Is a fire escape needed?

[abstibus]

Some people I know have just moved into an apartment above an unused shop premises. There are large french windows at the front leading on to a balcony.
They share the outer door with the shop and have private access to the apartment, but there is no fire escape and there are no fire windows.
Is this legal, or is it something they need to take up with the management company/owner?

[sandyRoe]

It doesn't sound right. If there was a fire in the shop how are they supposed to escape?

[abstibus]

Thanks, sandy
That is my worry too. Perhaps some of the legal beagles here will have the answer.

[sandyRoe]

http://en.wikipedia.o...Fire_Safety_Inspector

Maybe one of these people could give advice?

[ChuckFickens]

There is no requirement to have fire escapes in a single occupancy residential property (i.e. a flat or a house)

[Count-A-Strong]

Chuck is, as ever, correct and just to add, although it seems strange, the balcony would be classed as a means of escape. Hope you never have to use it.
http://www.banbridge....ildingRegulations.pdf

[abstibus]

chuck
Could the property be classed as single occupancy if there is a shop downstairs?

[sandyRoe]

http://www.safelincs....f_BwakCFcJO4QodL1gIHQ

Might be worth investing in one of these.

[ChuckFickens]

Yes. It's essentially a private house regardless of what it's above. the requirement for fire escapes only applies to public buildings or places like residential homes. if they are worried about it the they should buy an emergency escape ladder to drop over the balcony.

http://www.fireescape...other-escape-ladders/

But there is no requirement for one to be supplied by the landlord.

[jno]

I wouldn't have thought a ground-floor shop would need a fire escape; a door at the back as well as the front might help, but it wouldn't make any difference to your friends. And their individual flat wouldn't either. If they're worried they could install one, or pratice knotting sheets in the dark.

[abstibus]

Thank you all. count - that is a very interesting presentation. What worries me is that the apartment is on two floors, and there is no exit from the bedrooms.

[Count-A-Strong]

Classic example of someone not giving all the facts in the question. Call your local fire safety officer ( the local fire station should have his number) and they will come round and do an assessment.

[buildersmate]

Worth a try talking to the Fire Brigade, but I don't think they will come out to undertake fire risk assessments any more - not for free, at any rate. This all changed in about 2005 when new fire safety regs came into effect and responsibility was shifted to business owners to undertake FRAs.
For what it is worth, I think Chuck is correct - this is no different from an arrangement that two maisonettes, one above the other, would have. There should be a 30 minute fire protection between the two properties however, which means there should probably be a fire door on the inner downstairs door of the apartment.

[joko]

you cannot have fire escape in every room...assuming the bedrooms are on the top floor what are you expecting? doors leading out into thin air?

[abstibus]

Thank you to all who have given sensible answers.