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Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations - Applicability to Buildings
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 (the Workplace Regulations) contain some requirements which affect building design. The main requirements are now covered
flatsfire-safetydwellingFire Safety Classification Standards
Commission Decision 2000/367/ECNI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Commission Decision of 3 May 2000 (2000/367/EC) implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as regards the classification of the resistance to fire performance of construction products, construction wor
fire-safetynon-domesticdwellingflatscommercialindustrialpublic-buildingInterpretation - Key Definitions
32(2)(3)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In this Part— "Above ground level" has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 23(4)(b) in Part B; "Dwelling" means a self-contained unit of residential accommodation occupied (whether or not as a so
fire-safetydwellingflatsIntroduction to means of escape provisions
0.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The guidance in Section 2 is concerned with ensuring that occupants are given warning of, and have a means of escape from, a fire. It only refers to structural fire precautions where these are necessa
fire-safetymeans-of-escapedwellingMeans of escape in houses in multiple occupation
0.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A suitable approach for the design of means of escape in a house in multiple occupation is given in the relevant provisions of Section 5 of DOE Circular 12/92: Houses in multiple occupation. The licen
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeDefinitions – Space and Escape Terms (Part 2)
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Concealed space or cavity – a space enclosed by elements of a building (including a suspended ceiling) or contained within an element, but not a room, cupboard, circulation space, protected shaft or s
fire-safetymeans-of-escapedwellingDefinition: Emergency Egress Window
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Emergency egress window – an openable window in a dwelling that may be used for emergency egress in order to avoid entrapment should the escape route or routes be blocked by fire or smoke.
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeHabitable room
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Habitable room – any room in a dwelling other than a kitchen, utility room, bathroom, shower room, dressing room, store room or WC.
dwellingfire-safetyPrincipal habitable room
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Principal habitable room – the habitable room in a dwelling that is normally the most frequently used room for general daytime living purposes.
fire-safetydwellingProtected entrance hall or landing
NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Protected entrance hall or landing – a circulation area consisting of a hall or space within a dwelling, enclosed with fire-resisting construction (other than any part which is an external wall or bui
fire-safetydwellingmeans-of-escapeDwellinghouses - Introduction and height threshold
2.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The provisions for means of escape in typical one and two storey dwellinghouses (i.e. those with no storey more than 4.5 m above ground level) are limited to the common provisions given in paragraphs
dwellingmeans-of-escapefire-safetyAutomatic fire detection and warning
2.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The provisions for automatic fire detection and warning are given in paragraphs 2.23 to 2.33. The installation of smoke and heat alarms or automatic fire detection and alarm systems can significantly
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeEmergency egress windows - requirement and location
2.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Every storey (including a basement storey) in a dwellinghouse which does not have alternative escape routes leading to their own exits should have an emergency egress window for escape or rescue purpo
dwellingmeans-of-escapefire-safetyprotection-from-fallingEmergency egress windows – positioning requirements
2.4(b)-(d)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
where it is a dormer or roof window – be positioned as shown on Diagram 2.1; be located remote from the escape route; and comply with paragraph 2.9.
dwellingmeans-of-escapeprotection-from-fallingBasement storey escape provisions
2.4NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a basement storey contains a habitable room and does not have alternative escape routes it should be served by a protected stairway that extends to a final exit.
