same building by which the escape is taking place. The across the roof route should lead to an external escape route or a storey exit. The section of roof that forms part of escape as well as its supporting structure as well as any opening contained by 3m of the route for escape must provide fire resistance for 30minutes. Galleries should have an alternative escape routes or exits and in case it is more than 4.5m above the ground, then it should have an emergency egress window. Basements with habitable rooms should have a stairway that is protected leading to final exit from the basement. There can also be an external window or door appropriate for egress from the basement. The dwelling house having floor more than 4.5m above the ground level should have cavity barriers above the enclosures to a stairway that is protected as illustrated by Communities and Local Government (2006). Figure 3 Alternative cavity barrier arrangements in space roof of a protected stairway with floors above 4.5m from ground In case of external escape stair is provided, all the doors that give access to the stair must be resistance to fire. However, doors resistance to fire should not be put at the head of stairs leading downwards where only one exit exists onto the top landing from the building. It is worth to note that there should not be transfer grills fitted in any door, floor, wall, or even ceiling surrounding stairway that is protected. Mechanical ventilation systems that re-circulates air in stairway and other areas should be designed in such a way that is shuts down after detecting smoke or fire. Passenger lift within dwelling house and serving floors above 4.5m from ground level should be in the enclosure to the protected stairway or within fire-resisting lift shaft. References Communities and Local Government 2006, Building Regulations 2000; Fire safety, Approved Document B-Volume 1; Dwelling Houses, Viewed 6 May 2011, from http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADB1_2006.pdf Read More