What Fire Safety Measures do I Legally Require?

MintSoil

I live in a converted flat in a large Victorian-type house which also contains two other flats. There is one downstairs flat that sits under both upstairs flats. I believe the conversion of at least my flat, was carried out in 1990, one year before 1991 building regs. The building used to contain office premises, many moons ago. 

We have an existing mains fire alarm system which serves both upstairs flats. The downstairs flat has it's own separate system. There are plans to upgrade the fire alarm system for the two upstairs flats with a proposed new "part six fire alarm system." I believe this will be costly and I would like to know whether it is a legal requirement, which I have not yet been given a conclusive answer to. 

I am sure the reason we had a mains fire alarm system put in in the first place, is because there used to be a company office operating here, over 20, perhaps over 30 years ago. However, what I would like to know, is why (to the insistence of other parties) do we require the upgrade to a similar system, and why can we not just install a couple of standard battery-powered smoke alarms and perhaps a heat detector in each flat like many other residential premises? 

I would much appreciate some guidance on the above! Many thanks 

Risteard

Because it's a HMO.

Martin_the_Unjust

The fire alarm would have been installed when the building was converted to residential use because it’s usually a much higher risk than commercial offices.

Converted buildings are generally a higher risk than purpose built ones.

unforeseen

Risteard said:

Because it's a HMO.

No it's not. It's flats

Jonboy_1984

If it’s a leasehold flat and the system spans multiple units surely it will fall under the scope of the fire safety risk assessment the freeholder is required to undertake and regularly review.

The main issue is that any such assessment is almost certain not to agree with anything that reduces the protection in place from building regs sign off date.
This is because if anything where to happen there would be almost no defence in court for the assessor, alarm technician or freeholder to say “yeah we made it less safe to save each of the leaseholders a £500/£1000 one off bill, and £100 pound a year in servicing costs”.

Also, where you are makes a difference as Scotland has much more comprehensive requirements that England or Wales (not sure on NI).

Risteard

unforeseen said:

Risteard said:

Because it's a HMO.

No it's not. It's flats

But it sounds as if there is a common entrance. Anyway, the Fire Risk Assessment obviously calls for a Grade A system rather than a D1 system.

Bigphil1474

OP, the battery powered smoke or heat detectors probably won't be sufficient as they might not be heard in the other flats. Whether you need a fully integrated system I can't say, but you could check with your local council - there should be a team called something like Private Rented Sector team, usually part of the Housing Department. They enforce housing legislation in rented properties. 
HMO's are usually single dwellings with multiple bedrooms (I think at least 5), unrelated people living in there, and have shared facilities.

sxd901

A Part 6 system is a domestic mains linked fire alarm.  It's what is put into a house.  It is for single premises so should not be linked to other flats. 

Sounds like the fire strategy is based on a stay put policy where flats are compartmented with fire resistant construction separating them.  It relies upon the fire being contained in a flat and no other flats need to move out and fire service can put out the fire without anyone else being disturbed!

Appears that they are trying to save you some money as a linked fire alarm needs regular testing and servicing whereas individual systems are down to the flat occupier to test and maintain, i.e. change the battery back up occasionally.

casper_gutman

Personally, if I lived in one of these flats I would want a linked alarm system for the whole building.

Post-Grenfell many are  understandably nervous about relying on fire being contained within a single flat, even where compartmentation is built into a building's original design. I would be very wary of relying on any compartmentation retrofitted as part of a conversion done in 1990. Is any documentation available on what was done? Is there any evidence at all to suggest any attempt to introduce compartmentation was even made? I don't mean fire doors here, but seriously upgrading floor structures, walls etc.

MalMonroe

Where I live you can ask the Fire Service for a free home fire safety visit.

They come and assess risks and dangers and give advice about how to avoid fire.

I live in a small cul de sac comprised of what look like seven detached houses but what are, in fact, seven blocks of purpose built flats - two in each.

Last year the ground floor flat of the building next to my own set on fire and we heard no alarms (we suspect that the tenants there had turned them off) but the neighbours' screams ensured we all left our homes. Fire service attended within minutes but the flat was gutted and the tenants' gorgeous cat died from smoke inhalation. They were shocked and devastated but physically unharmed. Their neighbour in the flat upstairs evacuated and her flat was slightly damaged but was still livable. The ground floor flat has now been empty for the last 7 months and won't be ready for re-occupation for the foreseeable future.

We also evacuated our flat and would do so again. 

I do not agree with any 'stay put' policy and would never do that. Not all experts know what is good for us. 

All of us on this small street were utterly devastated. The tenants who were in that flat have said they won't return. 

Everyone was very lucky here but now, for me, I'd pay any price to ensure that adequate fire safety measures were installed wherever I lived. You really should not try to cut corners and costs where fire is concerned. Especially when living in a block of flats where other tenants could do anything. Our neighbour's 20 year old son had decided to light many tealight candles for a relaxing evening while his mother was away. He didn't mean to cause harm but fire can move so quickly. It's not worth taking any risks or gambles.