dwellingmeans-of-escapeEmergency egress windows for upper storeys
2.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Every habitable room, on an upper storey not more than 4.5 m above ground level that does not have alternative escape routes, should have an emergency egress window complying with paragraph 2.9 for es
dwellingmeans-of-escapeHabitable room access to hallway and entrance
2.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A habitable room should open directly onto a hallway (including a corridor or landing leading to the hallway) which leads to the entrance without passing through any room (except a porch), other than
dwellingmeans-of-escapeDiagram 2.1 – Emergency egress window dimensions and positioning
Diagram 2.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Emergency egress windows from roof space conversions of 2 storey dwellinghouses. (a) Dormer window – bottom of opening 800–1100 mm above floor level at eaves. (b) Roof window (rooflight) – bottom of o
dwellingmeans-of-escapeprotection-from-fallingAccess rooms to inner rooms - habitable rooms and kitchens
2.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A habitable room may be an access room to any inner room. A kitchen should not be an access room to an inner room other than – (a) to a utility room or conservatory which has an emergency egress windo
dwellingmeans-of-escapeAccess rooms to habitable rooms on storeys above
2.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a habitable room, by virtue of a stairway discharging into it, is an access room to a habitable room on the storey above – (a) the upper storey should be not more than 4.5 m above ground level;
dwellingmeans-of-escapestairsEmergency egress windows - dimensions and positioning
2.9NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An emergency egress window should – (a) have a clear opening that is not less than 0.33 m2 in area; and (b) have a clear opening that is at least 450 mm high and at least 450 mm wide. The lower edge o
dwellingmeans-of-escapeglazingEmergency egress windows - discharge to safe areas
2.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
An emergency egress window should lead to a place that is free from the danger of fire and not lead to an enclosed yard or garden unless it has an area of relative safety which is not less than the he
dwellingmeans-of-escapeSleeping galleries - height and dimensions
2.11NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a gallery for sleeping purposes is provided – (a) the gallery should be not more than 4.5 m above ground level; (b) the distance between the foot of the access stair to the gallery and the door
dwellingmeans-of-escapeKitchen as access room in dwellinghouses
2.11(e)NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
any cooking facilities within the room containing the gallery should either – (i) be enclosed with fire-resisting construction; or (ii) be remote from the stair to the gallery and be positioned so tha
dwellingmeans-of-escapefire-safetyProvisions for dwellinghouse with one storey more than 4.5 m above ground level
2.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with only one storey more than 4.5 m above ground level – (a) the top storey should – (i) be separated from the lower storeys by fire-resisting construction; and (ii) have an altern
dwellinghigh-risemeans-of-escapefire-safetystairsConversion of roof space in two-storey dwellinghouses
2.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where the storey which is more than 4.5 m above ground level is created by the conversion of the roof space of a two storey dwellinghouse the provisions of paragraphs 2.17 to 2.22 may be applied as an
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeAdditional provisions for dwellinghouses with multiple storeys above 4.5 m
2.14NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with two or more storeys more than 4.5 m above ground level – (a) all storeys above the storey containing the final exit should be served by a protected stairway which complies with
dwellinghigh-risefire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsDucted air circulation systems in dwellinghouses with storeys over 4.5 m
2.15NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
In a dwellinghouse with a storey more than 4.5 m above ground level, any system of ducted air circulation should – (a) not be fitted with transfer grilles between any room and a protected stairway; (b
dwellingfire-safetyhigh-riseventilationPassenger lifts in dwellinghouses with storeys over 4.5 m
2.16NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a passenger lift is provided and serves a storey more than 4.5 m above ground level it should either – (a) be located in the enclosure of a protected stairway; or (b) be contained in a fire-resi
dwellingfire-safetyhigh-riseRoof space conversions to habitable accommodation
2.17NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a roof space is to be converted to a habitable accommodation room or kitchen, an automatic fire detection and fire alarm in accordance with paragraph 2.23 and or 2.24 should be provided within t
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeEnclosure of existing stairway - general requirements
2.18NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The existing stairway should be enclosed by fire-resisting walls and either – (a) extend to a final exit as shown in Diagram 2.3(a); or (b) lead to at least two escape routes at ground level, each del
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapestairsGlazing in existing stairway enclosure
2.19NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Any glazing (whether new or existing) in the enclosure of the existing stairway, other than to a bathroom or sanitary accommodation, should be fire-resisting. (See Tables 2.8, 4.1 and 4.2.)
