Fire Safety

[Demilee]

I live in a private rented small 2 bedroomed house that has no back door, and the windows are not suitable to use for an escape in case of fire. Is this right?

[zara 4]

Wouldn't think so unless you want to die in a fire,surely every house must legally have a fire escape,isn't it health and safety?

[Ethel]

My three bed semi does not have a 'front door' as such - all access points are at the side of the house.

I have two doors side by side, inside the are seperated by a wall - a hallway.

I asked my council if I could block one door up and knock the interior door down.

It was refused on grounds of safety - there had to be two doors, even though I have good escape routes through both downstairs and upstairs windows.

[spaced]

If you speak to the landlord, he will probably tell you that's it safe, because he cant be bothered. I would speak to your local fire station and see what they say. They may come round and have a gander for you. Current and ex fireman are asked by insurers to check buildings (offices etc etc) for health and safety and insurance puposes.

[Loosehead]

Well I live in a purpose built blockof 9 flats and there's no "back door" or fire escape for any of the flats. Not sure what the rules are but my block is meticulously managed so I can't imagine that's it's not legal in any way, they are all privately owned.

[buildersmate]

Useful advice from Ethel and here's something more of the Regulations to help you. Fire Safety is covered under the Building Control regulations (Part B). The gist of the regs for a normal dwelling house is that all habitable rooms on the ground floor except a kitchen must open out onto a hallway which must in turn connect directly to an exit. All habitable rooms on the first floor where there is just one stairway (virtually every house) must have a window suitable for escape. This means a minimum size. So, no, there is not a fire safety requirement to have two doors leading to the outside.

These are the rules for a house and it also applies to a house in multiple occupation for up to six residents. More stringent regs apply for more than six people, which appears not to be your situation.

Health and Safety Acts are generally drawn up for situations at Work, not in the home.

The Fire Service may be able to advice you if you are in doubt, but they will use the Building Regs I have quoted above as their means of assessment. Landlord dwelling of this size do not need a Fire Certificate.