Fire safety is a critical aspect of building regulations and ensuring the safety of occupants in any type of building. When it comes to dwellings, such as houses and flats, the requirements for fire safety are outlined in Approved Document B Volume 1. This document provides guidelines and regulations for fire safety in dwellings and it is essential for construction professionals to have a thorough understanding of its contents.
In this blog article, we will take a closer look at the key points of Approved Document B Volume 1 in relation to fire safety in dwellings.
Whether you are an architect, builder, or building control officer, this article will provide you with a basic comprehension of fire safety requirements and help you understand what they mean in practical terms.
General Provisions
Approved Document B Volume 1 (ADB) is divided into various sections, with the first one being General Provisions. This section makes it clear that the document makes reference to British standards. For instance, ADB references BS5839-6, which is the British standard for smoke alarm systems in domestic circumstances. According to ADB, all dwellings should have a fire detection and alarm system in accordance with grade D2L LD3. This means that a circulation type system is required for circulation spaces in these locations.
For heat alarms and smoke alarms, the compliance must be according to manufacturer requirements. However, if we are dealing with a large dwelling house (defined as having a floor area of more than 200 square meters), then a grade ALD free fire detection system is required instead of a grade D system. In the case of a large dwelling house with three or more stories, an LD2 system is required, which is similar to commercial systems.
It’s important to note that when undertaking building works such as extensions or loft conversions, it is often overlooked that if a new habitable room is created above or below the ground story, or on the ground story without a final exit, a smoke detection system according to BS5839-6 must be added.
Emergency Escape Windows
Another essential aspect of fire safety in dwellings is the requirement for emergency escape windows.
These are windows that can be utilized as an escape route in the event of a fire, and they must meet specific dimensions of 0.33 square meters (450 in any direction), with a maximum height of 1100 mm.
Additionally, if the window opens into a rear garden, there must be sufficient space for individuals to get at least two times away from the mean height of the roof.
Furthermore, it is crucial that windows remain open without being held, as they may be used during an escape. It’s also worth noting that an “inner room” is defined as a room that requires going through an access room to escape the building.
Inner rooms are permitted if the floor height is no more than 4 and a half meters above external ground level or if they are designated as a kitchen, laundry room, dressing room, WC, or shower room.
Misconceptions About Inner Rooms
Inner rooms are often misunderstood when it comes to fire safety requirements. It is common for individuals to assume that if an inner room has an emergency escape window, it would be considered safe. However, this is not always the case. If an inner room is located on the ground floor and there is another accessible route to the front door through a different room (such as a lounge or kitchen), then an emergency escape window may be permitted. However, if the inner room is located above 4 and a half meters from ground level or if it does not fall into one of the specified categories (kitchen, laundry room, etc.), then it is not considered safe and must have another means of escape.
In Conclusion
Approved Document B Volume 1 provides clear guidance on fire safety requirements for dwellings. It is essential for construction professionals to understand these requirements and ensure that all building works comply with the regulations. This not only ensures the safety of occupants but also avoids any potential legal consequences that may arise due to non-compliance.
We hope this blog article has helped to demystify fire safety in dwellings and provided a better understanding of Approved Document B Volume 1. It’s crucial to stay up-to-date with any revisions or updates to the document, as fire safety regulations may evolve over time. Building professionals should always refer to the most recent version of ADB to ensure compliance and the safety of those who occupy the buildings they work on.