dwellingfire-safetyglazingstairsDoors in existing stairway enclosure
2.20NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Other than where paragraph 2.18 requires a fire door, every doorway in the enclosure to the existing stairway should be fitted with an imperforate door. A door to a habitable room or a kitchen should
dwellingfire-safetystairsFire separation of new storey from existing building
2.21NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
The new storey should be separated from the rest of the dwellinghouse by fire-resisting construction. The new stairway should either – (a) rise as a continuation of the existing stairway and enclosure
dwellingfire-safetystairsEmergency egress windows in new storey habitable rooms
2.22NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Each habitable room in the new storey should have – (a) an emergency egress window which complies with paragraph 2.9; or (b) an emergency egress dormer window or roof window, of the size given in para
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeglazingAutomatic fire detection and fire alarm systems in dwellinghouses
2.23NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A dwellinghouse should be provided with either – (a) smoke alarms complying with BS 5446-1 BS EN 14604 and a heat alarm or alarms complying with BS 5446-2 installed in accordance with paragraphs 2.25
dwellingfire-safetyLarge dwellinghouses
2.24NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where any storey in a dwellinghouse is more than 200 m2 in area the dwellinghouse should be provided with – (a) where the number of storeys is not more than 3 – an automatic fire detection and fire al
dwellingfire-safetyExtensions and alterations with new habitable rooms or kitchens
2.24ANI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where any new habitable room or kitchen is provided, an automatic fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with paragraph 2.23 or 2.24 should be installed within the new habitable room or ki
dwellingfire-safetyProvision of smoke alarms and heat alarms
2.25NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
At least one smoke alarm should be provided – (a) in the circulation route or routes on each storey; and (b) in the principal every habitable room, and at least one heat alarm should be provided in ev
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeInstallation of smoke alarms and heat alarms
2.26NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Smoke alarms and heat alarms should be permanently wired to either – (a) a regularly used lighting circuit; or (b) a circuit which – (i) is separately fused at the distribution board; (ii) serves only
dwellingfire-safetySmoke alarm location requirements
2.27NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Smoke alarms should be located in the circulation route or routes of a dwellinghouse so that there is one – (a) not more than 3 m from every bedroom door; (b) not more than 7.5 m from every door to a
dwellingfire-safetymeans-of-escapeSmoke and heat alarm location requirements
2.28NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Smoke alarms should be located in a principal every habitable room so that no point in the room is more than 7.5 m from the nearest smoke alarm. Heat alarms should be located in a kitchen so that no p
dwellingfire-safetySmoke and heat alarm positioning requirements
2.29NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A smoke alarm or heat alarm should be located so that it is – (a) either on a ceiling and not less than 300 mm from a wall or light fitting, or where designed for wall mounting on a wall and not less
dwellingfire-safetyCeiling-mounted smoke alarm positioning
2.30NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a smoke alarm is mounted on a ceiling, it should be located so that its sensitive element is not less than 25 mm or more than 600 mm below the ceiling.
dwellingfire-safetyCeiling-mounted heat alarm positioning
2.31NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where a heat alarm is mounted on a ceiling, it should be located so that its sensitive element is not less than 25 mm or more than 150 mm below the ceiling. A heat alarm should not be located above a
dwellingfire-safetySmoke alarm exclusion locations
2.32NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
A smoke alarm should not be located in a kitchen, garage or other place where steam, condensation or fumes could give false alarms.
dwellingfire-safetyFire detection in sheltered dwellings
2.33NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Where dwellinghouses are part of a sheltered dwelling scheme with a warden or supervisor, the fire detection and fire alarm system within each dwellinghouse should be connected to the warden's or supe
dwellingfire-safetyTable 2.3: Limitations on Travel Distances
Table 2.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.3 Limitations on travel distances Purpose group | Use of the building or part of the building | Maximum travel distance where travel is possible in – One direction only (m) | More than one di
fire-safetymeans-of-escapedwellingflatsnon-domesticpublic-buildingcommercialindustrialLimitations on the use of uninsulated glazing in enclosures and fire doors
Table 2.8NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Table 2.8 Limitations on the use of uninsulated glazing in enclosures and fire doors Position of glazed element | Permitted extent of glazing in parts of a building with access to – A single stair |
fire-safetyglazingmeans-of-escapedwellingflatsnon-domesticFire classification of construction products
3.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet E Fire Safety
Performance in terms of reaction to fire to be met by construction products is determined by Commission Decision 200/147/EC of 8th February 2000 implementing Council Directive 89/106/EEC as regards th
fire-safetynon-domesticdwelling